Wild Grass on the Tableland—Farewell to a Friend
The grasses on the tableland run wild,
Once in a year they perish and flourish.
The wildfire can’t burn them up in the field;
They regrow in vernal breeze at their wish.
Over the ancient path grasses spread far and wide,
And their green aligns with the city lonely.
Again say goodbye to my friend at the road side;
Lush grasses wave in parting sorrow heavy.
(Tran.)
Categories:
tableland, friend, friendship, philosophy,
Form: Rhyme
On The Plateau
Remote Island in the sky, on the plateau
Above the lowlands removed and separated
Nine thousand foot drop prevents our leaving
We watch others like ourselves down there
Telescope in hand to seek their knowledge
Down below they advance beyond us
Highland’s mesa and low world never merge
No transport or communication
No way to sink to there or rise to here
Two cultures bound in total disconnect and isolation
We might as well be from or on another planet
We can only speculate and wait
On the plateau, the land is flat and square
Two miles long and wide from point to point
All alone on our tableland, we circle in a stagnant cycle
A path of least resistance on the same existence planned
Our counterparts advance in open endless lowlands space
They look up to us and wave
Down there, as far as the eye can see, is nature
Expanding through our spy glass, forever on and up
And out beyond the seas, then stars
Time stands still for us on tableland, as we crave more
Sun and snow reach us first
I guess that counts for something though, on the plateau
Categories:
tableland, absence, change, desire, earth,
Form: Didactic
A merry band to profer hope in the land
A lute, fiddle, drum to make brigandry grand
A staff, bow, arrow to strafe the noble strand
A sworn oath to lawful king; a sword to gentry's overbearing hand
A pruning staff to fleece corrupt shepherds, who saintly flock's fodder have panned
A bow and arrow to poach servile game from royal tableland
A fealty to nature's law; a license the privileged class to brand
A Kangaroo court dispensing arbitrary justice to tenured gentry in the lowland
A pauper's lease, tattered remnant to expand
A squatter's right, doled penury to remand
An opportunistic syndicate confiscating hoarded supplies to reduce growing demand
A marauding troop of mercenaries liberally sharing their contraband
A providential broker, allocating pilfered alms poverty to withstand
Categories:
tableland, adventure, education,
Form: Rhyme
strange picture frames lie on the scorched
earth of the barren plateau, crooked and jagged..
to strange for her bucket of watercolors.
to obscure for pastel horizons to rupture in light.
no ressurection of the multi-colored aquatic bow.
no dispersed water molecules ever form in the
sky of the strange plateau.
she standing there like a solitary arcane thistle,
disturbs little the vascular tissues and rivets
of the dry grass.
the crumbling tableland streches out for
miles in its bleached open expanse.
it seems to her to be disected by very old hands.
she reachs out to hold them and once again she
is a daughter to the blood red dry earth.
a child to the hardened corrosive mantle.
the sun overhead shivers in its sleeve and
fathers her for a time.
in the high plains of the strange plateau
her soul grew so happy, though her body never
was found..
Categories:
tableland, allegory
Form: I do not know?
In anger he conspires
creates havoc on his way down,
simply spoils one’s hair
when revealing one’s crown.
He aid’s Monday’s wash
with the strength of a kiss,
commands the clouds, rain,
many heartaches and bliss.
He controls the ocean
those that dare to venture,
resolves the passing of time
when leaves in autumn surrender.
He provides the cushion
above tableland and mountains true,
compose permutations
for Condor, Airliners and crew.
He shapes the moorland tops
Pen-y-gent and Pendle hill,
a track of perpetual tenacity
yet gently wields the morning chill.
For he has many names
this force with volatile agenda,
velocity in many forms
nature’s power on its very own bender!
© Harry J Horsman 2008
Categories:
tableland,
Form: Rhyme
Navigation by the soul,
Feet caravan the heavy load.
Roam far beyond the horizon calling,
Searching the stainless tableland.
Ocean plain blue,
Beauty not touched,
Leaving in peace.
Desert cannot be seen with the eye splendor.
Mountain height is,
High above all to really glimpse clearly.
Valley hidden with marvelous tree covering.
Journeying,
Passed the weary mind.
Concrete jungle,
This is the find.
Mist of the town square,
Both hands planted finger gripped.
Rip the curtain chest into wide sight,
Baring the heart,
Expose to the wind of time.
Bleeding the old wounds into the handling breeze.
Veins rush within a new season,
Heartbeat one,
Soul-tide bound,
Heaven is blended in perfectly.
Speaking with full knowledge,
Life precious,
Leaving the heart raw,
Knowing there is nothing left,
But this alone-
Categories:
tableland, hope, imagination, life, seasons,
Form: I do not know?