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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Communication Breakdown (12/16/10)
Halogen Lamp,
Secured
Twenty feet
Above dark portals
On weathered,
Red-stained
Boards,
Sputters in
Twilight’s slow approach.

Sensor Light,
Made to cast
Piercing light
Upon
Shadowed soil.
On at dusk
Off at dawn -
What confounds your
Design?

Glass sheathed cornea
Locked in
Unblinking stares -
Sightless
But to
Dawn’s awakening
Blind but to
Day’s looming slumber.

Understanding centered
In simple perceptions
Of cockcrow and cicadas call.

Welcome sun
That causes you
Sleep -
Darkness
Your appointed
Vigil.

Wretched Lantern,
What causes you
To hold your light
Inside?

What words hinder
Your hounding
Of darkness
Into the hills?

What message
Sways you
The duty
To which you were assigned?

What directive
Do you not understand?

Starlight does not halt
Your work -
Even in cloudless skies
You shine!

Night scudded heavens -
Cause you to glisten
In sheening shatters.

Partial moonlight
Is held hostage
In your burning luster.

What then foils
Your circuitry?

In the chalked halo
Of the full moon
Your own light
Lies strangled.
Feeble, if at all,
It sputters.

Art thou mortal,
Sensor Lamp,
To fall as man doest fall
Before
The inestimable beauty
Of the full moon?

Do the diagrams and instructions
Read and programmed
Into your deepest fissure
Fizzle in the moon’s
Allure?

On at dusk
Off at dawn
Simply stated
Easily understood
Yet even this
Bewilders your acuity
In the calm of the
Moon’s bewitching charms.

My mind tires
To re-set
Your course,
In constant
Admonitions.

Dare I fault you
For falling prey
To this temptress –
The full moon?
As even now my conscience
Shakes her finger over such
Thoughts.

Yet man was made for such
foibles.
Not entities
Such as you.

You, Dear Halogen,
Can be returned to vendor
For not performing as you were made,
Ex post facto.

Mortals, however,
Are graced to
Work out our faults
Before being called back home.
Nullen crimen.
Forgiven.

In the moon’s soft,
But potent corona
I consider this.
I see an extension ladder,
Cold and wet in the morning dew.
I consider the work –
As well as the time
And distance to
Your origin.
I sigh.

Not every night
Is a full moon,
I think.
And others have put up
With less perfection from me.

So, you are safe.
At least this night,
Dear Beacon.
On at dusk
Off at dawn.
Stay focused,
I completely understand.
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This article has been read 1476 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Mona Purvis
12/23/10
There's an 'Out-of-the-Box' take on this topic. Very unusual. It really left me thinking.How on earth did you come up with this and then make it so introspective? Wow!
Melanie Kerr 
12/26/10
You use some very striking images in describing the light.
Verna Cole Mitchell 
12/27/10
So good it gave me chill bumps--really creative interpretation.
Michael Throne
12/30/10
This is fun. It felt a little long until the end, and then it was all worth it. Good thoughts and nicely written.
Henry Clemmons
12/30/10
I loved every word, every picture. This was true art and you an artist. A great multi-talented writer. I enjoy each of your entries. Congrats on your recognition!
Henry Clemmons
12/30/10
Forgot, this was a great string of words; I mean masterful. They need framing.

What words hinder
Your hounding
Of darkness
Into the hills?

I did say I liked this piece, didn't I?

Verna Cole Mitchell 
12/30/10
Congratulations, my friend, on placing with this masterfully creative poem. I've told you you're a poet...and now you've proved it!
Cheryl Harrison
12/30/10
Unique take on the topic. Very creative. Congrats on your placing!
Beth LaBuff 
12/30/10
I loved your voice in this poem! Great work, Loren. Congrats on your Editor's Choice.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
12/31/10
Congratulations on this fresh out of the box piece!
Deborah Porter 
01/10/11
Loren, I've been meaning to come in and comment on this since the winners were announced. If we had an award for freshest take on the topic, you would have got it. It's the sort of poem that rewards those who persevere, tune out the distractions, and really absorb. First time through, I was lost. Second read, I was totally engrossed and delighted as every little part of it fell into place and made perfect sense--on two levels. As others have mentioned, I'm in awe that you thought of this for the topic, and tied it in with an excellent message. Great writing, mate! Keep it coming. In His love, Deb (Challenge Coordinator)