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Crimson Moon

O beguiling crimson Moon Fiercely blazing for want of thee; Descending beneath faltering clouds; Leering wantonly; And She: Her coy distractions and brazen Enchantments Laid bare and stripped rude... Like the naked lightening tree. Stealing forth his confoundments Dealt by bloody, craven fingers Which do betray and disavow The sacred pledges Made unto the black veils Of night-time down... When, drifting carnally upwards Against your sleeping form - Stooping to kiss upon that fiery brow... Thus forged an incestuous alliance Beneath the distant stars Of a broken plough.

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Susan Ashley

Date: 10/19/2017 7:38:00 PM

John, the depth and beauty of your poetry simply astounds. Your amazing imagery, poetic language and tempo are all so masterfully done and done with exquisite grace. A joy to read and think upon...

John Fleming
Date: 10/22/2017 6:24:00 AM

Thank you so much for your lovely comments, Susan...they are both very kind and generous -- I am much obliged! My very warmest regards as ever, Susan. :) john

Thvia Shetley

Date: 9/19/2017 8:41:00 AM

"Stealing forth his confoundments Dealt by bloody, craven fingers Which do betray and disavow The sacred pledges Made unto the black veils Of night-time down...". These lines will stay with me. How I love your work....

John Fleming
Date: 10/1/2017 4:28:00 PM

Thank you, Thvia...you have paid me a beautiful compliment -- I am sincerely grateful! My very warmest regards as always! :) john

Patricia Cresswell

Date: 9/10/2017 8:52:00 AM

I am dazzled truly. A very sensuous piece!

John Fleming
Date: 9/11/2017 3:07:00 AM

Thank you, Patricia. I wrote a rough draft of this poem several years ago and then revamped it quite a few times before uploading it; I am never entirely happy with my poems...but this one is one of those few rare exceptions! My very warmest regards, Patricia, as always. :) john

Manon Peel

Date: 1/8/2017 7:03:00 AM

Wow. Your use of such descriptive words astounds me. I will certainly be reading more of your poetry.

John Fleming
Date: 1/8/2017 12:46:00 PM

Thank you, Manon! Please be assured you are most welcome here, at anytime, in my little corner of the "Soup" . All my very best! :) john

Chelcie Darling

Date: 9/17/2016 3:28:00 PM

Oh my! What a great poem!! Very enticing!

John Fleming
Date: 9/18/2016 2:38:00 PM

Thank you, Chelcie...You are most kind. My warmest regards! :) john

Pace Ink-U-Script

Date: 8/8/2016 4:51:00 AM

And how captivating this is....the imagery of this moon in the manner you described is beyond incredible. What a scene you don't see too often...thanks for bringing me here.

John Fleming
Date: 8/9/2016 4:04:00 PM

You are very welcome, Pace...And thank you for the visit and wonderful comments - You are always most happily received here! As soon as time permits I will be re-paying you a return visit sometime in the very near future. All the very best! :) john

Becca Teagan

Date: 6/5/2016 11:23:00 AM

Extremely beautiful, John

John Fleming
Date: 6/6/2016 10:44:00 AM

Thank you, Becca. That is an extremely charming and sweet thing to say...Your comment has made my day. All my very best wishes...As always. :) john

Daver Austin

Date: 3/28/2016 8:53:00 AM

An exotic, erotic moon indeed. Enjoyed. Love, daver

John Fleming
Date: 3/28/2016 12:08:00 PM

Hello again, Daver. Nice to see you making a return call once again...You are always welcome here at anytime. Thank you for the comments...they are always appreciated by me! My very best wishes! :) john

Red Barchettadrive

Date: 3/27/2016 11:50:00 PM

Poetry gets no better than this! I'm all starry eyed!

John Fleming
Date: 3/28/2016 12:04:00 PM

Thanks, Red! This certainly is a lovely accolade to bestow upon my poem - Much appreciated! All the very best. :) john

Elaine George

Date: 3/21/2016 9:47:00 AM

Hi, John. Blood moon when earth passes between sun and moon amid the star consolation of the 'Plough' . This is absolutely a BRILLIANT piece of writing.

John Fleming
Date: 3/22/2016 7:28:00 PM

Hi, Elaine...Bullseye! You are absolutely spot on; this rare cosmic event is indeed the inspiration behind the poem. Very well done! Many thanks for your lovely comments, Elaine; you are always most welcome here at any time. My very best regards! :-) john

Peter Lewis Holmes

Date: 3/20/2016 5:38:00 PM

Liked this John. It has a haunting presence, yet at the same time sensual.....and thanks for your comments on my work! Peter

John Fleming
Date: 3/23/2016 10:52:00 AM

Hi, Peter. It was a delight to comment on your work, Peter - I always enjoying reading your poems! Thanks for the re-turn visit and kind comments - always appreciated! My very best regards. :) john

Umnewa Brett Somers Formerly Winkofheart

Date: 3/18/2016 11:55:00 AM

The imagery is haunting John. An enjoyable read.

