Poetry for Poetry in Pariadise 2014 - What is Love

A poem for Poetry in Paradise of 2014 - What is Love

Poetry for December 2014

What is Love?

From marble top mountains

To a grand plateau

The golden light streams

In infinite reams

Mirrored in your dreams-

Beckoning glorious wonders

Upon the morrow;

Intricate, reeling,

This golden light:

Is this beauty love?

For all to see

Which sets us free?

Or more-

Faith, hope, love,

Charity-

Do these embody love

-for eternity?

We go to other reams-

An aching heart

A dull ache-

Sorrow, sadness,

Joy,  togetherness-

Does this mean love?

Love for a person, or animals,

Friends, family, relatives

Where does love end?

With all good wishes to send-

To a friend.

Love does not end-

It endures,

As seasons come and go

As infinite as the tides

Ebb and flow

Where ripples appear silver

In the moon’s tow

As a bird builds its nest

For its little chicks to rest,

In trees graceful

 and also knowing

Of the seasons

 coming and going;

 giving welcoming shade

and towards the end of day

 lengthening shadow over

sun-kiss’d fields of clover;

the pathway of a golden ray

Glorious in its way;

Love

Delicate as a flower,

A golden daffodil,

In a sea of grass

Untrammelled as a sea-horse

On a rocky mountain pass;

Given to nature

by its stature-

Love which is meant to be,

Strong as a fortress tower

Never wavering, whichever way,

As a beautiful lady and her knight

In a garden bower

Surrounded by flowers of a sweet bouquet

Music, poetry and minstrels play;

Soft as a piano’s silent note

Beautiful as a lark

Of which nature’s seasons wrote

In a Summer’s Arc:

Love which cannot be

contained in the dark;

As the knight

To his lady said,

That, now,

“Thou shall be wed!”-

Summonsed by imagination

A ring of diamond stones

Glittering  bright as any

of queens sitting on thrones;

 Thus the knight

pledges his troth

as was his wont-

 romance, chivalry

  admiration.

Graceful as a swan

On a river of dreams,

 Or a gazelle-

Gracious as in Solomon’s Song;

Beauteous as a lily

In a river throng-

where daisies and buttercups

Lift their faces to the summer sun

This colourful scene:-

And at the end of the day,

Sheltered by night

Cooled by breezes light

They dip their little faces,

 nod in conspiracy

and sagely agree

this lily is the decorative one.

A majestic tree

In a Russian land

Leaves shimmering

 in myriads of patterns

of light-

Burnished gold, sunset colours

Entrancing, enchanting,

As coins tossed and turned

and glimmering

in wayward delight;

A message of love to deliver-

The secret rites of nature.

When the light of a golden dawn

Touches gently upon the tops of trees,

Glimmers on roof-tops,

 over fields and across the lawn

newly sprinkled with drops of dew

Seeing nature itself renew

Then we see beauty from above

The wonder and magic of love.

Colours and Imaginings

A poem for Poetry in Paradise which occurs every month at the Library:

Colours and Imaginings:

The afternoon sunlight

seems so right

if only it would stay

Not turn into night:

the quiet,tranquillity

Bird song and serenity,

it gives hope to my heart

and all the beginnings of a new start:

Pink shadows and grey

A darkening ray-

But a-far and be-yond

By a magical wand

the Sun dips its beam

into the Great Unseen:

Autumn leaves,

They flutter and fall

sweep up my dreams

and gather them all:

Ruby, russett, orange and red

Colours of imagination

wherein I am led.

A beautiful valley

Of Summer Green

the clover, flower,

and grass:

A spectacular scene

And greet in the distance

sweet summer's haze;

beyond the township

dips the soft sun

The light in the meadows

a glimmering one;

A perfumed landscape

As nightfall approaches

this I see

In all my reproaches

A shimmering stream

ultra-green

The beauties of Nature

give a powerful beam:

the contours,

the colours

they glance into Space

Now it is a canopy,

A starlit, wondrous Place;

Oh, this lovely Night-scape!

