I stood here once before
on this waltzing floor
deserted by the petals —
upon the frockless windows
zirconias congregate in constellation
patterns,
beyond the glass the skeletal
boughs bend
with the watchet wind.
the balance sheet bleeds white
as yesterday’s snow, air-crisp
against the seeping eastern light —
reluctant legs lunge
from the starting line
once again.
D. G. Vachal © 2014
*** Photography: Reflect by Mikhail Tkachev
November the Penultimate
Never was a month so motley in its days:
November, penultimate month
of a year that frames the seasons,
when the leaves in early days
turn to brightest garnet,
a blazing topaz,
illuminated gold —
The latter days come
with the fire of the winds,
and the burning leaves take the plunge
from infernal towers of the branches
to the burial grounds of a gun-
metal, brumal earth —
November, November,
calves ache from the marathon,
hearts pound the door
to another December
When holly berries huddle upon the petals
of the soft-spoken snow,
and the fallen leaves breathe again
at the sound of the carols of the children,
the children rejoicing.
D. G. Vachal © 2013
Photography Credit: November’s Decline by Bucaneve
Cry, My Beloved Islands
After the fierceness of the anger
of the winds,
the habitations of my people
are mere matchsticks standing
in the sand,
multitudes walk no more:
fathers, mothers and children,
lifeless in the war-torn pavements
as torrential rainwaters
pelt their gelid flesh —
Cry, my beloved islands,
let your tears join the salty waters
that pilfered and ravaged
the pearls of life,
appease the ocean,
implore the seas
for calm,
for time to allow
the living to arise
and face another day.
D. G. Vachal © 2013
… I have been preoccupied with the devastation of one of the most severe hurricanes ever recorded, Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) that hit so close to home. Thankfully, my family was spared, but countless in my hometown and neighboring islands are suffering immeasurable losses and pain. In a few hours, I will fly halfway around the world to be with them.
*** photography courtesy of Sarah Lynn
lilies, sparrows and grass 
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