It’s in our nature
       for the mind to turn
constantly
       to the body

In the midst of infinities
       we breathe the specifics
of our senses
       the actual here and now
that the eye catches
       the complex simplicities
all around us
       all within us

a sparrow’s wing
       a rose petal
a face loved
       for its eternal smile

Our constitution is founded
       on the pursuit of beauty
which in turn is truth
       which in turn
is happiness –
       sadness only erupts
when beauty is betrayed
       by untruths

Intensity is a virtue
       so that we deliver
the essence of ourselves
       in the purity of our desire
when one body
       turns to another

John Lyons

House sparrow

The humble house sparrow
           measures rarely more
than six inches and weighs
           under a couple of ounces
the females are pale brown
           and grey while the males
have striking black and white
           and brown markings

From Aphrodite to Egyptian glyphs
            to a Palestinian parable
who has ever seen
           a sparrow fall ?

John Lyons