You can find more poetry on The Totton linnet pages and also some fun short, true lifers.
Read about how me and my cousin managed to rassle up a swarm of “cavalier” wasps with our “parliamentary ” pike
Whang’a'wasp http://gentledove.wordpress.com/yack-2
City girl when I got chased by a billy goat
Plus my days as a schoolie on work experience.
Above the transom
Eyes above the transom
stood upon her chair,
looking out over the garden
where just last night, she is sure,
were pixies and fairies bright.
And over there elves counselled with Oberon.
Now pixies are buttercups, fairies daisies.
Where the elf king had sat, a dandelion.
Dandelion, dandy, LION!
startled, she hears a roar
she jumps down with a cry of alarm
“Mummy help! there is a lion outside the door.”
*
An extract from “The Merry Endeavour” http://gentledove2.wordpress.com/the-merry-endeavour
Damson jam
Moonlight shadow, moonlight shadow
I don’t want to be mantled with you
cold and unfriendly as you are,
chilled with the midnight dew.
I want to have a sunbeam
clothed upon my shoulder
little sis will hide her face
unless loving arms enfold her.
We were sitting on a towel
down on Netley shore
eating bread and damson jam
harking the old men snore.
Sifting through the shingle
in the afternoon sun
a stone that’s got a hole in it,
little sis says,” is a lucky one.”
No-one says the sea is boring
not the sailor, how would he?
who has spent his whole life
traversing Ol’ Briny.
Freshing white, the breakers foam,
crested billow curl,
waves, wave upon wave
beneath sky of blue or pearl.
Walking the Miz-maze
on St. Catherine’s hill
counting orchids while the setting sun,
with practised skill,
is setting the sky all on fire.
Going down steppes
a stride and a half each one
to where plague pits give context.
The woodman’s fire among the trees
in the gathering dusk
a bowl of incense,
lacking only musk.
Blue Iris stands alone
among reeds taller than she
looking over the river,
a princess among her courtiers I see
waiting for her prince.
*
by The Totton linnet
Photo by kind permission by Maggie Buchanan-copyright
I tried unsuccessfully to put links to information and beautiful pics of St Catherine’s alas but if you browse St. Catherine’s hill you will find it rewarding.
River Test at Totton
It’s never too far to go
to Totton on a sigh
there among the copses
meadow marshes nearby.
Linnet makes her home there
in the hedgerow
her cock is handsome of breast and crown
with the voice of a flute you know.
It was there I heard the morning
say “welcome to my day”
and showed me where to look and find
the One whose thoughts hold sway.
*
There, the evening introduced
Happiness to me,
showed me how to walk with her
amidst silent, shouting tree
[and to heed the catching briar]
There, breezes gave a gentle shove
as if to encourage me
to make the river laugh
by running with might alongside him.
Happy Totton days ago
it’s never too far to go on a sigh,
to the place that I love so.
The following is an extract from “A turgid stem.”
http://gentledove2.wordpress.com/the-turgid-stem
Linnet flora
Between two chords.
*
I am lost between two chords
the mandolin is playing
you found me wand’ring somewhere
between the cello strains.
Standing between the willow
and the tanner’s brook
I just don’t have a reason
to take a backward look.
I will daughter you
follow you
wherever you may go
though ties may now be broken
love will not have it so
I will daughter you.
*
You won’t be alone
I’ll come too
however hard the road
together we will walk it
we’ll share the heavy load
I will daughter you.
*
Never take my freedom from me
by sending me away
though they make of me a stranger
where I make my bed is where I will lay.
*
If the night is cold
dark and long
my love will make you warm
and light the empty spaces
until the morning come
I will daughter you.
*
Follow you
I will daughter you.
Autumn gold at four o’clock
leaves like snow starting to lay
yellowing mellow, well ripe fruit
watch scratchground squirrel stashing loot
the wind is teaching the trees to hymn
*
Ramble bramble, berries black
fringed and dotted with rose hip red
it’s time to ponder and reflect
lonely collar turned up, chill protect
summer is slipping away from you
*
Deepening shades and colours
piccolo piping, toning flute
songsters for winter prepare
a smell of maturing in the air
holding up, as seems, woodman’s smoke
*
But the River Itchen swells
in boastful wisdom he tells us
“tis nothing new, this time of year,
press ever onward with steadfast cheer”
he laps and chuckles at all our rue.
Linnet flora
There is my dove, my love
looking in my window,
leaning on the fence.
speaking to me of times,
of comings to and fro.
*
Where will you make your bed?
what corner have you found?
will lilies be there ?
the song of the blackbird?
far from the citysound.
*
In the distance a dog barks
there must be a reason,
far away warning
we will not hear it
for this is our season.
*
The shade of the apple tree,
his fruit is delicious.
Love’s kindness our wine.
And when the morning comes
waken me with your kiss.
*
I want to see your face,
to hear you sing your song.
