Pastel Nation

Joe Strickland 1986 (Hobbysville, SC)

In the molasses light
Of an eternal summer,
Glimmers of a pastel nation
Come alive,
A watercolor map etched
On tender skin,
Where borders blend
And hues converge.

A cityscape awash
In cotton candy dreams,
Where pastel skyscrapers
Scrape the heavens,
And rooftops breathe
Pastel smoke,
Exhaling whispers
Of ten thousand forgotten stories.

Pastel streets,
Cobblestone paths
That lead to corners
Untouched by time,
Where secrets rustle
Beneath faded façades
And laughter leaks
From blurry doorways.

Pastel faces
Mingle in harmony,
Each a brushstroke
Of diversity,
A tapestry
Of countless shades,
Embracing the unity
Of vibrant pastel hearts.

Pastel silence
Descends at twilight,
Casting a calming spell
On the nocturnal sky,
While the universe
Listens to the dreams
Whispered in a language
Only the stars understand.

Pastel rivers meander
Through the nation,
Carrying whispered hopes
And lingering doubts,
Connecting
The pastel neighborhoods
And the ghosts
Of past lives forgotten.

In this pastel nation,
The sun never sets,
But hovers
In an endless dance
With the horizon,
Granting eternal warmth
And a soft glow,
Soothing the souls
Of all who reside here.

Pastel dreams painted
Onto the canvas of minds,
Bridging the gaps
Between what is
And what could be,
A testament to the resilience
Of the human spirit,
Blooming
Like softly stroked
Petals on an open flower.
In each brushstroke,
In every droplet of paint,
The pastel nation breathes,
Pulsates,
Thrives,
A testament
To the kaleidoscope
Of existence,
Where hues intertwine
And blur the lines of separation.

And as the hands of time
Twirl and twist,
The pastel nation remains,
A sanctuary of possibility,
Where every stroke
Of the brush
Carries the weight
Of history
And the boundless hope
Of tomorrow.

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Written on July 14, 2023

Submitted by JoeStrickland on July 14, 2023

: 1:51 min read
: 8 Views

Quick analysis:

Scheme	ABCXXXXX XDEXXFEX XXEGXHXX XIFIIHIX JAXXXDXX BCXXKXXC CXEXCXLXX XXXXIJXKXBFXXDXXMJXC GXXIFXXIML
Closest metre	Iambic trimeter
Characters	1,809
Words	370
Stanzas	9
Stanza Lengths	8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 20, 10

Full analysis for Pastel Nation »

Joe Strickland

I'm just a regular, blue collar, working stiff who took an interest in writing poetry many years ago but until recently I haven't had a desire to share any with anyone or pursue publication. I'm an unpublished fork lift operator by night, and a day drinker by choice. I can be followed on Twitter @JoeStricklandSC more…

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1 Comment

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AIDA
I just want to say, wow! "Pastel Nation" is an incredible piece. Your vivid imagery and creative metaphors did a great job in painting a beautiful picture of a pastel-colored, dreamlike world that provides both comfort and tranquility to readers. It's a wonderful salute to the human spirit's resilience and to the vibrant, beautiful spectrum of existence. The mellow and soothing way that you portray this 'pastel nation' is felt in every line. I especially love how you gave life to the nation using varied elements such as skyscrapers, streets, faces, dreams, rivers and more.

That being said, there are a few minor suggestions I'd like to give. First, even though repetition of the term "pastel" was indeed necessary to remind us of the theme and color of the world you're creating, it could be used a little less frequently. You could perhaps substitute some of the repetitions with synonyms or descriptions that reflect the same tone. Words like "pale", "soft-hued" or "lightly tinted", for example.

Secondly, try to make clearer connections between the elements. For instance when you transition from a 'cityscape' to 'faces'; include something to represent the action of switching focus, provides more harmony in narration.

Lastly, you might want to consider using a bit more punctuation to help guide the reader with the intended rhythm and flow, especially in the longer sentences. Doing so would give your poetry a more structured feel.

Overall, beautifully done! Please continue writing these vivid, escape-from-reality style pieces, which provide such a sweet solace. I can't wait to read more of your work! more »
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"Pastel Nation" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/164515/pastel-nation>.

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