appetite-2-write

(For Emily)

Guardians of your soul,
Skyward rising from the sea,
They greet you each morning,
Lifting with your shadow.

Finger-trace their summits,
Map the ridges, the cliffy clouds,
And drifting, glide the foggy haze,
To ski the sloping scree.

Mountains are the measure of your heart,
The canvas of your future,
The space and place for dreams,
Formed, yet yielding to your spirit.

(26.02.24)

(For Emily)

Today you ate a croissant,
It tasted really good.
You ate it in a restaurant,
That serves the best of food.

They also make fine coffee,
And while that’s being brewed,
They bring you out some toffee,
That puts you in the mood,

To glance across the menu,
And thinking of your lunch,
You stay at the same venue,
Deciding to skip brunch.

At coffee time, you take a tea,
Despite the waiter’s comment,
That “tea is not correct”, said he,
Although offence was not meant.

So after tea, you took a walk,
While trying to conclude,
Would beef or fish and chips or pork,
Be better luncheon food?

But on returning to the place
Of gastronomic treats,
The door was locked and there a sign
Said “trading here has ceased”.

You threw yourself down to the ground,
Whatever could you do?
Concluding that the croissant downed,
Had trouble caused for you!

But at that very moment,
You sensed a smell supreme,
Of coffee and fresh croissant baked,
It all had been a dream.

While on the kitchen table,
And what more could you want,
Than cups of steaming coffee,
And freshly baked croissants!

(23.02.24)

(For Emily)

When we’re together,
Neither is there,
The two of us cast
A single shade.

When we’re apart,
Our troubles are doubled.
You fearing your fears,
And I dreading mine.

But if we can stay
Just attached by a thread.
From morning to night,
And when we’re in bed.

All can be well,
We will be calm,
Wrapped each in cotton wool,
Safe from all harm.

(27.01.24)

(For Emily)

My toes are frozen solid,
My feet I cannot feel,
My legs are cold as lollipops,
But that’s not how I feel.

My heart’s as warm as cuddles,
With puppy by the fire,
My love for you’s forever,
And never will expire!

(16.01.24)

(For Emily)

They stood by the Beacon,
Staring at the island lighthouse,
West of the inlet,
Above its turbulent shores.

The keeper’s cottage where
They might hide from the world,
On and in, and why not, under the warm bed,
High on the cliffs, above turbulent shores.

Weekly trips on the mainland ferry,
Harbour jostling with dolphins,
Their pods much more than the worth of the fare,
Keeping the rhythm, near turbulent shores.

Visiting shops for fresh bread and tea,
Blankets and batteries, bacon and bandages,
Collections of letters and sometimes a parcel,
From faraway places, to turbulent shores.

Now some find peace in centres of cities,
Others find calm in a village’s heart,
But they could rest never, when they were parted,
From rough tranquil waters of turbulent shores.

(17.01.24)

(For Emily)

You hate them both,
How indiscreet,
Your left and right,
Each foot so sweet!

You cringe at talk
Of all your toes,
And worry always
‘Bout who knows.

That underneath your
Shoes and socks,
Live two great monsters,
Worse than crocs!

But I’ve found out
About your feet,
The truth you guard
With your deceit.

They’re really such
A pretty pair,
To treat them bad
Is so unfair.

So please let’s give them
Both a chance,
And take them for a walk,
Or dance.

And I will view them,
Check, with care,
I promise not
To stand and stare.

They never gripe,
And never moan.
So why not leave
Your feet alone?

(14.01.24)

(For Emily)

The year creaked weary toward its end,
And autumn hardly saw the sun.
As wishers wished their Christmas wishes,
Gifters did their very best,
To answer every single one.
Some were simple, some were free,
The best I heard’s, “spend time with me.
Help me decorate our tree, check the lights,
And can you see, is there a better place for me?”

But now it’s time to down that tree,
And Christmas last was hardly free,
Of drama, tension, stress and angst,
But one thing’s certain, I give thanks,
The place I want for you’s with me.
And even if there is no tree,
For all the Christmasses to come.
My hope is just this single one,
That you and I will both agree,
I’ll be with you, and you with me.

(12.12.23)

(For Emily)

They stand in silence,
Time joining their prayers.
They are not visitors,
No, they are the earth’s dreams.
Reveries of wind and waves,
Surprises of snow on white-golden sand,
Whisps of spindrift, streaming from breakers.
Together forever on wild storming beaches,
Their broken spirits find solace.
For they are the Servants of Mystery.

(06.01.24)

(For Emily)

A sudden grave terror overtakes you,
And though I can see you’re mistaken,
You face the stone-set fear alone.
I’m just a small island in your ocean of terrors.

I never see the darkness that engulfs you,
The threats and dangers you sense all around,
Above you, beneath you, north, south, west, east of you,
Their traps lie hiding in waiting.

You scale the heights of terror alone,
But climbing wet rock without handholds,
You slip down, crushed far below.
So let me throw you a rope, a lifeline of care,
Let me share your burdens, help you carry the load.

My island shore is here for you,
Whatever your ocean of terrors may throw,
And its vicious waves pound the coastline,
I will be here for you.
Above you, beneath you, north, south, west, east of you.
I will always be here.

(23.12.23)

(For Emily)

Sleep by my side,
Feeling safe where you lie.
Cuddle up close,
My hair tickling your nose.
Stretch and relax,
While I rub your tense back.
If you’re stressed or in tears,
I might hold you for years,
So tight that you’ll know,
I will never let go,
Til the terror is gone.

And your sleep will be calm,
Your dreams will be tranquil.
I’ll ward off those demons,
Who’re seeking to harm you.
They won’t stand a chance,
For my weapons of choice,
Are a loving heart and calming voice.
And when they are gone,
There’ll be no need to hide,
You can sleep by my side,
Feeling safe where you lie.

(02.12.23)