Like so many others, thanks to Margaret Simon‘s introduction and wonderful mentor poems, I jumped right on the Zeno train. The form was created by J. Patrick Lewis and consists of 8 lines with a syllable count of 8,4,2,1,4,2,1,4,2,1, with the one syllable lines rhyming. I’ve been playing around with it a lot in my notebook lately.
Last weekend as the sun rose, I spotted this lovely tree, brilliant in the midst of the frost-covered cemetery. It seemed a perfect fit for a Zeno. I’m still toying around with endings, but for now I’m going with this version.
O’er frosted tombstones, amber flare
surges upward
glowing
bright
final flash of
golden
light
doused too soon by
winter’s
night
M. Hogan ©2018
This week’s Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by the warmly welcoming Brenda Davis Harsham at her lovely blog, Friendly Fairy Tales. Thanks, Brenda!
Nix the comfort zone 
Oh how beautiful – we should all try to be that tree, filling the world around us with colour and joy!
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Something to aspire to!
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What a beautiful flame of a tree in the midst of that cold and frosty cemetery. Yes, doused too soon. I think you’ve captured the spirit AND the law of xeno. Nicely done.
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Thanks, Linda. I’ve really enjoyed playing around with this form.
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The first line is such a great visual, Molly. How unique the photo is and you captured it. Nicely done.
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Thanks, Carol. Fall is so beautiful!
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I love the contrast between bright and dark, both in the photo and the poem.
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Thanks, JoAnn. In the early morning light, it was especially brilliant.
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‘Amber flare’. Beautiful. And you are right – the form fits the subject perfectly.
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Oh my, that picture is stunning, and your poem captures it beautifully, Molly, love the ‘final flash’ & the ending ‘doused too soon’.
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Thanks, Linda. I’m so glad you liked the ending. I reworked it a few times.
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Very cool… love the format
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Thanks! I know I’m going to write more of these. They are a challenge, but I really like the form.
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I’m so excited that you tried a zeno! And what a beautiful photograph to write to! I love it. I especially like “amber flare” and “final flash.” Great way to extend a metaphor all the way to “doused too soon.”
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Thanks to you, Margaret, for introducing me to this form!
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Nice cold weather poem, has a nostalgic feel to it.
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I feel like now that I’m in my 50s, nostalgia is commonly a part of my written work. Fall also brings it out.
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S glad you jumped on the zeno train! This is beautiful. xo
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Thanks, Irene!
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What a photo! I can see how that would be inspiring. You really ran with it. “Flare” is such an excellent metaphor on multiple levels.
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Thanks, Tabatha. I’m trying to write more poetry in response to my photos. It seems like a natural fit, so why not!?
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That’s quite a tree! Glad you captured its beauty and wonder in your zeno (cool form!).
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Thanks, Jama! I’m so glad Margaret Simon introduced me to this form!
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Your words go perfectly with the photo–love “amber flare.” Nice zeno!
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Thanks, Buffy!
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Sounds like a rich old poem from long ago–but also so contemporary. Lovely poem and glowing trees–natures so inspiring–thanks for capturing it in your poem and image!
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Thanks, Michelle! The contrast of the cold, frosty tombstones and the brilliant warm color in the tree really “spoke” to me.
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I love it!!! Especially love the glowing tree surrounded by frost. 🙂
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Thanks, Debbie! It was quite a contrast.
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What a brilliant sight! Thanks for sharing your poem too!
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Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Myra!
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What an image! Like all the memories from the grayness of the graves surged up to remind us of the lives they once were! Love your zeno!
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Thanks, Mary Lee! I think there’s a seed to a poem in your response!
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Just lovely–that photograph captures the trees brilliant fall colors and your zeno shines a light on it!
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The lighting was beautiful that morning and the tree just about glowed!
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