The love you hold in your hand
hold on to, for just a moment,
add to it the nectar dewdrops of dawn,
warm its quivering shoulders
with the shawl of the morning light,
round out prickly edges
with the peaking tides of the full-orbed moon —
Only then afterwards
may you open the lotus hand,
unravel the fragrance of pink petals,
caress the breath-light feathers,
watch the wings soar skybound
towards sun and shadow,
beyond the green and blue.
D. G. Vachal © 2013
lilies, sparrows and grass 
Absolutely stunning! Thank you. Karen
Thank you Karen. All my best, Dee
Why the can’t people see the beauty of a hand!? Especially Christ’s hands pierced? This is an embrace in elfish delicacy! BEAUTIFUL ~ beyond any Whitman! Merry Christmas sweet Dee~xo Faithfully Debbie
Ah, dear Debbie, you add the ethereal dimension of Christ’s pierced hand, the quintessential expression of the sacrifice of Love, perfect love defined, embodied in flesh and Who once dwelt amongst us! Thank you, Debbie — as regards Whitman, you are so kind. Merry Christmas, beautiful Debbie. Love, Dee
Metaphorical throughout and sprouting out like a gentle sunglow to shroud the lands below.
A love in hand, to be truly relished – savour and release – watch it gain it’s freedom and return willingly, drawn by your love.
These thoughts rippled through as I read your words.
Peace and blessings,
Eric
What a beautiful interpretation on this piece, Eric, which also reflects my first impulse when I first penned the words. Your commentary is poetry in and of itself. Thank you as always for your presence.
Peace and blessings,
Dee
Your poem is exquisite! It reminded me of my son Ian, as I watched him grow, he was always so amazed with every detail of his hand, he would hold it before his eyes and turn it every possible way and just smile a deep smile with his dark beautiful black eyes! Always a true blessing to visit you. Wonderfully done Dee…you have that gift to provoke thoughts, and touch hearts and minds always! God bless!
Oh how precious are your childhood memories of your son, Wendell! I can almost picture Ian’s laughter and joy at beholding his hand, filled with wonder. Thank you so much for sharing these sweet moments with us. And your visit is always a true blessing to me! Thank you for your kind words about this poem, and I am humbled by that gift you refer to. May I always use it for His glory! Blessings, Dee
I am not a poet and feel at a loss to describe the ethereal transcendence of this poem. I have returned again and again to read it, it is so uplifting. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us, Dee. We are truly blessed. Wishing you and your cherished ones a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Vivian
Dear Vivian,
I am so touched that you read this poem several times and found it so uplifting. The words came to me by surprise last night, bubbling up inside me while I was in the shower. The images in my mind were so vivid, and I had to run to the computer to write them down. This is one of the pieces that did not require many iterations of editing, but just somehow fell quickly into place.
I, too, wish you and your loved ones a wonderful Christmas and a blessed, Happy New Year! Dee
Love when new does quiver and shake as its blooms, as it buds and blossoms becomes stronger and tangible and takes form. It is the mightiest force when full grown. There is an actor, Shah Rukh Khan, a well known romance artist in Indian movies (not to be too mundane) who has his hand shake when first finding love– such a powerful visual cue for the mighty force of love. He does not kiss but by his shaking hand shows the budding of love.
How beautifully you speak the truth about Love, Ellen, from “a quivering bud to a strong, tangible bloom’. Thank you for sharing the anecdote about Shah Rukh, on how he uses his hand shake when first finding love. Wow! The budding of love symbolized by his shaking hand. That is truly profoundly beautiful. All my best, Dee
Yes, it is beautiful how a trembling hand can convey love. He is a beautiful person whom I greatly admire and I might say the same of you and your work!
Thank you so much, Ellen, and I say the same of you and your work as well. Blessings, Dee
This is beautiful, Dee. It has a soft sensual feel to it, but beyond that, it speaks to truth and freedom. It speaks to grace. There is a majesty to your descriptions that speaks to every heart differently. I am blessed that it speaks to me. ~ Love you. ~ Bobbie
Dearest Bobbie, I am humbled to be a messenger of truth, freedom and grace, and doubly blessed that this piece speaks to your heart. Love always, Dee
always………..always…………love
Your poetry is so beautiful, dear Dee. You touch my heart, as always. Praying that you are enjoying all the blessings of the Christmas season. Love and Peace from Izzy
Thank you so much Lizzy! I wish you all the joys and wonders of the Christmas season. Love and peace, Dee