Light flickering

for Vol's Group, prompt to do with fire, ash, etc.

Sunday early morning yawning time

late to slide from crumpled bed

not kneeling in prayer but - feeling

the lingering warmth of ash now grey, 

once gorgeous gay, in a ripe bright

light flickering in the grate

Ash, the aftermath of heated holiness

silent with past, flits an' spits of

sparkling bark, blazing 'neath a dark

smoky scented stain of old kettle

settled on metal plate, heating drips

from tap set by our ma's finger tips

Now'days radiators stand looking alone,

heat silent, nowt to noise, nowt to glow,

only plugs' powered sans theatrics

playing their roles by offering heat

to those with money-low hope as 

shadows dance walls stained by smoke

Reviews

[Elnnes Scholtz]

Your poem "Sunday Early Morning" is a beautiful meditation on the remnants of warmth and the passage of time. The imagery you create with ash—once vibrant and alive—evokes a sense of nostalgia, transporting us to a moment where the flickering light holds both memory and melancholy.

The contrast between the “gorgeous gay” ashes and the “lonely” radiators captures the bittersweet nature of change. I appreciate how you weave in the tactile details, like the “smoky scented stain” and the “drips from old tap,” which bring the scene to life, allowing readers to feel the textures of your experience.

Your exploration of heat, both physical and emotional, resonates deeply. The shift from a lively warmth to the quiet stillness of modernity reflects a universal truth about our connections to home and the people we cherish. The phrase “shadows dance walls stained by smoke” is particularly striking, creating a vivid picture of how past warmth lingers even in its absence.

Thank you for sharing this evocative piece; it invites reflection on the small yet profound moments that shape our lives.

Warmly,
Elnnes

[emmajoygreen]

What a wonderful review, thank you so very much, You have read carefully, found the little cues that added themselves as my fingers invited my intentions! :)

[Elnnes Scholtz]

Thank you for this masterpiece you have written

[emmajoygreen]

Smiling over the miles, Elnnes

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Em… the warmth from Heaven penetrates my Soul… as the Tea Kettle sings Hallelujah… You are an Angel awakening with the flutter of Wings… Amen,🙏 Pat

[emmajoygreen]

Heelo, m'darling! Your reviews are the poetry I wish I could write.. they touch my heart every time you leave this or that word in your wake. My love and bestest wishes to both you and Roger. You are such a lady, Roger special too. Hugs.

[Patricia Wedel]

I appreciate you dear Em.. I love to review poems with poetic feelings. For myself I remember the words “To Err is Human… to Forgive is Divine”.. or at least that is what I wish were True. 💕 Pat

[emmajoygreen]

How right you are .. (Pat)

[Ken Simm.]

I doubt I have ever read something so beautiful about making a fire.

[emmajoygreen]

You're always so generous, Mr Simm - many, many thank yous. I try - as many times said!

[Ken Simm.]

Yes I can see you are trying.

[emmajoygreen]

You altered your intention before typing the before.. i know, after all these years, can read you like a comic!

[Ken Simm.]

Beano or Dandy? Mine was the Topper. But you are too young. And I am Dennis the Menace.

[emmajoygreen]

Would I ever argue with a friend... um. :)

I read m y older ssters mags, loved Cosmolitan , was full of oh so interesting topics! Had to use a dictionary quite frequently. :0

[Ken Simm.]

I needed a diagram.

[emmajoygreen]

That makes sense.. surprised there wasn't one included. Could have been done as I might have created rooms within gardens or similar. A clash of minds there.. non-existent or rusty!

[Ken Simm.]

Er. I think .It was because I couldn't decide which way up it was and where you put the flange nut so it would be at its most romantic.

[emmajoygreen]

Is that on your passion bucket list, Mr. Simm?! Fancy a McFlange label - 17% proof - flanges one and all would fly high alone, yes, but correct!

[Dave W.]

You are so freaking good. This poem just flows wonderfully, it was fun to read aloud.

[emmajoygreen]

Many thanks for calling in and leaving such kind words. I can but try!

[Jeyanthi]

Wow...
This makes me to remember Hidie (how grandfather and herself , being ready for winter)...
Beautiful take ... 🙂

[emmajoygreen]

Those preparations were surely the best because they had proved themselves year after year after year! Thank you so much for sharing, Jeyanthi.

