A Villanelle to Palo Santo
Great for your mental health and creativity
Send me your white smoke as I set you alight,
Calligraphy in the air swirling unending into circles;
How they bend, they break in my mind sight.
*
Black fibres around you holding the ashes, I fall into the embers light,
Orange, bright as I blow, you dissipate mental hurdles;
Send me your white smoke as I set you alight.
*
Spring up from your fibres, let me inhale your woody sweet notes tonight,
Give me hints of citrus and liquorice, wrap yourself around the hairs in a swirl;
How they bend they break in my mind sight.
*
Shield my mind from the past, oh the future? bid me respite,
And let me hold your body in my hand, as though you are my world;
How they bend they break in my mind sight.
*
You know the feeling, the hurt, the battles I fight,
In your absence I seek to slow down the wind, that whirl;
How they bend, they break in my mind sight.
*
I turned into smoke, I hold you tight,
You cleanse the air of the darkness, rolling it away like marbles;
Send me your white smoke as I set you alight,
How they bend they break in my mind sight.
A/N thank you so much for reading 🙏🤗♥️
About the Creator
Caitlin Charlton
poetry too close to home
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Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
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Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
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Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
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'20/20'
"Do It Again" the track that would ultimately open the Beach Boys final album on Capitol Records which was released on February 10th 1969 had originally been released as a single in August of 1968. The track was the first of many post-Pet Sounds era throwbacks to the early Beach Boys sound which would become continually more cliched and eventually lead the Beach Boys to the level of self-parody they would eventually succumb to in the 1980s while their closest contemporaries The Beatles nearing the end of their run in 1969 would go on to be viewed as the most influential band of all time. However, the song itself is not bad on its surface, and it opens with a futuristic sounding (for 1969) drumbeat captured by then-Beach Boys engineer Stephen Desper using tape delays on the drums performed by Dennis Wilson and John Guerin. The song has been re-recorded numerous times over the years on various Beach Boys-related projects most notably the 2011 re-recording at Capitol studios featuring the five surviving Beach Boys at the time backed instrumentally by various members of both the Brian Wilson Band and Mike Loves touring "Beach Boys" to promote the then upcoming Beach Boys 50th Anniversary reunion tour in 2012. The hammering and power drill sound at the end of the song was an excerpt from a track called "Workshop" that was to be a part of the uncompleted "SMiLE" album.
By Sean Callaghan6 days ago in Beat
Comments (43)
A vivid villanelle victoriously written! Your bountiful bravery is bold and beautiful because masterfully-written villanelles always reveal those qualities. I swooned over every word, especially the line: ‘And let me hold your body in my hand, as though you are my world.’ Also, the calligraphy metaphor will forever swirl in my mind with indelible ink. The outstanding opulence oozes out over every thought, word, and line. I’m inspired to attempt another villanelle. I hope I survive as successfully as you did! 😂
Beautiful! Congratulations on the TS. I didn't know what Palo Santo is. Very nice imagery to bring it to light (no pun intended!) 💙💜
I could smell this one... Expertly crafted in that you made the structure fade into you. A masterclass in poetic ownership here. Not to mention...your lead photo is slamming! Double snaps for such an enjoyable read, Top Story-an!
You’re not just good, Caitlin… Send me your white smoke as I set you alight, Calligraphy in the air swirling unending into circles; I turned into smoke, I hold you tight, You cleanse the air of the darkness, rolling it away like marbles These are gold.
Wonderful. A soothing poem much like Palo Santo! ☺️ I’ve had good experiences with it during meditation in the past. It lasts for a while too. I’m glad it has helped you as well.
I love a good villanelle! This is positively hypnotizing with how smooth it is! Well done, Caitlin!
Gorgeously written and Powerful! Well done CC! 🥰
Congratulations on your top story 🎉🎉🎉
I see why you got a TS...so deserved. My fav: "Spring up from your fibres, let me inhale your woody sweet notes tonight, Give me hints of citrus and liquorice, wrap yourself around the hairs in a swirl;" BRILLIANT and your picture fit perfectly!
Congratulations on Top Story 1
Captivating and vivid, this poem beautifully intertwines the physical and mental realms, using smoke as a metaphor for release, healing, and clarity. The sensory imagery is rich, creating a haunting, introspective atmosphere.
This is spectacular! I love your word choices and phrases, particularly "swirling unending" and "cleanse the air of darkness." You paint a smoky, fragrant picture. Well done!
Never heard of this, but now, must try. Such a sensual tribute to a fragrance, hidden meanings so wonderfully delivered. Congrats.
Beautiful poem ♥️ and congrats on top story.
Beautiful poem, loved the details.
I adore the fragrance of that sacred wood and your poem was magnificent. Congratulations on the Top Story🥳🥳
Caitlin, this is such a beautiful piece! I burn Palo Santo daily, and everything you so gorgeously wrote is exactly why I do it. You wrote the purpose so richly I could smell and feel the experience of lighting the sacred wood through each line. Amazing work bringing us into the depth of the ritual! Well done and congrats on the top!
Congrats on your top story. I have been going to tackle a Villanese poem for a while;e and reading you has finally inspired me to give it a go. Nice job
Congratulations on this wonderful Top Story (poem)! I love the intricate and detailed perspective from an empath's mind sight, cleansing oneself and releasing all the collected negative energy back into the universe. I could feel the power in the transient nature of this poem. Well done.
Beautiful and interesting poetry!
Congratulations on your top story! This is such an masterpiece 😊✨👏
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Oh one of my favorite forms and favorite scents, you bet I clicked on this so fast! This is stunning, what an incredibly gorgeous way to depict coming to the present moment with ritual: "Shield my mind from the past, oh the future? bid me respite,/And let me hold your body in my hand, as though you are my world;" I am in awe!
I have never used Palo Santo so no idea how it would affect me. This villanelle though is beautifully soothing. Really well done. I sighed after i had read it! 🥰
Yay! Glad to see this get Top Story, congrats Caitlin!