Oh they wondered what the wind was for
scattering kernels upon dark floors
raising arms like fronds in breeze
calling troops of last frost seeds
rising now above their needs
they wondered -
had they sinned before?
shattered deeds perhaps, and maybe less
but maybe more than click of knees
cornered bent for scattered creed
locked and chasing seasons tease
and here now, hearing now the wind
feeling whispering, teasing,
wind.
Go where white horses lay
on green blanket down
hear young men tell tales
of old Marlborough town.
Run where country girls say
we’re resting on heels
near riverbank’s end
with spin in our reels.
Skip past bullrush and sway
when hillwind comes
alive we will plough
the fields with combs.
Now stare at the edges in clay
and know there are stones
now pausing on land
only ancients
shall own.
Seeds
need rain
like you and I
disolving soil and
seeping down to earth
once and through again
we’ll go like icey broth
where winter chimes
in want and wait for sun
let us awaken, nourish all
watch each kernel
every disparate husk
writhe and double
push cloy clay and loam
grasp the psalm of storms
and later, balm
of kindle stars.
We are rain indeed
you and I
upon such footings now -
with joy we must fall
and sing this rattle song
to calm and tell of time
renewed, like seeds
and rain
like you,
and I.
By ushered dawn
I’ll whisper long,
By winds since gone
I’ll sigh.
By fountains bold
I’ll summon hold,
By ancient song
I’ll try.
By stars above
I’ll call on love,
By mountains tall
I’ll cry;
By limbs of oak,
By none things spoke,
By thread of Nature’s cloak,
I now invoke.
Much more,
Than I.
Gather in the sun
Make the most
Before it’s done
Watch ripples
One last time
See the flowerings
Nature’s won
Meditate on how
Summer’s changed
The evening show
And even birdsong
Before season’s reel
And greying days
We all will know
Farewell now
To kind and warm
Before the storm
Before the spike
Of needle wind
And open souls
transformed.
Let us be caressed
like refreshed lovers,
underneath fingertip rain.
Let us lie below the sky
and feel the wake up calls,
falling like soft arrows -
into valleys of tired skin.
Let us smile amid the downpour.
Let us swim in rivers formed.
It is Summer and now
we should welcome rain.
It’s the colour that she wears
and I see her everywhere.
I see her in the trees
and in the hillside shows,
I see her on the grassy mounds
and in bankside river flow.
She throws a shawl upon the land
and celebrates her verdance found.
It’s the colour that she wears
and I see it everywhere.