Evasions
What we can’t find
shifts and relocates–
a destination uncontained
by any place, by any time–
(turn around, it disintegrates)–
what we can’t find
is a chord that won’t be captured or sustained,
a rhythmic dance that evaporates,
a destination uncontained
by what is annexed or confined–
(on every verge it hesitates)–
what we can’t find
is an empty signpost, uninscribed–
pointing out and over there, it dislocates
each destination. Uncontained,
incomplete, and undefined,
each choice continues and awaits
what we can’t find–
a destination, uncontained.
Another villanelle, for Sue Vincent’s photo prompt, above. Grace at dVerse talked about slant rhyme this week, and I’ve incorporated some ones that lean pretty far in my poem. I still find this form difficult, and this one needs some revision, especially in the flow.
Off prompt for NaPoWriMo Day12.
43 responses to “Evasions”
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- April 18, 2019 -
This is really marvelous, Kerfe. One of your best poems ever.
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Thanks so much Robbie. I really appreciate your support!
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Oooooh I was just reading “The Four Quartets” again and this reminded me of that!
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Thanks Nathan, that’s quite a comparison!
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I love this exploration, the mysteries of destination uncontained and what we can’t find.
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Thanks Victoria. There are many things we can’t find.
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I’d love to see a book of your art and poetry, Kerfe.
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Thanks Sue, me too! I haven’t had much luck with my art and poetry submissions lately, but the blog is always there for whoever finds it.
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Ever considered self publishing?
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I have, but my life seems too chaotic at the moment. Perhaps someday.
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I hope you will find time 🙂
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Thanks Sue.
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🙂
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I see much in the way of lost direction in your recent writings. This empty signpost might even have been lurking, unseen, in those others.
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That’s true, I’m kind of in limbo these days. I think it’s just a temporary state of a lot of uncertainty happening all at once. Things will sort themselves out, although it’s not happening as quickly as I would have hoped. And of course the world around me is unsettled too…
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Hi Kerfe, great poem and artwork!
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Thanks Jill!
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This had a very ecstatic essence, language of the atmos Kerfe,
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Thanks Rob. Sue’s photos always have a mystery about them that are reflected in the responses I think.
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I admire the exploration of uncertainty, the questioning, the lack of answers at each destination. The theme stands out for me and I also like the subtle shifts in the repeated/slant lines.
Thanks for joining our poetry form challenge.
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Thanks Grace. I’m finding it a good exercise to explore a form over a month’s time. And thanks for the information on rhymes!
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Wow! You got the signpost! I like the hesitation and indecision in the poem. It reflects the choices offered by the signpost. Good for you, trying out ‘slant’ rhymes. I can’t tell the difference between a slant rhyme and one that isn’t, but that’s maybe just my obtuseness.
Does anyone else see a crucifix in that painting?
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To me, it looks like a cross (no pun intended) between a crucifix and a bird flying up to the sky.
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Being Kerfe, it would have been surprising if there hadn’t been a bird in there somewhere 🙂
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True! 🙂
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When I first saw the photo I thought it was a grave, but the proportions are really wrong for a cross. My painting does resemble a crucifix, but also the bird is definitely there. That part is monoprint, and the results often become something other than intended. It’s very like the totems of the Native tribes of Northwest America.
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It’s also like arms flung wide, embracing. I suppose Christians might say that about the cross too, though if you were able to ask some of the thousands who have been crucified over the ages I doubt ’embracing’ is how they’d describe it.
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Probably not.
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I like your take on this. The signpost that can lead you to where you want to go, or misdirect you. And every time, we have a choice–every minute, I suppose. . .
I like the way the poem sort of stops and starts like someone approaching a signpost–real or metaphorical.
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I have a book of ideas and the starting phrase just leapt out at me when I was looking through it for a starting point for Sue’s photo. I always feel lost in a way, but you just have to keep going and see where you end up.
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That’s true.
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I love the last verse, It reminds me of creativity. Beautiful art and words today, Kerfe.
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Thanks Sharon.
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Nice description: “a destination uncontained” One can’t objectify that destination.
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Thanks Frank. We might have something in mind, but the world often has other ideas!
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Love your art and words.
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Thanks Ennie!
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You’re welcome.
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Oh, this reads beautifully, Kerfe ❤ I especially love these lines
What we can’t find
shifts and relocates–
a destination uncontained
by any place, by any time–
(turn around, it disintegrates)–
Because that's exactly what it does.
Day 12, catching up!
https://shukuen.blogspot.com/2019/04/glopowrimo-day-12.html
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Thanks Shuku. It does!
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I love this – the questioning, the hesitation. The form is so much a part of it, you could read it and not notice the structure, it flows so well. One of my favourites of yours.
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Thanks!
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