Love no limits

Monumental greatness
Can be obtained
By simply containing
All adoration
Safe within
Much trepidation
To give it away
Knowing it may spoil
Be despised or downtrodden
A monolith of affection
For one
Flourishing
Behind closed eyes
A life adorned

Bare in mind

Burst into a new day - as is always 
though stomach of lead
Soothing balm of acceptance
clears the head

Long nights cooling extremities
warmed by friction of two feet
Long embrace, tightly wound
whispering pillow talk aloud

Dreams of doll houses, life sized
landlord of childhood fantasies
Glimpse of morning breaking
shakes shadows to the ground

If I topped every peak
wore a floppy hat each week
Acquired mansion by the sea
planted vineyards, pressed for thee

Still, by dawn's clear revelry
no face will hold such clarity
As one who loved and let me be
when I had not a thread to weave
Photo by Ksenia Chernaya on Pexels.com

Long missed

We play, rest, rise
Woven skein unwinding
Houses apart, river abreast
Taking tea on balcony

Always a mystery of two minds
No sensation for downcast eyes
Cascading words lost and find
Fruitless picking out motivations

The bottom of pot, cooled
Renewed, steeped brew simmering heat
Rose between two cheeks

A blush sweet from scorching sun
Below 42 degrees
Blistering sleet

Homebody, I nest alone
Full grown tenderlings
Binding fallen threads
Of existence into thermal weave

So that you, like father
Can protect and heal wind kissed skin
As salty drops slide winsomly
A welcome sting. Long missed love
Ursula Halpin, (1972- ) ‘Displaced Mary, Mother of hope’ ~ inspired by Irish lace. Weaves stories of women and fragmented families. Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Twist exhibition 2023

At least

At least a welcome distraction 
From turbulent hot air rising
Cool, clearness of blue
Hiding under icicle-tips
Like eyes peering into
Shared hope of memory
Cut short too soon

At most an emotional roller-coaster
Sneak into the line-up
Hiding in plain sight
Smiling Cheshire-like
Secure fastenings
Allowing arms raised
To the sky
Riding the highs
Stomach drops on falling
Imagining hand to hold

At last pleasant thoughts
Rouse me each morning
Volumes of novellas
Unfolding
Milan Milojevic, Night and Day 2016, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery Exhibition ‘Twist’ 2023

Star signs

My youngest was born
On your birthday
All those years ago
He is kind, wise and generous
Born under the same sign

I'd lost memories like quicksand
Till I saw you, resurrected
Now I have dreams to protect you
From prying lips and eyes

All hours I spent
Watching, wondering
Which words would suffice to say
Now I clumsily write them down
In hope for brighter days

I left the lap of nature
For a piece on heritage street
Left behind a part of me
I am yet to retrieve

I long to nurture another
Tending to their wounds
Catching any words that fall
Just like you did for me