Suit Your Self

(This poem was first published in my second book LITTLE PINE in 2016. The inspiration was an image in a dream of a delicate amulet "of finest silver, wood and stone, cross-like in brittle strands..." I had no idea what it related to, but it was vivid enough that this poem arose without much effort.) Suit Your Self Within the pirate’s hardened heart an amulet does hang of finest silver, wood and stone cross-like in brittle strands an ornament to serve what cause when he is all alone perhaps to simply rest right there reminder of his home. Within the broken castaway’s upon the lonely shore that heart beats strong and wild and free but never will know more. While in the friendly householder at table full and warm there is a heart of love for all at least while comfort’s worn. Out on the road or in the stalls the animals of toil await the call to serve at will with hearts so strong but dull. While eagles and black crows do play in craggy hills and trees and float and soar and dance about with hearts so full of ease. By land and sea and in the air the heart does beat and fly but finds no joy or freedom there if love does pass it by. A love that weeps internally for all that’s come before and all that will be left undone when there is nothing more. As springtime follows from the fall long dormant in between the summer too will pass one day and leave us like a dream a cycle of a year or life revealing who we are from bright to dull and back again the journey of a star. (2016)