thy music stirr'd
the lonely soul of me
thy music stirr'd the lonely soul of me
gently plucking my heart with each lute string
softly now, whispered notes once made me see
...
wandering lone, lost upon stormy sea
troubadour of old, whence learn'd thee to sing?
thy music stirr'd the lonely soul of me
...
my warrior’s heart prov'd hard 'fore I met thee
death's shadow lurks, yet to life still I cling,
softly now, whispered notes once made me see
...
both mate and foe, cruelly scatter'd like scree,
return'd home alone, friends I fail'd to bring
thy music stirred the lonely soul of me
...
so cold, their fallen faces won't let me be
my brother's specters, still midnight chimes ring,
softly now, whispered notes once made me see
...
till I close my eyes and no longer be
memory sundered by death's welcome sting,
thy music stirred the lonely soul of me
softly now, whispered notes once made me see
About the Creator
John Cox
Twisted teller of mind bending tales. I never met a myth I didn't love or a subject that I couldn't twist out of joint. I have a little something for almost everyone here. Cept AI. Aint got none of that.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Comments (12)
Excellent Elegy/Villanelle… my favourite stanza is: “both mate and foe, cruelly scatter'd like scree, return'd home alone, friends I fail'd to bring thy music stirred the lonely soul of me”
This is an absolute masterclass of a villanelle...it feels timeless - like a mourning soldier could've written it in any era, and had it still be resonating profoundly with readers through the centuries. Just brilliant, John!
This is gorgeous
You made this peice dance to a note that lingers on the lines of sadness and longing. Love that. Got me to wonder what the thought was behind the pen.
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Love the refrain Makes you dangle between the other parts of the poem to that line And it gave me solace The poem is top notch, keep it up 💪
back to say, CONGRATS!!
A poem that brings a sad smile to one's face.
Powerful and hauntingly beautiful, John! Glad I stopped in this morning to read your words!
This was so poignantly beautiful. Loved your poem!
This is so beautiful, John. You have such a knack for a romantically sad villanelle
Lovely - woven together - so cold, their fallen faces won't let me be my brother's specters, still midnight chimes ring, softly now, whispered notes once made me see And then thy music stirred the lonely soul of me softly now, whispered notes once made me see❤️