In a town called Henry

Reading 100 Cupboards

4/17/2024

The Great Bear and Orion are laughing

At the secrets you couldn't have known.

Your new pen knife is breaking

From the wonders your walls have grown. 

There is a memory lurking 

Which your mind can't seem to keep

Of a ghost in a purple dressing gown 

Just on the edge of sleep.

Your parents cushioned up your life

And cordoned it away,

But a secret wind from another world 

Could blow in a new day.

Love the imagery in this poem. Good stuff.

Thanks, Kristi.

---

4/17/2024

Listen! Bright birds sing

Their brief coded messages,

Summoners of Spring.

Lilah Enthroned

4/18/2024

Softly she creeps into my lap

And nestles with one paw across my leg,

Listening to the distant piping birds

And trills of creatures from my father's game.

She leans her trusting cheek into me,

Twitches her triangle ear,

Allows her watchful eye to droop

Slowly towards sleep.

Hello little friend,

Tiniest of tigers, 

Careful-clawed.

I remember your arrival,

Curious and skittish in our home,

Afraid to be alone in the dark.

When did you begin to gain

Such comfortable ease?

Finally caught up!!

Gonna just leave these short responses. Hope they make sense:

Daybreak - clever use of the Dark Island metaphor

Sasha - This is precious. Made me think of the doggies my family has lost the last few years. It also weirdly reminded me of Tolkien's Roverandom because of thereference  toplaying  with a dog on the beach.

Can definitely relate to the Haven one

Love the message of the dandelion one

The touch lamp one gave me a glimpse into a personal item of home furniture I wouldn't know about otherwise. Felt Like you letting us into your home and past in just a teeny tiny way.

100 Cupboards! Ooh, I read that some years ago (sent as a gift from a friend) but apparently I remember no details. Time for a reread.

“Summoners of Spring” - It may not be spring here but I love that turn of phrase

Kitty poem!!! I commented to a friend on FB today that sometimes I think it's worth staying on FB just for the photos some of my friends regularly share of their cats. This poem is like a word-photo of a friend's cat.

Hoorah for @ajnos commentary! 

---

A Dream

4/19/2024

Spread the stars out like a blanket.

Spread the stars out on the sea.

Your son has gone a-voyaging

To find what he will be.

The nighttime is your treasure.

The darkness keeps him in.

All your guiding lights are twinkling down

On his ever-ready grin.

Spread your darkness, spread it farther–

For his voyage ends with Sun!--

And he would not turn his ship for home

Until his truth is won.

4/23/2024

I can't say I knew you well,

Though you were always there.

Friendly shadow in the doorway,

Close friend's companion.

I didn't understand 

When things started getting strange.

Worried hearts, shattered glass

Frighteningly changed. 

All I know is anyone

Anyone, anyone can fall.

You, I knew much better

Though I knew you quietly.

Conversation in the shadows,

Daydream night's companion.

I still don't understand

The source of your stress change.

Angry fear, jumping at nothing,

Life suddenly changed. 

All I know is anyone,

Anyone, anyone can fall.

It doesn't matter how strong you were,

Still buried danger comes to call.

Whispering Silver

4/23/2024

Whisper into the hopeful heart of me.

I will cast out to the dark and void to find you

And shine a silver light upon the sea.

To our sisterhood I would be true

Perhaps forever, if I may make so bold.

Together dark and light will find love's cue.

The abyss will echo a tale once told

Of two hearts, just longing to be free.

By my art I'd banish all its cold.

Stars

4/24/2024

There are stars in the hospital floor. Who are they twinkling for? My feet echo my heart's drumbeat as I cross this strange Milky Way, this pavement heaven throwing sparks beneath my shoes. Ever may you shine little stars, throw your glints of white and rainbow light at the hospital foyer ceiling. God knows this place can use all the hope you can give. I wish that I could wish on you as I tread over your light. Bring healing little stars. Bring whole hearts and minds, bring back the smiles I only see in photographs and memories. Is that within your jurisdiction, or is your only task to be a tiny candle-flame against the dark, twinkling reminder of what is possible?

Thresholds 

4/25/2024

I’m lacking an applewood wardrobe,

Or a wall where cupboards play.

But I know that a rectangle brick-red door

Can still spirit me far away.

I may never meet another world

Full of fauns and forest gay,

But I know that a rectangle brick-red door

Can still turn me from night to day.

A simple door unlocks a shift

A gift of something grand and new.

A simple door can lift my spirits,

Open a threshold to freedom true.

A Good Departure 

4/27/2024

I wish that I could tell you, now,

I'm finally walking through that door.

I wish that I could tell you how

It's coming to pass, all that we'd hoped for.

I'm not charging off after

Some bright rainbow's end,

But I have the joy and laughter.

I have the power now, friend.

I wish I could make your memories

Just a touch less bittersweet.

I wish you knew I found my ease,

I found solid ground beneath my feet.

Ice

4/27/2024

Winter's tiny shard

Offered for your amusement,

Playful feline friend.

The Raven And The Heroine

4/28/2024

A raven's pride stands

Where a girl's cannot,

Under Winter's piercing gaze.

Your feathers keep you

Warm-hearted in the face

Of pure geometry.

Chick of the chick of the

Pure-black wisdom that flew

By Odin's one-eyed face,

You'd wish Gerta had feathers too,

Shielding her from piercing wind.

But a girl does her best,

Stumbling forward when she cannot stand.

Tornado Watch

4/28/2024

Outside the storm is raging, and it seeks to eat the light.

Outside the storm is raging, winds whipping through green night.

Outside the storm is raging, as it mourns the missing fields.

On your forehead is a shining band, a casual hope to wield.

Kira

4/29/2024

Silly, reckless golden-brown furred friend,

Short-haired and a little stubbly to touch,

Soft brown eyed and energetic of tail,

You will be missed,

Even by me.

I am not of your family, still you welcomed me.

You let me play with your small pups without fear.

You wagged up a whirlwind and wet the sofa in your excitement 

Just for my petting hands.

You stole my birthday cheesecake,

But it profited you little enough,

You glutton.

Still loved, even in time-out for kitchen crimes.

The storm came in the night. 

Your breath left with it.

Most precious of mutts, 

Misguided but ever-loving girl.