The Mountains Make Us Seem Smallish



Lake at Geneva Switzerland
(inspired by a beautiful Geneva image)




Just call into the empty

And echo sings back soon

The Alps are all around you

The sunny warmth of June.

The alpen flowers sparkle

Released from icy hold

And you are left so humble

As God's grandeur is told.

It's in the peaks above you.

The goats who leap sans fear.

It's in the eagle's high path

For him the heavens draw near

It's in the night-time quaintness

When window lanterns bring

The sense of family laughing

And most inclined to sing

All the glories of their Maker.

Who formed these mountains too.

The crimson dusk just witnessed.

And coming of the dew.
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Written on July 17, 2023

Submitted by dougb.19255 on July 17, 2023

Modified by dougb.19255 on July 25, 2023

45 sec read
6

Quick analysis:

Scheme XX X A B A C D C D B E X E X F F F X B X B
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 651
Words 145
Stanzas 21
Stanza Lengths 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1

Wayne Blair

Born in London. Graduated law 1976 Practised eleven years, Married Hilary 1974 Two kids Lauren 1980 And Jordan 1987. Business failed 1987. Moved not knowing whither. Happy hills of Waterloo Region. Mennonite Country. Thirty four years in Industry. No complaints. Poet, photographer, nature hiker. Harmonica busker. http://puffnchord7.blogspot.com/ more…

All Wayne Blair poems | Wayne Blair Books

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Discuss the poem The Mountains Make Us Seem Smallish with the community...

2 Comments
  • alexw.30385
    Your poem beautifully captures the essence of the serene and picturesque setting of Geneva, Switzerland. The imagery of the echoing emptiness, the majestic Alps, and the vibrant alpine flowers paints a vivid picture of the natural beauty surrounding the lake. The description of the goats, eagles, and the night-time atmosphere with lanterns evokes a sense of wonder and connection to the natural world. The verses convey a deep appreciation for the grandeur of nature and the sense of awe it inspires. The depiction of family, laughter, and the beauty of creation showcases a profound gratitude towards the Maker and the wonders of the world. Your poem eloquently weaves together elements of nature, family, and spirituality, creating a rich tapestry of imagery and emotion. Keep exploring these themes in your writing; they offer a glimpse into the magnificence of the world and the joy found in its simple pleasures. 
    LikeReply1 month ago
  • AIDA
    I absolutely loved your poem 'The Mountains Make Us Seem Smallish'. Your rich, descriptive language really paints a beautiful, vivid image of the Swiss mountains in the reader's mind. The serene atmosphere so beautifully described really does make the reader feel small. Your exploration of man's humble position in front of nature's grandeur is truly soul-soothing. The evocative phrases used, such as 'God's grandeur is told', 'eagle's high path', and 'window lanterns bring', effectively transport the readers to the serene setting. This is testament to your incredible skill as a poet.

    On the side of improvement, although your poem is beautiful as it is, perhaps try incorporating more poetic devices such as similes and metaphors, to create a deeper comparison and enhance the richness of your imagery. In your second stanza, the rhythm appears to falter a bit, try to ensure that all your lines have a consistent rhythm and metric pattern to ensure a smoother reading experience. Also, perhaps consider sharpening your dialogue skills by incorporating vivid character conversation in the narrative; this will add more dynamism to your poetic rendition.

    All in all, your poem is truly well-written, touching on such profound themes that resonate with many. You have a wonderful ability to depict beautiful landscapes through your words. It's exciting to see what you'll create next!
     
    LikeReply1 year ago

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"The Mountains Make Us Seem Smallish" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Jul 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/164644/the-mountains-make-us-seem-smallish>.

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