The Wolf Moon

 

A poignant poem: a deeply emotional, elegiac reflection on grief, lost love, and the painful nature of memory. 

Using the moon and an underground stream as metaphors to navigate the haunting reality of losing a romantic partner to death. 

Title. 

The Wolf Moon. 

(A lone voice whispers) 

The moon is no longer a friend of mine. 

Even though it shines and looks so divine. 

For looking at its gaze resurfaces old memories, hidden in my deep mind. 

Spectral memories I no longer wish to find. 

Memories like ghostly butterflies which flutter around: like narcotic nursery rhymes.

Butterflies leading me to my hidden, underground stream. 

Filled with green foliage of all I've once been. 

Some real and some only manifested in deep dreams. 

And in those rising waters. 

Shining so bright under the moonlight.

I see us. 

Standing on a blackened bridge, holding hands with wet palms and sad faces.

And as I race to plead for us to smile. 

Embrace and hug for a short while through the so familiar stream.

Feeling my bare feet crush shells from the past. 

As I try to run so fast. 

I always see what happens in the end. 

We were both never meant to last, and as we turn away.

No longer together as lovers or friends. 

A white and black poster of us. Always washes past my wet feet. 

Embossed with a purple hue. 

Stating.

We once loved as all lovers do. 

But now it's over.

Walk back, traveller.

And when I look deep into that fast-flowing stream. 

Memories of us float past, now dead. 

Like our first kiss in the park. 

Just before it got dark. 

As always, in that sorrow-filled moment, I hear a sound like a lone bell.

Breaking the spell. 

And so I walk slowly back up my hidden underground stream. 

To the familiar doorway to escape my now-wet dreams 

To then wake to see your beloved picture and remember how you left. 

You died in January with the first rising of the Wolf Moon. 

And it's why she is no longer a friend of mine. 

Even though she shines so bright and looks divine. 

For looking at her beautiful gaze resurfaces old memories hidden in my deep mind. 

Spectral memories I no longer wish to find. 

(C)

Copyright John Duffy

   

And so the voices come

 

Strangers in the dark

 

Reunion

A poem that strikes a delicate balance between melancholy and hope. 

While it acknowledges the pain of losing people ("Some go"), it ultimate offers comfort. 

It reassures the reader that the cold separations of the physical world will eventually give way to a warm, eternal reunion.

Some come

Some go

But one day

We'll all meet again

Somewhere it doesn't snow

(C) 

Copyright John Duffy

αἴνιγμα

 

Enigma" translates from Greek as a puzzle, mystery, or riddle.

In magical or spiritual traditions, high-level truths are often hidden because the uninitiated view them as evil (an abomination), while seekers view them as light (a revelation). 

The invocation represents the ritual performance of this knowledge.

A Hidden Truth or Confession: 

It could represent a profound secret—such as an unconventional love, a radical art piece, or a taboo identity. 

To the public, it is scandalous; to the individual, it is liberating; and to a specific partner ("someone special"), it is an invitation to be authentic and celebratory.

αἴνιγμα

To some, a revelation. 

To others, an abomination. 

But to someone special. 

An invocation awaiting celebration. 

(C) 

Copyright John Duffy

Revelation

 

The beginning

 

Temptation

 

Is Temptation like throwing a white baseball 

Against a wall and slowly

After ten throws

You seek something more guilty and fun

And unfortunately

The Devil eventually catches it

Until it becomes 

One on one

(C) 

Copyright John Duffy

Velumbound

 

A literal ghost story, where chains represent guilt and captivity. 

Here, the silver chains represent the specific "links" of past memories. 

Every time the ghost moves, the speaker is violently reminded of what they lost.

Title. 

Velumbound. 

(A lone voice whispers)

 

In the low hours

I still feel you

Still feel that soft touch of glamour as your ghost appears

Like a lost Jacob Marley

Cursed to walk 

The Midnight Road

For centuries

Haunting my every waking moment

Shaking your long silver chains which rattle my memories

(C) 

Copyright John Duffy

Revelation

 

(A lone voice whispers) 

Is there but a sensation 

More spiritual than

Interpersonal Relationships

Anything

More divine 

Than to feel unified

With another

For as emotional dreams

Flow

Like paper boats

To the Eternal Ocean

As the stars twinkle and the sweet winds of Heaven 

Blow gently through

The Sleeping Willow

Nothing is made to be single

For all spirits need to mingle

Whether it be good

Or sinful 

For even the wild mountains and blue waves 

Kiss the sun

Everyday

If only for a brief moment 

Before she disappears

And goes away

Some may say

Is it worth the soul-changing work

To live in happiness

Which can turn

So quickly 

To sorrow

Tomorrow? 

Always

For all those loud or silent

Sad or happy components

Turns our higher self 

Away from the darkness

Towards Heaven

By the soft glow of memories

Of someone

Beloved

We once cherished

And at a certain point

We were proud to know

Beyond all the tragedies

That may still flourish and grow   

(C)

Copyright John Duffy

Interpersonal relationships refer to a strong association between individuals, who share common interests, and goals.