Tulips

Tulips

give us lessons in dying

the beauty of sink, drop

fall, every day they move

closer to loss approaching

from another angle, testing

what's left of their light

always beautifully tulip.

Flowers

My birthday, house full

of flowers and cards

each one a small thing

together reminders

that great love is made

of many small things.

Marmalade

I thought I had nothing to show

for January's long dark days

but then remembered the house

was full of the scent of oranges,

that I'd stirred bitterness and sweetness

together, as grandmother always did -

the full jars gleam with light and memories.

Flame

Stippled with flame
the great fish of the sky
flashes its silver-pink belly

it’s a new day, again, luminous
we, it and the fish swim, sun-
dappled across the wide ocean of sky.

16th February 2010