Fire Moth

New to poetry? Unsure about the quality of your work? Then why not post here to receive some gentle feedback.
Post Reply
Ryder
Persistent Poster
Persistent Poster
Posts: 223
Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:35 pm

Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:07 pm

Fire Moth
Hatches
Crawls Through
Latches
Intrigued By
Matches
Candle Wick
Catches
Fire Moth
Watches
The Flame


Fire Moth
Flits
Spills Itself
Spits
In Flames
Sits
In Wax
Pits
Of Black
Bits
Of Moth.
User avatar
marten
Preponderant Poster
Preponderant Poster
Posts: 1019
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2006 7:00 am
antispam: no
Location: Seattle

Thu Feb 08, 2007 4:28 am

This is good. I like the simplicity in structure and the flow. The subject is appealing and I enjoyed the last verse.


cheers
marten
Well you know you can't spend what you ain't got,
you can't lose some blues you ain't never had
-Muddy Waters
HeidiHogrefe
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Jan 29, 2007 5:55 pm

Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:41 am

hi ryder....

I like when art is stripped down. Simplicity can be so pleasing. The first stanza was the stronger of the two due to the fact that hatches, latches, matches, etc all have stronger sound. Phoenetically speaking the "ch" sound vibrates and resonates more.

Simple poetry that is written with very few words and fragments can be quite powerful. Good job.

heidi
User avatar
camus
Perspicacious Poster
Perspicacious Poster
Posts: 5406
Joined: Tue Jul 13, 2004 12:51 am
antispam: no
Location: Grimbia
Contact:

Thu Feb 08, 2007 9:20 pm

"Pits
Of Black
Bits
Of Moth."

class act.

Nice one Ryder.
User avatar
twoleftfeet
Perspicacious Poster
Perspicacious Poster
Posts: 6761
Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2005 4:02 pm
Location: Standing by a short pier, looking for a long run-up

Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:54 am

I second that.

This is honed down to the er... whatever you call Moth bits :)

Geoff

Only the Moth has knowledge of the Flame - Sufi saying
(Yes, I know it;'s totally irrelevant , but hey, it sounds good)
Ryder
Persistent Poster
Persistent Poster
Posts: 223
Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:35 pm

Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:00 pm

Cheers, much appreciated.

Poem originally only consisted of second stanza. The first one is a later addition. I think I prefer the second of the two, though I appreciate where Heidi is coming from.

I think that quote's spot on Geoff, but what is 'Sufi'?
User avatar
twoleftfeet
Perspicacious Poster
Perspicacious Poster
Posts: 6761
Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2005 4:02 pm
Location: Standing by a short pier, looking for a long run-up

Sat Feb 10, 2007 9:26 am

Sufism is the mystical side of Islam, and seems to me to be part of the
Gnostic tradition.
oranggunung
Preponderant Poster
Preponderant Poster
Posts: 1393
Joined: Tue Apr 10, 2007 9:15 pm
Location: Dublin, Ireland

Wed Apr 11, 2007 5:33 pm

The idea of moths and flames is not new, but the structure of this poem made me think of the idea as being new.

Pits
Of Black
Bits
Of Moth


Is this what might be termed dark humour?

Despite the fragmented nature of the presentation, paradoxically, I thought the poem flowed really well.

Very much enjoyed.
Gypsy Cake
Posts: 45
Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2007 4:17 pm
Location: Essex, UK
Contact:

Tue Apr 17, 2007 7:27 pm

Beautifully simple. The first stanza was a very strong sound and I would've left it there. The second is ok and neccessary for the story but just doesn't continue the same fortitude as the first.

I think you show amazing potential and can't wait to read your next poem.
Dec
Ryder
Persistent Poster
Persistent Poster
Posts: 223
Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:35 pm

Tue Apr 17, 2007 9:16 pm

Thanks Geoff, G.C and og. Encouraging.
Babbit
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 8:46 pm

Mon Jun 25, 2007 6:23 pm

I read this because I found a rather huge moth the other day and the title reminded me - I love your use of form to make what, in my eyes, looks like a large slender flame on the page. The alternate rhyming lines tie the words together and, when read aloud, are like a drum beat which makes the poem and the subject primordial (as indeed fire should be).
The ending 'bits of moth' is clever and funny - it conjures up images of charred insects as well as the irony that fire is all consuming, even to a moth that could indeed be made of flames.
This is a grand poem - particularly like the second stanza, and agree with you that it could stand alone.
Hope to see more :D
David
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 13973
Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2006 4:40 pm
Location: Ellan Vannin

Mon Jun 25, 2007 6:30 pm

How did I miss this at the time? It's really good. Great rhythm, beautifully managed.

This is somebody's cunning pseudonym, isn't it? I'm sure it is.

Or have I imagined that?

Great poem, anyway.
Dagdason
Posts: 15
Joined: Sun Oct 29, 2006 1:01 am

Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:17 pm

I like the quickness of the rhyme, no slurring about.It's a moment, caught when one steps to the porch on a summer night and sees the moths scurring bout the candles meant to ward off the mosquitos.

Very well played and lyrical. Might come up with a tune for this one

Well done

Dag
User avatar
Kilravock
Persistent Poster
Persistent Poster
Posts: 114
Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:45 pm
Location: US

Sat Jul 07, 2007 6:36 pm

i do not get the connection with suffism. the poem was great though.
benjywenjy
Persistent Poster
Persistent Poster
Posts: 232
Joined: Sat May 13, 2006 8:02 pm
Location: manchester UK

Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:08 pm

hey

like everyone else, I also enjoyed it. Stripped down, and almost zen. My only point that may improve it is punctuation, this gives indication on the desired flow and can help create stronger rhythm. Maybe :P

thanks for posting

benjy :P
Ryder
Persistent Poster
Persistent Poster
Posts: 223
Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:35 pm

Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:36 pm

Cheers for the comments everyone. I should probably re-name this Phoenix.
Not sure about punctuation Benji, I thought of it as a sort of anti-punctuation poem when I wrote it.

Kil, I think Geoff referred to the part of suffism that, like many other 'cultures'? attaches significance to symbolism.

Ryder
Post Reply