Tag: Nature

Ripple

Ripple

How many pages of time have fallen like leaves
shaken from oaks by autumn winds —

You came from a distant land
fragrant
with plum blossoms,
where weeping willows shed their tears
upon the lakes,
and bamboo groves rustle love songs
in the summer breeze —

I remember

late afternoon by a lagoon so long ago,
into the water you threw a pebble,
concentric circles carved in liquid,
widened  into forever,
flowed into the oceans,
kissed the setting sun.

I remember

you gave me a name,
inscribed in ink:
two characters in graceful dance,
as you pointed to the circles,
the ripple you awakened
with the pebble in your hand.

I have forgotten

the rainbow,
the butterfly by that lagoon so long ago,
and milky water lilies sprightly with scarlet hearts,
for a thousand footsteps have carried us miles away,
to separate continents,
other loves.

by D. G. V. © 2012

*** Photography by Oleg Dmitriev, Circles on the water

A Fragrant Place

A Fragrant Place

Let us go to the calling fields,
for the grove is pregnant with olives
ripe with rainbow
shades of purple, and celadon
pearls enter the race,
awakened from dreams
of yellow blossoms,
butterflies
and bees.

O bring me rinds of bergamot,
mandarin and lime,
branches of cedar
and sandalwood,
lemongrass —
and in the clearing
build a fire
for my kettle
of perfume.

Let the scents simmer
while with the sun
we walk the day,
but remember the pathways,
twists of trails,
faces of forests —
take me back
to that fragrant place
when twilight falls.

by D. G. V. © 2012