A summer breeze moves the muslin drapes
as shallow shadows dance on naked skin
and windows open to the sea make shapes
the sunset paints us in a sweeter sense of sin.
We listen to the sounds of dusk, to seagulls
leaving for another shore, to ships, to songs
the sailors sing to sweethearts lost, to dull
the tears they keep pretending to be strong.
We know tonight will be our last, we’ll part
at dawn, my ship will leave, I have no home
this place is yours but deep inside my heart,
I’ll save some space for you, so while I roam
between the arms of others, for you, I’ll keep
this special night, and for my love too deep.
Henri Matisse
Today Merril hosts dVerse poets with a simple prompt to write about windows. I made mine a fantasy sonnet of sorts. I hope it works.
April, 18 2023
Björn Rudbergs writings 
❤️
A delightful sea sonnet, Björn, which transported me to that window with its muslin drapes. I heard the wind and sea in the sibilant ‘shallow shadows ‘, the phrase ‘the sea make shapes / the sunset paints us in a sweeter sense of sin’, and the seagulls.
I could feel that sea breeze, so evocative! And the moment seems so lovely–except for what’s to come when it will just be a memory.
Beautiful and describes my life perfectly. (I’m not the sailor though!) very nice Björn! ⛵️
Oh, I love this, Björn! Though my sailor husband would say this is not true of sailors in the present times.
Timeless romantic verse. A sailor’s burden. Loved it!
Aaah, I feel that breeze, and some great lines, “the sunset paints us in a sweeter sense of sin. “
wow what a sunset for them both. and what a sweet memory to keep
:>)Well done, Bjorn. This is a true sailor man with a woman in every port and the same story most likely for each one!
“the sunset paints us in a sweeter sense of sin.”
The mood is definitely set.
Nice one!!!
Much💖love
Works, for me at least, could feel both the melancholy and the whimsical, little joy together; I like the way you’ve woven the motif of love, and the “roaming” reminded me of sailing a little bit.
Window to a sailor’s heart…and the sin is bittersweet.
Gorgeous sonnet. Loved
I like the imagery of the sunset and shadows coming in through the open windows to paint the bodies.
So romantic. ❤️
The line sway like the sea, and all are wooed. Wonderful!
This is a gorgeous sonnet. Such calming rhythm read aloud.
This poem danced on my skin. Gorgeous imagery, Bjorn.
“I’ll save some space for you.” This line struck me, inasmuch that it seems natural, from my own subjective perspective, to hold the positive memories of others in my heart, even many years later, after a friendship or relationship has dissolved.
It does work as a sonnet, flows effortlessly. The old story of a girl in every port.
Hi Björn, I found this very moving, it seemed like a real memory to me, so well penned ❤️
The s-sounds work so well to weave the sounds of the sea into the lines. (K)
I hope this is by mutual agreement. Personally, I would rid myself of this guy before I ruined my life waiting, worrying, and wondering. That last line got to me, I could see it coming from the next to last.
Now I know the down side of having a girl in every port.
Good writing though,
..
Really love this sonnet. It has such wonderful sounds and great images.
Beautiful imagery!