Can you smell that?
Earth’s firedamp lingering.
We need more than flames,
more than metal sieves,
to ward off danger.
Old Humphry swung his lamp in mindless times,
when men were cheap and seams were rich with black.
Can you hear that?
Diminished songs of life.
Yellow feathers float
silent as unsung
nursery rhymes,
and coils of ropes no longer skipped or jumped.
The playground’s empty, save for slurried stacks.
Can you see that?
Where black stones mark the spot?
Illumination
seems a pointless thing
when we close our eyes.
But when the flame expires and all is dark,
What then, my world, will ever bring you back?
Linking this to The Sunday Blog Spot and today’s Sunday Muse photo prompt. ( http://thesundaymuse.blogspot.com/). Tried an extension of a duodora and went for three verses.
Writing Whatnots 
“Earth’s firedamp lingering”
I love that.
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Thank you 😊
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A sobering write. Well done!
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Thank you Beverly 😊
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The old world seems gone for good, but we carry it in our DNA, in our collective memories, like seams of coal, a dirty fuel, but one that burns hot. I like the flow of this–a rhythm the duodora works to enhance, and three stanzas seems to balance well. I especially like the third stanza, with it’s yearning for light and memory’s comfort. Or so I read, anyway.A Happy All Hallow’s Eve, Marion.
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Thank you Joy. Yes, the duodora form gives a flow and rhythm to words. I think I will try some more. Happy All Hallows Eve to you also. 😊
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A triadora! I love this.
❤
David
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Thank you David ❤
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Ouch. This hurts my heart. “What then, my world, will ever bring you back?” Beautiful and sad.
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Thank you Sherry, and for letting me know how it touched you.
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A poignant and powerful write Marion. This beautiful poem stirs both thoughts and the heart. Thank you for joining us at the Muse each week my friend. It is always lovely to read your words!
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Carrie, thank you so much. It is a privilege to be able to join you all.
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This was a solemn read and one that contains novels in its allusions.
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Thank you 😊
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You could have continued this duodora for weeks …. it’s wonderful, and sobering, and incredibly thought-provoking.
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The duodora is an addictive form! Thank you Helen.😊
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Marion,
The duodora form just melds to your word-smithing, something so wondrously profound expressed so cleanly and brightly, simply astonishes. Can you tell I loved this yet?!! And I echo your sentiments. May we not lose what can never be regained, especially hope.
pax,
dora
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So pleased you liked it. Thank you Dora 😊
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Marion, this is one of your darkest poems ever. Must be the season. You’ve chimed the bell for all of us (Hemingway reference.) This one is a keeper.
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Yes, you could be right. Longer nights are bringing out my darker side! Thank you Lisa 😊
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There is no coming back, the tycoons have bent the rules way too far.
I love the way you used the word, “slurried”.
..
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Thank you Jim 😊. It does feel like an impossible mountain to climb doesn’t it?
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Your poem speaks a sad question – what will bring the earth back.? I hope nature is so resilient it can withstand the abuse and not only survive but thrive.
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I hope so too. Thank you for your thoughts Myrna.🙏
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The old light in us must light a path for us now. Truth has been slaughtered, and it has to be relearned. Beautiful writing.
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Thank you Susie. 🙏
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I found this sad as we have lost so much the last year and a half. I don’t think we can ever go back we just need to find a spark of light to move forward in some sort of unity. (there is always hope)
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I think you’re right. Forward is the only way. Thank you for reading and your thoughts🙏.
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Oh, lovely and poignant. The lines, “Illumination/ seems a pointless thing/ when we close our eyes,” really struck me. We have already killed the canary in the coal mine, haven’t we? Brilliant write!
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Thank you 🙏. (You spotted the yellow feathers!)
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Nice one. I recognized the form too. Bravo
Thanks for dropping by my blog
Much💜love
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Thank you Gillena 🙏
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