Lashes to Ashes

Posted on by jonicaggiano

Poem by Joni Caggiano and Photograph by Aigars Jansons – Pexels

echoes of carriages on cobblestones
journey like dim shadows over hills
oil lit lamps flicker with secret whispers
feigning comfort to a cortigiana di lume
drinks of fear served in fickle goblets
lies shifting as masked faces dance
snakes biting flesh, stings of death
one flawed brevity of rancorous tongue
procured a stake and vile ignition
ashes of a courtesan seized by a gust
spells drop from stars that never were

59 thoughts on “Lashes to Ashes”

  1. Wowza! I’m nearly speechless, Joni. I could hear the carriage on cobblestones! And I really love the final 2 lines <3 And this: "fear served in fickle goblets"….WOWWWWW!

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    1. Rhen you are so kind to me. I am having a hard time keeping up with everyone’s post. You are writing two or three times a day and other folks are too. I don’t know how you keep up. I truly appreciate your kind words, you are very sweet to me and encourage me with your feedback. Just know it means a lot. Hope you are staying well and continuing to be careful. Love you sweet sis. Sleep well. Hugs 💕❤️😘

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      1. Joni, don’t worry about keeping up–we all have our lives, personal concerns and time/energy constraints. After April, I’m sure I’ll go back to only 2, maybe 3 post per day 🙂 <3

  2. Love the imagery – it’s so interesting how we as humans, entities, think that one sin is greater than another, that one person is better than another, that anyone can judge another and not look at themselves. Well said, thanks for sharing , and so beautifully!

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    1. Thank you SB I appreciate your comment and glad you like it and you are so right. Often woman of the night during the 18th century were accused of being witches. Often they were just poor women that didn’t want to starve to death. Nevertheless they were often burned at the stake. So easy to judge when you have everything. Thanks for always visiting and commenting. Love Joni

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    1. Thank you so much for your comment. I am so glad you liked the photos and the poem. It means a lot to me that you visit my blog and that you take the time to leave comments my friend. I hope that you are blessed, safe and healthy. Love 💕 Joni

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  4. Very beautiful 😍😍, Joni, so vivid with imagery created. Also the pics clicked by you are just remarkable!
    Stay blessed 🙏❤️

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    1. Thank you Brad I am so pleased you liked it. I appreciate your following and your kind comments. They mean a lot. Stay healthy and blessed. Love Joni

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  6. I love your poems & I also love the pictures you post with them, you are talented to capture that photo in just the right moment! Thank you for the read, it is especially nice to have something to look forward to lifting our hearts up. Love you much

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    1. Thank you dear friend for always reading and commenting. I am so glad you enjoyed the pictures and the poem. These are indeed strange times we are living in. I feel blessed to have shelter, food and company. Love you Janette. Joni 🦮😘🌸🌺❤️💕

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    1. You are such a wonderfully supportive friend Anna and I feel you understand how much it really means to me, those words of affirmation. Thank you for loving me back sweet friend. 💕🤗❤️😘🦋🙏🙏

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    1. Thank you so much Tim, I truly appreciate your kind words. I sure enjoyed my time on your site yesterday. Your environment there is so amazing and it seems you always get the most beautiful sunsets. Wow, I was laughing so hard at your video. You have to have your big screen on and your head phones on as well to truly appreciate all the great fun in that piece. That shirt was too much. Have a great week ahead you two. Love and hugs, xoxoxox Joni

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  10. WoW Joni❣️
    Strong, descriptive and gripping poem you told here.. I almost felt like I was there but so glad I wasn’t. Bravo my friend of poetry.. closer than far friend.. 👏👏👏👏🌷🌷🙏🙏

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    1. Hi Cindy so glad you liked it and I wouldn’t have done well in those times either. Thank you for your kind words I am really glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.
      What a wonderful thing having a vacation with your husband and children. I sure enjoyed your pictures. Sending you love my friend who is not so far. Love ❤️ you. ❤️🤗😘🦋💝🌹💕Joni

