I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

24 August 2016

Before Dark

















It's as if the clouds that stipple the sky have been flicked across it by a giant paintbrush, spattering them in rows that gradually merge into a splash of light. The sun still hovers just above the horizon, burning white, surrounded by a haze of gold. That will become more definite, and flare up just before dark. The houses are dark already, black outlines of roofs. The tall palms rising over the roofs are black too. This scene could almost be night in the desert. Instead it is my familiar street, made strange by the last burst of light before the dark is complete. Does it matter that only I stand here seeing this? (Seeing it alone, unshared.) No, not any more. I tell it to myself. I show it to myself. Yes, I take a photo; I write about it. But I am the one standing and looking, here and now, in the solid street – before the writing, before the photo. I am the one in my brain, aware of beauty. I am the one behind these gazing eyes. It is good that someone sees. This consciousness is pleased that I, here, now, see.

before dark
a last bird chorus
the sun drops



Linked to dVerse Haibun Monday: Sky
and also to Poets United's Midweek Motif: Blessings

22 comments:

  1. WoW! What a picture! Thank you for seeing it and writing about it, taking a picture and sharing it. Witness is a great blessing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a lovely scene you have created here. I love the clouds in this, puts me in mind of iwashigumo - sardine or mackerel sky.

    ReplyDelete
  3. So trUe..
    iF wE weren'T
    heRe.. nOne oF ouRs
    eXist.. as this unique
    world painted by i.. wE
    is only
    ever
    i's
    pAint
    BeYond uniQue
    oF Finger prints ash..
    A UniVerse multi-
    iN aLL
    oF
    hUman
    eYes oF sKeYes..

    Precious stOnE
    oF FeeLinG
    Star duST noW..:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. YES! I adore this - the Seeing, the cognizance of beatitude, the "one in my brain, aware of beauty". I could feel you, in that moment.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Words and photo, both blend wonderfully, capturing a moment in time . Thank you Rosemary.

    ReplyDelete
  6. wow! Such an exquisite piece of writing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. sometimes we are the lone onlookers of beauty even in a crowd but we're the blessed ones..ha i used lone onlooker for my poem today...an exquisite piece Rosemary...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love "the giant paintbrush" phrase. It's the perfect way of describing that sky! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  9. This consciousness is pleased that I, here, now, see... love that line!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. The photo does look like a desert night...one could almost expect a camel rider to pop out from behind the palm trees....Lawrence of Murwillumbah ?...nah...just Norm from Nimbin:)

    ReplyDelete
  11. We must be careful in showing how beautiful Australia is as there are enough people here digging holes, chopping trees, fracking rocks and trawling and polluting the oceans and destroying the barrier reef. But not enough people writing beautiful haibun like this one of yours Rosemary.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww, thank you, Robin! And I agree with you about too many people doing those horrible things.

      Delete
  12. As i read i kept looking back to the image - and trying to see..really see what you saw..and yet as you say the moment, time and place is yours - and that matters a lot..and it was good to share a glimpse

    ReplyDelete
  13. The sun still hovers just above the horizon, burning white, surrounded by a haze of gold. Sigh, you had me hooked right there and then :D gorgeous write ❤️


    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

    ReplyDelete
  14. "But I am the one standing and looking, here and now, in the solid street – before the writing, before the photo. I am the one in my brain, aware of beauty. I am the one behind these gazing eyes. It is good that someone sees." Rosemary that is awesome. It struck me to the soul.

    ReplyDelete
  15. There's melody in your words...beautiful images start breathing almost instantly. I love it, Rosemary! GORGEOUS WRITING...

    ReplyDelete
  16. beautiful picture ,lovely words
    before dark sun 's shiny smile dims and he contracts all its rays from the lovely face of earth

    ReplyDelete
  17. A wonderfully insightful piece, Rosemary. Beautiful blend of prose and verse.

    ReplyDelete

Comments are moderated and will be visible after being approved by the blog owner. If you can only comment anonymously, please include your name in the comment, just so I know who's talking to me.