Calliope's Carousel - 4. April 28th - April 31st

28. To the Green

All the world has gone green—

the grass and forest floor,

new budded rose bushes,

rising peas and parsley,

old stones and fallen trunks

with new moss coats to wear,

and spear-sprouted iris

from their old, gnarled rhizomes—

every tree and flower

waves spring’s royal banner,

adorned with their accents

like purple for vinca,

grey for sage and hemlock,

and trout lily’s bold yellows,

all shouting for the bees’

distracted attentions

in a rising green sea.

29. Clouds

Just one cloud

cannot float on its own

without looking about for its friends

to summon them on the west wind to race the sun

across a rain-washed, crystal blue sky

and wrestle in a pile

on the ridge.

~~

Before the sun has any thought to rise

the clouds their calculus begin to weigh

and from the wind’s direction they surmise

what fortune they might bring below that day.

Perhaps they dream of drifting without aim,

bereft of need to carry rain or snow,

or possibly an afternoon-ish game

of threatening an epic lighting show.

I wonder if your visions are like theirs,

by idleness or flashing rage designed,

but better stripped of all our worldly cares

that we might be to one embrace inclined.

Like clouds that settle into earth’s caress

let us, entwined, each other’s body bless.

30. A Melville Sea Song

How wide is the water,

how far must I go

to find my dear true love

in a world full of woe?

Oh, wide is the water,

Oh, deep is the sea

To search out his castle

Where e’er it may be.

How wide is the water,

how far must I sail

to find my love’s harbor

far away from the gale?

Oh, wide is the water,

the journey is far

where it’s safe from the storm

you must follow his star.

How wide is the water,

how swift is the tide

that will carry me o’er

till I lie by his side?

Oh, wide is the water,

yet love’s currents race

past deep tossing tempests

to your lover’s embrace.

31. Spring Signs

The Carolina wren

Perches on a bare ash branch

With its tail cocked up

To scold bold robins which feed

Amidst the dandelions.

As the sunset fades

the wood thrush takes up its song

which rings through the trees

to work a springtime magic

and bring out the shining stars.

The first hot spring day

the gnats emerge from hiding

in their creekside beds

and rise in clouds by the field

to feed returning warblers.