Gabriela Marie Milton, poet and author of the best-selling book Woman: Splendor and Sorrow, hosted a poetry competition that concluded a few days ago. She challenged us to write a poem inspired by one from her book.
I chose her poem “The Moon and I” and wrote about the phases of a woman’s life: child, lover, wife, mother, and wise-woman/crone. The feminine connection to the moon is deep and abiding and threads through generations of time.
My poem, Eclipsed, won third place in the competition, and I couldn’t be more grateful or honored. A link to Gabriela’s book is below, as well as links to the winning poems. I hope you take a moment and enjoy some inspired poetry.
Eclipsed
The moon and I trade glances beneath the light of ages
reflections of our phases, we traverse boundaries of shadow
the birth and death of stars adorns our voyage
my course uncharted on a shoreless sea.
She is the sand-dollar storyteller of sirens and undertows
hidden caves beneath blooms of coral, troves of stolen gold
a moon-faced child unblemished by the salt of tears she weaves
tales of faithfulness sung to the sea’s rhythmic strum.
A seductress, she trades in the caress of madness and liquid kisses
when a timorous heart flares and passion burns by torchlight
skin and wings consumed, I surrender to the mariner’s lure
drown in the tide’s curling crush and gull’s lonesome cry.
She is the gibbous years, molding castles of compromise
sand towers dripping through faults in cupped hands
I comb the half-moon beach for luminous abalone
craft a chime of common jingle shells, all that I find.
She is the windborne balloon of my daughter’s dream awakening
a boy fishes upon the crescent of her smile
sea-smoothed glass tumbles at their feet for sorting, for choosing
for all my devotion, iron ships founder like paper-sailed toys.
She whispers a harmony of waxing and waning
an old crone’s serenade in her waves’ refrain
when sea thrift and violets yield petals to sheer bluffs
she chants from the conch cupped to my ear:
You are the nautilus spinning outward
eternal feminine on a string of pearls
iridescent ’til the sun succumbs to midnight deep
when a silken wind sweeps over lunar dunes
erasing your footprints
rolls you into darkness
eclipsed.
***
#1 Bestselling New Poetry Collection by Gabriela Marie Milton
Brian Geiger, editor of Vita Brevis Press: “Woman: Splendor and Sorrow…is an arabesque of womanhood, depicting the broad strokes and finer details of love, identity, and femininity. With vibrant imagery and fresh ideas, Milton’s poetry and prose explore these topics with passion and sincerity. There’s something here for all readers.”
***
To read the poems of the winners click Here.
Congrats to:
First Place – Virginia Mateias
Second Place – Ingrid Wilson and Eric Daniel Clarke
Third place – Timothy Price and D. Wallace Peach
To read the poems of the Honorable Mentions click Here.
Congrats to:
Joni Caggiano, Cindy Georgakas, Jeff Flesch, Karima Hoisan, and Carrie Yang
Myths of the Mirror 
Such a beautiful piece. The judges had their work cut out for them. I too was honored to be among the talented poets. Hugs 🤗 Joni
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Thanka so much for stopping by, Joni, and for the kind comment. And huge congrats on your success. It was so much fun, wasn’t it? I love Gabriela’s imagery. This one took me a long long time to write! Happy Holidays!
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You are a wonderful poet it was my pleasure. Happy holidays to you and your family. Hugs 🤗 Joni
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Great poem, Diana. Beautiful imagery, an epic tale. Congrats!
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Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Jay. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Gabriela is a wonderful support of the indie community and she writes beautiful poetry. You might want to see what kinds of challenges she has coming up. Hugs.
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I truly enjoyed reading your poem, Diana. Perfect title! I’ve always felt a closeness to the moon, but I am a moonchild. Just checked my Kindle. I do have Gabriela’s book but haven’t read it yet.
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I really do think women have a special connection to the moon, Mary, and I love it that generations of women have looked up into her face for tens of thousands of years. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. Thanks for the visit and the lovely comment. Hugs. ❤
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I’ve always thought of the moon as something magical, Diana — something primal — but I don’t have the talent to express that in verse. Thank goodness you do!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed this one, Sean. It took me a long time to massage into place, and I’m delighted with how well it did. The moon is magical! I love the idea that its been lighting our nights since our planet’s dawning and that our ancestors, for endless generations, looked up at the same face. Thanks for the visit and Happy December!
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Beautiful 😍
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Thanks so much for the kind comment. Have a lovely day. 🙂
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[…] of a different “Winter” I have been inspired by a post Diana Wallace Peach did for a book that inspired her. However, the challenge I issue will be based on my book. I want […]
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Thanks, Teagan. I appreciate the shout out. And now to check out your challenge. They are so hard to resist!
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Absolutely lovely, Diana. I can see why it placed well in the competition. A truly beautiful piece.
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Thanks so much, Sheri. I gave it my all, and was delighted with the results. Gabriela’s poetry is lovely and she’s an inspiration in more ways than one. Have a wonderful afternoon and week ahead. ❤ ❤
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It’s a beautiful poem, Diana! 🤩💖 Congratulations 🎊
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Thanks so much for the kind comment, Srishti. I spent weeks on this one. Gabriela’s poety is beautiful and inspirational and I wanted to do it justice. Have a lovely day. ❤
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True! I also love Gabriela’s Poems. You too have a lovely day! 😇
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Nice post
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Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem.
