Today’s stars say
that I should do nothing
that I should relax
that I’ve been working
too hard and that I need
to take a break
to chill out
let time off the leash
and hang loose
not get worked up
about a single thing
today’s stars say
that I’m at risk
of burnout
that I’ve been pushing
myself too hard
taking life too seriously
working my fingers
to the bone
and that I need
to learn a little
Latin mañana
so I will
John Lyons
I shall work
on my poetry
make it real
fill it with breath
warm blood
a thumping heart
eyes open
as I walk through
Dante’s Inferno
learn as much
as I can
pray for inspiration
and a keen sense
of silence
John Lyons
Time of itself
no significant changes
my time is not your time
we each carry our own load
I could even say lode
Time and what you make of it
the wish to change
and the will to change
the energies that we apply
to the process of change
or stasis
and time-resistance
no wish and no will
to change and each year
as the year before
and life a constant
duplication of the previous
or do I repeat myself
the steps we take
that you and I take
to renew and refresh
to break through
the time-barrier
Turner on Margate beach
sand under his feet
sailed through time
applied fire to his canvas
held eternity at bay
if only for a while
all for his art
John Lyons
Love is not over
love that comes
with soft touch
and gentle words
love is not over
The eyes search
and the hands reach
and all the senses
are alive in expectation
Love’s sweet perfume
fills the air
thrills the heart
is there in the memory
of what will always be
wholesome love
that delights
in the pleasure
of another
The simplicity of love
defies the convoluted
beauty of roses
the levity of butterflies
it is the life-breath of stars :
No — love is not over
John Lyons
The slow drizzle at daybreak
condensation on the skylight
the wet roofs of houses
and the stillness and the silence
The words that are a poem
of themselves their syllables
evoking a moment and a mood
: the actor who aged into the role
of King Lear his face a rough
wasteland of stubbled flesh
September with its misty tableaux
its clouds of ghosts its muffled sounds
a pronounced change in the air
the wilds the storm the wintry night
John Lyons
Ever undiscouraged
resolute
the soul struggles
grapples with the mystery
of all earth’s ages
old and new
eyes and ears
eager
but the soul ever dissatisfied
curious
but unconvinced
the same struggle
the same battle
down the years
leaves of grass
in the searing wind
John Lyons
Red-tinged clouds
and the light fading fast
From my window a flat
two-dimensional landscape
Crows cawing en route to their nests
I wonder where that might be
Evening settles in
calms my mind
the day’s concerns laid aside
for the day
Wind is forecast
several blustery days
to shake down the trees
Autumn leaves : year after year
the same patterns repeated
The harvests are in
the bare earth tilled
orchards heavy
with apple and pear
waiting to be picked
John Lyons
Today’s poem is an edited version of a poem posted yesterday evening
