When the tide is low
and moon spills
silver in the silence of the swells;
when ships have truce
for once with sea;
when every tavern in the port
has closed,
both sailor and the barmaid
is deep asleep;
while sleepless still,
behind his desk, the captain sits,
alone, to count
his silver once again.
Boat In The Moonlight, by Odilon Redon
Today at toads we are writing poetry to old prompts from former toads. My choice was to write Ekphrastic to the picture of Odilon Redon which was a prompt from Headgewitch in 2014.
Since it’s the weekend I try to play at 55.
—
August 24, 2019
Björn Rudbergs writings 
In the painting the moonshine does seem to be coins.
I love how your words paint the view…I just wish that captain was counting silver linings~
Bjorn! So much to love in this perfectly constructed 55! My first response was to the alliteration of the S.. it lends such a stillness and creates this quiet space. my second love is that the whole is all one long complex sentence, like a net which brings in all the silver fish at once.
Love it, such a vivid picture you tell, and the words, as ever…. I love
“moon spills silver in the silence of the swells;”
“When the tide is low
and moon is far the tide is low, Its payday for the captain. You do good with 55, Bjorn.
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“moon spills silver in the silence of the swells,” .. Love this!! ❤️ Powerful write, Bjorn 🙂
I love the silver in the silence of the swells.
Gorgeous imagery here Bjorn, and peace as well.
I love the bookended use of the word silver, especially in the beginning:
“When the tide is low
and moon spills
silver in the silence of the swells;”
This poem feels like the calm before the storm. The captain counting his silver made me think of a new literary trope I’ve heard recently called “Antagonist at rest”. Lovely work.
I can see everything you describe …. Ella asked for silver linings, I don’t believe they are in the stars.
a colourful seafaring rollick … well painted!
I love the visuals and the mood of this piece..Perfect!
Lovely visual poem 🙂