A somewhere place

We are just two souls,
sitting amongst the young stems and old shrubs
in the sun.
I think of us in Eden -
long-toothed lions talking together then
as you answer me now;
a sound saying you love being outdoors
with me when it's sunny.
But then we don't say anything  -
we are the creatures lying down
side by side,
here and in that somewhere place 
with green and gold light
sky on skin and fur,
even feathers shading reptilian eyes -
Where humans don't take a life,
we listen, lamb-soft,
And live. 

C. LJ Ireton 2024

Pied Wagtail Minute

One pause in the rain
incessant -
I breathe in the after air,
watch two wagtails hoop a bow
over the water.
The moment was theirs to tie
and worth
my tread under
moody, volatile skies,
the wait.

C. LJ Ireton 2024

The Songs

I spent one summer
at the piano,
in the dark -
only a single slant of light could ever get in
through that low window,
leaning yellow dust motes. 

I watered the keys, dripping my sad heart
through my fingers
and grew plants from the shadow lines -
a black and white garden;
minor enchantments
in a basement room.

And then I fainted.

I am the leaves
That first need the sun -

Feet in the soil,
Face to the sky
To entwine the songs 
Of daisies and thorns.

C. LJ Ireton 2024

Sunlight

I am silver
and slowing under my own silence.
Curses run so cold
under blood,
To the soul 
and they hate sunlight -
It's why shame burns.

I was always drawn to the ice 
never daunted by the sea-cold.
I can not take your warm hand,
Rose, 
your conscience is a gold 
reminder of my mistakes -
Black cloud stains everything
I touch.

And this one pain
we are not sharing.

I am silver,
And slowing. 
You should know and you would hate it -
loving me like the sun
I shy away from.  

(Inspired by Burning Crowns)
LJ Ireton c. 2024

The blackbirds

The rain slants again

Over the field - 

a fast and scattered drop.

The blackbirds are ready;

they chase each pattered place 

and hop, hop for the worms -

black downturned faces dotted

on pale green mounds.

I was frowning at the sky 

when I prayed for dry ground

this morning.

I did not think of them -

Waiting for water,

Watchful, yellow-rimmed eyes

Looking in the same direction 

As mine,

Wings tucked in. 

C. LJ Ireton 2024

In the clearing

The forest was swollen with water. 
Branches stirred swamped bases
And moorhens made homes in brown bramble
Puddles surrounded with mud.
But I didn't expect the sky to fall,
To lie in the clearing
And see clouds drift across the floor -
Suddenly so close me.

C. LJ Ireton 2024

The journeys

Standing still by the glass

I run through a thousand nightmares

And on the floor

I stretch as far as the stars,

then race back down to tell you about them.

I traverse distances that do or don't exist

In a few silent breaths

And some of them are beautiful, 

when I am not scared.  

I journey

Mad or wanted -

By going nowhere. 

C. LJ Ireton 2024

April Showers

Four months in
And more of the same,
Silt white rain runs
Like frustration 
On cheeks.

Sullen at the sky,
I still open the window -
In low whistles and water hit consonants 
The Earth is recounting its day
And wants to know
Who's listening. 

C. LJ Ireton 2024