Close encounter

A gentle breeze brushed through her hair,

Lifting it with jaunty flair.

She raised a hand to pat it down,

Causing me a puzzled frown,

For I mistook it for a wave,

And cheerfully waved back.

 

She seemed surprised;

Enchanting me with glowing eyes.

Upon her face a radiant smile

That did me so beguile,

I cast aside my shy reserve

And eagerly smiled back.

 

Then panic struck. I turned away

Like someone fleeing from its prey.

Perplexed by my reluctant stance,

She fixed me with an anxious glance

That caused me to reverse my turn,

And nervously glance back.

 

Perceiving that I harboured fear,

She bid me softly to draw near,

But I, unsettled by her grace,

Blushed and took a backward pace.

Then in a daze did I submit,

And timidly pace back.

 

Overpowered by her scent;

Unrecognised portent,

Her body moved in close to mine;

Souls together tight entwined.

She placed her hand upon my shoulder,

. . .  and stabbed me in the back!

 

Open book

Forlorn it waits, though time does age

That open book; an empty page.

Lashing rain the seasons blow

Scorching summers, winter snow.                  

 

Years pass by into neglect,                          

Decaying mould spreads unchecked.

Dream of a renaissance gone,

Colour fades into the sun.

 

Inscribed atop the facing leaf,

A name and loving message brief

From those that did remain and wait

‘Til they themselves should lie in state.

 

But what befell the family who

Had planned their father to pursue?

What caused him now to lie alone

Bereft of words on fragile stone?

 

As leaves change brown and turn to dust,

Likewise too this gravestone must.

Transcendent souls endure sublime,

Abandoned book consumed by time.

Circle of life

The night was dark, no time to cry,

Frozen tears hung in the sky.

Stars lit dim by winter moon,

A dawn that broke far too soon.

 

Vision fades like melting dreams,

Raindrops gather into streams.

Precious water downward flows,

The window on a life has closed.

 

River runs into the sea,

Taking with it part of me.

My aching heart can bear no more,

As crashing waves pound the shore.

 

But icy wind the surface sweeps,

Raising memories from the deep.

They form a ball of dazzling light,

Unrestrained to soar in flight.

 

Circle high; life pursue,

Snow-white gull fades from view.

 

gravestone

---

Weathered words on cold grey stone;

Lines unspoken for countless years.

Memory of love, forgotten in time,

Cloaked in moss, strangled by vine.

 

Weed and vermin astir at her feet;

Bramble, nettle, black carrion crow.

Ghosts from the past only visitors here,

The shadow she cast has long disappeared.

 

Body outlined in rough-hewn rock;

Crucifix crowns her lonely head.

Arms outstretched no one to embrace,

Rain lashes down, tears on her face.

 

A ray of sunshine, a breath of fresh air,

White petal of spring drops in her hair.