By candle-light beauty

echoes the Grace

with each little star

flung out into space

And the seasons,

an ever encircling ring

As May flowers bloom in spring;

The soft greens by the River Seine

they seemed to beckon and call my name

but out on the fields is a different scene

Crimson and yellow and bright blue and green;

The echoing distance

the ringing of bells

A picture-page story-book

which often tells

of adventures and romance

the kind which sells:

In distant played memories

My mind perceives

The beauty of this world

which never deceives;

Who knows where it all began?

The stories of life

which travelled on the winds,

in the currents of streams

whispered in leaves

and reached different shores

North, south, east or west

in the Great Plan:

As oft in my day-dreams

the colours return

Soft greens of a vineyard,

Do colours play tricks?

In my mind,

backwards and forwards

Colours behold!

Beauty magnified

in colours re-run

At the setting of a Sun;

Crimson starlight, pink and blue

Purple, orange, every hue;

Colours of the World,

I say

A beauty of Art

Peace of the World

I pray

And a new start

Peace in my Heart:

the colours and imaginings

Grace plays its part;

Soft glimmering hopes

my last wishing stance

the wonders of Nature

give a Second Chance

for peace, harmony,

beauty tranquillity.

The Knight and his Lady

“The Knight and his Lady” is a poem which

I wrote for Australia Day poetry. A poem

was required with an Australian flavour for

the Australia Day poetry of Poetry in Paradise

group.  I also think of the poem as The Lady

and her Knight.

This poem has also been included in Joan Small's

e-book of poetry for Australia Day from poets of

Poetry in Paradise which Joan has

very kindly put together.

I include the poem here and there were a few late minute

revisions and editing which have not been included in

the e-book version of my poem. The last paragraph

unfortunately has been omitted. This may have been due to

time pressures.

The Knight and his Lady

And in this land of great contrasts,

where ocean swells and sunset spells

cast magic over the gathering night

purple mountains and crimson light

the outback, desert, storm weathered trees

and silent plains,

in silhouette

enduring beauty lasts;-

Where birds of great plumage

Stir in trees, sparking colours

in the breeze

And a golden daffodil sways on a hill

And a little gold-fish swims in a pool so still

And out of the darkness reached this light

A golden beam ever bright

The Knight and his Lady

from the Night;

The Knight and his Lady

from distant times:

His bow was courteous

And her curtsy swept the floor:

“Oh, My Lord! Is it really you?

Did you not know that I was ever true?”

A horse so sturdy from the land,

Bedecked in colours from his hand

In majestic circles pawed the ground

This one time the Knight was found:

In the Lady's dreams or not?

For down through the ages

Bereft or still

The Lady dreamt of her Knight!

And today, in Australia

on these golden shores

Where the sea-gulls

echo, and cry and soar

Where azure skies do meet the sea

and the sand glistens, mesmerising, beautiful

And the lady on the shore

Looks out as before:

Awaiting her Knight

From old-time lore:-

This Knight and the Lady

presently met

Where from old times

they always went

And time together

was often spent;

Now in passing

She wonders why

The Lord and his Lady-

The times went by:

Now in increasing shadows and loneliness

The Lady reasons with her Knight

Why from Australia must they flee in flight?

A beauteous country,

Australia IS:

If only there is room for the Lady and her Knight:

God speed and good wishes for the Lady and her Knight:

A beauteous dream if there ever be:

A good Lady and her courtly knight:

From the casement windows of a keep

The Lady sees the contours and the sheep

As it was in England after a long sleep:

“ Oh, My Lord, is it really you?

