Thirteen Ways of Looking at the Stars

Thirteen Ways of Looking at the Stars

I

Among the dark, stillness of the night

The only moving thing

Was the twinkling of the stars

II

I was of three minds,

Like early twilight

Through which shines three stars

III

A star glimmers through the autumn winds

It is a small part of the sky

IV

A dreamer and a wish

Are one

A dreamer, a wish, and a shooting star

Are one

V

I don’t know which I love more

The peaceful sunset,

Or the black night sky

The flash of a star

Or the moments just after

VI

Hope filled the star-lit sky

With quiet whispers

The shadow of secret dreams

Crossed it to and fro

The mood

Traced in the shadows

An incomprehensible desire

VII

Where is the newborn

King of the Jews?

We saw His star when it rose

And have come to worship Him

VIII

I know warm home life

Unorganized, Alive Routines

But I know, too,

That the North Star is involved

In what I know

IX

The stars fade

It marks the end

Of one of many lonely nights

X

At the sight of a million stars

Encompassing the atmosphere

Even the youngest hearts

Would cry silently in awe

XI

Darkness makes its home

In this love-filled abode

A fear chilled her husband

In that it took

Her last shadow of life

Away

To the stars

XII

A wish is whispered

A star must be flying

XIII

It was evening all afternoon

It was raining

And it would keep raining

As the stars hide,

Crying, beneath the clouds

-Melissa Lynne Moody

Yeah. At first, this type of poem didn’t make sense to me either. It came from the famous poem by Wallace Stevens, called “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” (here’s a link if you’d like to be confused by his poem: http://www.writing.upenn.edu/~afilreis/88/stevens-13ways.html )

There are a few general must-haves in the poem, (if you’re following the original form). A few examples are: The subject you’re writing about must be mentioned in every stanza. A Biblical reference is supposed to be made in Stanza number 7, and the feel of the poem itself has to be the same as Wallace Stevens'.

I enjoyed writing this poem once I started. I love the fourth stanza, because it’s so different… It’s neat how so many different things can be one...

There is actually no stanza that I dislike, but there are some that, (if you want to get the full meaning of) you may have to read over a few times. Or maybe not! But if you have a question about this poem, or any of the meanings behind my poems, feel free to comment! And I’ll do my best to explain.  

Have a beautiful day.

-Melissa