I walk out into a vista of peace.
She floats on a sea of cloud,
surprising me with her hushed beauty.
A milk-blue heaven spreads
from under my balcony roof
wide, and across to the mountains.
In my back yard courtyard
I find her again, high
in the centre of the sky.
Wisps of veiling drift over her face
as I blow her a kiss
and call the quarters.
Tonight I greet her alone.
He is in bed. He tires early now
and forgets our old, shared rituals.
When I said goodnight, I reminded him,
‘This is a night of power.
What shall I request for you?’
‘Health and strength?’ I prompted,
‘Love and happiness?’
‘All that,’ he said, and we laughed.
Then I grew serious.
‘Really, what do you want?’
‘Deep sleep,’ he replied, fervent.
And so I ask on his behalf
and for myself
I request courage.
This is so lovely, Rosemary - poignant, and very touching. Yes, for yourself, courage.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing at how much people can share, doing similar things, so far away. I love the pictures you paint, pared with the emotion. I often find my poetry to be silly, or foolish, then too serious. Balance, even in the extremes, is what I like with your words.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I love that you love my stuff.
ReplyDeleteI started making poems when I was 7 and I'm 71 now, so I've had a long time to practise the craft and find that balance you see in my work. I think silly poems, and foolish poems, and serious poems are all good!
Yes, this may sound funny, but: you're 71??? ^_^ You don't look it, honey!! (and yes, that's the Southern gal in me, lol) I am particularly fond of Ogden Nash's silliness, myself. I'll get there one of these days. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I have always been taken for younger than my years. When I was 22 and people thought I was 15, it was a problem, but the older I get the better it is, lol.
ReplyDeleteI am crazy about Ogden Nash! (And go around quoting him.)