Shuddering Flare

And then the cold had its story to tell again and emerged overnight

The seasons had not changed but as always kept a sudden surprise

Days sunbathing and skinny dipping on the beach felt like a shiver

As the UV filter congealed in oily tubes and prepared to hibernate 


Shells from the shoreline caught the fading light by the window

Sent a message of hope and rebirth with foregone conclusions

That life can be a nauseous circle and hearts can fade without fail

Pebbles watched on still sandy and puzzled for they had lost the sea


Driftwood was stacked near the fireplace and awaited its fate

Would it go up in smoke or be preserved for artwork and fantasy

Knotted and round at the edges the tinder planned its escape

We should warm hearts and memories and refuse to be ashes


Fossilised wisdom cast its message from the core of its surface

Requested to be held in regard and esteem by the collector

Sandalwood fragrance conjoined with salty motion making waves

And reached deep inside sadness and sorrow for ongoing erosion


Jenny had lit candles whose flames danced a ballet with apt feeling

Moving as they held court over coal logs bellow ember and ashes

Their flickering flashes sang a tune of resilience and feeble closure

Blending with shades of rose petals and thorns gathered in summer


While woollen hats blankets and hot water bottles found purpose

In the essence and meaning of heart-warming tender togetherness

Jenny folded summer clothes and gave them a home in the confines

Of her chest of drawers handed down over generations of close kin


She made pumpkin soup with ground cinnamon and nobly ginger

Grated herbs seeds and remembrance then smacked her kind lips

My kisses have survived another year frozen as they may impress

The knowledge that life is impermanent and wanes as it struggles


In the distance a fog horn sounded mist spray darkness and longing

The lighthouse’s beams shone a torch and glowed unperturbed

Whereas Jenny felt a moment of questioning the might of the ocean

Took out a photograph and honoured her husband long missed in a storm


25th October 2019
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Romios Avatar
October 25, 2019 at 6:34 AM
Love this masterpiece. How I admire your talent Kai. I have no such talent with imagery. My Poetry is far more pedestrian. Oh, my _ This should be a POTD. And a FAVE. Panagiota...
Neumann Avatar
October 25, 2019 at 2:04 PM
Thank you for that huge compliment. I truly appreciate that. Runners start as pedestrians and there is a pace to all motion. Kind wishes, Kai
Godwin Avatar
October 25, 2019 at 5:36 AM
What a treat, reading this was a 'vacation' experience. I totally left reality and became centered in your prose. You painted scenes and emotions so well that your imagery actually breathed. So glad you led me here with your earlier comment to me - which I thank you for. Poetry hugs ... CayCay
Neumann Avatar
October 25, 2019 at 2:05 PM
Thank you CayCay. I appreciate your compliment. I took a break from poetry, because I worked on a short novel. Oh, how I missed it ...Kind wishes, Kai
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