I am posting up here a new form for poetry. It has been invented by my good friend Simon Zonenblick, who reads at the Puzzle Hall Inn in Sowerby Bridge.

Simon describes his invention thus: "a new poetic form, the Octolune. The basic premise is that its an 8-line poem addressed to or about the moon, in which the opening line is always "Moon." This can be played with, for example I have one beginning "Moon?" but the poem should always form 8 lines. This just felt a natural length when I wrote the earliest, then I subsequently read the moon has 8 phases so I chose to maintain this rule. I feel the lunar theme is oft-lamented in poetry - its seen as a cliché - but this for me is all the more reason to revive it."

Simon's first Octolune is as follows:

Moon of bones, oh winter moon
oh silver­spun heart
oh far­off dream ­enkindled splintered moon
refracted in the Heavens' peachflame light
black Earth is bathed in your metallic splay,
your winkling crescent lip
bends to plant a deep zinc kiss
on aching sky.
SZ Dec 2015

My response, having read several of Simon's Octolunes, was about the 8 phases of the moon:
"8 phases. Yes you can see it like that. You have Waxing and Waning for a start and then within that you have crescent and gibbous phases. So that is four. Then you have new moon and full moon, and between them you have a waxing half moon and a waning half moon. These are node points rather than periods.
1 New Moon
2 Waxing Crescent
3 Waxing half moon
4 Waxing Gibbous
5 Full Moon
6 Waning Gibbous
7 Waning half moon
8 Waning Crescent.
Moon Dark and New Moon are two sides of the same event.
I wonder if a refinement might be for the poem to wax and wane?"

Simon responded as follows:
"Your idea of an Octolune poem waxing and waning is lovely - I think if you compose one in that vein you will have successfully crafted your own adaptation of the theme, and produced a distinctive Octolune which may well give rise to others inspired by that style. I hope you do, and I look forward to reading any you write. I want to include some on the Caterpillar Poetry website in the future - there will be a section entitled Octolunes and Octoluneos. The latter is a kind of neo-Octolune, because I've found that a few people have sent me poems similar to how I set out, but without "Moon" as the opening line. Thus, there is already a new style morphing from the original."

So there is our conversation, and one of the two Octolunes I have produced so far goes like this:
Octolune II
Moon, a boat skyfishing,
Stars in your nets,
Riding gusty clouds;
Never blown off course:
Or a bald cranium
Laid on a cumulous pillow,
Tossed among misty blankets,
A head full of dreams.
FD Dec 2015.

So there you have an exposee of Octolunes, which i describe to you with Simon's permission.
He has a website called http://simonzonenblickcaterpillarpoet.simplesite.com/420470580 and he reads at the Puzzle.
Why not come to Sowerby Bridge on Jan 4th, braving the weather, and enjoy the Live Puzzle Poets at their best. (see gig guide)

Oh dear I gave you Simon's old website. This is the proper address:
http://simonzonenblickcaterpillarpoet.blogspot.co.uk/p/octolunes-and-octoluneos.html
enjoy.

Nice one David.
A good balance between awe and familiarity there I think.
I hope a few others respond too.

I'm not sure if this has really worked - but I gave it a go (it's late!!)

Lady Moon
You wax & wane
You play your game
With tide & mood
Sending my
Emotions high
Until I
Become unglued

Hi Vicky, thats a nice contribution.
Simon calls this an Octoluneo because it does not begin with 'Moon' so its a neo version of the form.
I like your rhyme scheme. I also relate to your message here. I often become unglued.
What do you think of it as a form?

Thanks Freda - yes I didn't think I'd quite got it right!! I like the form - I think I'll have another go. As for becoming unglued - I seem to be seriously effected by the moons cycles - it's the pixie in me!!

A MAIDEN`S PLEA.

Moon, oh, moon,
Oh, Lady moon, this night,
From the cool serenenes of your height
Grant to me
A white
Enchanting witchery,
(Most lovelily)
In the silent shedding of your light.


THE FELLERS PLEA

Moon, listen
I want to ask a favour:
when we start kissin`
Give me lips some flavour,
And don`t go missin`
When it gets excitin`
Just shine and glisten
And make me night a bright`n.

Moon,
Dusty disc
On borrowed light
To appease the night.
Moon,
Sailing ship
On dark waves
A sailors path paves.

Great Stuff. keep 'em coming.

Thank you David, I am delighted to see how Freda has brought this form to Write Out Loud and I enjoyed your contribution. If you would like it also to appear on Caterpillar Poetry just let me know.
Simon

Thank you Vicki for this majestic Octoluneo! I am not sure quite how to use W.O.L. so I hope these replies reach the right users or that you can see them. I really enjoyed your poem and would be glad to post it also onto Caterpillar Poetry.
Simon