The music of light is caught
in his eyes. Don't tell him
a song has been hunted and got
and imprisoned there — not dim
even when his lids make shade,
but shining ahead wherever he goes.
Whether he wanders in some glade
or follows the river where it flows,
there is still that radiant music. It lies
behind his own vision, it might be stone
for all it displays to him. But it never dies
to our perception. In colour and tone
it is a unique thing, delicate as finest lawn
or a rippling echo: not quite here, never gone.
That phrase, 'the music of light', has been presenting itself to me for some time, with no context. The Bout-Rimés challenge at 'imaginary garden with real toads' gave me a chance to explore it and see where it led — to a further mystery.
The end words of these lines come from another poem. We were invited to identify it. I feel that I should and do know it, but can't place it. It's pretty obviously a sonnet, and might be Shakespearian ('glade' is not a word much used today; and 'got' in an older sense — of begotten — is more likely to end a line than the contemporary use I give it). However....
My poem could be seen as a free verse sonnet — having no regular metre, but a sonnet's rhyme scheme and some (unplanned) shifts of focus as it moves into the last six lines and then the last two — or just a 14-line poem. (I wasn't setting out to write a sonnet, but only to follow my imagination.)
I'm also linking to Poets United's Poetry Pantry #254
Amazing what varied treasures we can create from one prompt.
ReplyDeleteNot to worry. The dog pictured is not a stray. She is my sweet Ki-Anne, a rescue dog, exploring the stream ahead of me. She is quite spoiled. I will deny any responsibility where my quirky writing takes me.
Have a blessed evening.
A very nice poem!
ReplyDeleteThe music of light is caught in his eyes.. What a wonderful image to follow through.. Somehow if we can carry that light within we can survive I think.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful :D loved the expressions in this breath-taking piece :D
ReplyDeletexoxo
beautiful
ReplyDeleteThis poem reads so effortlessly that the concept of 'The Music of Light' must surely exist...it is sounded out beautifully here...
ReplyDeleteYou worked the challenge well. You have captured the magic of the 'music of light.' So true- 'not quite here, never gone.'
ReplyDeleteThis made me think of Orpheus, and the enchanting music of his lyre. Beautiful work, Rosemary.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Kerry-- the music and light here both wonderful. Somehow I don't think its Shakespearean but Victorian-- the source I mean! Yours is terrific. k.
ReplyDeleteluv the vibrancy of music captured in light here, and the theme of it being hunted adds to the reality of making thing happen by effort
ReplyDeletehave a nice Sunday
much love...
This is a music that seems to dance the light in words across the page. I, too thought the end-rhymes might have come from a Shakespearean sonnet, but there are so many of them! Or it could have been a Rossetti one--I may have to look now.
ReplyDeleteNot quite here, but never gone. That says it. It made me think of ghosts that trick those first rays of light allowing us to see those that have passed beyond, but not really. Not yet anyway. They still reside here, perhaps because of the strength of our heart for them.
ReplyDeleteI love how you wrote something with a very different, and lighter, than most of us did, given the words on the list. Very nice, Rosemary.
ReplyDeleteThe music that is "not quite here" is the most haunting of all...
ReplyDeleteI'm extremely curious to know why we are not to "tell him." I blame the storyteller in me, always wanting to know, "What happens next!"
ReplyDeleteCan't enlighten you, I'm afraid. I only know as much of the story as the poem gave me!
DeleteI love that 'radiant music' that he follows...seems to be it's within him...
ReplyDeleteRosemary, this poem appeals in so many ways - a very tight write. Love the focus, the scope, the whole idea of the music of his inner light, and the closing "not quite here, never gone". Fantastic work! I can see the light in his eyes all the way across the planet.
ReplyDeleteYour poem is incredibly romantic .. I enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteThis speaks to me of the music in the journey of life that calls us onward..the never ending song ..once we catch a glimpse it haunts us.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful imagery and idea.....having the music of light caught in his eyes. I like that.
ReplyDeleteI am intrigued with this idea of the music of light....I read and reread your wonderful poem following this music of light through his eyes....
ReplyDeleteFor me, your closing line was intriguing...about echos, "a rippling echo: not quite here, never gone" neat!
ReplyDeletethere's music everywhere. even silence has its own. :)
ReplyDeleteI think perhaps it our job to reuse those words that fall out of favor for some inappropriate made up
ReplyDeleteones; Not that Shakespeare did not coin a few! So "sylvan glade" is I am sure I have sneaked in once or twice in my writing! So while you are writing such beautiful poems slips a few more in do!
A kaleidoscope of images.
ReplyDeleteThe title got me hooked to this lovely poem ... wonderfully written :-)
ReplyDeleteThe music of light.... Not quite here, but never gone.... so lovely and ethereal
ReplyDeletemusic and songs... they really are important and have a powerful effect upon our spirt... Nice take on these words.
ReplyDeleteEphemeral nature, I like this idea very much.
ReplyDeleteYour title, as you illustrated has a gold mine to explore...
ReplyDeleteZQ
Oh it is magical. The idea as a musician makes me excited and free - like when I first heard that notes have color...
ReplyDeleteThe music of the light....very interesting thought.....because indeed it's never gone and not here yet...I see sometimes dreams with music at the background....and sometimes nothing even happens but music, always peaceful and inviting...~ now, reflecting in his eyes - another facet of the poem....another riddle in the maze you only know...~ magical, esp. with these required words.
ReplyDeleteI love how you listened and patiently awaited an opportunity to express "the music of light" appropriately, Rosemary. A true talent takes the pieces and puts them together in good time. Well done.
ReplyDeleteGee, Rosemary, you have made these words your own. I never would have guessed you wrote this beauty to such a prompt. I felt I should know the poet, too. But I cannot dredge it up in my brain.
ReplyDeleteI've got a feeling it's John Donne -
ReplyDeleteGreart work oh Snaky one
It's neither -
ReplyDeleteYes, Bjorn who set th prompt has divulged the secret: Richard Wilbur's 'Death of a Toad' — which I was not familiar with after all.
DeleteThis is wonderful, Rosemary. It flows seamlessly, and I love the ending.
ReplyDeleteyou've captured this so well, Rosemary ~
ReplyDeleteRosemary,
ReplyDeleteA most calming piece of writing. Reading after a stormy day of wind and rain...Your placid notes were very welcome.
Eileen
when i read this....i saw someone dancing in the crystal reflections of the rivers waves. how inspiring! thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletenot quite here, never gone
ReplyDeleteI loved your Music of Light - I'm sure I hear it often. LOL