April 2019 – Page 2 – Image & Verse

The Cast

A nature poem in response to Linda Lee Lyberg’s “water” prompt at dVerse.

The Cast

cliff-climbing conifers
stir in the brisk dawn
as breezes waft the gorge
rustle my jacket
nip my cheeks

across the casual rapids
near the stony shore
rainbows surface in slack water
hungrily gulping morning hatch

my most recent offering undulates past
in the glinting chatter of spring flow
unacknowledged

chuckling
I turn

elbow steady
I begin to rotate my lengthy bamboo
behind to two PM.
silently stripping the slender thread
from current’s surface
leaving a razor crease
disappearing quick as it comes

the lacquered rod bends forward as I lift
then slowly flexes back
the line arcs behind in flight
trailing silvery spray

backward pressure builds
as line nears full unfurling
but just before
a smooth return
slowly brings the shaft
again to ten AM

now
I feel the forward pull of the soaring mass
as overhead the line recoils
midair

the glass-green fiber
rolls out ahead
over azure ripples

the singing strand painting an “S”
in the cloudless sky

quick
smooth
and quiet
the line is re-wed to stream

the feathered morsel at the tip
offered yet again
coaxing a ready trout
to rise
and strike

~ ~ ~

Click below for more water magic at dVerse:

Poetics: Water, Water Everywhere

DAY 11

A pair of Tankas in response to Linda Lee Lyberg’s “water” prompt at dVerse.

Ripples

Reflections
~
memories of you
ripples on a mirrored lake
rise and drift gently
into the golden sunlight
carrying me on their crest

________________

Joie de Vivre
~
clear blue summer sky
deep azure crystalline lake
cool breeze on my face
fresh scent of water lilies
ripples gently lap the boat

~ ~ ~

painting entitled “Fisherman” by: Vane Kosturanov

Click below for more water magic at dVerse:

Poetics: Water, Water Everywhere

DAY 9

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-NjdfOoPK9c

Ace Of My Heart

Ace Of My Heart

this is my NuStep T4r
in my life it is my star
it’s my cardiac cross trainer
I need it – that’s no brainer
keeping me alive much longer
helping me to thrive much stronger
keeps a smile upon my face
my vital life-giving ace

~ ~ ~

Click here to check out the ace action on dVerse:

Quadrille #77 – Ace of Poems

Aced

Aced

he started with two queens
what next would luck bring
he then drew three more cards
and each one was a king

but soon his victor’s smile
was stricken from his face
when his opponent showed his hand
he held diamonds – ten to ace

~ ~ ~

Click to check out more aces at dVere:

Quadrille #77 – Ace of Poems

The Gift

unworthy fool am I

to ignore it
to abuse it
to mistreat it
to misuse it
to mishandle it at every turn

no way am I deserving

yet over and over
you lay it at my feet
to protect each step
on life’s harsh road

time after time
you wrap it round me
as shelter
from sorrow’s storm

again and again
it nurtures and sustains me
on my journey through
the wastelands of the lonely

this light
this precious treasure

no way do I deserve
but forever will I cherish
your soul gift
of selfless love

would I could give you
such a gift in return
it would be my purest
my most unselfish gift

a gift golden as the sun
tied in a tinsel of stars
to nurture you always
to keep you radiant

my most precious gift
of a love supreme

~ ~ ~

DAY 7

The Leap

she need not be frightened
she knows the moves
sees the steps
clearly in her mind

she knows the stride
the position of her body
just before elevation

she understands the speed
the run up
the lead foot
the plant angle
the knee bend
the thrust

she has done this
literally thousands of repetitions
no need for trepidation

she knows the energy of the moment
of the crowd
as they anticipate
as she anticipates
the lift off
the rise

the glorious weightlessness
the thrill of flying
the feel of returning to earth
to her toes
her feet
how to offset the momentum

she knows

to snap to a graceful stop
come to point
straight and strong
arms raised and extended

the applause
that exhilaration

she knows this all
to her bones

she can do this
in her sleep

she has this mastered
she is a master dancer

but

that flash of doubt
what if I can’t

and again
she fails

there is now one leap
she fears she cannot master

the leap
back through time
to her youth
to her glory
her invincibility

still
she leaps

she will always
leap

~ ~ ~

DAY 6

What If

What If…

I held you
close enough
to feel your heart
beat one with mine

wrapped you tight
in healing warmth

whispered my soul
into your grieving

joined with yours
my loving hands
taking your fear
to hurl it far far
into a long ago

helped you stir
trust’s dying embers
reignite that frail flame
so you’d draw near
that sacred fire

nurturing it
in safe shelter
’til vital yet again
’til courage rekindles
‘til strength does resurge
and possibility reawakens

a blaze so strong
you’ll dare not
extinguish it
ever again

what
if?

