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Phases

A Pantoum about the Moon in June

By D.K. ShepardPublished 3 days ago 1 min read
Phases
Photo by Mary Hammel on Unsplash

In dark winter months we longed for warm sun

For the spring days of April, May, and June

For just an hour of light when work was done

Before the long nighttime reign of the moon

***

Fast fade spring days of April, May, and June

Into days of smothering summer heat

Until the short nighttime reign of the moon

When affection for cold again turns sweet

***

In the days of smothering summer heat

Arrive celestial acquaintances

Affectionately meet when cold seems sweet

And day and night they perform their dances

***

Divine celestial acquaintances

Summer solstice and the Strawberry Moon

Both day and night they perform their dances

Just one year in twenty, they join in June

***

Summer solstice and the Strawberry Moon

Somehow content with change and constancy

Just one year in twenty, they join in June

Yearning, but never forgetting to be

***

Somehow content with change and constancy

Learn when to be still and when to move on

Yearning, but never forgetting to be

Embrace the present phase until it's gone

Author's Note: This was written in response to Mikeydred’s Moon in June challenge. It's my first attempt at a Pantoum, for which Mike has a great resource. Check out the challenge details and the Mike's helpful resource linked below.

Pantoum

About the Creator

D.K. Shepard

Character Crafter, Witty Banter Enthusiast, World Builder, Unpublished novelist...for now

Fantasy is where I thrive, but I like to experiment with genres for my short stories. Currently employed as a teacher in Louisville.

dkshepard.com

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Reader insights

Outstanding

Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!

Top insights

  1. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

  2. Excellent storytelling

    Original narrative & well developed characters

  3. Eye opening

    Niche topic & fresh perspectives

  1. On-point and relevant

    Writing reflected the title & theme

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Comments (10)

  • Shaun Waltersa day ago

    Amazing!

  • Wow! This was beautiful! Good luck in the challenge.

  • Whoaaaaa DK, this was breathtakingly beautiful! You did a wonderful job here!

  • John Cox2 days ago

    I love how you have interwoven the seasons and light and dark to create the rhythm and meter of this lovely, lovely poem. Really well done, DK!

  • Babs Iverson2 days ago

    Loved it!!!❤️❤️💕

  • Bradley Ramsey2 days ago

    Excellent piece, D.K.! I had to look up what a "pantoum" is, but I love learning about new structures and concepts. I enjoyed how this piece uses the seasons to illustrate the necessity for change while never forgetting to enjoy the present. "Yearning, but never forgetting to be" was my favorite line. Awesome work!

  • The subject of seasons/phases was a brilliant- it fits this pantoum structure so well! Masterfully crafted, D.K.!!

  • Hannah Moore3 days ago

    I missed the strawberry moon!

  • Paul Stewart3 days ago

    Beautiful words and I missed this challenge...so will be looking at it. Well done, DK!

  • This is excellent , a great pantoum and excellent take on the prompt / challenge. Thank you again

D.K. ShepardWritten by D.K. Shepard

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