John Fleming
Date: 3/19/2016 7:34:00 AM

Hello, Brett. Nice to become acquainted with you! Many thanks for the visit and kind comments - Much appreciated! My very best regards. :) john

Elaine George

Date: 3/17/2016 2:19:00 PM

So deep and profound. I agree with Keith. This is indeed...a masterpiece, John. Elaine

John Fleming
Date: 3/18/2016 10:32:00 AM

Thank you, Elaine...Indeed, you accord me high praise! The clue, and key, to the whole poem is in the 2nd verse, line 9. Once you understand what this line refers to then you understand the whole poem. Answers on a post please if anyone is interested. :) My very best regards to you, Elaine, as always...And my warmest regards. :) john

Keith Bickerstaffe

Date: 1/30/2016 4:21:00 PM

Astounding language and scintillating imagery... '...fiercely blazing for want of thee,' '...dealt by bloody, craven fingers' and the final three lines.' This is a masterpiece my friend!! Best wishes, Keith

John Fleming
Date: 1/31/2016 1:49:00 PM

Thank you, Keith, for your very kind comments - You are most generous in your accolades! Much appreciated my friend! My very best regards...And warmest wishes. :) john

Punnia Viswan Bhatia

Date: 1/1/2016 2:19:00 AM

wishing you too a very happy new year :)) stay blessed

John Fleming
Date: 1/1/2016 8:19:00 AM

Cheers, RSE. Unfortunately...I feel God may desert me when he starts to inwardly digest the "Meretrix Trials". I have a sneaking feeling he is going to be sitting this one out! All the very best, my friend. :) john

Punnia Viswan Bhatia

Date: 12/30/2015 9:29:00 AM

superb read..thank you for sharing john :))

John Fleming
Date: 12/31/2015 8:48:00 AM

A pleasure to become acquainted, my old son! Many thanks for your kindly comments! My warmest wishes and regards for the forth coming New Year! :) john

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser

Date: 12/28/2015 5:45:00 AM

Im blown away by your wonderful words John.. =`) vivid cute imagery,...Im glad you are reading mine.. =`) thanks much! Happy Holidays!~Olive Eloisa =`)

John Fleming
Date: 12/28/2015 1:12:00 PM

Olive...Always a pleasure to find that you have paid me a visit. Many thanks for your sweet comments - They are always appreciated! My best regards and wishes for the forthcoming New Year! :) john

Eileen Manassian

Date: 12/27/2015 4:57:00 PM

Lovely piece...what fantastic imagery. :) I want to echo FJ's comment. Celestial bodies being naughty...You've captured it well.

John Fleming
Date: 12/28/2015 1:07:00 PM

Many thanks, Eileen! So very nice to see you visiting once again. May I take this opportunity to pass on my warmest wishes...And all the very best for the New Year! :) john

John Fleming
Date: 12/28/2015 1:05:00 PM

Daver Austin

Date: 12/27/2015 12:19:00 PM

Akin wiith the moon. The "broken plough" is a great rustic image. I'm thoroughly spooked. Thanks for reading my stuff. daver

John Fleming
Date: 12/28/2015 1:05:00 PM

Hi, Daver. Nice to hear from you once again. I will be paying you another call in the very near future no doubt . My very best wishes to you for the New Year! :) john

James Fraser

Date: 12/26/2015 12:07:00 PM

So much of today's poetry is kinda basic. This is up there and possibly unreachable to many in thought and in write, even to me. It's just wonderful to read, even better having been read a few times. I like it ~~ smiles to my fav's ~~ James :)

John Fleming
Date: 12/28/2015 1:01:00 PM

Hi, James. Not heard from you in a while. Hope everything is going fine for you and you are in rude health. Many thanks for the visit and your kind comments...It is all very much appreciated! All the very best for the New Year, James! :) john

Maurice Yvonne

Date: 12/24/2015 3:53:00 PM

Oh my, oh my! WOW! Just a stupendous piece. You are so gifted my dear friend. I could write for another 200 years and never come close to the splendour of this piece. You are an inspiration! I must most definitely add this poem to my favs! Happy Holidays to you and yours. Lots of love, Armand.

John Fleming
Date: 12/25/2015 6:40:00 AM

Armand, as always, you accord me such high merit...I am eternally grateful. You are always welcome here at anytime, Armand. I would ask you to keep an eye out for an "Ezra Pound styled Cantos" that I intend to start publishing in the next day or two; it will be an ongoing thing. I am going to throw everything I have got at it! The subject is "Contentious" to say the least. It will invoke strong emotions; I may well get kicked of this site...But here or elsewhere - "The Meretrix" will be heard!! My warmest wishes and kindest regards to you Armand. :) john

Keith Bickerstaffe

Date: 12/24/2015 9:11:00 AM

Excellent word use and dazzling imagery... there are so many phrases to choose from for a best one, so I will simply say I love 'em all! Magnificent my friend! Best wishes, Keith

John Fleming
Date: 12/24/2015 12:32:00 PM

Hi, Keith. Pleased you enjoyed the short read. This is one of my older, revamped poems reworked to celebrate the occasion of the "Super Moon". I have to say: It is a far better poem now. All the very best for the forth coming year, Keith. :) john

Elizabeth Ruff

Date: 12/1/2015 12:44:00 PM

Very deep and True. very Great write

John Fleming
Date: 12/2/2015 6:24:00 AM

Hello, Elizabeth. How very nice to make your acquaintance. Much obliged for the visit and kind remarks...Many thanks! My best regards! :) john

Keith Bickerstaffe

Date: 11/28/2015 7:33:00 AM

Richly descriptive with vivid language and outstanding imagery... well done John! Best wishes, Keith 7

John Fleming
Date: 11/29/2015 4:51:00 AM

A great pleasure to see you visiting once again, Keith. I hope everything is going well for you and you are in good health. Many thanks for the lovely comments! My very best regards to you. :) john

Red Barchettadrive

Date: 11/17/2015 12:36:00 PM

7+ Felt like I was reading from Shakespeare! Great piece here John!

John Fleming
Date: 11/18/2015 5:05:00 AM

Hi, Red. Nice to make your acquaintance! Thank you for visiting my little corner of the "Soup", and thanks for your kind comments - Much obliged! :) john