So, these are just poetry post it notes as it were. These little snippets might grow up to be a full on poetic experience one day (or not, I am admittedly lax about going back and doing such things). I thought it would be interesting to post these as otherwise they would most likely be relegated to a life of neglect… little scraps of paper folded away in the cracks between my other work. Maybe these will inspire or promote a tangent of creativity in someone else (you, perhaps?).
is love cause or conviction ?
pages on a breeze
and soon the book is empty
taste of the ocean
breath of the rain
tides and time
and the ocean vast
parrots in paris
peacocks in rome
raindrops on a leaf
tears of a thief
I look at the gathering storm clouds
and I know they will pass
even into sunlight
we bring suitcases
if ducks have a dynasty
penguins shall own an empire
family
better than strangers
not as close as friends
as always I love to post links to music, here is a fun upbeat rock tune from a few years back… Protein “Lemonade”
I will use all the usual cliches… “it spoke to me” “I was inspired” … well, it happens to be true so there goes me being too cool for the room and turning my nose up to convention. For whatever reason the universe decided to drop New Zealand into my mind lap and I am hooked deep. I am not talking about actually loving an inanimate object (because that IS a thing apparently) but more the sheer diversity of the lands (fauna/creatures) and people in somewhere located literally on the other side of the world. Truly it makes you wonder about the universe if most of us will never explore all the nooks in our own country (or state!) let alone this entire tiny dot on the backside of the milky way booty. I am particularly enchanted by the Maori culture (as in most Polynesian cultures it focuses on nature and particularly the oceans). So with all that verbosity spilled here are some NZ inspired poems. I probably will write more but these came in a rash/dash of inspiration so… (notes below the poems explain some of the things I was thinking about as well as links to various mythology/information… you MIGHT have to learn something… I apologize in advance but I seriously have a NZ bug lately…)
DMK note: the fantail is a stunning little beast. They can course correct in mid air due to their (drum roll…) fan tail. Check out this video. Amazing bird.
“tangi” 4/23/18
might I be buried under a pohutukawa tree
and climb the roots
like vines
pulling oddly one by ten
to fool the blind
and so I may fall again
right back into the earth I fled
and roots shall draw out my life
coloring flowers of blood blossoms
to mark the path
and softens the harshest lands
might children play around my spine
elders pray to the north
open minds
DMK Note: lots to play off here, you sort of need to know about the trees and the Maori beliefs. But for me I found it fascinating that the Maori have a specific place where the dead leave the earth to travel back (in spirit) to their homeland. I am specifically referencing certain elements in the story of Tawhaki. The tree itself is also fascinating as it clings to outcrops and can pretty much grow in some extremely harsh environments… I would like to think of myself that way… if I were that brave, one can dream, and I certainly do.
“grounded” 4/23/18
penguins in the forests
foot paths worn with water feet
all these mazes
for children’s sake
their cousins the kiwi
also tired of flight
peck and hunt
upon the ground
all the while
with peculiar gate
and protruding snouts
might they all admire
the kakapo
ranger of the night
another relative
who has forgotten flight
DMK Note: NZ has an amazing diversity of life due to evolutionary forces separating the island from any other lands. The isolation has led to a few very significant flightless birds. The Kiwi of course is quite famous as it gives the nickname for NZ natives themselves. But the Kakapo is this amazing huge night parrot. Unfortunately due to introduced species the Kakapo is nearly wiped out but conservation efforts are in full swing thankfully. Oh yeah… the penguin thing... they live in the forest and make this mad commute every day that rivals my own. Penguins in the forest ! really!
“Te Rerenga Wairua” 5/21/18
fingers of flame
filaments of fire
on timbers
holding onto this plane
corporal limbs
blooming land anemones
from root to branch
extends out to the tide
two bodies collide
ocean mist
in the distance
flowers for passing eyes
one last glimpse
before the dive
DMK note: Cape Reinga (the Maori words are the title of the poem). Literally believed to be the point where souls jump off to return home. I am again referencing the Pohutukawa tree as well here… and the fact that two oceans literally meet off the coast of this amazing place. There is a tree said to be 800 years old just clinging to the coast… I mean, how many more metaphors can you pour into this thing ? Amazing…
none of my usual playful banter this time out… just some poems about the big “L” … perspective certainly changes when you are at the bottom of a valley instead of the mountain top. I am trying to summon up the strength to climb again…perhaps.
“A Simple Wish” 3/2018
as the world slips away
your hand resting in mine
our bodies old and weathered gray
cradled in a chair for two
we exist on the periphery of life now
with more days left behind counting few
watching the sunset
into our sun set
as clouds are mere passers-by
I watch the reflections in your eyes.
together.
with not a word nor a whisper
just the familiar warmth
of your palm
and the sweet
soft
pulse
of your heart.
my love, always with you, my love.
“The Beautiful” 3/2018
I used to scoff
“beauty is in the eye of the beholder”
until I was beholden
to her –
the beautiful.
one thousand continents may divide
one thousand years may pass into the night
the rust of age will tarnish and ravage your skin
but my eyes ever only reveal –
the beautiful.
are my eyes not the same?
does the same sun illuminate?
why time does not fade, escapes me
truly beyond compare
in all the worlds and realms
across all time
through the unknown dark
there forever shines, your beauty
I ask of the divine , are you a dream?
do I believe ? were you sent?
I realize
you are my beacon
to end all night
to drown all fear.
struck in a fever dream I lay
torn, frayed with time and separation
brought home by my own
and yet-
there remains, in my mind, photos, echoes
for once I found
for once I knew
for I once had
you –
the beautiful.
“Embers” 3/2018
where once a bonfire raged
an ember does remain
a minister of hope does keep a light
ever fading,
for fate crossed our paths
once,
and I lorn to track back again,
another life
another time
another plane perhaps,
stripped away of daily trappings
and strife,
so we may rekindle the flame
to burn hot bright.
but truth, the crash of of my careless waves, the crash;
A little science mixed in with poetry might seem like an odd couple. Sometimes (OK, often) I find myself pondering the universe and such so I suppose it is not that odd a stretch of fabric at all. Maybe I should spend some time untangling string theory … (and I don’t mean cat’s cradle).
“pointless” 3/2018
is this pointless?
I am sure the words
upon the mouths
of babes and hoards
ladies and lords,
circadian time slots met,
the sun never rises
nor truly sets,
until the mad rash,
dash of a giant red expansion –
explosion!
super nova wink, expulsion
of light
becomes the horizon
of observers or no eyes,
just the same
light dissipates
divergent space.
I hope this post finds you well my friend. How are you? Glad to hear it.
some groovy tunes to lighten the mood… Thievery Corp. “Air Batucada”
Shades of My Garden 