Dandelion Clock

Tick, tock, dandelion clock,
the dawning of a brand new day.
Fingers clasped on hopeful stems,
the world entire gently carried
with fragile smiles.

Tick, tock, dandelion clock,
rushed, running, turn and say:
'I love you'.
We are released, encouraged,
and so proceeding on and on.

Tick, tock, dandelion clock,
another generation
learning and growing
under the regular sun and water
of the words and gestures we use for each other.

Tick, tock, dandelion clock,
One gentle gust, the world departing,
dearly beloved,
loving mother, father, husband, wife and friend.

In everything you said and did,
we learnt from you.
Tick, tock, dandelion clock. Stop.

Going global

I sank into the bath
and nobody called.
I luxuriated under soft silken bubbles,
dipped my head listening to the watery silence.

Dolphins crested the glistening foam,
and carried me to Africa
to see efalants, wildebeest,
and a giant moclius bird
with two beaks.

In India I met a monkey
whose hair was red.
And a great green crocodile was caught
gawping in my direction
looking hungry.

A komodo dragon dribbled dangerously
near my warm and neatly folded towel
in China.
And an anacodona waved his head
as I surfaced and heard:
'Where's mummy? `
'South America', you said.

Rock

Your rock
is secretly pumice stone,
gets all frightened when shes alone.
Afraid of the dark.
and dragons and monsters under the bed
even though she knows
they are only in her head.

Your rock
is petrified that she might shatter
but it doesn't matter.
A molten heart is pounding,  
reviving.
Mothers rise
eternal.

Bed

I sleep in snatches,
Sandwiched.
Peaceful forms on either side, 
pinned close to feel my skin.
Sometimes the cat also finds a niche of warmth.
I dare not move, my stillness and heartbeat the harbinger of peace.

I awake and am lonely in company.
My hip throbs and back pains.
I listen to gentle breathing, dreaming, heart beating.
I wish, long, ache to be where you are now.
Asleep, alone and in the company of dreams.

Out like a lion

You sprang out
like the lion of March,
and we snuggled you into a lamb.

As new leaves unfurled
so did you.
And you blossomed
like the long awaited spring.

November Birth

When all the leaves have turned to gold,
and laid a carpet at your feet;
when the wind finally turned cold,
you and I did meet.

Year turns year on year,
leaves fall and crown ground,
the wind whispers in my ear
your name, your birth, my becoming.

At sea, blue

Deep milk blue,

the innocence of you. 
Your eyes dependent,
loving, needing,
sleep depriving,
limpet clinging. 

Deep silk blue, 
the playfulness of you.
Your eyes sparkling,
laughing, asking,
security seeking, 
safely anchored to me.

Deep grey blue, 
the loving of you,
your eyes alone.
Desired, cherished.
Safeguarded. 
Mainstay, 
my heart tends to you.

Attend flashing green eyes.

Set your course home and live on these rocks with me. 
I'm at sea without you, 
blue.