No One Else
When sheltered by the gracious skies,
The world around us melts away.
The stars that shine into our eyes
Reflect the light of buried day.
We disappear into the night
When sheltered by the gracious skies,
The moon an arching hue of white
Embraced by black in breathless rise.
We cannot hear the hateful cries
That sting our ears and pierce us through;
When sheltered by the gracious skies,
There’s no one else but me and you.
A secret world for us awaits
Where we are free from all disguise;
Acceptance found, fear dissipates
When sheltered by the gracious skies.
The Challenge
Instructions on writing a quatern:
- There are a total of 16 lines with four 4-line stanzas (quatrains).
- There are 8 syllables per line.
- The repeating line (refrain) occurs 4 times, in lines 1, 6, 11, and 16.
- It does not have to rhyme.
- If you choose to rhyme, the rhyme scheme is flexible.
- The rhyme scheme of In Waves is Aabb aAcc ddAa eeaA.
- The rhyme scheme of No One Else is Abab cAca adAd eaeA.
- The capital “A” in the rhyme schemes above denotes the refrain.
Next I will highlight the patterns.
When sheltered by the gracious skies,
The world around us melts away.
The stars that shine into our eyes
Reflect the light of buried day.
We disappear into the night
When sheltered by the gracious skies,
The moon an arching hue of white
Embraced by black in breathless rise
We cannot hear the hateful cries
That sting our ears and pierce us through;
When sheltered by the gracious skies,
There’s no one else but me and you.
A secret world for us awaits
Where we are free from all disguise;
Acceptance found, fear dissipates
When sheltered by the gracious skies.
If you have abstained from previous challenges, this would be a great starting point as it is a relatively easier form to work with than the others, and it doesn’t have to rhyme.
I look forward to reading your wonderfully unique quaterns! Your poems will be added to the challenge post along with the links to your blog and poem.
If you like what you read, please follow the link in the title and “like” it there too. 🙂
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My longest brokenhearted tale
The overarching story tells
Of a seeker of redemption
Who couldn’t see where he had failed
For years in vain it wandered far
My longest brokenhearted tale
Casting wide its net of dreaming
Drawing in each star of seeming
Though discarded on the pathway
Perhaps it will help another
My longest brokenhearted tale
Maybe father, maybe mother
It’s given all it’s got to give
Rose up each time it’s fallen hard
No end in sight, it must keep on
My longest brokenhearted tale
2013 © berserkerthoughts
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As we walk the road to heaven
Everyday dawns a new lesson
Pride’s death is our tale of woe
When we surrender and let go
To rid ourselves of the leaven
As we walk the road to heaven
Willingly we must heed His call
As He lifts us from the fall
To be courageous and be strong
Standing against the enemy’s throng
As we walk the road to heaven
Knowing our hearts He will strengthen
Sometimes He will let us stumble
To keep us ever so humble
And grateful that He is sovereign
As we walk the road to heaven.
2013 © awomansaved
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Beneath the cool, tangerine sky,
I dream of the gleam in your eye.
Gazing upon tide’s crimson hue,
I see your smile; I still feel you.
In longing solitude am I,
Beneath the cool, tangerine sky.
In a breeze I hear your whisper,
Gentle waves hold haunting laughter.
Memories ripple as a stone;
Wistful thoughts lingering alone.
Beneath the cool, tangerine sky,
On gossamer wings they now fly.
Somewhere upon a distant shore,
Do you think of me anymore?
Tears mix with the tide, as I cry,
Beneath the cool, tangerine sky.
2013 © Skye
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The bells sound, another one gone
Yielding to the typhoon of thoughts
They were so sure, they were not strong
We failed as they tied the knots
Shovel the earth, dig up the dirt
The bells sound, another one gone
A head on your lap, a bloody shirt
They’ve been suffering far too long
Balancing life on empty songs
The shattered smiles of broken hopes
The bells sound, another one gone
Falling down while bound to their ropes
Filling up graves faster than light
Of those who could not carry on
There on the edge, filled only with freight
The bells sound, another one gone
2013 © Jared Meijer
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Daily I walked alone and free
And problems I had not a one.
