Renders Otherwise

Spilling through
a window pane
incandescent light
renders otherwise,
the wind sighs,
its cup runs over
a dancing ring
around the moon
as bamboo plays
with silver dapples.

Transfigured by Rain

Ancient umber and red ochre
scarred with deep furrows,
a weather beaten face,
flushed rich iron blood,
dreaming with eyes open.

Oscillating cycles,
a current in the ocean,
cyclonic spirals gather,
break on land
in tears and wind.

Rivers bursting banks,
overflowing chalices
oozing muddy water
through wrinkled creeks
with cracked clay beds.

Water spirits dance
in ephemeral  lakes
and channels
turning barren reds
to green abundance.

For OpenLinkNight dVerse Poets

Mongolia

Mongolia slides deliciously
on my tongue, an invocation,
a steppe mantra with crying camels,
fleet footed horses,
such wondrous music,
two notes from one throat
fly to the beat of a canter…

Swallowed by sky
I yearn for a ger with soft carpets.

Eagles ride thermals,
seeking their roosts in the mountains,
mandarin kissed by the setting sun;
wolves howls salute
the pale rising moon,
as the canter speeds to a gallop
our bodies meld into one.

For Open Night Link dVerse

Hollyhock and Mask

Arianrhod dreams
a mask between the cracks,
rain prepares to fall,
a wood cockroach
walks a mortar road,
in subterranean tunnels
earthworms toil
bringing breath
into the soil.

Crimson hollyhock
stands tall
coyly binding charms
for a fecund autumn
when petals turn to black
and seeds spill over
for Arianrhod to sow.

DVerse Poets Pub – OpenLinkNight – Week 26

Serene Sighs

Leaves dance
on an old piano,
honeyeaters trill
to the setting sun
sitting on perches
caught in walnut.

A cat walks on faux
ebony and ivory
serial notes,
the deep tones
tickling her feet,
her own harmony.

A sea breeze gently
ruffles the lilac,
bees rush to their hives
as clouds dress
in rose and gold
for the day’s curtain call.

Crystal

Quartz veins trace
a verdant path,
I walk, searching
for a perfect crystal;
high on the bank
two beady eyes gleam
a forked tongue sniffs
the late spring air.

I tread lightly
to the snug valley
where willows line
a tannin creek,
I hear the tinkles
of children splashing,
squealing at the shock
of winter water.

I see my quarry,
shooting rainbows
in a bed of ochre clay,
nature’s polish perfect
on each facet,
I pluck the crystal out,
feel its coolness turn
to warmth in my hand.

Come and join the Poetry Picnic at the Gooseberry Garden

For OpenLinkNight – Week 15

A poem with synchronicity

Perfect Right Here

Apricot light, through floral lace,
dappled flowers cast bold shadows,
she looks.

The sharp chin of her old cat rests
in the crook of her bent elbow,
they sit.

Red cushions pulled close to keep out
the fading twilight, a light is
switched on.

In the kitchen a casserole
bubbles, a smell of India
spreads out.

The dog is waiting for his walk,
impatiently pawing his lead,
he barks.

The doorbell rings, a door-to-door
salesman selling the Internet,
sent off.

She squints at the quinachrome gold
stream over her clouds, a counter
to cold.

The glaze is working, changing light
a perfect warm atmosphere
right here.

 

 

 

 

Earth Metronomes

Skyscrapers sway like bamboo
while the rigid oaks break;
lesson learned, and applied.

Then warnings based on
probability calculations
transformed to algorithms
modelling scenarios of giant waves
rippling, engulfing, reshaping
coastlines …

Then failure of power
to cool core rods,
projected contingencies:
nuclear reactors melting,
sea water urgently pumping,
no, not melting completely,
only partially; confusion,
hyperbole, paranoia
and reassurances
while radioactive plumes billow
in the air and on maps.

A photo of a toddler
scanned by men in white
for exposure, and given iodine
just in case…

Earth metronomes
continue to follow
mysterious cycles…

Avenue from Memory

We walked here,
you and I
along the avenue
dearest uncle.
We spoke of days
long since gone…
You took me
to a place
where you were young,
your heart was strong.

You asked to to take note
of every little thing…
It was your favourite place
where once you had a wine cellar
just beyond the ancient trees,
you shared bottles with the Baroness
and laughed many afternoons away.

A tear rolled down your cheek
as you hugged me close
knowing
this would be the last time…

Hazy

Hazy city skyline
Constantly moving traffic
Bridge to a temple
Sandalwood incense burning
Wafting heartfelt wishes