Press your cheek to mine
and hold me close to you,
true love will never wrong.
*
In the distance a dog barks,
there must be a reason.
We will not hear it,
nor heed any alarm,
for this is our season.
AND THE MUSIC BY ANDRE VIOLIN
This most simple and loveliest of love songs sung as only Hayley can sing it. With english lyrics.
This song arose in the north of Aukland at the start of world war 1. http://www.maoriweddings.co.nz/hinemoa.html
POKAREKARE ANA
*
They are stirred
the waters of Lake Rotorua
cross over to me girl
for now they are calm
*
Oh girl
return to me
or else I will die
because of my love for you
*
I have written you my letter
I have sent you my ring
so your people can see
that I am troubled
*
Oh girl
return to me
or else I will die
because of my love for you
*
Oh girl
because of my love [for you]
*
For more of Hayley check these links
Linnet flora
A loveliness was found for him,
a tender touch with kindness.
Though he did not know her,
she lay next to his heart
warming the shallow with nestling,
warmth, nothing else could impart.
*
Unlearned gentleness of a girl,
for might was not the needing,
nor a shield from arrows.
Her beauty was to him
through misted vision percieved,
innocence unspoiled by whim.
*
It was the counsel of others
that brought her to his side,
after searching long.
Her warm simplicity
the only gift she had to bring,
that heart with heart agree.
*
soft petal of the morning chill
she lay in darkness under.
The moon’s cold beams allays
sweetly flows the flow.
Her soft breath will not wake him
as she makes his heart her pillow.
Every March Zilker park Texas is host to the greatest kite flying festival in the world
I’ll be flying my kite in Texas
if I can catch the breeze
hang her high in the sky
cut her some slack till she finds her space
and she knows she can please
I’m gonna make her fly
*
Running against the wind in Zilker
watch how I hold the line
see how I make her glide
oh it pleases me to hear her sigh
she makes me feel so fine
take me up by her side
*
We’re flying together now, high in the sky
two birds of a feather now, flying so high
[guitar riff]
We’re flying together now, high in the sky
two birds of a feather now, flying so high
*
She’s got to be mine
she’s just got to be mine.
With youtube link Luciano Pavarotti sings live from the opera.
*
Mimi’s candle has blown out so she knocks on Rudolfo’s door for help to relight it, during which process she loses her key which Rudolfo finds but pockets, he doesn’t want her to leave, in this most beautiful of songs he tells her why.
What a cold little hand
let me warm it for you
what’s the use of looking?
we won’t find it in the dark
lucky for us
it is a moonlit night
and the moon is upon us now
*
Wait young lady
I will tell you in two words
who I am, what I do
and how I live, may I?
*
Who am I? I am a poet
what do I do? I write
How do I live? I live
*
In my carefree poverty
I squander rhymes
and love songs like a lord
when it comes to dreams and visions
and castles in the air
I have the soul of a millionaire
*
Now and again two theives
steal all of the jewels
out of my safe
two pretty eyes
they came in with you just now
and all of my usual dreams
my lovely dreams
melted at once into thin air
*
But I am not angry at the theft
for they have been replaced
replaced by hope
now that you know all about me
tell me all about yourself
please do.
This perhaps the loveliest opera aria from La Boheme by Puccini has never been sung more beautifully than here by Luciano Pavarotti
Added bonus as Pavarotti once again sings live from the opera, this time it’s Tosca. As Mario awaits his execution he writes a farewell letter to his true love Tosca “E lucevan le stelle” with English subtitles.
Watch and listen to Gigli making a record live for the B.B.C. The song Handel’s largo “Ombra mai fu” from Serse sung beautifully by him
Leafwind changes
I’ve seen the wind in the trees
the leaves clap their hands
yes they clap their hands
rejoicing in the breeze
*
I’ve heard the wind in the night
when no eye can see
it’s too dark to see
whispering out of sight
*
I watch the seasons of the year
and it’s moving on
always moving on
it’s your life, hold it dear
*
I see the leaves on the ground
time for them has turned
yes the time has turned
they lay they make no sound
*
Treasure in the hand of one
with eyes that can see
a child’s eye can see
wonder in what’s been done
*
In the deep of winter
trees are plain and bare
no leaves, plain and bare
come spring’s loving tinter
*
So lovely the shelter shade
blackbird finds her home
all birds make their home
such beauty God has made
Linnet flora
A spark from a fire
as it spits in the air
hoverfly bluffing
weaving breeze like a wasp
as long as he dare
*
Pictures in a book
when the pages are flicked
water vole diving
at my approaching tread
the water has quicked
*
The bat’s swerving miss
when the twilight has come
flashing of headlights
from passing by traffic
invading my home
*
Sparkle the sparkling wine
as it touches the air
watched dissipation
tree hiding squirrel
just one or a pair
*
Picture puffs in the clouds
embroidering the sky
imagination
the wind changes their shape
ere message espy.
