Let that be a lesson

The mind brought
           to its knees
by the body
           will rise again
when the soul heals
           Knowledge
only of the self
           but love steps out
of the comfort zone
           takes risks
will hazard a guess
           takes no no
for an answer
           just as the deer
flees across the hills
           leaps over springs
hides within thickets
           the hunter follows
in hot pursuit
           until the prize is taken

The mind can harbour
           only so many thoughts
only so many
           mixed emotions
but love has its separate
           ways and means
and will never
           accept defeat

John Lyons

Seen at sunset

In the early evening sun
the fox stands on its shadow

on the garden wall
it turns this way and that

assessing its options
which are infinite and

it hasn’t a care in the world
much like me !

John Lyons

What is there on this earth

What is there on this earth
           that is not of this earth
and what profusion of identities
           from a single source

Every temper and temperament
           under the sun is here
and all things cohere and coalesce
           and all things increase
and all things diminish
           all caught in the curve ball
of time so that age goes
           before beauty

and we are bold enough to ask
           how old is eternity
how wide infinity
           and question all
that the earth affirms
           knowing that our every step
will be counted
           that all our actions
will be judged
           and with every failure to love
our souls will be marked down
           for all time

John Lyons

A poem for Sunday

To see as love sees
           to be as love is :
all that is enmity
           or division
detracts from our
           humanity
the smile is fired
           by flames
the kiss and caress
           the same

That no love
           is ever lost
is a cosmic law
           the literal sunlight
in her eyes
           is living proof

To the meadow
           I returned and found it
transformed into a carpet
           of lush dandelions
and delicate daisies
           their vibrant colours
owing all to the light
           that lights our lives

John Lyons