We who with songs beguile your pilgrimage / And swear that Beauty lives though lilies die, / We Poets of the proud old lineage / Who sing to find your hearts, we know not why ... (James Elroy Flecker)
Showing posts with label Poetry Tuesday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Poetry Tuesday. Show all posts

25.11.19

The Calling



The Calling

The moon high in my window 
floated, gazing, all the long nights,
claiming me: whispering, singing –
beginning in my far childhood
and never ending, not yet.

I knew and did not resist.
‘You,’ I said in my silent thought,
‘are my lover, my mother,
my teacher, my secret God.’
I chose with my whole heart.

Was chosen and chose.
Was claimed and laid claim.
It was written; witnessed by stars
and by the dark space of night itself.
Written in blood, carved deep.

It was always written.
The rest I was free to invent.
Life, other loves, children,
even other work, other
delights of the soul.

But here in the deep night
which is home, 
only this truth remains,
all else extraneous 
as the moon and I commune.


Written for Thotpurge's Poetry Tuesday #3 – Borrowed, where we are invited to 'borrow some magic' from a poem that inspires us. I've always loved Dylan Thomas's 'In my craft or sullen art'.

Also linking to Poets United's Pantry of Poetry and Prose #8. I'll be travelling when the Pantry goes live, with limited internet access for a couple of days, so I may be a trifle tardy reading and commenting on other's writings. I'll catch up soon!

5.11.19

Turning 80


Turning 80

For Karin

In a week it will be my birthday.
People already tell me: ‘looking good’ 
– for my age. I’ll be turning 80.

I don’t wish to be younger. I want 
to be 'young on the inside', as my friend 
who reached 80 a week ago says.

She is vibrant. Who sees wrinkles
behind her laughter, or weight of years
in her quick, jaunty steps and gestures?

I want to stay ever new, all 
my experiences kept, freshly alive.
I tell her, ’We are becoming ageless.’

Karin on her 80th:












Linked to Poetry Tuesday at THOTPURGE, 
where the word for Nov 5th is Old.