Emmeline, darkling darling of November
wears russet and red and the rain at dawn.
Her summer-gone ways turn miser to spender,
Emmeline, darkling darling of November.
Her cucks in the churchyard rotting, remember
the rose and her wrist that dropped it down.
Emmeline, darkling darling of November
wears russet and red and the rain at dawn.
__________
this is a triolet poem.
the image is French language singer Mylene Farmer.
I have written about Emmeline before.
and "Emmeline By Wolf Light"
She sounds like a riot! Just imagine all those bodies left in her wake...
ReplyDeleteTriolet, tho I rarely write them, is one of my very favorite forms, and in this one, you show exactly how effective their delicate repetition can be with the lines you have chosen for your refrain, and the sparse but striking language you use to paint not just a visual portrait, but one that reflects the inner secret being we all have who walks outside the lines, and perhaps the secrets of November itself. I especially love "..the rose and her wrist that dropped it down..." but you really can't pick one line over another here--they are all exquisite.
ReplyDeleteShay--What a wonderful phrase "darkling darling" is. And the idea of wearing the rain? Brilliant (as is usual for you)
ReplyDeleteNicely done. I really like your word choice.
ReplyDelete"darkling darling" and "russet and red and the rain at dawn."
Yes, lush and lovely, but I'm curious about the cucks..Is it referring to cuckolds?
ReplyDeleteYes, but it also means "a weak or servile man."
DeleteThe language is delicious in this piece, a strong impression made in this terse form.
ReplyDeleteShay,
ReplyDeleteHow lyrically phantasmic, its gothic substance flowing into the triolet form in mellifluous style! I could hear this playing on repeat in my mind, just turning over the alliterative phrasing, internal rhymes, and evocative images of November, "russet and rain," the rotting churchyard filled with victims of our "darkling darling." I got some Poe vibes here, haunting, alluring, devouring Emmeline. Loved it, can you tell?!!
Pax,
Dora
Evocative, Fireblossom! Makes me imagine the ultimate femme fatale who might shapeshift into a crow at dawn having done her deeds for the night! Like a Gothic fairytale character. I really enjoyed how you used this form too :-)
ReplyDeleteI love where you took the form... very much a dark lady you describe, and how great to be part of November
ReplyDeleteThat is basically the best title of all time.
ReplyDeleteThis piece is so sublime—especially the repeated line. Love, love, love.
The tone in this gothic piece is stunning! Scary us another word that comes go mind...what a strong identity she has, and such a dangerous rhythm..enjoyed that a lot!
ReplyDelete