Reply to “Love as it Is”

Bathing Under Stars
Night has always soothed me more, far too bright
that star of day, too harsh. And my strange ways
too dark to withstand daylight . . . But it plays
too well within your skin, paled by cold blight
of winter’s stubborn thrall. You need that light
as much as I need shadows and these strays
who dance with [...]

New Eyes (sonnet)

Keeping New Eyes New
Suzuki taught us to keep beginners’
minds. Each moment a new reality,
ancient as the world, yet newborn. Did he
assume new eyes? Imply that beginners’
minds see with fresh eyes? Yes. And each dinner’s
only in this moment—reality
perpetual in the now, here. No gritty
cynicism. No jaded-heart sinners.
 
We learn together this ever-giving
renewal, despite flashing delusions
that hint impermanence. [...]

Dawn Roams Naked

 
She Rises to Lilies & Dew
Dawn, as woman, rises before daybreak
to dance among the lilies, to amass
dew-diamonds-consecrate this day and pass
her blessings among tender flora. Ache
as she does for innocence, she must make
her rounds in twilight, leading that huge brass
chariot which is Helios’ charge. Grass
and clover and lilies rise for her sake,
to bless her day [...]

Poem on “After the Bath”

She Bathes in Sorrow’s Beauty
Tall and lithe, she is no model matron
for Ruben. Slim, yet healthy, she disrobes
here to swim before bathing. The sun strobes
between clouds passing; Neptune, her patron
lord, embraces her in saline love. Run
down the beach as she does, knowing, she probes
waves with longing eyes, seeking message globes
she knows no longer surf to [...]

Hades’ Wooing Persephone

 
Indigo Bride
You spurn me? Uncle Pluto? Simple girl,
do you not see that my kingdom is vast,
more vast than that above? My brother cast
his power to the surface, mine will curl
round every soul at the last. I unfurl
my scroll and find every name; every last
mortal who draws breath shall here find repast
in my deep, everlasting underworld.
And [...]

Narcissus to Echo (on a Waterhouse painting)

 
I Hear Your Beauty in My Reflection
Oh Echo, Echo, my beloved Echo,
what fell god damned me to this contemplation,
what terrible fate, my fascination
with that wonderful-evil image, wet woe
over which my head hangs. Oh sweet, sweet Echo,
I hear your song, your forlorn cry—obsession
dear and heinous as my own. What illusion,
this slipping life, rooted in glamour’s woe.
Nevertheless, [...]

Sleeping Damsel

 
Whispers to the Dreaming Maiden
Can you hear me, dreamer? I spied you there,
bathing in the sun within my pasture—
followed you home, lost lamb. Of what nature
is your solitude? Peace seeking? What rare
urge sent you to bathe in my sunlight, where
clover blooms to cheer my sheep, crystal pure
water runs that rill aslant knolls to cure
my earth [...]

Another lovely room

Song for Lyalla Ellylandrastyn

Do your dreams whisper dread? What hope-filled song
Are you singing, daughter? What tune drives dance
Urgent as heartbeats, needful as the chance
Gained by prayer and faith? And for how long?
Have you sung, dreaming where you would belong
Thought destiny? Prophecy! Circumstance
Entreats you to change; Providence’s glance
Reminds dream too long absent—far too long!
Daughter of gone [...]

Let’s start a Revolution!!!!!!!!

Let’s start a Revolution!!!!!!!!!!
April is national poetry month. Right, we knew that. So, the question is: WHAT are we going to do about it?
Last November I rocked the NaNoWriMo challenge (details elsewhere). How about this April we independently as a collective each make it our personal goal to write 100 poems! ONE HUNDRED POEMS in [...]

Betrayal Obfuscation

TEARS FOR HIS GOLDEN BROTHER
Judas you never were! Fortunate one
Everyone loves you—but you . . . recall teeth,
Silver as Igea’s drastyn self. Wreath
That golden flower round you when you run
Escaping Kali’s gates—flight from the Sun
Roiling shadows and that bridge far beneath
Contessa’s disdain. Who could so bequeath
Angels’ legacies? There is more than one
Vertigo to face under [...]