~ ~ ~

DAY 6

Land of Waterfalls

I live in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. The three states that make up this corner of our country are Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. These three states are very mountainess, and in comparison to the eastern part of our country, the Pacific Northwest mountains are tall, young, and rugged. Hundreds of beautiful, wild waterfalls can be found throughout the region. This is a land of waterfalls. Shown here are three famous examples.

Multnomah Falls, Oregon

Land of Waterfalls

standing at river level
in this amazing gorge
gazing upon this magnificent waterfall
cut by time and current
into the great rock of the earth
I marvel at the power
at the beauty
at the determination
of the relentless river
sculpting this majestic work
tumbling timelessly
in crystal clarity
over boulders and falls
ever onward

B5AAD73A-A421-4B09-BA94-388D08F39059

Snoqualmie Falls, Washington
Shoshone Falls on the Snake River, near Twin Falls, Idaho

Shoshone Falls, Idaho
~ ~ ~

Click below for more geographic poems at dVerse:

dVerse Poetics: On Geography

DAY 5

Secret Cascade

Secret Cascade

very deep in the ancient wood
secreted among the old-growth
nestles a serene forest clearing
/// \\\
soft filtered sunlight falls in rays
gently through the green canopy
enwraps golden the sacred space
/// \\\
a breeze stirs quietly overhead
rustling brightly in the treetops
whispering of nature’s memories
/// \\\
a downed Douglas Fir slumbers
snug centuries in its moss blanket
wrapped in earth’s final embrace
/// \\\
beyond to the left a hidden path
breaks subtly through the trees
offers a glimpse of rushing blue
/// \\\
the voice of falling water calls to me through the opening
I approach drawn hypnotically by unquenchable curiosity
there before me a powerful river urgently bounds and rolls
then it disappears over the horizon as though into forever
/// \\\
as I come closer I see the current of this tenacious stream
has with patience cut deep into this great rock of the earth
freeing itself to spill over – folding in misty layered curtains
into a roiling azure pool then over again to course further
/// \\\
I marvel so at the power at the beauty at the determination
of this relentless river ever sculpting this majestic artwork
tumbling timelessly in crystal clarity over boulder and falls
ever onward as if spurred by need to join all waters of earth
/// \\\
time suspends >> the world’s in balance >> life aligns for a perfect moment

Photo of a kayaker running Bridal Veil Falls, Oregon, the inspiration for this poem.

~ ~ ~

The concrete form of this poem is intended to mimic the double cascade waterfall as seen in the picture just above here in this post.

Click below for more cascade poems at dVerse:

Poetics: Cascade

DAY 4

Silence

Silence

at the threshold
he hesitates

their eyes meet
hold
each wanting to speak

…silence

she sighes
looks away

he drops his head
exhales
pushes open the door
steps through

walks on
not looking back

it has all been said

~ ~ ~

DAY 4

Like a Prayer

The pristine Clackamas River near Oregon City, Oregon.

Like a Prayer

standing at water’s edge
gazing up the canyon
cut by time and current
in the great rock of the earth

I marvel at the energy
the beauty
at the tenacity
of this pristine stream
sculpting this magnificence

it tumbles in sterling clarity
over boulder and falls
ever onward

tireless
timeless

captivated
I lift my head
listening

the breeze murmurs
whispering through the boughs
of the towering pines

it wafts down the lofty climbs
brushes my face gently
tosses my hair
dances past me
round the bend

a quick soft breath
escapes my lips
like a prayer

the sun paints the day
in spectral golden rays

I’m enthralled
breathless ‘midst this beauty
thankful for the gift of life

Clackamas River in Oregon, western foothills of Mt. Hood

~ ~ ~

Click below for more geographic poems at dVerse:

dVerse Poetics: On Geography

DAY 3

The Sudden Doe

This was inspired by Gary Snyder (born May 8, 1930). Gary is an American poet (often associated with the Beat Generation and the San Francisco Renaissance), as well as an essayist, lecturer, and environmental activist — frequently described as the “poet laureate of Deep Ecology”. Snyder is a winner of a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. His work, in his various roles, reflects an immersion in both Buddhist spirituality and nature – to which I strongly relate.

