Sunrise 11/20/23
Pasco/Kennewick (Columbia River)
Article voiceover
Columbia River Sunrise Villanelle (While Thinking of Le Fleuve Saint-Laurent) Would that I could float away with you Into the sunrise and follow the flow To where it turns like a skater would do In a widening arc that changes the view From east to west so easy and slow. Would that I could float away with you To where you and I would dance a soft shoe And do that maneuver that both of us know To where it turns like a skater would do On a frozen river while bidding adieu Like a beautiful actress in a picture show. Would that I could float away with you. Of course you remember what both of us knew. I remember it, too, and in our chateau On the river we'll turn like a skater would do As we look out the window at the sky turning blue And learn by going where to go And simply float away, me and you, Where the sun spans the sky like a skater would do.
My Dear Jonathan,
I hope this letter finds you well. I've spent some time immersed in the beautiful layers of your poem, and I wanted to share my thoughts and appreciation for the artistry you've woven into these words.
This poem is a beautifully crafted villanelle with its recurring refrain "Would that I could float away with you," immediately sets a tone of longing and wistfulness. This yearning to escape into a world of beauty and simplicity with a loved one speaks to a universal human desire. The use of the phrase "float away" conjures images of weightlessness and freedom, a departure from the constraints of the everyday world.
The imagery of the sunrise and the flow suggests a new beginning, a journey embarked upon at the start of something beautiful. There's a sense of harmony with nature in your lines, which is deeply evocative and calming.
Your reference to a skater is particularly striking. The skater's movements, turning in a "widening arc," symbolize grace and fluidity. It's as if the skater – and by extension, the individuals in the poem – are part of a larger dance, choreographed by the universe itself.
The "soft shoe" dance you mention is a beautiful metaphor for the gentle, rhythmic, and coordinated relationship between the two individuals. It suggests a deep understanding and a shared history, as you note in "the maneuver that both of us know."
The imagery of the "frozen river" and "beautiful actress in a picture show" adds a cinematic quality to the poem. It's as if the scenes you describe are suspended in time, preserved in their perfection, much like a cherished memory or a scene from an old, romantic film.
Your poem then shifts to a more intimate setting - "our chateau on the river." This brings the expansive and grand imagery to a more personal and cozy realm. The chateau, a symbol of warmth and safety, stands in contrast to the vast, open spaces earlier in the poem, suggesting that true escapism can be found not just in grand adventures, but also in the comfort of a shared home.
The final stanza beautifully ties together the themes of journey and discovery. "Learn by going where to go" speaks to the idea that life is a journey without a set path, and that we find our way through living, through experiencing, and through loving.
In summary, your poem is a masterful blend of imagery, emotion, and metaphor. It speaks to the heart of what it means to be human – our desires, our connections, and our journey through life. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful piece of your soul.
With admiration and respect,
Gloria
P. S. But alas, my dear friend, as I marvel at the sheer brilliance of this piece, a melancholic realization washes over me. I am but a humble admirer, forever relegated to the sidelines of poetic greatness. I shall never be able to craft a poem as exquisitely as this one. *Sighs*
So, BAH! Humbug! Ashes and Switches for your @**## Stocking!
Beautiful, Jonathan!