Early Morning Frost
Drifting quietly over the slumbering land
comes the unfolding blanket of snowflakes.
They look like a flock of whirling stars.
Joyful and laughing, they gather in groups.
Chasing each other and playing seasonal games.
Or they drift aimlessly
like confused runaway children.
Frightened and alone.
The leaves bid them a dry welcome
as they lay there whimpering softly
about their Springtime loves.
When in youthful green colors
they bedecked the trees.
And waved adoringly
To the sweet, young blossoms below.
Occasionally one would sacrifice itself
and float to the ground.
Landing near a cherished flower.
There, for just a short time
they would bask
in its special and unique fragrance.
Now, those days gone
they lay dried and decaying
upon the broken-hearted Earth.
Restless, they move about in deserted places.
As the hopeless snowflakes approach.
Timid Fascination (Wounded Heart)
I, a skillful hunter seek the shy reclusive doe.
Lying in wait that I may pierce her suddenly
with an arrow from Cupid’s bow.
Beneath the sheltering trees occasionally I behold her reposing
gazing at her reflection in the watery sky.
Then I wonder if it’s for love of me that she’s pining.
As her teardrops dapple the grateful roses, which sigh.
The songbirds perch above with restless wings
living to serve only her.
As they bring rich and luscious fruits in abundance
causing the taste buds of her heart to stir.
Then I see my chance, and as I aim and shoot
she leaps clear of my shaft with graceful ease.
Turning back she gives me a carefree, inviting glance
then disappears into the shadows beyond the trees.
Her movements are so fluid like water in motion
each step she takes is sweet music divine.
Causing the soul of all creation to rejoice in my love’s presence
with visions of her beauty that transcend the sublime.
Earth Song
Harken now
as the westerly wind softly intones a low
mournful dirge.
While the reeds at the water’s edge
pick up the sad refrains
and over them
they transpose their quavering
illusionary measures.
Broken up occasionally by a discordant sigh.
The birds passing by
pause a moment
as they listen crestfallen
to the slow, sorrowful lament.
Which they keep time to
with a dull thrumming of the wings.
And a sweet blending-over
of fading trills.
Which becomes barely perceptible
amidst the echo-booms
of the loud thundercloud drums.
And the intermittent tinkling sound
of the raindrops.
As they pelt the leaves
on the musical tree of magic colors.
Which having once danced
and enjoyed life and freedom so much
now stands condemned.
Hopelessly rooted
to this one solitary spot.
And so it droops over now
with dampened spirits.
As it beholds the birds,
the wind, the reeds
and all the other players
in this lonely cheerless pastoral.
Trying to recall a time
when it didn’t once glance backwards
and think of things precious
that were
but are no more.
While the grey, somber sky
conductor
of this orchestrated
remembrance
soothes
their saddened spirits
by serenading them
with a melodious rainbow.
Which heralds
the promise of a new day.
When all of nature
will once again
sing in tune.
Mortal Blooms
Take these flowers from before me.
They are good for nothing.
Remove them from my sight!
These tear-smitten love growths.
See how they droop and wilt in my hands?
I will rip off their soft, pink deceptions.
Their faded hues hurt my eyes
with honest lies.
I want to behold some monstrous nosegays
sick of adorning the pale stem of scented finery.
Hate embellished roses, that’s what I want to see.
Bouquets of long-suffering flesh petals
blood-stained.
That makes the senses recoil with their pungent wind-sprays.
Mutated orchids disdain the garden.
Blooming in gaudy defiance from the trash heap.
Unplucked
they vomit forth their foul gushings with stifled breath.
Graceful in decay.
They shoot forth with lilting smiles
like the houseplant
cursing the hand that nurtures.
Blessed in uprooting.
Becoming more glorious when cast away.
Refusing life in tragic colors
that beautify
the dust where they lie.
Wingless Freedom 2
Never a day passed
when he wasn’t there
watching the rose
white star birds
grazing in the cloudy air.
Soaring beyond sight
to appear once again.
The Fairy Terns
miracles of nature
this child was their life-long friend.
Over time, he was welcomed
following the pattern they flew.
from sky to sea
and back again
he was immersed in sunlit blue.
When he got married
they attended the rites
dazzling the couple
with flawless ballets
of graceful, inspired flight.
When his first child was born
they celebrated the birth
by directing sunlight
to enfold the infant
endowing its soul with mirth.
When his marriage ended
and his heart was broken
they hovered near him all that day
singing a song
too sad to be spoken.
When his son died in the war
and his soul was beyond healing
they wept rainbow tears
of impassioned color
to reflect what he was feeling.
Then, one day he came
and they weren’t there anymore.
He waited and watched
but they returned not
to the sky nor to the shore.
Afterwards he became depressed
when he knew his dearlings were gone
he felt deep inside
that they no longer loved him
so he made himself move on.
Many years later
after he drove everyone away
the cancer came
his breathing slowed down
his life-force a fading grey.
Slowly his limbs failed him
and he knew the end was near.
So he asked some neighbors
to take him back
to the beach which he held so dear.
They did as he wished
and left him alone.
So, there he remained
from dawn to dusk
till his body became like stone.
As his eyes began to close
he suddenly heard a sound.
Looked up and saw dozens
of Fairy Terns
slowly circling round.
One by one they descended
and covered him with their wings.
They took his pain
upon themselves
like fluttering heavenly kings.
As they flew off again
to the faraway lands
he held the last one gently
and wept
precious jewels into the sand.
The Sunlight was fading
as he let it be.
And when it flew away
He closed his eyes
as his body set his spirit free.