Alchemy of the natural world

Alchemy of the natural world

Through my window
           I see it this way : the world
in its winter wardrobe
           the bright berries gone
the hanging fruit all picked
           green turned to rust and gold
a dampness in the atmosphere
           the lawn overgrown
across which squirrels and foxes
           move with greater stealth

I see it not as an end
           or as a failure
but more of a tactical retreat
           in preparation
for all the beauty entailed
           in the spring offensive

John Lyons

 

Obedience to the world’s business

Obedience to the world’s business

Obedience to the world’s business
what is that ?

and what of our nature ?
it should be the simplest of things

this drawing in and out of breath
a voice in tune with our emotions

the beating heart drawn
irresistibly towards love

to observe and to admire
how she moves

within the aura of beauty
What special purpose is ours

other than to be
the embodiment of love ?

John Lyons

A magpie perched

A magpie perched

Trick or treat
           beauty or truth
body and soul
           so the voice goes
a magpie perched
           on the branch
of an apple tree
           pecks at the fruit
and the branch rocks
           and the wind rises
through this suburban
           universe

Light captured
           in autumn colours
a flurry of rusty leaves
           falling through
the wintry air
           a love so deep
so satisfying
           a love to die for
a love that makes
           life worth living
The magpie picks
           at the sour fruit
will never know
           of the joy that runs
through my heart
           trick or treat

John Lyons

A little light on love

network
Atomic flesh, John Lyons (40 x 40 cm, oil on canvas)

A little light on love

Physics tells us so much
           about our bodies
that they are formed
           from restless energies
that movement
           is fundamental
to every aspect
           of the universe
that our souls
           were forged
in the very origins
           of time

that expansion
           versus contraction
is the developmental
           paradox of the whole
of creation
           down to the pulsating
chambers of our hearts
           and that gravity
is an expression of love
           drawing one person
irresistibly
           close to another

John Lyons

 

Particles of being

Particles of being

When was it
              Wallace asks
that the particles became
              the whole man ?

Whose hand shaped the clay
              into what became
the Grecian urn ?
               Clay working upon clay
Whose hand hardened it
              in the fire
so that it would be there
              for all time ?

A breathing human passion 
               The energy to create
and so direct those energies
              to a precise purpose
earth to earthenware
              clay to Keats
poet to poetry
              truth to beauty

John Lyons

 

 

John Lyons

 

Birthday in Rushden

Birthday in Rushden

Where you took
           your first breath
and all that has
           happened since
the laughter
           and the tears

those you have
           known and loved
your eyes alert
           to the slightest
act of tenderness
           Where your limbs
first stirred
           and where
from time to time
           your thoughts return

On each occasion
           you feel the same
you feel different
           knowing that you too
in spirit and in the flesh
           are deeply loved

John Lyons

 

A mind of winter

A mind of winter

Today I have
           a mind of winter
a heavy frost overnight
           has coated the cars
with freezing ice
           and the glazed paths
are treacherous
           underfoot
as I make my way
           down to the station

now is no time to slip
           and break a bone
in the darkness
           A mind of winter
in which all things
           fall back to the earth
trees stripped bare
           to reveal hidden nests
a world it would seem
           in disarray
in which things end
           the only warmth
to be found
           in the arms
of the one I love
           the one I love

John Lyons

 

Art everlasting

flowers on blue
Flowers on blue background

Art everlasting

These frail flowers
           a figment
of the imagination
           nothing real
or accurate
           or even precise
or well-executed
           mere pigment
on a wooden base
           but not a single rose
or peony or petunia
           or daffodil
will outlive this
           notional posy

John Lyons

A love bouquet

suggestion_flowers
Love bouquet, John Lyons (oil on wood)

A love bouquet

The mere suggestion
           will suffice
when it comes
           to art
the form
           inseparable
from the content
           shapes we carry
in the memory
           things associated
with multiple purposes
           the detailing
of the expression
           of feelings
a simple bouquet
           for my love

John Lyons


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