Consider the lilies

In my high-heeled twenties 
I thought flowers had be earned.
That I had to put myself in your way
To captivate you and
Prove how beautiful I was
By your words.

Now I am older,
I like to be barefoot.
I know that wildflowers bloom divine
On a breath, dressed sky blue red 
For the Sun -
Whether seen by you,
Or no-one. 

LJ Ireton 2023

Two sides of the window

We are perfect stillness -

My two circled cats and I.

Outside, the wind is

Crying, chaotic -

A reedy sound slipping 

In through the walls

To haunt our contentment, 

Only for the contrast to enhance it.

I light another candle,

A silent soldier

Against the cold

And I write 

About both

Needing each other

For a poem. 

LJ Ireton 2023

This Cobalt Morning

In the darkest time,
Under the mid-season blue sky,
I find each Robin by their song,
Heralding me into this 
Cobalt morning
From three trees -
An open-beaked tryptich. 

Everything about me is reluctant.
Everything about you 
Beckons 
The whole cold Earth
To come and turn under your tiny feet.
And I do -
Walk under the
Exhaling,
Heat-coloured hearts
Of Winter. 

LJ Ireton 2023

A Restless Heart

You can hear the wings
Of a restless heart -
Beat, beat 
Beating against 
Its resistance.
There are no fae-like fluttering dreams
For those whose
Imagination never sleeps,
But a weighted emerald bird,
With a sharp beak;

Always waiting on something
In this slow world -

A heavy hope, creation

Hovering

In a ball of energy

Beating until

You can see

Her.

LJ Ireton 2023