Poems from Pursuit
***
DIAMOND DUST
A sundog* turned one single cloud
into flames of gold.
Heart racing to hold the awe,
I moved too slow
to film the heavenly show;
the glowing faded faster
than a blown out match.
Its light in colors lived and died
a world apart
from all the raw and strain
upon my dimming heart,
hurrying to hold
the sky of burning gold.
Gone it was,
and gone the cloud—
like words once lived
but never said aloud—
all blown away,
and never found.
I wonder if, somewhere,
they might still sound,
they might survive,
resound,
within another heart
racing to keep alive
fast fading flames
of light on wintery sky.
*Sundogs are made by light going through the prisms of ice crystals
in clouds or in the atmosphere. When the crystals are in the atmosphere,
they are called diamond dust.
***
***
PHONEY
Humility?
I tried it,
for a day or two.
It fit well—
got me places and applause
before the façade fell.
Pride?
I tried it, then.
For a time, it seemed,
I grew—
unruly, eager, stubborn,
pushed out like a weed in spring,
determined in my thing,
out of place
in gardens and cement
self full, hell bent.
Defeat?
How well I knew
Bitter herbs,
barren wombs, endings,
and dark—
Wandering through wilderness
after wilderness
into nights without a watchman
where every spring was dried—
Until—
Parched and lost
self-seeking stopped
and I forgot
to create my self—
and let me be.
***
***
TRIPLETS
The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit
I meet You, Lord
Between Your sacrifice
And Hell.
I greet You, Lord.
Take me to Your heart
Make well.
I entreat You, Lord
Subdue my willful soul
Self quell.
I seat you, Lord.
From ego’s throne
I fell.
