Saturday 11 April 2020

Lockdown Poems

It goes without saying that we are living in unprecedented times right now. Here in the UK the restrictions being imposed on us as a result of COVID-19 are not as great as in some other countries. Our daily walks have become something of a life saver.

In an attempt to draw something positive out of the situation I decided to set myself a little challenge. Last week I wrote one poem every day based on things I had seen, both whilst taking a daily stroll or in and around my home.

I hope you enjoy the poetry. 

Stay safe and well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday - The Fire


Primeval,
burning,
flames licking
and unfurling.
Fire.

Warming,
glowing,
smoke curling
and blowing.
Fire.

Magnetic,
mesmerising,
electric blue
so satisfying.
Fire.

Erasing,
melting,
and finally
forgetting.
Fire.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Tuesday - The Vineyard


Like Alice
in Wonderland
I unlock
a tiny door
to reveal a
miniature vineyard,
of Merlot
and Pinot Noir.

Bunches
of indigo grapes
peeping through
thin green leaves.
Luscious, tempting,
perfectly round
barely twitching
in the breeze.

Two small men
with wizened faces
slowly hoe
the fertile land,
occasionally wiping
furrowed brows,
the sun is their
only clock hands.

I'm staring through
the looking glass
at intoxicating
purple mist.
I'm slowly drifting
out to sea
on a tide
of hyacinths.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Wednesday - The Orange Wheel
The sun may not have broken
through the misty clouds today,
it has landed on the grass
down by my feet.

A cartwheel of bright orange,
a softly feathered face,
a kaleidoscope of smiles
reserved for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thursday - Japanese Blossom
Showers of confetti,
a glowing bride's bouquet,
oriental cherry blossom
sweetly sings my name.

Delicate Japanese painting, 
dancing butterflies,
set against a backdrop
of an ever changing sky.

Perfect silky petals
dancing silently,
waterfall of pink flowers
cascading gracefully.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday - Mr Blue Sky


When I was a child
I would lay on the ground,
feel the grass touch my face
as I stared at the clouds.
Filled with awe and wonder
I was mesmerised
by the endless ripples
of clear blue sky.

My imagination
like a burst of sunlight
would elevate me
to brand new heights.
I could suddenly see
beyond the clouds,
I could fly like a bird
fired by super powers.

Fifty years later
I walk on dry ground,
feel the stones underfoot
as I stare at the clouds.
My childhood a memory
drenched in golden light,
I am still mesmerised
by the clear blue sky.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Saturday - The Alder Tree

Suspended
in mid-air
complex structure,
stark dark branches
sprouting cones
haphazardly.

Silhouettes
against the fields
Alder tree
you are unique,
your spiky beauty
fascinates me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday - Sapphire Lake


This poem was inspired by a walk around beautiful Kelsey Gardens in Burstwick East Yorkshire. 

Through whispering grass
I thought I heard you speak
but it must have been the echo
of a distant falling leaf.

Across the sapphire lake
ripples disintegrate
like my hidden tears
they merge into a haze.

Healing cooling water
rejuvenate my mind,
erase the shard-like traces
of the pain left behind.

Tall feathery reeds
swaying gently in the breeze,
Carry me with you 
into undisturbed sleep.