Mesquite Ink

Mesquite Ink Poem

Last night the moon rose in an inky sky and

I watched the stars blink into being one by one over the

Expanse of a glittering city.

Moisture from the air impregnated the open pages in my lap

I annotated a gold-embossed book

Using a pen dipped in the breathless sunset.

The mesquite tree hung low and leafy

Kissing its shadow to the lonely ground while the

Pages turned in my moonlit hand and the

Words slid off the paper and permeated my dreams.


Photo by Valentin Antonini

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64 Comments

  1. Belladonna

    This is so beautiful Layla💖💖💖

  2. Jeff Flesch

    A gorgeous write, Layla! It reminds about the truth that we are all a part of and made of the same magic, the same stardust, “a pen dipped in the breathless sunset”, yes, please. Gorgeous poetry!

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you for this delightful comment, Jeff! It is a pleasure to hear from you. 💞

  3. Karima Hoisan

    Like an ethereal sonata to be played on the piano, your graceful lyricism floats down line by line until it rests, filling your dreams. Loved this one Layla, from beginning to end ❤️

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you so much, Karima! ☀️

  4. michnavs

    Such a beautiful piece Layla…i wonder whats wrong with my WP reader, i don’t see you there…

  5. Mesquite Ink – inspired

    […] Mesquite Ink […]

  6. Kelly Diane

    Such a beautiful piece

  7. Keep Calm & Drink Coffee

    I really would like to have the same pen dippend in the breathless sunset to write my thank you for so very involving words Layla!

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you for reading, Claudia! ☀️

  8. Priti

    Beautiful! 👌

  9. haoyando

    I just realized that your poems are connected by the key words. I can see the mesquite shadow, your moonlit hands, and your words sliding off …

    1. Layla Todd

      😍 Glad you discovered my little keyword poem connections!

  10. D. Wallace Peach

    “Using a pen dipped in the breathless sunset.”Aaah, wouldn’t that be wonderful. A lovely poem, Layla. Beautiful imagery, my friend.

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you, Diana! 🥰

  11. alimackin2013

    Oh this lovely. Very visual, love it!

    Allie of
    http://www.allienyc.com

  12. K.M. Allan

    Beautiful 😍.

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you for reading! 🥰

  13. Ingrid

    So atmospheric, Layla!

    1. Unwanted Life

      This is a really beautiful piece. I especially like the part about the mesquite tree kissing it’s shadow, as it conjures up all kinds of thoughts and imagery. It also appeals to the goth part of my heart

      1. Layla Todd

        Thank you so much for reading! 🥰

  14. Infinite Living

    My goodness – you write in stunning gorgeaous words laced together!! I can’t give words to how much I found this beautiful … I am still feeling it all.

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you for this delightful comment! 🥰

  15. Miriam Hurdle

    Vivid imagery and breathtaking words, Layla! Simply beautiful.

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you so much for reading, Miriam!

  16. AmyRose🌹

    Wow! How you paint with your words so clear and mystical pictures is a wonder to behold, Layla! Beautifully written leaving me breathless like the sunset. Wow! xo

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you for this lovely comment, Amy!

  17. The Sicilian Storyteller

    Your writing is like golden embroidery, delighting the eyes, the mind and the soul. Exquisite work, Layla 💫

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you so much, Nancy!

      1. The Sicilian Storyteller

        Always a pleasure, Layla!

  18. Eugi

    Gorgeous writing and imagery, Layla.

  19. SelmaMartin

    how lovely and melodic. What lovely that they followed you into your dreams. Dipped in breathless sunset. that’s fantastically beautiful. thanks.

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you for this lovely comment, Selma! 🥰

  20. Kelly Louise Allen

    I’d love to have a pen dipped in a breathless sunset. Lovely!

    1. Layla Todd

      It’s a writer’s dream! 🥰

  21. barbaraleaver

    Fantastic imagery. I could feel the dreaming of the trees shadow and the turning of the pages

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you for sharing these thoughts! 🥰

  22. Michele Lee

    I love Mesquite trees, so you had me at the first word. 😁 Feels like I fell into a dream with this write. ✨ Your creative phrases always delight! 💗

    1. Layla Todd

      I always so enjoy your reflective comments, Michele! Thank you. 🥰

      1. Michele Lee

        I am delighted, Layla! They come from a place of absolute gratitude and appreciation for your engaging work. 💗

  23. Cindy Georgakas

    Your imagery is magically penned in every gold dipped word as always Layla! 💞

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you, Cindy! 🥰

  24. I'm All Booked Up YA

    Beautiful poem. It’s inspiring us to go outside more.

  25. Kym Gordon Moore

    WOW Layla, how awesome girlfriend. Go on honey, and dip your pen in whatever colored ink you desire! ✍🏻✍🏻✍🏻

    1. Layla Todd

      Aww, I appreciate this so much, Kym. 🥰

      1. Kym Gordon Moore

        Oh my dear friend, you are so very welcome! 🤗💖🥰

  26. Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

    Compelling imagery in this beautiful poem, Layla! I love the closing lines. <3

    "Pages turned in my moonlit hand and the
    Words slid off the paper and permeated my dreams."

    1. Layla Todd

      Love that you share your favorite lines, Cheryl! 🥰

  27. paeansunplugged

    Aww, gorgeous writing, Layla! ❤️

  28. Liam Eddy

    Beautiful imagery! Thanks for sharing…; -)

    1. Layla Todd

      Thank you for reading! 🥰

  29. merrildsmith

    I picked out the same line, “a pen dipped in the breathless sunset.” Gorgeous!

    1. Layla Todd

      That seems to be a consistently favorite line! 😊

      1. merrildsmith

        Well, it’s lovely!💙

  30. VJ

    Lovely write. Glad I clicked for the whole poem

    1. Layla Todd

      Thanks for coming by! 🥰

      1. VJ

        My pleasure!

  31. Jacqui Murray

    “a pen dipped in the breathless sunset”–I can only imagine this–breathlessly.

    1. Layla Todd

      Oo, thank you, Jacqui! 🥰

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