on this Good Friday
a lone singer
of early morning moonsongs
sang me awake
their warbling tune
soon joined
by a chorus
hidden in lush bamboo
then joined too by the sound of the kettle
and a small dog tip toeing across the kitchen floor
so much in a morning
so much in a song
in a fist of light
we gather our bones
shaking cobwebs of manner
and grace
from our sleep swept eyes-
this too shall pass
as we enter the day
Reaching toward the setting moon
I rise from the sounds of sleep
into the cold starry sky
falling into the pale light
golden
Mists caught in branches and leaves-
air rich
with the smell of river and loam.
Tendrils form, curling against my neck,
and my hair is perfumed with summer.
sky the color of marmalade jam
orange rind dawn
bitter and sweet
Softly
the quiet morning wakes-
voices of mourning doves
linger.
Mists shimmer
across the still water –
the cove, the color of milk,
reflecting the quiet,
soft morning of late spring.
Mists rise
from the lush green undergrowth –
in the soft rush of wings,
the acclamation
of doves.
The morning and I sing
broken hallelujahs
with Leonard Cohen.
(the minor fall, the major lift)
April sun shines
on the just and the unjust
as daffodils brown around the edges
and the tulips fade,
blossoms erupt
from redbud and dogwood.
(There’s a blaze of light in every word)
Song swells from the greening wood,
the triumphant sound of life renewed-
resurrection of springs promise
and the forgiveness of all winters sins.
(with nothing on my tongue but hallelujahs)
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah.
*** The lines in parentheses and the phrase ‘broken hallelujahs’ are taken from Leonard Cohen’s beautiful song, Hallelujah. It is one of many favorite songs from this wonderful songwriter and poet.
Gray morning, the last dawning
of this long winter,
from across the water, the sound
of clear silvered piping-
Spring progresses slowly
with her troop
of minstrel robins.
She is wreathed in yellow
forsythia,
fresh and tender,
early buds of warming sun.
Her delight,
the laughter of tulips
and the bashfulness of daffodils,
Spring smiles
and blossoms.
Receding fog on the cove
We woke to deep fog.
Air so thick with moisture, water droplets formed on everything. We were drenched just taking our early morning walk with Theo.
As the clouds began to lift and the morning began to brighten, the brilliantly clear and LOUD song of a wren pierced the misty air.
As more of the fog receded and the sky became brighter, the louder her song. She was very proud of her effort and continued in full throated triumph until the sun had broken through and the skies revealed the beautiful sapphire blue of late winters day.
small brown wren
in glorious song
singing as if she alone is responsible
for the rising of the sun
We woke to the sound of sleet on the roof and wild geese flying over the house on the way to the cove.
Then the big gorgeous flakes began to fly too.
Now the cedar trees are filled with cardinals, finches and juncos. We have dove, blue jays, titmice and chickadees too. And a brown thrasher showed up at the suet feeder as well as a little downy woodpecker to share a morning treat.
It is still snowing and we will end up with 6-8 inches by the end of today. And I know everyone in the eastern US is ready to see the snow go away, but this is our first snowfall of the season and it is BEAUTIFUL!
sleet colored sky
streaked with wings
of wild geese
and clouds of bird song
thecourseofourseasons 