how the wrens sing

the breeze blew briskly
over the mired marshy shore
prodding the cautious cattails
to bow and rise and bow again
until the breeze died down
once more

a chime of climbing wrens
bobbing dipped their beaks
and trillful singing dropped
to the marsh and landed
gladfully on the cattails
clasping stalks

and i again in ventures new
consumed as ever, beloved,
by thoughts of warmly you
watched their spryful play
sailing aloft and back again
resting anew

knowing at that moment
beyond a single doubt
how magically mysterious
time telling tales engages
spirits and singing eyes
seeking on

but that regardless the day
and despite the aging way
this careful me steps on,
always and forever beats
in this breast a heart
so grateful

for the time i shared,
most beautiful soul,
with you

Salinas 03 September 2022

Image by Evgeni Tcherkasski from Pixabay

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Brigid to the Aging Lover

says he to his beloved:

the wind doth blaw the day, my love
a few wee drops o’ rain
the leaves lash at the branches above
the winds whip a refrain

the warld whirls ambitious an’ gray
the muin fimmers a beat
the stars nae langer reel for the day
the gods abandon thair seat

says Brigid in response:

yet in this maist tempestuous time
yer mind turns e’er tae she
memories of her sae sweet, sublime
wi’ howp yer hert set free

sae dance nou the day in colours fair
a sang yer saul tae grace
in sorrow cry nae mair, nae mair
lat jey yer life embrace

---

says he to his beloved:

the wind does blow today, my love
a few small drops of rain
the leaves lash at the branches above
the winds whip a refrain

the world whirls ambitious and gray
the moon skips a beat
the stars no longer reel for the day
the gods abandon their seat

says Brigit in response:

yet in this most tempestuous time
your mind turns ever to she
memories of her so sweet, sublime
with hope your heart set free

so dance now the day in colors fair
a song your soul to grace
in sorrow cry no more, no more
let joy your life embrace

Salt Lake City 24 Aug 2022

memories of you

You are far from me now
though I once held you near,
yet in every autumn breeze
‘tis your voice I do hear.

The tips of these fingers
still feel your fine skin,
these eyes hold the vision
of the elegance you were in.

This heart echoes the beat
of potent passion’s embrace,
my thoughts reflect the beauty
that resides e’er in your face.

Every dear memory of you
sure enhances my love,
this enduring desire entrances
envious the fairies above.

No day could diminish
nor year could ever erase,
the light from your soul
the smile from your face.

Even as the heavens call me
to some far distant shore,
I would plead to be with you
for just one moment more.

the fairy

The strand so white stretched on and on
as gentlest waves did trace the shore,
the finely settling, cradling sand
beckoned him take just one step more.

A boat lingered bobbing in the bay
parading colors presented most fair,
the captain tight-lipped and tall
threw up a hand to wave him there.

Glancing back he saw the steed
still edging away, eager to run,
whinnying to the hopeful breeze,
anxious to race the setting sun.

It was then he spied beautiful she
glowing among the ancient trees,
and the adoring look on her face
made him rise up from his knees.

Once weary and wan, he smiled now,
as his steps became strong and sure,
finding truth amidst the forest clear
how a heart despised can yet endure.

Tamara

Red is more than they pretend,
green perceives more than leaves.

We stride beyond the pretty painters
tainting lemons with shades of blue.

We are dreamers of stars and moons
floating along fairy dusted corridors,

tasting sonnets laced with summer
and traces of vermilion petticoats in fall.

And all – all! – in such feral splendor
that even Velasquez would willing pause

for more than a summer in Seville
just for the chance to paint the seasons

I see swaying sweetly in your eyes.

17 August 2022

without her

in her absence
i so often my thoughts explore
imploring my heart a peace to find
instructing my mind a focus to pursue

but beyond that
this empty space around me
quite compels me to feeling reach
for her again and again grasping at air

this coldly flesh
pressing eagerly her to touch
fumbling for her beneath sheets
tossing and turning night after night

my blood burns
yearning to thrust hard within
pinning her body below my need
feeding lustful my hunger for her

yet needing still
to fulfill her every desiring
inspiring her with richest pleasure
measured inch by inch along her skin

may she know
beyond doubting how clever
she enchants my body and soul
with hope and ever heartful longing

and this as well,
beloved, know that this me
sings keeningly such love for you
that the moon herself a jealous shade

coloring coldly, warmly wraps
our love around her core

Salt Lake City 05 Aug 2022

her heart

i have seen her heart—
witnessed its incredible dimensions
dearly and most deftly ascending
through darkest shrouding clouds,
climbing in utmost innocence
and mutely immeasurable kindness

i have seen her heart—
pathing days through pettiest ways
of glaringly spiteful python men
egregiously clamoring for more
of a her they had no right to claim
maiming thus their own ambitions

i have seen her heart—
parting painfully sweet companions
for need of finding a loving home
despite the tearful loss to herself,
who deserves so readily, so surely
the warm comfort of a gentle soul

i have seen, and do believe,
that such a heart deserves
all the love that my own
can give

Salt Lake City 24 July 2022

you, the heavens

not a day goes by when I
in keeping with habit formed
or more formal need succeed
in keeping to a gentle slumber

Lugh himself cannot outdo
my pace, lacing lingering droplets
of sun one to another to blanket
the sky with his burning dawn

there is alluring much to adore
in the heavenly shores that seed
the sky with shimmering stars
at night and ply the morning’s glow

yet in laying my head at last
to rest nested in the softest cushions
or in rising to begin another day
to play this needed role or that

it is neither Lugh’s brilliance
nor even the Night Queen Rhiannon
herself, whose illumined curves
admittedly I do longing admire

but you, beloved, who in innocence
enchant me, enthralling my heart
and spirit rising to sigh and sing
your name again and again and again

it is in sight of your glowing eyes
that Lugh’s morning hues are deepened,
it is with thoughts of your beauty
that Rhiannon’s majesty is restored

Salt Lake City 23 July 2022

Image by kordula vahle from Pixabay

you are

You are
ever my peace and my passion,
my quiet harmony and my hope.

You are
the breath that warms my flesh,
the kiss that contours my lips.

You are
the home that cradles my soul,
the voice that sings my spirit.

You are
the rain that nurtures my roots,
the moon that lights my desires.

You are
my now, my how and my when,
my tomorrow, my why, my then.

You are
the first thought that awakens me
and the dream I embrace in sleep.

I love you
with every beat of my joyful heart
and with every note of my being.

Salt Lake City 21 July 2022

yours

shyly the moon hides
teasingly sighing behind
a blanket of ebony clouds

i sit in this nightly quietude
musing on time and tempests
silhouetting my slightest thoughts

in solitude i hopeful stare
into the slowly swirling sky
searching earnest for my love

she eludes me, lingering
wistful playfully laying aside
dayful prayers for our pleasure

i am coming, my sweet,
save your seductive whispers
for another night, and another

for your words will never
silent fall unheeded, unheard
but birdlike fly to my seeking soul

know that i nurture this wish
one entreaty more earnestly held
than all the will of my years could tell:

to be loved by you
and you to love
forever yours to be
to the end of my days

Salt Lake City 13 July 2022