Gary Snyder

He grew up near where I lived 25 years in Portland Oregon and attended Reed College there. He was friends with Allan Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and most of the beat writers – the majority of whom had urban backgrounds. Gary spent much of his youth, including his college years, hiking and working in the Northwest backcountry. This experience and his interest in things rural, made him appear exotic to his Beat Generation peers — who often referred to Snyder as ‘the Thoreau of the Beat Generation’

A world traveler, with a fondness for the Far East; Gary spent many years exploring and living in the wilderness of the western United States, especially the Pacific Northwest. He loves this region, as I do 30 years now, having just moved from Oregon to Washington. His work is strongly influenced by this love. I offer this poem I’ve written in the spirit of Gary Snyder! It recounts a wonderful experience I had on one of my many Lost Lake hikes, high up in the Cascade Mountains, out of Zig Zag Oregon, on the western slope of Mt Hood.

Mt. Hood over Lost Lake, Oregon

The Sudden Doe

hiking lost lake
my footfalls
drum the root chambers
of the cascade mountain old growth

each step cushioned
by centuries of needle-drop
in this ancient forest

rounding a bend in the trail
brushing through waist-high fern
I crest a knoll
and stop

mesmerized

light drifts down dreamlike
filtered by the woodland canopy
settling soft around me

far off
a glimpse
of azure waters

suddenly
I’m startled

a beautiful young doe
bounds onto the path
just in front of me
standing
proud
golden in the glow

she considers me briefly
then disappears

quick as a stolen glance
quiet as passing time

~ ~ ~

Old growth on Lost Lake trail

Open Link Night # 240

dVerse Poetics: On Geography

DAY 2

Innocent Impulse

Innocent Impulse

I first met her on April Fools Day, April 1st, 1963. She was 16, as was I, but she was certainly no fool. In this young man’s eyes, she was absolutely beautiful – and sexxxy! We became part of a summer group of close friends that met everyday at the local swimming pool – and every night in the park by the bandstand, where they would spin our favorite 45’s. Young, immature, each to different degrees, but with healthy bodies, pumping with testosterone and estrogen – the hormones of desire. Tender flesh, slathered in suntan lotion, beaded with pool water – or sweat pearls, aglow in the heat of a Midwest summer night. She was my wanton wench and I was her potent pirate – both hungry teenage free spirits.

Yet, we were both foolhardy innocents, caught up in that naive time of the summer of ‘63, before the tragedies of the 1960’s, that began in November of that year, at Dealy Plaza, in Dallas Texas. We were coursing with sexual desire! They were urges we didn’t fully understand how to handle. But back then, for the most part, it was dealt with sweetly and politely. It began with holding hands, fingers interlocked, a special shared pleasure. An arm around your girl was almost foreplay. And a kiss on the lips was ecstacy! Sexual progress then was discussed in baseball terms.

It was in this strange, sexually-charged, physically-repressed summer, that I fell in love with my first real girlfriend. It was both glorious, and agonizing. Lots of petting, abundant with soft sweet flesh – but my girl and I were too afraid to go “too far”. But that first young love, was adoring, worshipful affection – wondrous infatuation, powerful impulses played out awkwardly to the sounds of “He’s So Fine”, “Then He Kissed Me”, “I Will Follow Him”, until sadly, almost inescapably… “Can’t Get Used To Losing You”. Yes, she eventually made me a fool for love – but by then, she had also made me a man. But those amazing, angst-filled first loves my friends and I discovered, with all the wonderful, overwhelming pleasure and pain, were never to be forgotten.

captive to urges
woodpecker drums summer stumps
boys kiss moist red lips