Living and working just for me,
Everything was much more fun.
I managed my time as I pleased
Daily I walked alone and free
No one to blandish or appease
None with whom I’d to disagree
With him there’s little space for me,
For I have a feline’s nature.
Daily I walked alone and free,
Limitations don’t make me purr.
Always to have to compromise
Just makes me want to shout and flee
Return to feline paradise…
Daily I walked alone and free.
2013 © Bastet
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Riding the wind up to the stars,
Magical horses with gold manes,
Carry the faeries to spring fairs
Lightly they will play their bodhráns.
Season feasting comes once again.
Riding the wind up to the stars.
Of magic and bright summer days
I and my true love now will sing,
No man knows from whither we come
Nor whither we shall someday go.
Riding the wind up to the stars,
Now hark, bodhráns will play in fall.
I lay me down weary of life,
For no faeries nor magic lives.
I’ll dream winter dreams then I’ll go,
Riding the wind up to the stars.
2013 © Bastet
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Haunted by tomorrows passing,
Streams of tears overflow today.
Love’s alluring kiss is missing,
Has been amiss for many days.
All hope is gone with silence spent,
Haunted by tomorrows passing,
Two hearts asunder, broken, rent,
Cast aside in moments wishing.
Day is lost to hopeless musing
And dreams of pleasured nights, we two
Haunted by tomorrows passing,
Alone, in mind, from one so true.
In spirit realm our souls abide,
Honest, forthright, gift of blessing.
Two, united, no longer hide
Haunted by tomorrows passing.
2013 © scottishmomus
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There is a space
within the face
that shows what feels
under the skin
When out about
There is a space
That I seek out
For contact to begin
Look for signs
Of inward minds
There is a space
Connected to within
Just go anywhere
And you can share
Whether sigh or grin
There is a space
2013 © wbdeejay
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All is truly well that ends well
Like earth and her dearest of souls,
Who shall blossom after the storm
And rejoice, and thrive evermore.
In the light of the aftermath,
All is truly well that ends well.
Now we shall hear the wedding bell
For a lover and the gentle maid
Whose bondage blooms with passing time,
Despite all pains of yesteryear,
All is truly well that ends well.
We shall forget all chores of life
And sing with pride, a song of praise
To the Maker in His great pomp,
It is indeed a joyous day,
All is truly well that ends well.
2013 © Lancelot
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Clear thoughts by sovereignty proclaim
Over eyes, ears, parts, limbs and tongue
To stand high above mortal fame
And bring about a world unsung.
Ships of dreams and of fools set sail,
Clear thoughts by sovereignty proclaim
Human faculties become frail
Chasing rabbits to an endgame.
Beauty disembarks without blame
And youth hides deep in memory.
Clear thoughts by sovereignty proclaim
Urgency for philosophy.
The seat of imagination –
Journeys without a step, remain.
Never abandon true station,
Clear thoughts by sovereignty proclaim.
2013 © Shainbird
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Coping With the Unavoidable Passing of Time
I compromise my truth with lies
in order to take step after
step, breath after breath, caressing
illusions with death after death.
Grasping at a fantasy as
I compromise my truth with lies
for illusions sooth the pain of
a soul that can’t accept that life
is ticking toward completion
– victimize every lesson as
I compromise my truth with lies.
Bent on self-destruction instead
of realization of the truth;
perceptions are all moot when to
great lengths I’ll go to hide, that’s why
I compromise my truth with lies.
2013 © Sreejit Poole
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When we are on the carousel
We go up and down, ’round and ’round,
Like we’re in a trance or a spell –
The experience is profound.
Everything turns out alright
When we are on the carousel.
We’re guided by the spinning lights
And fill our bucket from the well.
