When Wintering is Done

It is a surprising morning - 

Like the cold is trying to be kind.

The Sun hits pink on the grass

Sprinkled with ice,

Glittering.

But the yellow-bellied blue bird

Above me is the future Sun -

The creatures all to come out

When wintering is done.

We have other selves, 

Waiting,

To leave the nest of our senses.

Then, instead we will see

Spirits sparkling,

Ours,

On the grass.

LJ Ireton 2024

 

The Winter Water

The winter water
Is glass clear, but tinges the pebbles 
Gold-green while running to the sun 
Further down in the stream -
Away from the ice times,
The heavy feelings
I can feel the relief let loose over the rocks,
Being.

The Moorhen stands a moment -
Bright yellow stalks
Against the bank shades of moss
Holding their own
Under the ribbons of time,
Splaying wet.

I must get up;
Let the stones and dirt swirl by my feet
Around the light, into the light -
Wood walkers will see me with eyes shut -
But, such is the effort to be still
While so much is passing.

LJ Ireton 2024

Something the bird takes

In the space between us
The word 'love' falls like
Cloth from a washing line
In memory dreams -
Undressable with sounds, the way
The Sun speaks no language
But its own.
Somewhere between warming
Wet garments on grass blankets
And burning through the substance
Of this world 
Is this feeling,
Flaring across the lens,
Ruining photographs -
It cannot be captured.
It breathes
Mind to mind -
Something the bird takes from 
The phone wire, the drying twine
And carries to the fire 
Stirring the blood under the skin of the sky
Before the night,
Every night,
Every night. 

LJ Ireton 2023

On Snow and Flame

There are dried flowers in the candle
White; purple stars
With faces pressed to the glass
Looking out at the raining
 
Snowflakes
Faster than my thoughts 
That flurry, only.
 
​I focus on the flame, 
O​r try to -
The contentment of a fallen crystal.
But still
Wishes circle.
 
Melting meets melting.
​Yet what could be 
Won't settle.

LJ Ireton 2024