An abstract life

Here in this stormy canvas
           are elements of my life
the deep earth colours
           from which I emerged
with streaks of green
           and yellow and orange
and a crimson patch
           of the blood I have given
to my art and poetry :
           out of raw sienna
and umber a narrative
           of lamp black and Prussian
blue and swathes of white
           that represent steadfast
love and hope in the midst
           unseasonal chaos

John Lyons