Pantoum Poems
Incident
by Natasha Trethewey
We tell the story every year—
how we peered from the windows, shades drawn—
though nothing really happened,
the charred grass now green again.
We peered from the windows, shades drawn,
at the cross trussed like a Christmas tree,
the charred grass still green. Then
we darkened our rooms, lit the hurricane lamps.
At the cross trussed like a Christmas tree,
a few men gathered, white as angels in their gowns.
......
A Blanket of Diamonds
by Evelyn Judy Buehler
Golden stars tell the story, of still, night's glory,
Twinkling and flashing, in the hours of dreams,
Long after the dazzling sunset, a black cherry,
Full moon's lovely as it's pouring, satiny cream.
Twinkling and flashing, in the hours of dreams,
And filling the night with a kind of black magic,
Full moon's lovely as it's pouring, satiny cream.
The smooth lakes and soft moon flowers gleam.
......
Red Robin Serenade
by Evelyn Judy Buehler
Red robin has long been singing, amidst a forest green spring,
In the burnt apricot days of sun, of teal skies fresh and clear,
Warbling to a blooming world unseen, hues coming and going.
Then red butterflies appear, like pale moon in plum mists sheer.
In the burnt apricot days of sun, of teal skies fresh and clear,
Satiny voiced red robin sings, while grazing the cream clouds.
Then red butterflies appear, like pale moon in plum mists sheer;
And all of nature's lovely crowds, are wrapt in dusky shrouds.
......
Parent's Pantoum
by Carolyn Kizer
for Maxine Kumin
Where did these enormous children come from,
More ladylike than we have ever been?
Some of ours look older than we feel.
How did they appear in their long dresses
More ladylike than we have ever been?
But they moan about their aging more than we do,
In their fragile heels and long black dresses.
......
Dazzling Balls of Fire
by Evelyn Judy Buehler
The old year went out with a big boom,
One sentimental New Year's Eve night.
Dark skies displayed many vivid plumes,
My stars! It was such a lovely sight!
One sentimental New Year's Eve night,
Vibrant fireworks had special meaning.
My stars! It was such a lovely sight!
A time when the future lay dreaming.
......
Lovers Memory Lane
by Evelyn Judy Buehler
Where've I been in time? Seems I've passed this way before.
I remember you. Do you remember me? Life can be strange;
Like entering the same old spaces, only using different doors!
But, meeting prior isn't possible, unless time was rearranged.
I remember you. Do you remember me? Life can be strange!
Both mysterious and perplexing, what my heart is telling me;
But, meeting prior isn't possible, unless time was rearranged,
Offering on the spur of a moment, a seeming double destiny.
......
Red Robin Serenade
by Evelyn Judy Buehler
Red robin has long been singing, amidst a forest green spring,
In the burnt apricot days of sun, of teal skies fresh and clear,
Warbling to a blooming world unseen, hues coming and going.
Then red butterflies appear, like pale moon in plum mists sheer.
In the burnt apricot days of sun, of teal skies fresh and clear,
Satiny voiced red robin sings, while grazing the cream clouds.
Then red butterflies appear, like pale moon in plum mists sheer;
And all of nature's lovely crowds, are wrapt in dusky shrouds.
......
A Blanket of Diamonds
by Evelyn Judy Buehler
Golden stars tell the story, of still, night's glory,
Twinkling and flashing, in the hours of dreams,
Long after the dazzling sunset, a black cherry,
Full moon's lovely as it's pouring, satiny cream.
Twinkling and flashing, in the hours of dreams,
And filling the night with a kind of black magic,
Full moon's lovely as it's pouring, satiny cream.
The smooth lakes and soft moon flowers gleam.
......
Farewell and Goodnight
by Evelyn Judy Buehler
In the midst of red evening, leaves fall from the sky,
Yielding lavish hues and vibrancy, to gathering dusk.
Under a pearl moon, twirling leaves wave goodbye,
To warmer, brighter, gold days, in the pale stardust.
Yielding lavish hues and vibrancy, to gathering dusk,
Pretty, migratory birds, are taking the longest flight,
To warmer, brighter, gold days, in the pale stardust,
And final blooms of the season, add a cool goodnight.
......
Scattery Clouds
by Evelyn Judy Buehler
The beautiful, refreshing storm's just now ended,
And the gleaming sun peeks at strawberry fields,
Redbuds dance for joy, for the rain is suspended,
And exquisite birdsong follows the watery ordeal.
And the gleaming sun peeks at strawberry fields,
The zesty lemon clouds have begun their drifting,
And exquisite birdsong follows the watery ordeal.
Misty gloom has vanished, wild spirits now lifting.
......
