The Canadian Shield,
where rugged pines stretch,
reach for endless skies,
taking root in rocky shores.
We set boulders
in our gardens – anchors
against untimely storms,
or reminders of endurance
when all else falls away.
Even the satisfying crunch
of stones along the path
fascinate – variance of colours
and forms, like art – promising
undiscovered treasures.
(Rocks first appeared on One Woman’s Quest II, and was in response to a photo challenge. Â I have edited it here.)
Brightest, like frost,
a moister dawn…
Did I live in peace?
Feel ancient life,
forest sanctuary,
stone moss?
The that do like him
soon rising
& almost dark,
I, insect, fall.
(Another Friday, another Magnetic poetry session.)
Temporarily encamped
in enemy territory,
a confidante, observer,
practicing external camouflage –
a dangerous game.
Am witness to hatred –
the deep-seated, ‘us’ vs ‘them’
mentality that divides –
vulnerability on high –
I am clearly ‘other’ –
a tourist trapped,
powerless to affect change,
in need of escape.
Balanced sustenance –
a recipe I seek, but
my mate is needy,
treasures extremes,
pulls, tugs – despite
the resistance,
the doubt,
I will succeed.
Triangular,
this relationship –
I hold one corner,
a loyal staple, while
he runs on sentiment,
questions mechanics,
manipulates,
threatens to tear
us apart, but
our love –
the pinnacle –
keeps us in check.
(Do you ever write a poem, tuck it away, and then discover it later, with no remembrance of the words or process? Â Such is this poem for me. Â No idea what spurred it and yet, here it is. Â Thought I’d share it anyway. Â Thanks for reading. Image is from personal collection.)
Hope glitters
like rays of golden
sunlight piercing
the thick overgrowth
of this life.
Dare I respond,
or is this merely
the sharp deflection
of light on tinfoil
meant to keep
scavengers away?
(Dare I Hope? first appeared three years ago, when the four walls of my bedroom and the mattress I laid upon defined my life. Â I have polished it a bit here for my weekly challenge which is “anniversary”. Â Looking back to those times, I am able to acknowledge progress and affirm that the hope I was feeling had validity. Featured image is from personal collection.)
Suspended animation –
apt descriptor
for a culture
mesmerized by screens,
distractions altering
perspectives – how few
the non-adherents,
whose focus remains
firmly forward facing.
(For Reena’s Exploration Challenge: featured image.)
Cheer growth
beneath a heavy cloud cover,
Canada goose passes
overhead, while I
wander.
Wander,
behind a veil of rainy grey,
lens poised to capture life,
swallows swoop and
rise up.
Rise up,
over rushing waters, branch high
blackbirds huddle, demand
my attention:
focus.
Focus
reveals newness, buds breaking through,
colours promising that
chilly winds disperse,
cheer growth.
Cheer growth,
behind a veil of rainy grey
blackbirds huddle, demand
chilly winds disperse;
cheer growth.
(Dark Side of the Moon offers this final cinquain challenge: Â Garland Cinquain.
Deep thanks to Abigail for teaching us this form. Â I have enjoyed the challenge.)
Morning light,
guiding radiance…
No clouds, nor entanglements
darken your purpose –
radiance equating with hope.
(Image from personal collection.)
Broken, we embrace –
you slowly hole away,
explore a laughing woman,
lie with her of like poetry
When you awake
my self is clouds
their windows dark
but for glass –
no-one could end this.
(Magnetic Poetry seems to keep dragging me into the past. Â If you want to try it, the link is here.)
The gap widens –
the life I’d envisioned
washed away by current
reality – widening span.
I need a bridge –
expansive enough
to carry wishes,
to facilitate movement
of passing ideals,
allow for traffic flow.
Or a bridge to slow me down,
help me re-align, directing
me toward a new road,
encompassing change.
(Image from personal collection.)
