Kenning
My #12 for National Poetry Month
in the dark we learn
the secret parts of ourselves,
the parts
we stumble over
after dreams are spent
and limp.
in the quiet we can see the lines
drawn
on an intake of breath,
its vital signs
a blip of light
on the congress of stars.
i wonder where we go
when the knowledge takes hold,
when it roots us
to the floor.
the dark speaks my name
it knows.
copyright/all rights reserved Audrey Howitt 2015
kenning:
1.knowledge, understanding, or cognizance; mental perception:an idea beyond one's ken.2.range of sight or vision.verb (used with object), kenned or kent, ken·ning.3.Chiefly Scot.
- to know, have knowledge of or about, or be acquainted with (aperson or thing).
- to understand or perceive (an idea or situation).
4.Scots Law. to acknowledge as heir; recognize by a judicial act.5.Archaic. to see; descry; recognize.6.British Dialect Archaic.
- to declare, acknowledge, or confess (something).
- to teach, direct, or guide (someone).
Comments
Audrey, very thought provoking poetry to start the morning, and with come new vocabulary too. I hope you are well. Jamie
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Thanks Jamie--Good morning to you!
Wonderful close, Audrey! "the dark speaks my name. / it knows." Penetrating insight. Your use of "kenning" here was unexpected--so, like Jamie, I learned something. The USUAL use in "literary circles" (Oh, DO enjoy another cucumber sandwich Mrs. Vanderbrugerslipmonger.... That American person, Miz Howsit, will be reading soon....")--is in reference to those marvellous compound metaphors beloved of Anglo-Saxon poets, whereby the sea is a "whale-road" and a ship , a "wave-cleaver," and a sword, a "brain-wrecker" etc.
Regardless, great little poem.
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Hey Clark--hoping that the use of kenning in this way is not too jarring then--
You are truly like no one else I know. Splendidly creative.
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Thank you Flourish!
No, no, no--not jarring at all! As I said, I LEARNED something. I was just babbling.........
figurative expression that replaces a name or a noun.... Kenning.. right? love the poetry..
Resonating! Excellent!
I am enjoying your poetry so much, Audrey. This is such a treat to have your writing for poetry month. I love this poem and the topic - our subconscious. I agree with you, so much goes on there and we need to tap into it to fully know ourselves. I love the lines: a blip of light/on the congress of stars. Your images in this poem are wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing your talents.
Very ingenious way to introduce a new word, Audrey. Your poem is really interesting and thought provoking - I like it very much. Well done, Audrey.
The dark knows... So does the Light. Excellent piece.
A spiced rum of a poem
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Thank you Frank!
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Thank you Lambservant!!!
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Thank you Manatita!
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Thank you Phyliis!
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Thank you Mike!
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Thank you Suzette!!!
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