We ride the ocean waves that swell
On our imaginary steeds.
When we are on the carousel
We are free of all want and need.
We play under carnival skies
And to each other secrets tell.
We get lost in each other’s eyes
When we are on the carousel.
2013 © Saleem Safdar
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The dragon fixed its topaz eye
I felt a shiver down my spine
I froze and stifled back the cry
He didn’t move, eye locked with mine
I took a breath but could not move
The dragon fixed its topaz eye
More intensely without a move
That bejewelled eye in anger flared
As I held my sword, hoped to try
Break this bond and take back what’s mine
The dragon fixed its topaz eye
A waiting game to him was fine
But I had no such luxury
I placed down sword and watched him fly
Not going far, with love I flee
The dragon fixed its topaz eye
2013 © Fi Anderson
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Hidden in brief shadows of time,
Glanced glimpse of faces, memories;
Black and white snapshots (masked-mute mime)—
Tangled in half-sleep mysteries.
What does gloved hand hold, which beckoned,
Hidden in brief shadows of time?
Benign secrets, accounts reckoned?
Ghost-love songs absent perfect rhyme?
‘Tis brass key for spice box: sage, thyme,
Blue lavender, to waft my dreams—
Hidden in brief shadows of time,
Where I wait, ‘mid unrav’ling seams.
Nothing left of this heart to break—
Chain, silver knots; shattered wind chime;
Clutching my faith, dozing to wake—
Hidden in brief shadows of time.
2013 © Caddo J Veil
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If I Have Left Since Yesterday
If I have left since yesterday
And chosen not my vows to pay
The Heavens would’ve screamed and grieved
Once my sword was withdrawn and sheathed
The Devil would’ve laughed and prayed
If I have left since yesterday
Scorning Angels crying over
Shameful reasons no soul abjured
The seeds would wonder day and night
Why holy grounds were much defiled
If I have left since yesterday
And chosen not to love, to stay
But to depart I did not do
For I could see: neither would you
Won’t be as strong as we’re today
If I have left since yesterday
2013 © Jashaél
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Faith is love on sparrows wings,
as it lifts us up and we sing,
but as the days drag on and on,
we forget the wings love flies on.
We come spiraling down and see,
faith is love on sparrows wings.
Love without faith is a vile thing
it gets us stuck inside a dream.
Our hearts they crack and burn with fire,
with lonesome, idle desire.
Faith is love on sparrows wings,
but don’t get lost simply singing.
God gave us wings so we could fly,
but do not let us fly on by,
trusting our strength alone to fly.
Faith is love on sparrows wings.
2013 © Deanna
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Blog: Antonia Sara Zenkevitch
I know the high street’s doing great,
Why would you require our custom?
Don’t try to mend that broken lift,
It’s forever since it broke down.
I know your workers’ jobs are safe;
I know the high street’s doing great,
Why would you let me look inside?
Bar all ‘disabled’ doors with crates.
Make sure there’s nothing in my size,
Tell us to go home, shop online,
I know the high street’s doing great,
You can afford to alienate
All those parents wheeling their young,
All those who cannot manage stairs,
Do without every one of them;
I know the high street’s doing great.
2019 © Antonia Sara Zenkevitch
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Reowr 
Reblogged this on Poetry Perfected and commented:
Here is yet another challenge. Thanks Cubby!
Yeah!!!! I love this form, it writes up like it’s charmed, and as usual you’ve illustrated it very nicely! Not to speak of the great poem you’ve produced here…simply lovely. Purrrrrrrrrrfect I’d say!
Yes, it is a beautiful form that has a wonderful flow. This is perhaps my favorite form so far of the challenges that I’ve done. 🙂
I’ll start on one now that I’ve finished preparing my English Lesson…did exhibition duty this morning, so I’m free!
How I have missed your prompts and learning from you as well as Bastet…she was missed for awhile too. I was going to tell her you are among us now but I see she has written to your prompt. My two mentors! My writing has missed both your guidance.
