Sydney City (Poem)

Today I wrote a poem about Sydney city in the form of a garland cinquain.  In this form of poetic meter, each stanza has 5 lines with a rhyming scheme of a-b-c-c-b.  It has, on the whole, has 6 stanzas; the first 5 are original, but the last stanza is made up from one line of each of the preceding stanzas.  Enjoy.

Sydney City

The bobbling ferries, flanked by billowed sails

Of racing boats where crews on gunnels sit,

Move on the highway fuelled by writhing blue.

On Sydney’s quays the sun on glistening hues

Paint landscapes where the seagulls squawk and flit.

*

Botanic Gardens hide behind a veil

Of steel goliaths tall and brightly lit;

Rest in the shade that decades tilled and grew

When scalding sun is passing slowly through,

Your strength to find before you think to quit.

*

The Harbour Bridge is bedded down with nails

And watches far beneath the crawling ships;

Beside the House of Opera and its flue,

Where currents push the waters tried and true,

The crowds relax on coves to sup and sip.

*

Nearby The Rocks are long and winding trails:

Barangaroo is one such scenic trip,

A place which until now was made anew,

A stretch which ancient boughs and sandstone grew.

Around the corner from its bending lip

*

The curve of Darling Harbour never fails

With endless bars and restaurants on its strip,

That length of constant music, noise, and groove

Where life does bustle, always on the move.

Enjoy this city; take it in your grip.

*

The Harbour Bridge is bedded down with nails;

Enjoy this city; take it in your grip,

A place which until now was made anew.

Move on the highway fuelled by writhing blue

Near steel goliaths tall and brightly lit.

*

© All rights reserved.  Nahum H. Sennitt 2024 .

   

Frozen Chosen (Poem)

This poem that I am publishing here, in the form of a rondeau redoublé, is a controversial one given its strident critique of the modern Christian church.  There are many things that I could say about this and I would never get to the end of it in my own lifetime if I were to attempt it; however, after being a Christian for the last 26 years and having been to many churches of various theological and ecclesiastical traditions, having been to Bible college, and having once worked as a pastor, I believe I can say something on the issue.  I know there are many Christians who are genuine, down-to-earth, loving and Spirit-filled but they are very much the exception and not the norm.  Many churches and many in them are worldly, compromised, and indoctrinated by the spirit of this age and so this poem reflects that.  If you enjoy it then you understand where I am coming from and we are kindred; if you are offended by it then take it to God, reflect on yourself, and see where the Holy Spirit is leading you to grow.  If you are not a Christian then you may sympathise and my heart goes out to you.

God bless, Nahum.