When Words Pale

(four different attempts on this subject matter, Sky View already published)

I planned a poem to celebrate Vermont in fall,

a vision of thick forests upon her mountain slopes.

A mesmerising mass of vermillion intensity

graded in height, whose breathless beauty would

raise a gasp from even the most reluctant of ghosts.

So transfixed was I by layers of fluttering skirts,

of bright foliage, interwoven with splashes of

ochre, molten gold and hooker green, I wondered

whether I could attempt to capture the magnificence

to convey all I had seen in mere words.

And then I looked at the heavenly, cloudless sky,

not a feather of floating cloud in sight, not a wisp of

wayward white,just bluer than deepest sapphire blue.

There's no colour chart on earth that would replicate

that hue. It's a Vermont sky, one to sigh for.

If this wasn't bountiful enough, I was gifted twice,

a reflection of all in cool clear waters of a silent lake.

How great is that? Two for the price of one.

Abundant as well as lavish is nature's mother

when her mood exudes kindness.

So I took the whole of what my eyes had perused,

and tasked my muse to give of her best

because I wished to pen with an artist's flair

for a fellow poet who has an affinity with this place,

much loved from his early childhood days.

I wrote in couplets, in triolets. I tried free verse

and I bled in rhyme and after a time I was on the 

point of giving up, convinced I had failed, but

I desired my friend should feel the agony of my pen,

when I tried to do justice to his Vermont.

Reviews

[.]

Don't give up, don't give up please and you know you portrayed it so beautifully!!The beauty of Vermont came alive with your words and I hope your friend must be delighted with this portrayal.

Your sky portrayal was so aesthetically poetic....liked it so much

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Sima you are always so encouraging. I thank you. Have a lovely day.

Chris

[.]

You are so welcome.Have a lovely day to you too.

[CD Campbell]

Well I've been briefly through Vermont on my way to Maine, which I love btw, but never appreciated its beauty as you so eloquently penned. You have me convinced I should have stayed a while and not been in such a hurry . I know you allude to another poet and I guess I could do a smidgen of research to get to the bottom of it, but I dont want to. I'd rather enjoy your vision as is of blue skies and silent lakes. Thanks Chris for taking us along on a great ride.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you CD. The images which inspired this write were knock out. The colours so intense. We do not get that here in autumn. We have more ochres, russets and browns. The reds are something else. Appreciate your visit. All good wishes.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Well, Vermont is laid out before us in this well crafted piece Chris. You have such a talent for capturing the essence and soul of a view.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John. I certainly appreciate nature at its best. A spectacular view with colour, always does it for me. All good wishes.

Chris