Seen and unseen

How the colours change
           before our eyes
greens draining away
           to golds and rust
as the leaves dry in the air
           and detaching
cascade to the earth
           from which they sprang
that eternal cycle
           of life and death

And the eyes have it
           and so we look
to the light in another
           the rods and cones
in the retina
           of the one we love
and there behold
           our own image
the reflection
           that we project

A city is many eyes
           and many intersections
of sight that sustain community
           life that is always undone
until the final breath
           and inherent vision
even in the pitch darkness
           in which a red rose 
remains a blissful rose
           and a kiss a kiss

John Lyons

Before the storm 

These are the days
           of calm before the storm
the dark mornings
           the garden devoid
of flowers and in the air
           one can sense
the fragrance of eternity
           and the beauty
of neverendingness
           birds reluctant
to leave their nests
           lovers their beds
the night trails populated
           with frozen stars

Be mindful of your heart
           and know for whom it beats
Build memories
           to keep you warm
in the winter months
           ahead

John Lyons

Weather

I can take
whatever
the weather
throws at me
it’s the least
of my worries

John Lyons

After the storm

The optical illusion
           of the rainbow
after the storm
           where the sky
leans into the land
           and all of us so generous
in our will to believe
           that somewhere
beyond the horizon
           lies more gold than
we could ever count
           we who live and die
feeding on the air
           that fills our lungs

Let the rains fall
           they will not last
forever and light
           always rules the day
My mind sits behind
           the hollow of my eyes
and there the words
           are formed that celebrate
life’s mysterious beauty
           I count my days
just as I count my steps
           they bring me closer
to you and to all
           that I want
the time we spend together
           a small fortune

John Lyons

Life purpose

The iron in my blood
from the mineral earth
and my iron will
that keeps me going
with mineral purpose

it’s a creative cosmos
and I intend
to play my part
under whatever stars
burn in the firmament

John Lyons

John Lyons