Best First Light Poems
Some people love to gaze upon
the setting sun but sleep until
it’s high each day. They never thrill
to unique freshness of the dawn,
the sunrise, a resplendent sight,
accompanied by shades of red
and orange. There’s much to be said
for sweet communion with first light.
When from my porch I view the dawn,
the tone is set for my new day.
The sun sends twilight on its way.
While sipping coffee, I may yawn--
but not from boredom—as I see
the day emerging tint by tint.
Soon there is no remaining hint
of last night in the day or me.
July 18, 2018, entered in Emile Pinet's Dusk or Dawn Contest
August 29, 2018, entered in Brian Strand's End August Standard
Contest
The eminent breeze slips through the trees,
multitudes of scrawny fingers guided by stout limbs,
conducts the aria.
the trill of daybreak
whilst the morning star shines bright
the moon on the wane
Oh! Sweet Merle your irrepressible melody defies all that is logic,
one understands these balmy mornings of summer, yet deepest frost
wailing winds from the Southern Ocean does not discourage your
daily performance.
each ceaseless morning
nature succour from her sleep
stands the lone bugler
© Harry J Horsman 2020
across jade dew grass...
quick barefoot numbing stumbles -
warm lips bid heart thaw
~~~~~~~~~~~
first light
sun strokes my brow
I reach but she's not there
morning settles in
Those who rise early see not just first light.
They see each plant and leaf embrace the sun.
Light bids each new green sprout to stand upright,
until sun's task of bold, bright work is done.
We till the fertile soils and plant new seed,
in hopes with light and water, one by one,
they'll yield good fruit as autumn days recede,
when harvesting and storing must be done.
The richness of our seasons can be seen,
when bins are filled with bounty from the earth.
This providence means life through seasons lean,
and those who meet first light provide this worth.
Endure the seasons known for wind and chill,
then greet the warm, spring light and know its thrill.
First Light
11-16-14
Chilly reflections
Grace the lake with pinks and blues
Midst rocks and headlands
black and white picture of an
austrian girl with a torn coat
watching angels drown sinners
to see if they float.
arms of clouds folded in a
white alabaster.
blackened charcoal burns into the sky
faster and faster.
yet still the museum curator seekes to find.
recessed lighting on the wall behind.
but all he found was white and black.
to hang a picture of a girl on a tack.
while outside lamps look down
with dizzy heads.
words over cobble stones that have
been said.
contrasted by copper wheels
that charge at night.
nocturnal powerlines reserve
the light.
Cockerel talk again
Raging debate about the hour
A metallic crackle, that familiar hiss
And once again a ceramic kiss
As dawn cleans the slate of night
Yesterdays dishes belong in the sink
Truth comes at first light.
Form:
liquid has swift wings
when the fuel is sweet
and glasses half-full
consistent
light dims as a sigh
for the shadow's walk,
reflecting inward glow
elation of the stranger's eye
flint strike spark
dry timber, helpless
ignition
fast flame, burn
smokeless ember drenched
favored hands flicker
glide and clench,
sticky sweet and ashen
blisters form unnoticed
in confused heat, diminished
sunblast shatter
curtain call,
morning mist remembrance
soldered faces of the dancers
burnt with dreamstate's grin.
First light of morn, I live for
The dark of night my soul forgave
Forthwith, I needed light
Night lingered like the grave.
Oh, what warm embrace with smile
I revel in light for a while
Henceforth, the Source I see
It gets me on my knees.
Light, water, fresh air I feel
Fortifies every part of me
Therefore, my honey feels
My tender touch from Thee.
*
At morning's first light,
Her beauty came suddenly,
Dawn breaks many hearts.
An enchanting blood red sunrise is slowly dawning in the east,
our morning premier glimpse, of this fire breathing beast.
Its crimson wave envelops the darkness of our land,
an hourglass revealed that drops each grain of sand.
Nefarious nightly creatures quickly scurry out towards the west,
the moon and stars now fade and claim their mundane rest.
Harmonious birds now sing, they’re natures unyielding band.
Morning sunlight reveals a world, that God has made so grand.
Ironically a fire, allows life on Earth to live.
It is hard to understand, how death can also give.
The first light now gives chase to the slumber that brings us rest,
it’s time to rise and shine and give this world our best!
11/26/22
Big Sur aperture
pacific soul coast highway
picture perfect pause
The swirling mist seeps in and around
Animals about to rise and animals that fall in slumber,
Creatures who sleep alone and some in many number,
The fingers of sunrise reach every beast from every continent,
Be it reptile, mammal or insect,
The keepers keep sentinel,
It is a wondrous, unique place that people adore,
Watching animals they could only dream of seeing and to explore,
Hearing the roars, growls, hisses and screeches,
Taken from Jungles, deserts and beaches,
Gathered together for all to view,
Whatever the season
There’s no other feeling like visiting a zoo.
When you awake to see dawns first light
Tis only I turning on my bed side light
And when long shadows cast their shade
Tis but I standing proudly on parade
And when the thunder shakes the ground
Tis but I marching proud
And when the rain fall upon your face
Tis only my tears for those replaced
The breeze when ruffle you hair
Tis but a sigh of relief that you weren’t there
And the sun that sets, casting its evening light
Tis but me saying god bless goodnight