[Jeyanthi]

Always ✨️
Can add "the name of the poetic form " you use... a learner can learn ...

[Lisasview]

Interesting to read this just now Emma Joy as Bob, my husband and I were just today talking bout how it is getting colder and we need to put wood close to the fireplace so to enjoy the cracking fire ...
Last year in Spain it really seldom was cold enough... so we are hoping it will be this year... and we do have radiators as well...
Really enjoyed your thoughts and your poem dearest Emmajoy,
Lisasview, still in Spain

[emmajoygreen]

Will cross fingers and toes that this year's Winter will be as kind as last year's. But also knowing, you're otherwise prepared! Many thanks for your kind comments. Smile at your new day and hope that in turn, it will both smile AT you and - laugh- WITH you.

[Lisasview]

Always a pleasure to hear from you...
Lisa

[Marie]

Dear Emma, you contrast the past so poetically with the present in this sublime write. Love the ash still with dying embers in the grate and how you describe radiators standing looking lonely, heating silently, not glowing but powered by plugs to offer heat while shadows dance across walls once stained by smoke. SO many beautiful images captured within this magical poem, Emma. Kudos on a truly beautiful poem which took me back in time. Love it! Thank you for sharing, dear Emma...

[emmajoygreen]

Time is far more beautiful than we give it thanks for! It's not always the most modern that proves the best when it come to kindness and warmth. So sayeth me with too much of an opinion !!!!

[Marie]

I so agree with your opinion, dear Emma. It is spot on, dear friend. Thank you for sharing...

[Tumi]

I find the first stanza quite relatable to early Sunday morning feeling before going to church
Love the flow, strong imagery in the second stanza, the alliteration went well, a great poem

[emmajoygreen]

What wonderfully generous words, tumi - thank you so very much. Here's hoping the new week is kind to you.

[Lorry]

Well that certainly knocks my attempt at it for a six, I believe those cricket types would say! 😃
For all the benefits of modern
heating, you flawlessly tell of the benefits a roaring fires sad ash-pile brings to mind for those lucky enough to have been brought up in the days of coal and sweet scented wood.
I have never once read a poem of the joys of drying your hair in front of a radiator, probably due to anyone enjoying that have long since been caught in nets and shown to a room of bouncy wallpaper immediately, in a nice wraparound coat!
And who can forget the pleasure the thought of getting home on a cold day, knowing there'd be a crackling fire to get you all toasty warm and instantly forgetting the brr outside!

[emmajoygreen]

Your final sentence is a precious gift and memory! Those thoughts can make a person remember how wonderful it was to have that glow and warmth cure so many of a day's 'hiccups'! You have such a
way with words, Lorry! Thanks for the memories always.. I'm still trying to make a few before.. ..

[Lorry]

That glow was a real thing too! Not like the fake glow that advertisers in my youth spoon fed us with their pre-packaged fancy porridge lies of yep, you've guessed it, reddy brek!
I remember forcing myself to eat it in the hope we'd all glow orange like the ads, but they never stopped to think that we couldn't see ourselves, or our brothers and sisters glow.
They tried to break my fragile little mind with their lies, but it didn't work. Well, not until the Christmas ads started and I found out that it was all just fantasy scenes that made my evel kneivel bike soar through the air like it was on some kind of pulley system that had been air brushed out!
And I promise you, I'm only going to fall for their lies a few dozen more times before I get all sceptical and suspicious that they might be fibbing to us. I mean, don't they know that santa is watching and they are being naughty! Pfft! 😃

[Franky]

What beautiful, thoughtful poetry. I love the descriptions. Yes! It's that time of year isn't it? I've got my wool socks and long underwear on. Lol

[emmajoygreen]

Laughing! Never too early to prepare. Must awaym but many thanks for the giggle

[Franky]

You're very welcome. This was refreshing poetry.

[emmajoygreen]

And freer than free can be!

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

What a lovely ode. I can really feel the warmth of the fire and the smell of the burnt wood while reading this. Today was the first cold day this autumn, and it brought me a bit of warmth.

[emmajoygreen]

What a kind review, sir. The fire and its warmth are welcome to all those feeling the chill of coming Winter. Many thanks.