Sparks shower
As the wheel turns against flinty reality
Igniting clouds of vaporous thought
Engulfing a wick with flickering flame
To melt the red wax beneath.
A zephyr of wind blows through the patio doors
Carrying the scent of night flowers
And the yelps
Of fox cubs playing amongst the long silver stemmed grass
In the wild, wild garden beyond mine
This cool night breeze gutters the nascent flame
Causing it to flutter and falter before regaining its hold
On the column of vapour.
No need for incense, this candle is perfumed
The label promises “summer berries”
Its flickering light illuminates
A small wooden Buddha
Who sits with the knowing smile of one who has found enlightenment
And has no further questions to ask.
I sit crossed legged trying to focus on the waxen light
Trying to banish the before and the beyond
My concentration wavers
A dog barks, and in the distance
A police siren shatters the silence of the night with a high-pitched wail
Whilst, in my imagination
Gravel goes swish, swish, swish
As a man rakes the courtyard of a temple garden
And my thoughts turn to you, and you, and you.
All too soon, this candle will be extinguished
And darkness will descend
But a part of this flame will burn on, a small blue glimmer
A four-letter word given freely but held in trust
Against the day
When desperate dragons of despondency haunt your sleepless nights
This unspoken word will be your shield
A word of comfort, to give you strength
To drive away the shadows of self-doubt and outrageous fortune.
Author notes
For You, and You, and You.
I'm here to learn, you are all poets so I respect your criticism.
Comments
1 - 7 of 7
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I am burning candles as I write, with all the rain, my house smells dank and moldy. I love the images that you brought to me, it is rich with the smell and the sounds of a peaceful night. Your keen observance of your surroundings and the world outside, is entrancing. This is a beautiful poem, the sort of free verse that one does not have to wonder at its meaning, which I admit, there are some that I can't grasp, but not this one.
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Reading you in the late afternoon...
I have missed you...this...your poetry is so
soothing to me. I may come and go, Poet,
but I always keep you close.
L
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As always, your free verse is image full and captivating. I love the originality in this poem and that is what kept me spellbound. You have a wonderful mind Peter.
Love,
Amera♥
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You paint a beautifull picture with words, thanks for sharing! Bravo!
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Thank you, your comment appealed to me because imagery is my favourite part of poetry. Now I'm off to have a look at your poetry.
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Goosebumps
Loved it, beautifully penned.
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Thank you for your kind comment. Now I'm off to checkout your poetry.
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