The mind has
its own bleak landscapes
that freeze the will,
confine the soul
to an inner space
no larger than the self.
I know such worlds
of ice - dark ones
that press against
the window and give
no light. I am familiar
with the howl
of its bitter winds
that pick at every crack
as if trying to get in.
I have felt
its icy grip tighten
almost to the point
where I could not
draw a breath.
I know too
of other places
in the mind, deeper ones
that plumb almost
to its source
and summon landscapes
of an inner calm where
there are trees,
wide undulating plains
and rivers winding
their glistening way
to the sea. Landscapes
that are drawn
from the sacred,
composed of poetry
and prayer and carry
the faint recollections
of a somewhere
not far and yet,
a lifetime away.
How beautiful the grasslands are:
from rolling hills to fields of grain
or prairies flat, extending far.
Lovely too are cordilleras -
those peaks and valleys in a chain
with clear lakes in high sierras.
Earth’s deserts have a beauty rare -
like sculpted rocks in high terrain
or sands that drift in hot, dry air.
I’m partial to a white-sand shore
nearby King Poseidon’s domain
where I can hear the ocean’s roar.
So many landscapes we can see:
the coastline, mountains, woods, and plain,
so in what nice place might you be?
I'm well-seasoned but marbled with green
Trending to get in too deep too soon.
Don't recognize the coils around the soul.
Until there's blood in the ice-cream bowl.
I'm a fatally flawed fawn in carnivorous landscapes.
A charity case orphaned from my faith.
Can we still call this living?
the terrain’s more expansive here
you said, as if obscurities that had been,
moved aside so the eye
could soak in highways singing
restless blues, as if language
materialized straight from that feeling
of nowhere coupled with too many
places to be, and you can see
what you want to, blanketing the spaces
with clutter from your mind
by accident like deja vu
I keep turning mid-drive
to stare at the unusual wedding
of indifference and curiosity,
your green eyes touching even
further than the collective
of what remains enchantingly
unspoken
A variety of fine brushes…thin, medium, wide,
soft and smooth... to paint landscapes - sky, ocean, tree,
at tranquil dawn, my backyard turns into an oasis,
A transient escape for peace, sanctuary for me!
Focused on visual delight, savour sublimity!
umbrella-like willow, lush leaves offering shade,
dainty roses bloom, elegant hydrangea smiles,
playful birds chirp, frisky squirrels run, until daylight fade!
Sky often mesmerizing vermillion at quiet dawn,
sun rises, waking up the world, with glorious light
bees frolic, pretty butterflies kiss ravishing flowers,
I get lost in the allure of a captivating sight!
My blank canvases get covered with gorgeous paints,
I dip and glide my brush, whimsical colours I splash in,
sunset at Arabian Sea, sunrise on Himalayas,
create amazing views even where I had never been!
Poetry, cascading fountain of our soul, paints life with words,
Painters, sparked by imagination, borrow colours from Nature,
Depict the surreal universe with unique perspectives,
Poetry and Art… blend, connect, compensate each other.
time stopped to count in a forgotten landscape where the clocks were melted
Landscapes
Out there are illusion..
Yet whether considered
Illusion or not
Beauty is declared..
No-separation seems to
Prevail...
"landscapes"
skies of day or night shine with illumination
see such suns and moons light up the world
hear stars speak as they whisper wishes and
feel the presence of light beyond its surface
seas of corals or mighty grays reflect wonder
see alluring beauty within their magical sphere
hear the seducing sound of crashing tides and
feel the emotions of being completely alive
earth will never disappoint with her seasons
see all four of winter spring summer and fall
hear winds birds symphonies and flying leaves
and let each bring glorious light to a new day
whether over or under rainbows of happiness
be part of the world for your soul to witness
with every landscape there is a divine
expressing that love above is genuine
SkyWatcher
10-19-23
-skies landscapes horizons-
I for saw the bird in his above the door sill;
Wings a flamed flapping
Body still
Head bobbin up and down
Must be feeding little chicklet young
Body still
Bobbing ingesting their baby sparrows or is it robins?
6/21/23
Written words by James Edward Lee Sr.2023?
Like travellers,
We cross this arid land
Aiming at the city of rest.
As we traverse the landscapes
We may, of a truth, sully our feet
With besetting dust of sin
But we must from time to time
Remember Calvary, the place of cleansing
Where mercy flows immeasurably
We go through marketplaces
Let’s be pleased with divine supplies
Lest we are tangled with vanities of life
We faint many a time
But we are resuscitated; we move on
We despair not.
We shall win!
We are soldiers in the warfare
Let’s fight, holding onto the cross
Our winter break at Safari West.
Birds chirping in their nest.
The creek’s melodious medley
The smell and pitter-patter of the rain
Goosebumps from the cold wind
Thick fog covering the tall pine
And ducks and ducklings swimming in a line
the sun noticed a change
as the winds blow colder
fewer warm days to tempt us
while the season grows older
overdue leaves begin to stain
turning landscapes satin bright
dusting the ground after falling
bright red and golden flames
twirling shadows in moonlight
as the winter cascades
bare trees waving their goodbyes
as autumn's beauty fades
ENTIRE LANDSCAPES
a means
of sustaining
the
creative
a seminal
influence
of the
unexpected
an
image
the intensity
of the
visionary
within
boundaries of
the possible
landscapes
remembered
&
commemorated
with kindness
&compassion
&
irrevocably
evolving
NOTE:THIS IS AN OPEN(organic) FORM VERSE using spaces&breaks without grammatical symbols ,the ' open' relies upon 'the one breath limitation' & so inherently requires the 'reader' (reciter) to input and responds thus making this enigmatic form a two way interplay & interpretatIon unique to the moment& changing according to mood is inherently variable.
Copyright © Brian Strand
horizontal landscapes with anthills
ants plant poison pills on mulch trails
solar breezes inspire physicists
the universe works overtime
earth dances with oceans
becomes desert without mulch
the universe doesn't work anymore
poisoned ants occupy dead planets
All abroad! Amazing airplane aims above Asia ascending at an ample airline.
Bestowing big buildings, busy businesses, beautiful beaches...
Camera captures candid cascading countryside.
Dozen dandelions display delightful destinations.
Everyone easily escapes enjoyment.
Families follow festivals featuring favorite foods.
Guests grow generating grand group gatherings.
Happy hikers holler, "Hello", having heartfelt hospitality.
Itinerary illustrates interest.
Journalists jot joyful journeys.
Kindreds keep keepsakes.
Laziness lingers leaving luxury lounging.
Many mountains measure meaningful moments.
Neighbors noticing newfound nature.
Onlookers observe outstanding overviews.
People profile pretty picturesque plains.
Quaint quiet quests.
Rivers rage radiating rainbow rays.
Souvenirs stock storefronts signaling surging sales.
Tourists travel tracing town's treasures.
Upcoming unbelievable utopia.
Visitors vacation vast vicinities.
Wonderful walks were waiting world wonders.
XOXO's xeroxed.
Yesterday's yearly yacht yearnings.
Zooming zestfully.
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