And yet it has flourished beautifully nonetheless. 🙂
I discovered Haiku through Bastet who brought me to Chevrefeuille and that is where I grew a bit. It helped me through the loss of my mom in 2014. It became a sort of meditation and wordpress friends as well. Now I rarely follow a prompt and rarely read other blogs…lack of time is one excuse…I’m sort of stagnate on and off and searching…this too shall pass onto new pastures. I am hopeful.
Sometimes we just have to go with the ebb and flow of the tide, allowing it to guide us with an invisible hand. Acceptance is the key to a beautiful life.
So wise…
Lol I only sound that way…sometimes.. 😉
I loved yours, Sonya!! Here is my go at it: http://thesanctuaryofmyheart.com/2013/10/09/tangerine-sky/
I hope you enjoy….thank you for these challenges. They are really helping me at a time where I am finding it a bit challenging to capture my thoughts. I appreciate you so much.
I love how you embrace these challenges! You adapt your writing so well to fit the forms beautifully. 🙂
Beautifully written Cubby! My favourite is the last stanza 🙂
Thank you kindly RB! 🙂
You’re welcome!!
some people call challenge, I call it knowledge. Beautifully penned.
I guess the challenge would be to take the knowledge presented to you and create something of your own with it. 🙂
Not sure if I could make poetry like that but I just might give it a try once. Thank you for a wonderful poem.
This is a good form to try as it is not overly restrictive and does not have to rhyme. Just pick a line to repeat 4 times and make sure every line has 8 syllables. Hope you give it a try! 🙂
Your challenges are getting harder and harder, I believe. xD I really like this one, Cubby (both the challenge and the poem)… 🙂 I hope I get to write something (haven’t been writing for awhile).
This one is actually much easier than the villanelle and rondeau, I thought. You will see once you give it a try! 🙂
The stars that shine into our eyes
Reflect the light of buried day… Awesome! Great poem. And thanks again for these challenges. Feel like I should pay some dues!
I think you’ll like working with this form! Glad you liked the one I wrote. 🙂
very helpful advise, thanks
You’re welcome. 🙂
So soothing and to hear the lovely refrain is like a lullaby running through my mind, makes me want to go back to bed 🙂 Thank you Cubby!
Lol I always knew I could put people to sleep! J/k, I know what you mean. I’m glad you enjoyed this! 🙂
Shelter… Ya had me at “secret world.”
Who doesn’t want a secret world? 🙂
Great poem. Loved it.
Thank you so much! 🙂
You have graciously left me breathless with this poem! Thank you for the kind comment and the ping back!
Aw, what a beautiful thing to say. Thank you very kindly. 🙂
Wow, they are all wonderful!
Yes, I am very impressed with how brilliant my challenge go-getters are! 🙂
Beautiful, Cubby! Very comforting words forming a lovely poem.
Thank you so much, Miranda! You warm my heart with your generous words. 🙂
Oh Sonya, this is simply wonderful 🙂
I’m so glad you thought so! 🙂
A very nice challenge indeed, I just posted one on my own blog. I saw you had several pieces by other writers, so feel free to check mine out, thanks!
I just checked it out, and it is a wonderful quatern. Would you like me to add it to the challenge post?
If you’d please, I would appreciate it 🙂
Reblogged this on Dancing On The Keys and commented:
Hope to be doing this soon!
writing is a challenge. Poetry with constraint is a higher challenge. You are brilliant.
Hehe you are much too kind. Writing poetry is the most wonderful challenge I can think of. 🙂
Amazing talent, you have, gift to share–it’s a pleasure to read here. Thanks for a new challenge–see you later….
I am amazed that you would think so and am so happy you find your visits here pleasurable. 🙂
I truly do–you can trust that I don’t hand out “flattery”, and I’ve never been able to “play the blog game” (liking/following/commenting to get stats). If I’m regularly on a blog, it means I really like the author and/or their work. Now, I’m lying on my couch with a cold rag on my head–so I may not get to your challenge immediately…but don’t give up on me.
