Threnody on the Number XI

Threnody on the Number Eleven

Eleven months she missed him and feared eleven years.

Eleven times she called out to catch the ship that sailed.

Eleven times eleven times eleven were her fears.

But once he called and it was she who failed.

Across the moonwarm seas the soulship fumbled

but never stopped its dizzying careers.

Eleven charts were shredded, canvas crumpled.

Eleven months she chased him and feared eleven years.

Across the crepe black void the echoes scatter,

across each face years caracole a tale.

Across all time, all light, across all matter,

eleven times she set out, but sunken ships don’t sail.

Days dropped down wormholes time sees safely landed.

Quick hands of new craft banners from worn fears.

Smiles lace across the light but night’s more candid.

Eleven times eleven times eleven are her tears.

Soft shadow walls stand fast, their faces shimmer,

piled clouds of knife concrete, white ice so paled

by painted rose, soft sigils scarlet glimmer

where dead days shook their fists sunlight prevailed.

But once he called and it was she who failed.

November 2010

This experimental poem in the cascade form is for Magpie #41 
Uncredited photo provided by Magpie Tales removed. 
 
Also posted for the Monday prompt at Big Tent Poetry, which was to write a cascade piece.