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.

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