The boilerhouse

It’s not just that astrophysics
         has a bearing on our lives
we are astrophysical beings
         through and through
we are the flowers of the universe
         we are life that mutates
into more and more life
         into ever more complex life
into generation after subtle
         generation of life

and love is the building block
         the simplicity beneath the surface
and the sunlight in your eyes
         is neither cliché
nor sentimental schmaltz
         it is literally the light
that comes from the sun

the beautiful bouquet of irises
         that stands on the table
in your home down by the river
         is caught in the iris of your eye
because beauty is self-referential
         self-reverential : the white petals
slowly open to fulfil
         the promise of intimacy
their delicate beauty
         inviting the iris in
deeper and deeper
         the gentle curve
of the soft floral flesh
         that leads you on 
and in to the very heart

John Lyons