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      1. It was awesome.. We are birds of a feather and I appreciate your breadth of ability in poetry to write so broadly. You’re soooo welcome.
        Oh you are sooo sweet. Someday we will be live in person but for now closer that far is a treasured gift. Love you too and big hugs,. 💖💖🤗🤗

      2. So true what you said. I believe that to be true. Thank you for being such a sweetheart. Love you ❤️🤗😘💕💝Joni

  11. Such a breathtaking piece my dear Joni. This is absolutely marvellous! I absolutely adore the imagery, it is so vivid and emotive.

    “drinks of fear served in fickle goblets
    lies shifting as masked faces dance”
    Wow! This is just too good!

    The last two lines are a treat. Loved it❤❤🤗

    Love💕Ishita

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    1. Oh thank you so much sweetie. I appreciate you reading so much.

      Your words are very kind and I am delighted you liked these lines and the ending particularly.

      I hope you are having time away from school occasionally. It is so nice to see you back on line.

      Sending my love and prayers to you and your sweet family. 🤗❤️😘🦋💕🌸💝🌺🌹Joni

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      1. Absolutely my pleasure💕💕

        Thank you so much Joni. The last few weeks were particularly busy, because of studies and my uncle’s death. But I am trying to be more regular on WP, as I love reading other’s works…it keeps me inspired as well❤❤

        Thanks a lot for your love dear💕 Sending more back🌹🥰🤗

      2. I am so sorry about your loss, it takes time for a family to grieve and sometimes it can be a while. I think it is healthy to grieve as long as it takes. I miss your beautiful work and will be watching for your lovely personality on line again. xoxoxoxo Love and hugs

    1. Yes life is good, I certainly can’t complain. Thank you for reading and for your very kind comment Allan. Last week early on I had both my computer in the shop at Apple and my phone was not working right. It was a frustrating situation. I have probably missed a bunch of your posts, I will have to try and catch up as I always enjoy them. You two have a wonderful week together. Hugs Joni

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  13. Technology is great when it works. A great week so far with a nice walk yesterday, a great rain overnight and today and then the heat returns. Hugs back at you Joni. Allan

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  14. Wowww..! What a lovely imagery..! I’m speechless dear Joni..! I loved it very very much..! Fantastic..! Keep shinning my dear..!🤗☺️

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    1. Thank you dear Francisco. You were one of my first and consistent readers. My poetry wasn’t that good when I first started the blog as I was out of practice. I feel so blessed that you read me. Your kind heart has touched mine and your work is masterful. God has given you so many gifts and I am so glad you share them with us. Love and hugs to you both. ❤️🤗 Joni

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    1. Thank you so much for you sweet comments Button. I am glad you liked the metaphors and imagery. I too, am sending you buckets filled with my love and appreciation. xoxoxoxo
      Love,
      Honeybun

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  17. Wow! I don’t have words to express how moving, how vivid, it’s really just incredible how you use words to take your readers to far-off lands and exotic scenarios! You are one talented lady, Joni! Have a great weekend love! 😊💕🥰

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    1. You are too kind but I will say your sweet comments always make me smile. Thanks and blessings. Let us know how the show goes. Love ❤️ Joni

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    1. Thank you Jeff, I really appreciate your kind comment. Comments are like sweet candy or chocolate drops for me, each one a gift. Sending lots of love and inspiration your way. xoxoxo Joni

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      1. You’re most welcome, Joni. Always. Ah, I love that you’ve connected human sweetness to sweet candy; how wonderful. I will imagine dark chocolate, my favorite. Sending love and inspiration right back, my dear friend. xoxoxo

    1. Thank you dear friend. I am loving the kind comment. Thank you so much for reading and you kind comment. I just got up and felt like taking a look at some comments as they sure do brighten my day. Sending my love, coffee and some scones made just the way ya’ll taught me too. Love, laughs and lots of coffee coming your way. xoxoxo

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