Winter Colour

Over the last month I have written a series of poems based around the theme of spring being around the corner. I have been overwhelmed by some of the positive feedback I've received when I've posted excerpts taken from the poems on Twitter. Now I am happy to share the full collection with you here on my blog.

I hope they add a splash of sunshine to your winter days.

Hidden Stars

I almost walked past

Without noticing them,

Two tiny white flowers

Like chicks in a nest.

They hesitate before

Lifting their heads,

Then open their beaks

To sing from the hedge.

With petals unfurling

And colours of spring

There are butterflies

Waiting in their wings.

The Painted Ladies

They are all dressed up,

They are loud and proud,

They are setting the room

And my world on fire.

They are painted ladies

Wearing bright lipstick,

They may not be heard

But demand to be seen.

They are extrovert,

Determined and bold,

Flamboyant yet cool,

The stars of the show.

Velvet Smile

You cannot fail 

to be amazed

how quickly 

things can change,

From a seemingly 

lifeless pitted bulb

glossy green 

leaves appear.

Then almost in 

the blink of an eye

exquisite buds 

are born,

trumpets play 

a fanfare

as majestic 

flowers unfold.

Daffodil Waves

The yellow glow of spring time

Emanating from each stem

Fills my heart with sunshine,

A treasured long lost friend.

Each petal holds a golden key

To doors I thought were locked,

Waving their arms gracefully

They have been away too long.

A golden ray of joy and hope

Through misty rain and clouds,

I see life through a different lens

When daffodils are in flower.

The Cherubs

Bare branches, brittle fingers

Reaching up towards the light,

Swaying, dancing in the wind,

Weaving patterns in the sky.

My eyes fall like a raindrop

To the ground beneath my feet,

Nestled safely in their beds

On a cradle of green leaves.

Smiling cherubs dressed in pink,

Refreshed by morning dew,

Unfolding buds of hope,

Rays of sunshine peeping through.

Daisy Chains

The winter grass is alive

With tiny splashes of white,

Feather like petals as

Soft as a swan's back

Turning back hands of time.

Each pink tip tells a story

Of distant summer days,

Of butterflies dancing,

Of carefree laughter

And making daisy chains.

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Iceland Poems

Last September I was lucky enough to tick one item off my bucket list by visiting Iceland. The country lived up to all expectations. With some of the awe inspiring sights we saw it would have been impossible for me not to write one or two poems. I would like to share them with you.

The first poem was inspired by the magnificent Dettifoss waterfall.

Match stick like people

Overpowered humbled,

Gazing into timeless depths

Of endless gushing spray.

The sights and sounds

Demand you stand

And stare in awe

At crystal drops,

Ice coated patterns

Cascading displays

Painted by nature’s hand.

A gigantic symphony,

Fills your head

Yet soothes your heart.

Clouds above, clouds below

It’s hard to differentiate.

Rushing and crashing

Against rugged rocks

Here to tell the tale

Long after we have gone.

The waterfall was so powerful that a spectacular rainbow formed on the spray coming off it. It was an amazing sight.

Translucent pastel arch
From the heavens above
Rainbow orange, rainbow blue
Softly whisper words of love.

Illuminating sunshine
Dissolve into the spray
Make a wish, blow a kiss
Before you fade away.

A trip to Iceland would not be complete without seeing a glacier. We decided to go one step further and walk across one! It was one of the most humbling experiences of my life.

Folds of ice packed tight

Timeless ice blue mounds

Connect without wire

No quick fix to be found.

Glistening in the light

A million precious stones

Stretching to the clouds,

Undulating barren roads.

To stand upon a glacier

With arms outstretched wide

Defies space, time and logic,

Adds new meaning to life.

As we were driving around the Skútustaðahreppur region of Iceland we noticed what appeared to be bursts of steam coming from an area we passed. We immediately went to investigate further and were privileged to witness up close what I later found out are fumaroles. For information, a fumarole is a vent in the earth's surface from which steam and volcanic gases are emitted.

I don't think I have ever seen anything as incredible. It was like something out of a science fiction movie and definitely good material to write a poem about.

Volcanic desert,

Steaming rocky mass,

Bottomless cauldron,

No future, no past.

Sulphuric spray 

Staining misshapen rocks,

Scorched white and yellow,

Science fiction backdrop.

Active yet lifeless,

Shades of barren brown,

Hypnotic, spellbinding,

Ash covered ground.

Unfeeling aliens

Dropped in from outer space,

The blue sky above

Looks strangely out of place.

As our plane took off and I waved goodbye to Iceland I felt compelled to write one final poem to end the trip. It really was a once in a lifetime experience and one that will stay with me for ever. 

When I want a little time

To clear my troubled mind,

I close my eyes and float away

Until I reach the clouds.

In my elevated state

The world seems far behind,

There is no better therapy

Than floating on a cloud.

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