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Bedtime Stories

in triolets

He’d curl her close and hold her tight
and let the words dance in the air.
The dragons soared and knights did fight,
he’d curl her close and hold her tight.
She’d gasp and laugh, her mind take flight,
he’d breathe new worlds for his girl fair.
He’d curl her close and hold her tight
and let the words dance in the air.

His whiskered face would brush her cheek
as steadfast hands tucked her in snug,
his warm brown eyes her blues would seek,
his whiskered face would brush her cheek.
Before those words of love did speak
he’d ask for one more final hug.
His whiskered face would brush her cheek
as steadfast hands tucked her in snug.

“Guess what!” He’d smile and whisper near,
and then she’d grin and close her eyes,
“I love you!” on the air appeared.
(Guess what he’d smile and whisper near.)
The two would say the words with cheer
like each had won a special prize.
“Guess what!” He’d smile and whisper near,
and then she’d grin and close her eyes.

.

.

Solstice

We made it through the longest night
warm tongues of flame to guide the way,
your skin on mine, the brightest light.

The falling stars took o’er my sight,
the galaxy (you) did not delay.
We made it through the longest night.

To fill my dark with blinding white
we danced (cliche) to break of day,
your skin on mine the brightest light.

And when my body buzzed delight,
the dreary finally pushed away,
we made it through the longest night.

To see you at your pleasure’s height
does more for me than I can say,
your skin on mine the brightest light.

Your hand in mine, my core alight,
and knowing you will always stay—
we made it through the longest night,
your skin on mine the brightest light.

.

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Sarah Stoltzfus Allen is a poet living in Eastern Kentucky. You can find her poems in Workhorse’s 2021 Anthology But There Was Fire in the Distance, and in her debut chapbook from Finishing Line Press entitled The Darks and the Lights.

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10 Responses

  1. Roy Eugene Peterson

    These are two enchanting poems. “Bedtime Stories” is a precious memory from childhood of someone loving who took the time to read to their small daughter as I did to mine (without whiskers). “Solstice” is a fascinating name for a scintillating relationship.

    Reply
  2. Joseph S. Salemi

    Using the triolet as a stanza form is unusual, but it works very well in “Bedtime Stories.” And “Solstice” is a beautiful and moving villanelle.

    Reply
    • Sarah Stoltzfus Allen

      The triolet is probably my favorite form. I write individual ones, and sometimes I like to string a few together like this to form a longer poem. Sometimes I have more to say than what I can fit in a just a few lines. I’m glad you enjoyed these pieces.

      Reply
  3. Paul A. Freeman

    A new voice! And what a wonderful one.

    As Joseph says, the triolet stanzas form works, I believe because bedtime stories often have elements of repetition about them to send the little darlings off to sleep.

    The repetition in Solstice reminds us that this is a milestone time of the year and will be repeated. Again, it worked well.

    Thanks for the reads, Sarah.

    Reply
    • Sarah Stoltzfus Allen

      I chose the triolet for “Bedtime Stories” for that very reason. I’m glad you were able to catch that. Same with “Solstice.” I’m very glad you enjoyed these. I’m excited to be a new voice to the site.

      Reply
  6. Susan Jarvis Bryant

    I am drawn to triolets and villanelles and yours shine with beauty. I especially like the repeating lines you have chosen in the villanelle. They’re very well done indeed. Thank you, Sarah.

    Reply

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