Sunday, December 28, 2008

STARDUST (OSI)

This tanka-style poem was inspired by a combination of this week’s prompt, Stardust, by the photo of the sunset a few days ago, and by some lyrics in a Joni Mitchell song.




ashes of burnt clouds
night wing rises in the west
look – the sky, the sky!
born of ancient glowing dust
we appear among the stars


We are stardust, we are golden
Billion year old carbon
And we got to get ourselves
Back to the garden

lyrics from "Woodstock"

For more poetic responses to this prompt, or to join in, visit
ONE SINGLE IMPRESSION

31 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Deb, Isn't it wonderful to look up at the sky and see a beautiful sunset??? AND---when it reminds you of a song or poem, that makes it even more special.

I walk with my iPod on--and sometimes we will round a curve and see something beautiful. At the same time I will hear a gorgeous song on my iPod... It all just goes together. Amazing.
Hugs,
Betsy

Great Grandma Lin said...

I love joni mitchell's song and just got an ipod-sounds like a great combination as I learn to use it better. Lovely sunset photo.

Anonymous said...

our brains must be on the same frequency this week! I love your poems, you did the prompt justice!

Rose said...

oh, that line: night wing rises in the west--it sure says a lot in a few words.

Beth P. said...

Dear Deborah--
I posted another comment, but not sure it 'took', so here it is again--

I really liked this--you took stardust in a similar way as I, but made it much warmer and more accessible--thank you!

Especially liked the 'billion year old carbon...back to the garden'! What a hoot!

Thanks a billion carbon years--

Geraldine said...

I always loved this song, when it was released and now. Great use of the prompt Deborah. Hugs, G

Dianne said...

joni is a goddess :)

incredible photo

Sylvia K said...

Always love you photos, poems -- everything you post! Also love Joni Mitchell! We are both surrounded by so much natural beauty, it's hard not to photograph it, write about it, celebrate it. Thanks as always!

anthonynorth said...

A beautiful poem including words from my favourite song?
Magical.

Anonymous said...

we are like stardust in the sky born of ancient glowing dust, I like the idea, wonderful take on OSI

Anonymous said...

my favorite is the last stanza :)

Raven said...

Lovely photo... and nice to be reminded of Joni Mitchell and woodstock and younger days when I felt more like stardust.

Anonymous said...

One of my favorites! Love the tankas, Deborah.

SandyCarlson said...

This is a very wonderful piece, Deb. I hope we do get back to the garden.

Quiet Paths said...

Yep, me too. (You know how I feel about Joni.) I heart your verses.."ashes of burnt clouds
night wing rises in the west". Whew. You speak of these things so simply and eloquently.

Jeeves said...

Beautiful post!!!

magiceye said...

this is so beautiful....

hitch writer said...

really beautiful post indeed !!!

Squirrel said...

the poem / bit of song lyric really fits the way we feel when we get outside on certain days.

Edward S Gault said...

I enjoyed the poem and the photo very much.
Thank you for sharing them.

Kim said...

Great poem as usual. Joni Mitchell rocks! I love folk music.

John E. Tran said...

Very nice... I love the first line "ashes of burnt clouds"... that is afterall what stardust really is!

gautami tripathy said...

ashes of burnt clouds

Ah...

This takes me to some mystical place..

playing for pleasing the moon

And please do visit Poetry Train being run each Monday!

Naturegirl said...

Deborah this sunset is spectacular..in the clouds I see a large feather!"night wing rises in the west"
Wishing you a Happy New year filled with joy and inspiration! =^.^= NG

Anonymous said...

I love your poem--it's wonderful!

I thought of the same song, too, as soon as I saw the prompt!

(and thanks for the education--I had to look up "tanka"!) ;)

Shelley said...

Looks like a scene out of a movie. Simply beautiful.

Tumblewords: said...

The sky carries so much memory - lovely work here!

Jim said...

Deborah, I don't know where I was when Joni sang this one.
I would have liked to have heard it sung. It is good, I'll go out on a limb (since every one else has already been here) and call this a romantic telling of the Big Bang. :-)
..

Melody said...

"ashes of burnt clouds"~ What a wonderful take on the prompt. Music is so inspiring, and your piece displays that. Thanks, ( and thanks for your kind comment).

Anonymous said...

.."a romantic telling of the Big Bang"_wonderful comment on a very beautiful poem..many thanks &
.. a very happy new year!..

Kathie Brown said...

Love your poem. Look for me in the stars!