Borealis

Cherry

By marandina

Wed, 13 Aug 2025
  • 203 reads
18 comments
 

This is a poem posted this week at a weekly challenge on X/Twitter by the account @TopTweetTuesday. Whilst your first love should always be ABCTales, there are some wonderful poets out there on social media. 

https://x.com/BeeRummie/status/1955167791947960323

 

Borealis

Celestial echoes

shards of light

pearlescent

draped

in languorous

obsidian dreams.

 

Colours swirl

an electric hue

beyond Borealis

where angels

are watching

marking time.

 

Technicolour dreams

entreaties

they hear

our innermost thoughts

sepulchral secrets

tenebrous prayers.

 

Image free to use via WikiCommons at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Northern_Lights_(32341681343).jpg

Certificate U
Poem
Miscellaneous Poems
Spiritual

Comments

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Lovely, breathtaking, I wish I could see them for myself! We have them in the southern hemisphere too, called "Southern Lights" then? or "Southern Aurora"?

You would have to be a lot more south, and if you are very lucky too, I hear sometimes seen from much more southern coastal areas of South Africa, but even rarely.

Have you seen it Paul? Although dawn could be very Spectacular in itself already. Unbelievable. You would think it's heavan. But from the photos and descriptions the northern lights are something altogether different. Must be amazing.

Keep well then! Tom

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Tom.

A while ago, the Northern Lights were visible right across England. We even had them in Northampton. I would dearly love to see them in a cold climate. The North of Scotland or Norway. Somewhere like that. People say it's life affirming.

I imagine you get to see the Aurora Australis/Southern Lights in South Africa. I read that they were last visible in May 2024. 

Keep well, both you and Jacques. 

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Thank-you Paul! My brother, Jacques, also sends his regards.

Keep well! Tom

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

not sure you meant "marking time" like this, but i love the idea of the patterns in the sky being a huge, incomprehensible angelic version of our clock face. I really liked "languorous" too, as it sounds like long, giving another impression of vastness, as well as the slowness of its meaning

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks, Di. I love the way you look at things that put a different perspective on something. I wouldn't have thought of it like that but it's wonderfully perceptive. That's what makes you the poet you are :)

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

This is brilliant marandina - worthy of the lovely comments above. I've never been lucky enough to see them (yet) but I hope to one day!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks insert. Glad you liked it.

Yes...we all crave lovely comments. They have to be well earned, of course. 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

So difficult to describe those swirling hues! draped and languorous seem good adjectives.

Seems odd to connect them to watching angels servants, but I see the imagery can be thought of that way, Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Rhiannon.

I imagine angels gathered behind the Borealis in some mystic celestial configuration.

Artistic license on my part, of course. 

 

Submitted by Turlough on

A phenomenon not easy to describe in words but you've risen to the task beautifully Paul.

Turlough

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, T.

It doesn't get more inspirational than seeing the Northern Lights. Apart from a Saturday afternoon down at Elland Road. Both experiences euphoric....depending on the final score.

 

Submitted by David Kirtley on

Yes that is a nice poem, great description! I haven't checked at this stage, but I am thinking I have seen this one before from you, on abctales? If so it is a good time to remind us!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, David.

Oh yes...great spot! I did look back and it is a distilled version of a much longer poem I posted ages ago called 'Angel Light'. Thank you for noticing. 

I did submit a variation of this to a litmag quite a while back on the theme of light (sadly...it didn't make the cut) which is why it was originally re-written and condensed. Posting yet another adaptation this week on X, people seemed to like it so I thought I'd post it here.

I guess a poem really is never finished...

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for the cherries, Eds. 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

A stunning poem Paul.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by marandina on

That's a lovely comment. Thank you, Jenny! 

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

Angels behind the Aurora- hmmm ...l love the idea... I've always wanted to see the northern lights...maybe someday... until then, I will read your poem again.smiley

Penny4athought

Submitted by marandina on

Ah thanks for reading it, Penny.