Sunset and Sunrise, Huitain * Options

[Larry]

Sunset and Sunrise

Each night he draped her shoulders with a lei
of red or mauve with streaks of gold and blue
depending on her mood and how the day
progressed. Somehow it seemed he always knew;
but were he not enamored in this way,
he would have recognized his gift each morn
protecting dawn to hold the chill at bay
from infant child as each new babe is born.





Originally posted in Karnak...

[Merlin]

Hello Larry,
Interesting poem.
It pleases me that "Somehow it seemed he always knew", but unfortunately, from that point onward I get really lost. Proof positive I'm missing something.


btw - what's a Karnak?

Merlin

[Larry]

Hi Merlin,

I am referring to the sun "he" knew how her "sunset" day went and was enamored with her.
Not giving much thought about her sister "the sunrise". I know, a little off the wall. That's why there is one *.

"Karnak" is where you, Daniel and I play our little games with Limericks and such.


Larry

[JustDaniel]

Hey, Larry. I just read this again and was ready to offer my thought that you are talking about the sun here, but then I read your response to Eric... so I guess I was right!

I still puzzle over the closing line; I'm not sure I get its meaning yet. I'll look forward to others' further interaction here.

And for those who don't know (according to Wikipedia)...

^{The Karnak Temple Complex, commonly known as Karnak, comprises a vast mix of decayed temples, chapels, pylons, and other buildings. Building at the complex began during the reign of Senusret I in the Middle Kingdom and continued into the Ptolemaic period, although most of the extant buildings date from the New Kingdom. The area around Karnak was the ancient Egyptian Ipet-isut ("The Most Selected of Places") and the main place of worship of the eighteenth dynasty Theban Triad with the god Amun as its head. It is part of the monumental city of Thebes. The Karnak complex gives its name to the nearby, and partly surrounded, modern village of El-Karnak, 2.5 kilometres (1.6 miles) north of Luxor.}

But of course our site's Karnak Crossing is the Poetry Education section in the 'down-under' here where Larry and I play a good deal... and welcome others to join us!!

This one comes from the posts there in the form Huitain .

always deLighting in your sharing, Larry... Daniel

[Merlin]

Ha! And here I thought Karnak was knowing how to drive.

[Larry]

Okay Merlin, but it could also be a very capable Kansas corn farmer.

Daniel, the best I can do is give a complete explanation although I hate to do so.

Each night he (the sun) draped her shoulders with a lei(a pretty sunset)
of red or mauve with streaks of gold and blue
depending on her mood and how the day
progressed(whether a nice/stormy/rainy/lousy, etc. day). Somehow it seemed he always knew;
but were he not enamored in this way,(fixated on the gifts of sunsets)
he would have recognized his gift each morn(that being an equally beautiful sunrise)
protecting dawn to hold the chill at bay(bringing new warmth and color)
from infant child as each new babe(representing each new day) is born.


Best I can do.

Larry

[Psyche]

Larry, I love this poem. The imagery is superb. Same as others, I didn't 'get' some of it, but it didn't matter to me. Meanings vary amongst readers once the poem is out there, so thanks for sharing this lovely piece.

BTW, isn't a lei also a Hawain adornment of intertwined flowers that they put over your head, as a welcome to those lovely islands? I remember this fairly long 'rope' of bright flowers, which made me feel so happy on arrival.

Merlin, you have the 'nak' of making me laugh, good for the health...LOL...

Of course I read your explanation, Larry, since you kindly agreed to do so. IMHO, there's no need, but tx!

Cheers, Syl***

[Merlin]

Thank you, Larry.

Your poem shows the use of symbolism, something we don't see all too often. I'll suggest that for the reason that we "didn't get it".

Here's a case of the reader being at fault, not the writer as the title should have steered us in the direction.

M

[JustDaniel]

Merlin is completely correct, Larry.

There's really no excuse for my 'not getting it' right away.

I'm glad I didn't throw out the BABY with the bathwater.... 'cause I'd have missed out on the whole afternoon on Thanksgiving and perhaps even the morning yesterday!!!

deLighting in your sharing, Daniel

[Larry]

Hi Merlin and Daniel,

Glad my explanation brought some clarity although I do wish it hadn't been needed. I do tend to get a little off the wall sometimes and they may not be selling tickets for my thought train.

Sylvia, what can I say! You always put an embarrassed look on my face with your praise and the enjoyment you seem to derive from my poems. I can almost feel the brightness of your smile way up here in the US of A. Thank you as always. Yes, a lei is a woven string of very colorful flowers given as a gift in Hawaii. That is what some sunsets and sunrises remind me of with their ever-changing color variations. That was the most symbolic analogy I could use for the prismatic effect of sunlight passing through the crystalline droplets in the upper atmosphere. That is such a horrible scientific explanation for the beauty of sunrise/sunsets.

p.s. Happy Birthday and may all your sunsets be a blessing and each sunrise a gift.

Larry