Seeing North Light

Our eyes inhabit all there is to see
our dreams file visions by each shade of light
that exists   like air   like rain   light is free
who does not remember with great delight
a breeze moving leaves   impressions of sight
and sound   that brush us watching silently
aware that we will remember its weight
one day when we ponder eternity

Spring breezes knock the cherry blossom down
even while rufous humming birds hover
sipping and waiting in dull green and brown
for the descent of a bright winged lover
stooping to surprise like a windhover
and the weight of a hummingbird is small
as light as the hurt of a plover
dragging its wing with a desperate call

Often one senses a rare moment
in time   in clear sunlight    close to nature
but in dim candlelight meant to foment
emotions   needing only a signature
for completeness   a sign of its stature
among moments   near Hyde Park one night
dining in a bistro   still in rapture
seeing in her eyes glimpses of north light

Was seeing north light in her eyes as true
as watching a kingfisher fish a pool?
lies by dim candlelight enter on cue
leaves in water drawn into a whirlpool
needing her light as a weaver needs wool
wanting her gaze to make his fabric bright
with beautiful colors fed from his spool
that glow at dusk reflecting the sunlight

Rocks erode polished by time's blunt tool
and meaning crumbles brushed by words too long
crows perch on memories   teaching life's school
taint the light with doubts   making right seem wrong


Dick Russell

an earlier version published in Chapman No.39,

Scotland, editor, Joy Hendry