A Hand In Time

I view my hand. I see an ancient land.
A melanomic crater, deep in the desert,
speaks of greedy sun-soaked days.
Wanton then. Gone now.
Sparse wispy palm trees cluster,
storm ravaged, angled randomly,
now almost invisible,
now silver in the light.
Ravines compressed in lines
symmetrical, as from space,
appearing geometric,
requiring translation,
needing understanding,
awaiting exploration.
Ahead, beyond the fault line,
mountains expand and converge,
blue-edged and rising high
above the sandy plain, sinuous,
majestic, uncharted.
Stretching and contracting 
as wrinkled parchment
in a shoreline breeze,
pointing the way to the long journey’s end.
Translucent and yes still beautiful.
A multitude of moments
has slowly wrought such change.
Soul-stirring eloquence silently tells
of times and deeds long past,
though yet concealing secrets deep,
of silken dreams within a lover’s sleep,
and memories of a sweet caress,
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Radice Avatar
February 16, 2023 at 3:19 AM
Peter, I can see I'm so far behind with your poetry. I'll catch up over the next few days but for now..I have to say this poem is exquisite. I love this. Just beautiful. My favourite of all your work to date. I'm unsure how PS works but this should have been / should be POTD / POTW. Cheers - Gary
Rees Avatar
February 19, 2023 at 2:51 AM
Thanks Gary for this glowing comment. Made my day !
George Avatar
February 15, 2023 at 7:46 PM
This is so beautiful a poem escorting one to a wonderful 'handscape' of craters, mountains and ravines compressed in lines. The texture of the hand has changed over time and it has been a slow change and memories of the past come crowding in ! Amazingly deep !Enjoyed reading this poem unique in many ways !
Rees Avatar
February 16, 2023 at 7:34 AM
I’m so pleased that you honoured me with a visit and also that you have so enjoyed reading my “handscape” as you put it. Thank you.
Baker Avatar
February 8, 2023 at 9:40 AM
I like the free flow of your poetry, Peter. Your poem is very descriptive and express change and time well. Thanks for sharing and for visiting and commenting on my poetry. A poet friend in Texas. Bill
Rees Avatar
February 8, 2023 at 9:46 AM
Many thanks to you Bill, my poet friend in Texas. Glad you enjoyed my poem about an old man’s hand. Peter.
Rees Avatar
February 8, 2023 at 7:17 AM
Thank you for this wonderful comment. I’m quite over the moon with it and I’m so pleased that it brought back such happy memories of your childhood. Strange where inspiration can come from - this one was quite simply looking at the back of my hand and allowing imagination to take over.
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