Marble nights, or: Haunting

Posted on March 30, 2021March 30, 2021 by ben Alexander

A ‘Magnetic Poem’ tanka

Wanna try? Click here.

angel bleeds color
desiring eternity
father's ghost haunting
in joyless kiss lingering
marble nights' old prisoner

Notes

For this poem, I decided to use the ‘Poet Set’ on the Magnetic Poetry website, which, I believe, is the first time I have done so;
- I find that switching between the sets of magnets makes magnetic poetry more interesting;
This poem was, in part, inspired by my having lost my own father nearly three years ago, but it’s not about me or about him at all – it’s an entirely fictional piece;
I once again opted for a tanka, rather than a haiku;
- As I’ve written before, the extra two lines (14 syllables) provide a greater challenge, as well as a larger canvas;
- I’ve really taken to writing magnetic tankas;
As an additional challenge to myself, I deliberately wrote this as an alphabet poem;
I searched for and found the featured image only after I had written the entire tanka.

30 thoughts on “Marble nights, or: Haunting”

jewishyoungprofessional April 2, 202106:09 Reply

And I distinctly remember you saying you were never going to write another alphabet poem 😉
1. ben Alexander April 2, 202106:58 Reply
  
  Well, this is slightly different. But… yeah… I know, I know.
memadtwo March 31, 202104:50 Reply

marble nights…that conjures many images (K)
1. ben Alexander March 31, 202109:12 Reply
  
  Kerfe,
  
  In all honesty, I don’t think that idea would have come to me if I hadn’t seen so much of your artwork. ‘Marble nights’ was our child.
  
  ❤
  David
  1. memadtwo March 31, 202114:14 Reply
    
    Now you’re making me smile again. Thanks David.
Jeff Flesch March 30, 202122:44 Reply

Excellent, David. Love this one.
1. ben Alexander March 31, 202101:11 Reply
  
  Thanks so much, Jeff 💖
  1. Jeff Flesch March 31, 202104:22 Reply
    
    You’re very welcome, David. Is my complete pleasure. Have a lovely rest of your week. ❤️
murisopsis March 30, 202117:37 Reply

You performed magic with the magnetic words! Great result!!!
1. ben Alexander March 30, 202122:06 Reply
  
  Muri, I truly appreciate your kind support.
  
  Thank you very much.
  
  -David
Gaelic Dreams March 30, 202117:20 Reply

I love how that sounds: in joyless kiss lingering / marble nights’ old prisoner. Those magnetic words really like you, mate. And you know how to make them dance. Or weep.
1. ben Alexander March 30, 202122:05 Reply
  
  Thanks as always, my friend. You know, whenever I load the magnet page, I always feel a mix of – what on earth do any of these words actually mean, and isn’t this a stupid exercise? and hmn… I do so wonder what will come of this crazy exercise this time around! How interesting!
lssattitudeofgratitude March 30, 202117:03 Reply

Your limitless talent is always appreciated. Great poem.
1. ben Alexander March 30, 202117:04 Reply
  
  LOL. Lauren, you are SO sweet; but I promise you that I am profoundly limited in more ways than I am even aware of.
  -David
  1. lssattitudeofgratitude March 30, 202117:05 Reply
    
    Ah, but a true genius know what they do not know.
    1. ben Alexander March 30, 202117:08 Reply
      
      In my case, that would just about everything… but thank you so much for your compliment and regard, Lauren ❤ ❤ ❤
      
      Yours,
      David
      1. lssattitudeofgratitude March 30, 202117:10
        
        You are welcome David. I enjoy your poetry and the skill with which you successfully tackle a myriad of styles.
Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet March 30, 202116:46 Reply

Scales are an exercise designed to improve fingering on the piano keyboard. They are played up and back down in all the different keys. For example, the key of “C” uses only white keys starting with “middle C”: C, D E, F, G, A, B, C, B, A, G, F, E, D, C. Other keys use one or more of the black keys… the sharps and flats. The object is to play faster and faster. Monotonous and tiring! Thankfully, my teachers never required me to do them. 🙂

Ten years of lessons were somewhat wasted on me with my limited talent. I used to play in church sometimes and was a soloist in the choir, but I haven’t played in years. The last time I practiced was to play Christmas carols on my keyboard as a Christmas present to my mother a couple of years before she died. It was worth the effort because it made her happy.
1. ben Alexander March 30, 202117:01 Reply
  
  Cheryl. that’s interesting… thanks for explaining.
  
  Monotonous and tiring!
  
  This is not how I would describe doing an alphabet poem ~ I found it very engaging, actually!
  
  ❤
  David
Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet March 30, 202116:12 Reply

Writing magnetic poems and alphabetizing them seems akin to playing scales on the piano (torture)….but the tanka you wrote is lovely and amazing! 🙂 All the best, David!
1. ben Alexander March 30, 202116:13 Reply
  
  Thanks, Cheryl 🙂
  
  Why is playing scales on a piano torture? I don’t know the first thing about that.
  
  Yours,
  David
Lucy March 30, 202114:16 Reply

Beautiful, David. Beautiful.
1. ben Alexander March 30, 202114:22 Reply
  
  You’re very kind, Lucy ❤
Lance Thompson March 30, 202114:02 Reply

blades itching. Is this magnetic poetry I keep seeing you post about?
1. Lance Thompson March 30, 202114:02 Reply
  
  What is*
2. ben Alexander March 30, 202114:05 Reply
  
  Lance – here’s the link: https://magneticpoetry.com/pages/play-online
  1. Lance Thompson March 30, 202115:04 Reply
    
    Hmm, not sure if it fits my style but I love reading yours.
    1. ben Alexander March 30, 202115:17 Reply
      
      I see it primarily as a writing exercise – a challenge to write something poetic with very limited words.
      1. Lance Thompson March 30, 202115:20
        
        I struggle with it not being my words. Would be hard for me to feel inspired.
      2. ben Alexander March 30, 202115:21
        
        I feel you.