Glossy waxed floors
smooth as clean shaved skin
reflect everyday busyness.
A white stove and fridge stand stark
like your absence during the week.
The wooden table pushed in a corner
harbours nicks and scrapes
where noisy kids scramble in and out
with mouths still chewing as they leave.
Slippery floors mimic
sticky fingerprints on walls.
A shaving strop hangs by the phone
frayed from angry outbursts
that hone in on pink butts
sharpening fear and resentment
instead of blades.
(personal photo from inside the mouth of a glacier)
we turn the tap
water rushes
roars
sloshes under ice
cascades a cry through mountains
tries to hang on to steep slopes
warning of warming
a Swiss yodel
Suzuki echo
to get our attention
as glacial meltwater spills
our thirst grows
air conditioned car
to air conditioned home
we do not see
peaks slump on the horizon
a lifetime of habits
deposited downstream
polar caps melt
we lick our parched lips
(photo credit: imprm@countach.fm)
Whispering winds carry secrets
over sleepy city streets
gather and swirl
unsuspecting thoughts
Exhausted dwellers walk
through zombie days
focus on one foot
in front of the other
Up and down, over and under
air moves in stealth
a silent intruder
Scarves wrap against it
coats button it out
still it continues
growing
until it Howls
(internet photo)
Noise.
Sounds and smells swirl.
A muddy pile
ready for trash can,
or possibly recycling.
Words recycle themselves
on the page,
powerless to escape
the strike of the pen.
Smooth ink flows.
A river confident in its strength,
its ability to carve landscapes,
reshape its borders.
Boundaries.
Fence posts to navigate.
Or, maybe, grab onto
if the water gets too rough.
Time ticks
east to west
I remain stationary
flash, crash, wake-up Now!
huddle under covers with each strobe of room
power, anger, fear, Boom!
exalted energy bursts of awe
percussion clangs off skyscraper walls
and gives wings to emotions with each sound
overhead whomp, whomp, whomp steps heavy
metal chimes jangle
fast notes tinkle
pica-pica-patta-pica
wind and rain strike a rhythm
tap-tap-rat-a-tat-tat
rumbles echo, bang, rattle, roll,
they swell, ebb, drift away
(internet photo)
Tai Chi papa
unfolds on a riverbank.
Black pants, brown jacket
weathered limbs beneath,
naked grace flows smooth.
River remains calm,
city rush
stalls.
Ancient art
soothes nerves
with raw deliberation.
licorice spires
peak confection snow
with salty delight
nature’s sweet and savory concoction
ices polar adventure
(personal photographs)
Ancient mariner’s soggy realm
shrouded behind a veil.
Moist sky plunges to sea,
draws back curtain to magic.
Fur seals shimmer among foam waves.
Albatross, prion, starlings, petrels
glide, dive, flit in silence.
Air is alive with movement.
A Right whale arches to the surface,
an elegant waltz across the bay,
returns to the deep
with a coquettish flick of her tail.
Penguins dot steep hillside,
tiny acrobats on a slick slope.
Great bull seals shake shaggy heads,
ripple jello jowls of fur and blubber.
In an instant the sea is angry
splashing colourful gortex,
stinging exposed flesh.
Wind bites,
chases zodiac back to the ship,
protects penguin chicks and seal pups
from prying camera lens.
Fog descends once more.
Hides treasures briefly exposed,
a tease of the glory
of the ancient mariner’s realm.
ScribbleDartsfromtheHeart 