Chiaroscuro

By Mary W. Jensen

Chiaroscuro is a poetry book about the contrast and balance between light and dark. It's a journey through a crumbling world that leaves a gritty taste. It shines light on the edge of awareness where dark magic wars with childish innocence.

 

These poems range from internal conflict to worldwide war to creatures of myth, but all follow the themes of finding havens of light in dark days, persisting despite the odds. The light is only brighter for the darkness that surrounds it.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Briarbook Lane Press
• Release date: Jan 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798224730186

Mary W. Jensen

Mary W. Jensen lives in Utah with her husband and son. Mary is the middle of nine children, and escaped the loudness of reality by immersing herself in books and poetry. From chaos comes creation. Her poetry has been published in the webzines Moon Drenched Fables and Abyss & Apex. She is also co-author of the poetry book Lifelines published by InkSpotter Publishing.

Book preview

Introduction

Chiaroscuro (kee-ar-uh-SKYOOR-o): The contrast and balance between light and dark. 

Within us resides a tapestry of darkness and light. It is woven into our hopes, fears, dreams, and secrets. To understand the tapestry leads to knowing ourselves. Follow these threads of dark and light. You may be surprised at what lies hidden, lost, or wandering.

If Atlas Had a Tantrum

If Atlas had a tantrum

and his position as holder of the world

suddenly became vacant

who would step in to fill it?

Would Atlas at least leave

a pillow to break the globe's fall,

a small silver lining

as the world spins out of balance,

the roof once overhead

now crumbled beneath our feet?

Seeping Gray

Great Wall, stacked stones, barriers

business men in suits, on phones

coarse fur of a wolf

mewling of abandoned kittens

sulking donkey

storm clouds

gritty taste left after a dust storm

fishing in fog, going on instinct

spirits haunting

smell of wet stone

smeared mascara

shadow tag, always unsure of the target

thoughts poised on the edge of awareness

Mirramisu Lake

Three ghosts haunt the pier

of Mirramisu Lake,

seen only as the sun 

descends into the water.

Dark shadows rise from damp planks,

flowing to form

father, daughter, son;

lives stolen by the Mud-Monster,

our version of Loch Ness;

camouflaged in twilight,

coated in sludge,

feeding on fishers,

creating a new link

in the food chain. 

These three new spirits

dare not leave their post,

warn the unwary:

calm waters

are merely a lie.

Will these ghosts deter

or only bait?

Dark Days

She grips her sword, the battlefield looks stark,

Almost too late to set the world aright;

Hold ground, dig deep, the days are getting dark.

A flock of ravens flies through the theme park,

Abandoned