ELEGY (FOR AMANDA)
By
Perhaps I saw you differently
softly scented
a thousand unborn stars
glimmering in parens
between each rhythmic hip-swing.
When the pale mists came
you rose like twisted willow
a sweet, difficult rising
arms outstretched
as far as being reaches.
Under autumn’s cold shadow
remnants of your breath
splashed against my cheek
like alluvion.
I could not let you go.
But where to keep you
among the soul’s clutter?
Here, in this waiting space
between open-beaked birds
and creases of heaven-red petals.
SUMMER LIGHTNING
By
Deep In the day’s shadows
my blue-eyed boy dawdles
where dreams and stars blend
in glorious paradox.
Here, in his sea-soft space
galleons dip and rise
on the swell of an edgeless ocean.
Oh darling boy, time is so fast
and childhood such a skittish thing.
One day you will throw it out
like busted shoes
as you wake and smell the elegance
the algorithms
inside life’s iron cage.
And will you fly, I wonder?
Or will you sing?
The angels present at your birth
were rather coy, if I recall.
Nudged by the moon’s slow spin
you rise from your rocking boat
and I adopt a stolid air
as if my love for you
were rather ordinary.
How difficult it is, at times,
to bear the shock of summer lightning
arcing between our ribs.
When you are stubbled and long-boned
and I am kicking air –
unwrap this poem
on a bellrung Sunday during rain,
feel the beat of my devotion
pounding in the slack of its creases.
Previous post
JUNE BOOK REVIEW
Next post
JUNE ART
What a great talent you have Lauren for words x
my darling Lauren your poem about daddy is so touching it made me cry i love you xxxxx
Wonderful poems, both with a depth of emotion and superbly crafted. What an honor to read such vulnerable beauty.
this was wonderful way to learn a place without ever coming to
I was impressed with this powerful paean to what matters when I fist saw it. I'm glad it got acknowledged by showing up in print. Families should live this way - behave as if there were no distractors first, play video games later.
Sublime has amazing skills that one can only strive to achieve... much love Cheryl
Touching, engaging and sublime..
What a sophisticated picture the author painted. I'm a huge Sublime fan, please continue to bless the world with your poetry as only you can..
I love these two poems - life is so short and so precious