ruthpartridge

The Moon through Fog

Through dense fog she shines;Her hollow lightPiercing the gloom, Soft lustred; Turning grey to blush pink Like cotton candy spun with golden thread,IncandescentTo central orb.

Exploring this Japanese form to describe my winter visitors – a little flock of Long tailed tits that fly across each morning to the feeders right at the top of the garden by the field – never near the house. They are so trusting and come far closer than any other birds. Waiting… Watchful andContinue reading “Quintrain”

Faraway Lane

Undulating with twist and turnSnake like It stretches out beforeSteeply banked on either sideAfforded by An occasional glimpsePunctuating the lineAs gatewaysOpen Across the valley slopesSoft green and pastoralTo the filigreed trees on the Opposite ridgeBefore leaningOnce again Into the depths of the sunken world FootwornDark and closed Deep and secluded where air is stilled HiddenWithContinue reading “Faraway Lane”

Into a new beginning

Punctually, without slowing The world on axis turnsResolute with resolutions non affirming In silence spins its cadenceundeterred Across the world A global celebrationAs fireworks light the darkness of the skies As from Pacific to the North Atlantic The calendar turns,the date baptised. And so I wish you a Happy New Year

Into this Night

Stratus and silhouetteA feint glow over the western skyA distant nod to encroaching urban sprawlDefining the line Like a dragon’s backThe moorland ridgeSets solidityUnder the wideness of the skyAnchoring the landSilence and reverential stillnessPervade the nightOnly the softest of breathOf the sleeping worldWhispers of memories Spill across the pillowAs slumber is stirredYet nothing movesThe wallsContinue reading “Into this Night”

In Melchior’s path

In curious pursuit of frankincense Resin pure like goldFingers trace the spines of ancient booksSpan continents through age and time Apothecaries of old take venerable ways and newWoody tones and spices blendMystical distillation to essential oilMysterious cure in inflammatory responseElicitation from astrologers sphereCarried to the cribGreat in mystery of faithWorship and offering divinePerfumed incense waftedContinue reading “In Melchior’s path”

Crafted by the typist beside the River Thames

I came across two lovely men sat beside the River Thames, beside the Globe Theatre ( Shakespeare’s place) with vintage typewriters tapping away with rhythm. Beside them a stand . Poet for hire – give whatever you feel. We talked a little I chose the thoughts: faith, hope and love and he wrote silently forContinue reading “Crafted by the typist beside the River Thames”

Remembrance – Silence

Silence at the cenotaph All along the widest street Silence in the churches At 11, the people meetSilence in the poppiesGrown on Flanders’s fieldsWorn with pride with medalsMemories slow to heal Silence on the SommeNo rifle shot was heardSilence that was frightening Silence that was fearedSilence causing numbnessSilence causing pain Death before the silence ThereafterHopeContinue reading “Remembrance – Silence”

There’s an art to it

There’s an art to it:exploring,looking making the mostnot thinking the least.There’s an art to it:simplicity Stripping backNot striving for moreobserving what’s there imagining what’s not.Pared back simplicity:to be in the momentNot fretting the past or what is to come There’s an art to it:to find stillnessto be there in the moment to be.

Sonnet- Autumn

If I could slow the moving tide of Autumn, Stop each and every leaf prepared to fall;Would I miss the fading hues verbatim,The beauty in the colours of perennials tall?Chattering, the swallows meet too soon to fly;Patterned forms stir beauty in striation; The buzzard shrieks an urgency of cry;Across open land, a shadowed murmuration. HowContinue reading “Sonnet- Autumn”