For Glen Russell - Sign Painter and Wood Carver

There once was a yew tree felled by a storm 
its stumpy roots washed downstream by the flood
from the bank of the glen where it stood firm
till a carver found it looking for wood

who saw in it the shape of a dryad
he liberated so she would swim free
made a woman whose beauty struck all glad
breasting a swirling stream loosed from a tree

that had once shaded a sheltered rock pool
where his muse bathed naked giving delight
now an antique on top of a dresser
glowing with golden tones in the sunlight

time has settled in chiseled grooved ripples

dust's been wiped from bare shoulders neck and face

love tenderly touched her breasts' brown nipples

as she swims forever away with grace.


Richard M Russell (C) Dick Russell
            December 29, 2022

 A December Valentine

Upon you I’ve cast my roving eye
Let me summon the power to step across time 
Turn into a swan you’ll fly from and fall
Faint from a blow from my long neck
On a riverbank pinioned by wings
Just as Yeats described what Erato told him
About Zeus begetting Helen raping Leda 

A swan assaulted you?
You’ll have no proof you were touched
Except these words I’ve sent
You are as beautiful as they

Now long years older
I am still guilty of desire
Zeus is no excuse.

Richard M Russell © Dick Russell
                December, 2022