Phantom, Frigid Friday

A Poem by Diana

It's a phantom, frigid Friday.

Ghosts lurking 'round the bend.

Friendships turned dream-like...

in the shadowy realm of reality.

The ignis fatuus of love

wrongly igniting poor hearts.

As you realize

you've been holding

apparitions in hand...

will-o'-the wisp.

Like words to the wind.

Lost in the pervasive darkness

of the still, night air.

© 2013 Diana

Author's Note

Etymology: medieval or modern Latin, = foolish fire.
(definitions from the OED)

ignus fatuus-

A phosphorescent light seen hovering or flitting over marshy ground, and supposed to be due to the spontaneous combustion of an inflammable gas (phosphuretted hydrogen) derived from decaying organic matter; popularly called Will-o'-the-wisp, Jack-a-lantern, etc.
It seems to have been formerly a common phenomenon; but is now exceedingly rare.

When approached, the ignis fatuus appeared to recede, and finally to vanish, sometimes reappearing in another direction. This led to the notion that it was the work of a mischievous sprite, intentionally leading benighted travellers astray. Hence the term is commonly used allusively or fig. for any delusive guiding principle, hope, aim, etc.

will-o'-the-wisp- a thing (rarely a person) that deludes or misleads by means of fugitive appearances.

My Review

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Reviews

SyberRose

Yes i have heard of will-o'-the-wisp but not ignus fatuus...nicely penned in an eerie atmosphere...enjoyed:)

Posted 12 Years Ago

1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

12 Years Ago

Thank you, Rose. Glad you've heard of will-o'-the-wisp and even more so that you enjoyed the poem.

jacob erin-cilberto

this applies to now very well also...we hold hands with ghosts from our past...

we don't let past relationships go and they haunt us like apparitions...

jacob

Posted 12 Years Ago

1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

12 Years Ago

Ach...I feel your words. Thank you, Jacob.

Lydia Shutter

Very eerie words. Can't grasp a ghost, can you? Often the ones you want to hold close evade capture...makes you wonder if they are only apparitions to begin with. Well written. Liked the imagery. Lydi**

Posted 12 Years Ago

1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

12 Years Ago

Thank you so much, Lydi. I'm confident you're no phantom. :)

12 Years Ago

LOL thank you! Have a great weekend.

Jack...

The still of the night is the best time of day on a phantom frigid Friday, no? :)

Diana, this was a wonderful fright for this dark and gloomy day. Wow, found the one you were holding was not really there at all. Nicely done my friend.