avatarElizabeth Barnesco

Summary

"Blue Starlight" is an Ottava Rima poem by Elizabeth Barnesco, reflecting on solitude and yearning for a lost companion, inspired by an article on uncommon poetic forms by Somsubhra Banerjee.

Abstract

The web content presents a poem titled "Blue Starlight," written by Elizabeth Barnesco in August 2021. The poem is an example of Ottava Rima, an eight-line stanza form with an abababcc rhyme scheme, often written in iambic pentameter. Barnesco's poem is a poignant expression of the author's loneliness and longing for a departed loved one, set against the backdrop of a shared garden that now serves as a reminder of their absence. The narrative voice is one of deep introspection, grappling with the pain of memory and the anticipation of a reunion that may never come. The poem is accompanied by a photograph of a night sky, captured by Jeremy Thomas, which complements the poem's theme of searching for light amidst darkness. Additionally, the content includes a brief educational section on the Ottava Rima form, crediting its origins to Giovanni Boccaccio and noting its use by notable poets such as Lord Byron, William Butler Yeats, and Kenneth Koch. The article also provides links to further reading on poetic forms and additional poetry by Elizabeth Barnesco.

Opinions

  • Elizabeth Barnesco finds the challenge of writing within the Ottava Rima form both difficult and rewarding.
  • The poem reflects a personal struggle with loss and the haunting nature of memories associated with places shared with a loved one.
  • The author acknowledges the influence of Somsubhra Banerjee's enlightening article on uncommon poetic forms, suggesting that it provided both inspiration and guidance for the poem's structure.
  • The inclusion of links to additional poetry and resources indicates a desire to encourage readers to explore the Ottava Rima form and poetry further.

Blue Starlight

An Ottava Rima

Photo by Jeremy Thomas on Unsplash

Star-gazing last night, in the yard, alone Fragments of light for my dark, tattered soul Wishing to follow wherever you’ve flown Broken, in pieces where once, I was whole Memory haunts me, my heart like a stone Sorrow that only your ghost could console Sharp is the pain, of my yearning for you Here in this garden, where once, we were two.

Here in our garden, in solitude blue Restless, so lonely, I cannot sit still Each shadowed corner, remembrance of two Brand new porch roof, our particular thrill Overwhelmed, now, by what’s still left to do. So I pretend: I’m just waiting, until you call my name, when at last you arrive, as if very soon, you’ll be home, alive.

Elizabeth Barnesco / August, 2021

I found it quite hard to start with a form and write to the specification — but very rewarding. With many thanks for this prompt, I quote Somsubhra Banerjee’s enlightening article about uncommon forms:

“OTTAVA RIMA:-

The earliest known ottava rima was written by Giovanni Boccaccio. In English, Lord Byron used the form to write Don Juan. More contemporary English poets to use the form include William Butler Yeats and Kenneth Koch.

Ottava rima is eight lines with an abababcc rhyme scheme, most commonly written in iambic pentameter (or ten-syllable lines). The form can work as a stand-alone poem, or be used as connecting stanzas.”

Literary Impulse
Poetry
Stargazing
Grief
Love
Recommended from ReadMedium