I sang your praises loud and true:

I watched as sunlight glinted bright

And the Heavens gleamed in a starry night:

And the birds would echo, arch and soar

flap golden wings

ocean flecked spray and sunlight as before:”

There from the shadows

Spied she

The Knight's bright carriages

and entourage,

They travelled far

in these wind-swept times;

Songs of love

and distant shows

Courtly minstrels recited poetry

As evening glows:

How far we've come

to a distant shore:-

the land of blizzards

and temperate clime

Where the eels and lizzards

find their space

From the space of another time;

Now in the evening glow

As fire-light crackles

And the sparks do jump

With great forests of ever-green:

The Lord and his Lady enjoy the scene:

As their life has once been

Now will they

their lives redeem:

“My Lord, for you

I would always care-

This I knew

For many a year.”

Good luck, good wishes

and all the best

Now for a love ever blessed:

God in his mercy

looks down from above

Sees the beauty of enduring love.

I would also like to wish everyone a Happy New Year

for 2012 and hope that this year is a good year.

I have also been fortunate to find two wonderful books

with illustrations by Pro Hart of poetry of Banjo Patterson

and Henry Lawson which I will enjoy reading which was

available at a sale. 

I once also found the wonderful book of

"The Sun-King's Garden" by Ian 

which is a magnificent illustrated

book from a sale at Australia Fair.

For an e-book of Australian Poetry for Australia Day

from Poetry in Paradise please refer to Joan Small's

link for the free download: A Kaleidoscope of Aussie Poetry:

http://joansmallpoetryandbooks.com/poetry_in_paradise.html

Best wishes from Sandra

Poetry in Paradise

Poetry in Paradise was

again a delight and wonder to listen to

the poetry recited by talented poets of

the group.

From attending these sessions each month

I believe that I am gaining more insights and

broadening my horizons and scope for what is

possible in the field of poetry. I also enjoy recitals

given of bush poets, for example, Banjo

Patterson and Henry Lawson. These poems certainly

are special from well known poets who had a love for

the outback of Australia.

I enjoyed listening to Marta's poem about words being

like people and harmonise as people do in a

marriage.

All quite fascinating!

Vincent's poem was quite poignant and descriptive about a dolphin who

longed for a distant sea.

I look forward to more Poetry in Paradise meetings next year.

It is also a wonderful get-together where social occasions have

been included this year as with Banjo's camp-fire poetry and

Joan Small's Hawaii -theme Celebration Party.

Best wishes

Campfire Poetry

Poetry in Paradise celebrated a wonderful

evening with poetry under the moon and stars in the

wilderness area and mountains of Mudgeeraba

on the Gold Coast.

An enjoyable evening was had by all with some

wonderful renditions of poetry. Bush poetry is

often a favourite of the group of Poetry in Paradise.

Lovely damper cakes (similar to rock cakes with raisins) had been freshly baked by Dawn and

the evening was quite enjoyable.

Banjo may put on a similar camp fire poetry evening

next year, depending on the level of interest of the group.

There was a very good turn out with wonderful friendly folk.

Poetry by night was very nice

and the evening was cool and clear.

For further information Joan Small also has a link regarding the

Campfire Poetry Evening: a fascinating time:

http://www.joansmall.com/2011/11/08/energize-your-life-with-variety-poetry-campfire/

Don't Fence Me In and A Visit to the Park

Once again the poetry of Banjo Patterson and Henry Lawson proves popular
at Poetry in Paradise which was held at the library in the week-end.  These
poets wrote bush poetry of Australia and stories of the outback which is a
popular genre.

I include two poems which I wrote for the occasion.
(For poems of Versailles, please refer to earlier postings.)

I have commenced reading the powerful novel of Joan of Arc and read to
chapter 25 last night.  I will continue reading this riveting story and write a
review later.  The book
is "The Maid" by Kimberly Cutter and this is powerful writing indeed!  I
am finding the book enjoyable to read as it is set in early times in rural France,
 Domremy, the little village where Joan of Arc grew up with her family.
I love books which are set in France and also enjoyed reading of the early years
of Louise de la Valliere in rural French towns and villages in the Loire region
of France and Paris in Sandra Gulland's
novel of "Mistress of the Sun."

I sometimes think I would like to write a novel.  The  standard of writing by
new and contemporary writers is quite extraordinary. I am always impressed.

