Monday 31 October 2011

dragonfly

This poem is based upon a writing exercise, taking inspiration from a random poem in a poetry anthology. The first two lines in my poem are the last two lines in Deryn Rees Jones' poem, “What It's Like To Be Alive”.

Dragonfly

A watermark held up to the light.
A boat rowed over the edge of the world.
How events can change us irrevocably,
the music of our past chiming every hour
like a grandfather clock, chopping up the silence,
taking us back to when we thought we knew how to live.

Maybe it comes down to those moments
when we are present, when we pay attention to the world:
to the way the light catches the electric blue of the dragonfly,
hovering like an echo, both still and all movement,
the smell of the yellow gorse flowers catching in your throat,
the softness of your hand in mine.

When we are old and have less need to speak,
what will we best remember? The orchestras that shaped us,
or the birdsong hanging amongst the leaves?
And if our memories start to scatter into the wind
like dandelion clocks, what are we left with but our bodies,
holding onto each other in the night, our breath without words,
living our days looking towards the sun.

4 comments:

Cynthia said...

It's good to see you back!

Your poem is beautiful with so many lovely images. I love "And if our memories start to scatter into the wind like dandelion clocks, what are we left with..." and "the smell of yellow gorse flowers catching in your throat,the softness of your hand in mine."

This poem catches in my throat. Thank you.....Cynthia

Anonymous said...

I haven't visited for a while but am glad I have today - great poem.

Mark Sargeant said...

Thank you both for stopping by and for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Susannah said...

Really strong writing!

I especially liked. . .
"the music of our past chiming every hour
like a grandfather clock, chopping up the silence,"

Keep them coming Mark! :-)