Water Woman from the Moon ~ a Sonnet for Michelle

Some time a go I wrote a sonnet for Michelle and made a silly error. It still embarrasses me. Today, Veronica Hosking and I were discussing sonnets and I reminded myself that I owe Michelle a sonnet. I hope this one is better.

It seems from Lunar soil she graces Earth

From Lake of Goodness , water woman loomed

By Lake of Joy instilled with merry mirth

The Lake of Excellence for teaching groomed

She sailed the Sea they call Serenity

A sea that felt her satin silky skin

From Lake of Softness as Tranquility

Another sea caressed the soul within

Then sadly, salt from Lake of Sorrow blew

A stroke of sadness, testing strength to cope

Betrayed, from Lake of Dreams she slowly flew

Until uplifted to the Lake of Hope

Now cautiously she wades the Bay of Trust

And turns her lovely back on Lake of Fear.

Comments: 53

Angie O. Apr 14, 2012, 8:08pm UTC

Absolutely beautiful especially the last two lines, I can really relateto them.

JOHN BECK Apr 14, 2012, 8:09pm UTC

Thank you, Angie.

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Veronica Hosking Apr 14, 2012, 8:29pm UTC

Hmm... A very lovely sonnet, but is it enough to get me to stop pestering my sister? I'll give her another hour.

JOHN BECK Apr 14, 2012, 8:31pm UTC

Thanks anyway, Veronica.

Katryn D. Apr 14, 2012, 10:26pm UTC

of course it's enough

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Peter Joseph Swanson Apr 14, 2012, 8:31pm UTC

A gorgeous sonnet!

JOHN BECK Apr 14, 2012, 8:32pm UTC

Thank you, Peter.

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Kushal Poddar Apr 14, 2012, 8:31pm UTC

It is perfect. What more is there to say?
do-it-yourself-pray-for-your-child

JOHN BECK Apr 14, 2012, 8:32pm UTC

Thank you kindly, Kushal.

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Len Maxwell Apr 14, 2012, 8:31pm UTC

Very nice, John. I've never tried a sonnet but it looks as if you made up for whatever error you made before.

Thanks for posting to the Sonnet Wall on The Triple Name Club where it's now featured.

JOHN BECK Apr 14, 2012, 8:33pm UTC

Thank you for the feature, Len. The error I made before had to do with content, not form.

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Veronica Hosking Apr 14, 2012, 8:32pm UTC

And just out of curiosity, the sea of serenity is the only lunar landmark? I don't know too much about the moon but I like how you wove states of being into bodies of water.

JOHN BECK Apr 14, 2012, 8:34pm UTC

These are all lunar features, Veronica, but of course none of them actually contain water. Many are better known by their Latin names.

Veronica Hosking Apr 14, 2012, 8:41pm UTC

Thanks. I thought as much when I recognized the sea of serenity. I always thought it strange they referred to it as a body of water when there was no water. I didn't realize they named other landmarks on the moon the same. I learned something new today.

JOHN BECK Apr 14, 2012, 8:44pm UTC

The "seas" were named "maria" because they looked like lakes in telescopes. The naming convention spread. The Sea of Tranquility (Mare Tranqulitatus) is where the Apollo astronauts landed.

Allen H. Apr 14, 2012, 8:53pm UTC

And sadly there is no soil on the Moon either;
It has only a sun-blasted gravel called regolith!

JOHN BECK Apr 14, 2012, 8:54pm UTC

And no atmosphere. It's all metaphorical.

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Vivian P. Apr 14, 2012, 8:34pm UTC

I love this John !

JOHN BECK Apr 14, 2012, 8:35pm UTC

Thank you, Vivian. Good to see you!

Vivian P. Apr 14, 2012, 8:36pm UTC

: )

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Janet "Jax" B. Apr 14, 2012, 10:25pm UTC

Oh how sweet John...I bet she'll love it.

JOHN BECK Apr 14, 2012, 10:32pm UTC

Thank you, Jax. I hope so.

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Alison H. Apr 14, 2012, 10:32pm UTC

Sweet and inspiring. The analogies work very well. Lovely tribute to her.

JOHN BECK Apr 14, 2012, 10:33pm UTC

Thank you, Alison.

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Joann B. Apr 14, 2012, 11:10pm UTC

Ah, sigh. It almost makes me want a significant other, if such a one would write such things to me. . . almost.

JOHN BECK Apr 15, 2012, 12:39am UTC

:) Thanks, Joann.

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Richard Lynn Livesay Apr 14, 2012, 11:32pm UTC

reminds me of the song "Moon River"...excellent sonnet tribute

It will be featured on Surreal Circus

JOHN BECK Apr 15, 2012, 12:39am UTC

Thanks, Richard.

Moon River is from my time!

Richard Lynn Livesay Apr 15, 2012, 2:29am UTC

...and mine... I was in love with Holly Golightly (audrey hepburn) after that show

JOHN BECK Apr 15, 2012, 7:33am UTC

Weren't we all?
Thanks, Richard.

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Sonia M. Apr 15, 2012, 12:50am UTC

What a beautiful tribute! I'm sure she will be thrilled...
I would be

Moon River is from my time also... ;-)

JOHN BECK Apr 15, 2012, 7:26am UTC

Thanks, Sonia.

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Irina Dimitric Apr 15, 2012, 12:57am UTC

Beautiful tribute to Michelle. Very nice sonnet.

JOHN BECK Apr 15, 2012, 7:26am UTC

Thank you, Irina.

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Magi the magical poet is flowing with the wind Apr 15, 2012, 4:02am UTC

I love it - a song for a moon child.

JOHN BECK Apr 15, 2012, 7:26am UTC

Thank you, Magi.

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William Dotani Apr 15, 2012, 4:21am UTC

Successfully navigating the minefield of selfish cruelty in loving life.

JOHN BECK Apr 15, 2012, 7:26am UTC

Thanks, Bill.

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elizabeth evans Apr 15, 2012, 4:42am UTC

I'm sure Michelle will be most pleased with your efforts. (:

JOHN BECK Apr 15, 2012, 7:27am UTC

Thanks, Bob.

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Ann Marcaida Apr 15, 2012, 10:38am UTC

I absolutely love the way you made this all about bodies of water and water metaphors. One of your best, John!

Ann Marcaida Apr 15, 2012, 11:03am UTC

Thanks for sharing with Gather's Luminous Writers and Artists. Featured and tweeted.

JOHN BECK Apr 15, 2012, 11:36am UTC

Thank you, Ann. Mythical bodies of water at that, since there's no water in those that are so called on the moon.

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JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 15, 2012, 10:49am UTC

I am too humble to assume I'm THE Michelle, but I will say how incredibly exquisite it is and THIS Michelle got choked up. I needed to read such gentle beauty to help soothe my soul. Xx

JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 15, 2012, 10:50am UTC

May I keep a copy of this printed out?

JOHN BECK Apr 15, 2012, 11:39am UTC

By all means, Michelle. I'm honored that you responded this way to my sonnet. It was indeed written for you.

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JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ Apr 15, 2012, 11:52am UTC

I am on my way home from an overnight with my daughter in NYC . I will print when I get home. Words cannot describe how touched and honored I am. You are such a kind person to do this for me, especially when you know how I am feeling these days. Much love to you , my dear friend.