Don't Fence Me In

 

What a wonderful song!

A reminder of old times round a piano

A sing-song

Don't Fence Me In:

The Song would go

From a long time ago:

I think of beautiful meadows

where elk and deer roam free

Tall grasses, wild swan

And trees of glorious colour would see

And the antelope chases down a mountain stream

The Song of the antelope

As a dream

Wild nature at its best

Natural environment forms the rest;

Shingle pathways with wild flowers

Swaying in the breeze

fields and fields of corn and maize

and in the distance

a setting sun

glimmering in its haze-

A Sun's haze-

beautiful, enduring

creating a golden landscape

of spectacle;

The darkening shadows

The land at Sun-fall

Or-

an eclipse, a Star-light glimpse,

where Earth and Sun and Moon collide

“Now you see me,

Now you don't”-

In a magical Earth-like slide

And the Sun and the Moon do glide

In glorious wonder from Heaven's side

“Oh, to be a fairy on a magical Moon trip ride”

Through the celestial stars and skies so wide:

Nature and magic

It is so blessed

A beauteous world

golden, carressed;

Glimpsed with wonder in my eyes

The sparkling lights of Texas lie

Flying across American skies:

So beautiful for sure

This wondrous world

with sights unfurled;

“Beauty” and “Light”

Falls within

and falls without-

Now we know what the Song's about

“Don't Fence Me In.”

As the seasons are now changing and on the

Gold Coast the spring colours are quite vibrant,

noticeable and beautiful I will take some more

pictures and post some of the photos.

Next poem:

Visiting the Park

Visiting the Park

spring colours

Bright and stark.

Oranges, yellows

greens and blue

In shades and shadows

Budding flowers of every hue-

What a gift of nature be

Glorious in majesty:-

Lilies on a gleaming pond

Star-light, Star-bright

A glittering Sun:-

ducklings, starlings

can be found;

In trees of ever-green

bird song echoes

a magical sound

swirling in a care-free scene:

A beauteous light

Patterned bright

sets the scene:

A world is free:-

And here it was

that a golden friend

was met be chance

came across my path:

For as the day

deepened and became dark

He needed shelter from the park:

Golden labrador,

that he was-

His name “Amber” was because:

Amber eyes with golden coat

Knew instructions as by rote:

“Sit Down,

Come here.”-

Friendly, happy

socialised

As with people

he could cope:

Such a good boy

A cherished friend

And to his home

I had to send.

Two Poems

Two Poems

House of Banjo Paterson in his earlier years: Gladesville Cottage at Rockend:

A home of Banjo Paterson from wikipedia

Cover for Banjo Paterson's published works from wikipedia:

Poetry in Paradise offered a one hour workshop where

Joan Small and Jean Watson kindly gave of their time to assist with

rhythm and rhyme in poetry.

I found this session helpful and inspiring.

Poetry in Paradise has now been going

for seven years and I have enjoyed attending many of the sessions
in the past year which are held once a month in the library at the Gold Coast.

Poetry was considered for the syllables and stress

in a line and for the rhyme.

Metre was looked at in traditional poetry. The pattern of the metre

and the stressed syllables remain the same and the pattern repeats itself, especially

in bush poetry:

“Bob” by Henry Kendall, “Oh, Tell Me” by Henry Kendall and “The Man”

by A B Paterson was given on Jean Watson's worksheet regarding metre in

traditional poetry.

Sometimes poets do exercise poetic licence.

Sample poetry of rhyme by Banjo Paterson, “Clancy of the Overflow” was given

on Joan Small's worksheet of rhyme in poetry.

“Clancy of the Overflow” is a brilliant piece

of poetry which is wonderful.

It is also beautiful with evocative descriptions of the rural settings of

Australia.

The rhyming pattern of “If” by Rudyard

Kipling and

Poetry by A B Milne, “Us Two,” was considered.