I hope you are feeling better by now. Again, there is no rush with these challenges so whenever you have the time and inclination. 🙂
I think today’s gonna be an improvement, I’m A Believer (oh dear, I think I just channeled The Monkees…..)!
A koala channeling The Monkees being replied to by a cat! Now how fun is that! 🙂
It’s an instant Party!! Where are the snacks??!
Um, I think The Monkees were supposed to bring them. *twiddles paws*
Oh you’re crackin’ me up tonight–I love it!! I baked a pumpkin apple gingerbread cake today–it’s huge, so I’m happy to bring it over!
*stands at attention with fork and plate, drooling ever so slightly*
(Smile!)
tender and enduring.
Thank you kindly. 🙂
I think these days, young lovers need a secret world and sheltering! I loved this poem! Beautiful!
It has gotten much better, but the world is still not as accepting as it could be when it comes to whom we choose to love. Thank you so much for your lovely thoughts. I’m so glad you enjoyed the poem. 🙂
Your poem, read aloud, flows like a dream. The words so tender and evocative. Beautiful.x
Aw, thank you kindly. I think poetry is meant to be read out loud. 🙂
I usually try all mine out loud to check it ‘rings’. And, if not, back to the drawing board. Yours rang sweetly like a bell.x
This one looked a bit easier!
Your examples and explanations shine brightly. So, I thought I would have-a-go.x http://scottishmomus.wordpress.com/2013/10/10/tomorrows-passing/
You did one heck of a job with it! Fantastic! 🙂
Reblogged this on OUR POETRY CORNER and commented:
SOMETHING NEW (OR OLD!) TO TRY!!! —Jonathan Caswell
No One Else, wow, that is so well done, I’m jealous. Very inspiring the way you worked that quatern
Aw, I feel your writing has much more depth than mine, but I am so honored that you would find this quatern inspiring. Thank you so much. 🙂
I had to give it ago as the form is so cool. Here is my offering for the challenge: http://theseekersdungeon.com/2013/10/11/coping-with-the-unavoidable-passing-of-time/
It was excellent! I love your philosophical style. 🙂
Hi. Cool poem and challenge. Here is mine: http://saleemdreams.wordpress.com/2013/10/13/carousel/ .
It’s fantastic! Loved it. 🙂
http://spumonicaddo.wordpress.com/2013/10/14/brief-shadows-of-time-quatern-challenge/
I enjoy your blog very much and this challenge was wonderful 🙂 Reblogged this post and here is my quatern – http://typewritersjourney.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/the-wings-of-faith-a-quatern-challenge-accepted/
Thanks again and cant wait to do the next challenge! – Deanna
Loved your beautiful take on the quatern! You really did a wonderful job with the form. 🙂
https://berserkerthoughts.wordpress.com/2018/12/14/tale-of-the-broken/ Here is my entry. This is a lovely challenge!
Do you mind if I add it to the main post? I will be adding anything new at the beginning of the entries.
Yes please!
great post ❤
I’m glad you thought so! 🙂
You may have noticed I’m basically ploughing my way through your challenges like someone who has just discovered chocolate:
High Street Quatern:
I know the high street’s doing great,
Why would you require our custom?
Don’t try to mend that broken lift,
It’s forever since it broke down.
I know your workers’ jobs are safe;
I know the high street’s doing great,
Why would you let me look inside?
Bar all ‘disabled’ doors with crates.
Make sure there’s nothing in my size,
Tell us to go home, shop online,
I know the high street’s doing great,
You can afford to alienate
All those parents wheeling their young,
All those who cannot manage stairs,
Do without every one of them;
I know the high street’s doing great.
Antonia Sara Zenkevitch
I’m glad you are enjoying trying all these different forms! And doing such a great job too. 🙂
🙂 thanks