Indolent as the sinking sun

Indolent as the sinking sun
Tucked in beneath the sheets
Of stratus hovering on skin
Up to her lady's chin

Propose a new locution
To discern a lover's toil
Mute and bewildered
By the tragic dimming light

For blazing sensitivity
Could ne'er reduce the spoils
Of cherished forest nymph on lute
Of loss mythologised

Tame the darkest craving
Urge of new moon water signs
Embody all we never spake
Through threads touched by desires
Lake Dobson, Mt Field, lutruwita / Tasmania

Soothe goodbyes

I sold my cello for cash
To ask a woman
To rub me down
From top to toe
My aching bones
It was lonely
In the big city

She talked long
Questioned me
As her hands worked
Along my arms
To my fingertips
A tremelo
Harmonic high
In her voice
Nerves sang to me

I dampened the sound
With my thoughts
Brave enough only
To dip my toes
In the Pacific
All my talk
Of ocean swimming
Covered in oil
A slick, skipping
Up sand dunes
Watching boys
Kick balls around
I kicked a return
They applauded

Yes, always a backstop
Left, right, out
Fielding questions
Of life, loss, love
All of the above
My hall grieves
Emptiness of dominant
Killer curves, gone
Instead halls are hallowed
By eager eyes waiting
For Ben and Jerry's
To arrive on the doorstep

Piano chords rise
Arpeggios to the sky
If I had it back
Could I play for you
Afterall that's gone
Between us?

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

Big sky sea

In all your stories 
In that universe of yours
I noticed, you're alone
Haunted by voices
Evading natural horrors
Sense of place strong
As if wedded to landscape
Betrothed to the sea
Enamoured by creatures
A sensory plea
Once raging storms settle
Sunrise warms skin
Will one day a touch
Be welcomed in

Haunt

I sat, momentarily 
In the place
Where we parted
Surreptitiously
Picked up
Where we left off
Ease smoothed out
Wrinkles on forehead
Free to think
As I should
Took the side road
To stop at favourite
Coffee shop alone
Contentment seeps in
A hot air balloon
Could not lift me
Away from home
Our haunt
How apt is that word?