Banjo Paterson is a famous bush poet

whose works are popular. I once found it interesting to read

about his life. He became a lawyer. He was also a journalist, soldier, reporter. He must have loved the outback of Australia very much. He returned to the rural life.

I have two poems which I contributed to read at Poetry in Paradise this week: A Distant River and

The Artist and the Writer.

My earlier poem

of Paris was read at an earlier session of Poetry in Paradise and is to be found in an ealier post of

The Land of Colour. (In Joan Smalls article from Poetry in Paradise, a poem of Paris is mentioned.)

Earlier poems of the entertainments and fetes which were held at Versailles are on earlier posts of

Magical Enchantments, as also poems of Louise de la Valliere, Madame de Montespan and Madame

de Maintenon and of Versailles.

When I next return to France and visit Versailles and also Venice I hope to be inspsired to perhaps write

more poetry, travel writing or even at some stage start on a novel. I do love these places.

A Distant River

A distant river meanders through the wastes of time

As a distant mirror

reflected by the Sun's rays

A sign;

And the weeping willows from a distant shore

Can tell of stories from before:

slowly, ever so slowly,

does the mirror tilt

glance backwards

And reflects a scene:

A horseman racing

across a plain,

The story, as ever,

is often the same:

Of mighty armies clashing

in a gilded light;

The sun-swept moors

and a victor's delight;

The river meanders down

from snow swept heights

Melting snows and ice upon its way

Tinkling down the old path-way;

The sights and sounds of the Siberian Steppe

The ice-bound travellers, cold mountain air

and images kept,

hardships upon the snowy plain:

As prospectors painstakingly sweep a river plain

Looking for gold with the next rain

A hint of a distant image

And the horseman rides by:

A glimpse in time

From a distant river

flowing by:-

In star-spangled light

the birds take flight

In an uproarious glorious din

And the forest echoes within;

A horse whinnies in its fright

Whizzing arrows find soldiers in their plight

Who knows from where they come?

Better the sight of birds in flight

Than an army in all its might

under the glittering sun;

Better the sight

of Nature Bright

Than a glint of steel on white.

The Artist and The Writer

Apollo rides his golden chariot

across stormy seas

Heavenly hoofs beat upon the sand

Glistening and turning

Surf waves churning

A star fish glistens beneath the surf

Showing its significance for what it's worth!

These are the things which I am longing for

All on a distant shore:

The writer picks up his pen

Describes the beauty of the glen;

the sun glinting shadows

and softly green meadows

seen from his writer's den;

The artist with his brush -strokes can

Paint the picture

at first hand,

A grain of sand

An elephant in a circus band

The leaves of trees swaying gently

in a breeze;

All these things of beauty see

Committed to memory:

The sun bursts forth upon the page

Pictures from another age

Admired, shown upon a stage;

Hear the bells from up on high

See the chimes up in the sky

Purple and blue and every hue

Describing an evening dew:

Migratory birds on a wing do cry

Ducks shuffle their feathers in all weather

Colours with magic and music allure

Now with notes the picture endures

The colours of nature in every age;

The sun in its golden haze

Seems to beckon and call

for the thrill

of beauty in all its ways:

O My Angel Light

Giving us such great delight!

And on through the night

your beauty endures

With your soft allure:

With a golden sunset

and a moon which is met

with diamond light,

golden and bright,

over a soft verdure.

O My Angel, Angel Light

Heaven's helper, God's delight!

Shine forth your beauty upon the night

With the silent orb of a moonlit sight:

Golden lights upon the leaves

Glinting and shifting in the breeze

Stretching onwards as far as the eye can see

Heaven's sights upon the trees

Singing stories amongst the leaves

Shimmering magic as they weave:

Gliding gracefully through the pale

Slanting rapidly across the dale

To the distant mists of the furtherest vale

A sunset glimpse of a rainbow tale:

The writer and artist

can capture the sight

In all of its glorious might:

So set on a trail

which cannot fail

to find this Angel Light:

My Angel Light

So bright and pure

A conflicting world's

Angel's cure.