This amber glow
To end the day
In just repose
As glories fade
Now soon the night
Will bring its peace
This wintry light
A shortened lease
Though night be long
December chill
The fire’s song
And downy fill
Warm my soul
‘Til slumber comes
Pay dreamy toll
Returns the sun
I discover the divine
In moments
Of connection
With all that is
I begin to wonder
If the divine
Is in the moment observed
Or is divinity
Created by the act
Of observing
I marvel
For a moment
At the saris
Hanging in the shops
A spectacle of
Colour
Texture
Pattern
Each sari unique
Tightly packed
In the confines
Of tiny shops
Not at all unlike
The thrumming humanity
In the narrow streets
Of Chandni Chowk
With some bluster
Does the wind complain
Drives the sea
And the clouds
To fraught disdain
In these throes do I
Count my many blessings
For the calm
Which stills me
Deep inside
Unlike the waves
Upon the water
And the sky
My mind is quiet
Without torment to promote a cry
And while horizon
Soon the sun obscures
The star within
Shines bright
With everlasting light
On a crisp December day
Atop an inverted sky
Snowy clouds
Blown across the ice
Thighs itch
From penetrating chill
A wan sun
Does nothing to warm
A few moments here
To record the scene
Then retreat
To the warmth
Of electric fire
A sugary cup
Of cocoa
And family
Dawn breaks in pastels
Scattered city lights
Which had powered night
Fade with encroaching day
Soon enough extinguished
While the trail
Marking my departure
Rises from the darkness
Now a frothy white
Upon grey slate
Receding mountains’ majesty
Diminishes with steady progress
In some few hours to be lost
Behind the moon-swelled sea
Held fast by Earth’s own gravity
So go I
Beyond the realm
Of all I know
To places
I’ve not yet loved
Little Island of life
Cradled by the rock
Of a stormy shore
Embattled
Protected
Thriving
I arrive at the end
Of a rocky path
Where a beacon indicates
A vast unknown
Beneath a misty guile
But a light of no small promise
Beckons from a distance
My faith tells me
Is surmountable
Perhaps it will be a smooth sail
On a quiet sea
Or a road no less arduous
Than the sharp-stoned path
Which bloodied my feet
Since many miles ago
No matter
The destination seems bright
And beautiful enough
While I have covered greater distances
With less hope
And no small despair
Outbound and sunrise
Clichés of new beginnings
I remain unchanged
You walk away
With a crushing finality
Ramrod iron spine
Heels strident clacks
Carom across the concrete
Then at the door
The subtlest glance back
Betrays the display
That is your anger
Now I know
The only moment
More remarkable
Than this departure
Will be your return
I know also
The next time
There will be
No backward glance
But
God
Will I be grateful
For one last chance
Pix to Words 