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Congratulations Diana! I love your poem and the thoughtfulness that was evoked by reading your exquisite piece. I just loved it! Such a well deserved honor! 💖👏👏👏💖
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Thanks so much for the visit and the kind comment, Cindy. And congrats on the acclaim for your submission as well. It was such a fun challenge. Gabriela is a wonderful supporter of poets and an inspiration. Keep writing!
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This is absolutely beautiful. I read it through Gab, and I am happy I had a chance to read it again here. Congratulations!
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Thanks so much, Basilike. I’m thrilled when poets I adore, like you, enjoy one of my poems. Yay! Gabriela is a wonderful supporter of the poetic community and such an inspiration. I’m so glad I gave it a go. Hugs, my friend. Have a beautiful, creative day. ❤
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You too, my dear Diana! Hugs!
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That’s a great challenge idea. Congrats to Gabriela. Diana, your response is exquisite. I’m looking forward to the results of your NaNoWriMo. Hugs on the wing.
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Thanks for dropping by, Teagan. I finished my first draft for Nano, but the book is a long long long way from being anywhere close to done. But that’s okay. It’s how writing works. Thanks for reading the poem and for the lovely comment. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Huge hugs.
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You inspired me to issue a challenge of my own. I’ll post it on Wednesday. 🙂
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Oooh how fun. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s up!
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Congrats, Diana!
I was over there to read Tim’s poem.
Wonderful!
I know I mentioned it in comments on GLAM, that I am now the proud owner of The Sorcerer’s Garden.
Cheers!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed the poem, my friend. The responses to the challenge were beautiful and I was thrilled at the recognition. And I look forward to hearing what you think about The Sorcerer’s Garden. Enjoy!
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Congratulations, Diana, you wrote the daylights out of that poem! I couldn’t help but be amazed at the vastness of your imagination. Every time I read something of yours, it’s guaranteed to be unlike anything I’ve read before. You always take me on an incredible adventure or move me in ways I didn’t expect. You have an extraordinary gift. The last bit of this poem took my breath away; it was perfect. Sending lots of love and hugs, my friend. Have a fabulous weekend! ❤️
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Thank you for the lovely comment, Tanya. I worked hard on this one to get it the way I wanted, and I was delighted with its success. Gabriela’s poetry is gorgeous and inspiring and she’s a wonderful person on top of that. 🙂 I hope you’re well, my friend. Have a lovely weekend and huge hugs. ❤
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That was beautiful, Diana. Loved how you put in all the phases like that.
Congrats for the win, it was well deserved.
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Thanks, Jina. I appreciate the comment. The poem took me weeks to write and that included deciding on the structure. I love a challenge though! Have a lovely weekend, my friend. 🙂
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Nice 👍
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Thank you so much for stopping by to read and comment. 🙂
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Really amazing writer you are… Lots of love from my heart ❤️
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Thanks for the visit and the kind comment. I spent a lot of time on this one and I’m delighted that you enjoyed it. Have a wonderful weekend.
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[…] Eclipsed […]
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Thank you so much for sharing the poem. That was kind of you. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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Great poem. Loved it😊
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Thanks so much for reading and commenting. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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This poem is beyond stunning and well deserved, Diana. You had me at the first verse. 🙂 Congratulations on the win and so well deserved. 💞
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Thanks so much for the kind comment, Lauren. That means a lot coming from an accomplished poet. I spent weeks on this one and couldn’t be more happy with the result. Have a wonderful day. Hugs.
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You’re very welcome, Diana. With your writing talent, I am not surprised this poem is a winner. And thanks for the “accomplished poet” comment. Not sure I fit in that category, but I will take the complement. 🙂 Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving. ❤️
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❤
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Lovely poem
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Thank you for reading. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Have a wonderful day.
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[…] Eclipsed […]
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Thank you for sharing the post. Much appreciated. 😀
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Congrats, Diana! This is so beautiful – and very well-deserved.
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Thanks, Teri. It was a fun competition and a wonderful surprise. So many talented poets out there, and Gabriela is a star as well as a huge supporter of the indie community. Happy Thanksgiving!
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A captivating work of art, Diana and this has almost a dream-like quality to it! I read it aloud and wow, incredibly powerful yet the writing at times so tender and soft, just tickling the senses. Congratulations on the win! xx
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Thank you, Annika. Would you believe I haven’t read it aloud? I did read it about 150 times though. Lol. I’m so delighted that you enjoyed the poem and the tenderness of the writing – just what I was going for along with the power of our feminine journey through life. Many hugs, my friend, for the visit and beautiful comment. Hugs. ❤
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Very nice poem…congratulations as well…😊🙏👍
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Thank you for the kind comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. Have a lovely day. 🙂
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😊🙏
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Great poem
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Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it and took the time to comment. 🙂
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Gorgeous! I love the maiden/mother/crone theme, too. Congratulations and well deserved! 🎉💖
Love the title and cover of Gabriela’s book.
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Thanks for the visit and for the wonderful comment, Sarah. Gabriela’s poetry is stunning and she’s an inspiration as well as a great supporter of indie poets. I was stoked to do so well. Yay! Happy Thanksgiving, my friend. Hugs.
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I’ll have to check out her work.
Happy Thanksgiving to you. 🍁💛🤎🧡 Hope all is well in your world.
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❤ ❤ ❤
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