It’s remarkable how with the passage of time and events, we are furnished with a deeper understanding of something we could only previously grasp in part. In this spirit, therefore, I offer these further instalments in these ‘works in progress’, (which in my estimation, are always vastly improved and always serve to excite, at least for myself, as the author). We must keep in mind, of course – as Da Vinči noted; “No artwork is ever completed, only abandoned”,  and so, not to preclude further edits somewhere down the track. This is dedicated to the Friend, as Rumi put it, or the Master Principle, an aspect of Divine Spirit and God’s gift to Soul, available in some way, shape or form, to all sentient beings.

you are the good
that dwells within the heart
of all mortal creatures

A One Such As You

Of all the people I’ve ever met,
Of those I remember and those I forget,
Of all the friends and companions true;
I’ve never met a one such as you!

Of all the allies I’ve ever had,
Of riddles and challenges armour clad,
Of Gordian Knots I’ve had to slice through,
I’ve never had an ally such as you!

Of all the multitudes of loves,
Of burning angels and mourning doves,
Of those that stayed and those that flew,
I’ve never loved a one such as you!

Of all the voices I’ve ever heard,
Of ancient bards and throats of birds,
Of the eagle’s cry and the lion’s roar;
I thrill to none as I thrill to yours!

Of all the dreams I’ve ever dreamed,
Of all the wild and crazy schemes,
I never dared to dream it’s true,
I’d ever find a one such as you!

Who Will Soothe Your Fears?

Who will listen to me,
Who will I depend upon;
No longer bound and tethered,
Now that you are gone?

Who will share my memories,
Of old familiar ways;
When we were still together,
In sweeter, kinder days?

Sixty years we made our bed,
Sixty years we built our home.
Till one day you disappeared,
And left me here all alone!

Who will hear this fool in tears,
Now I must neglect you;
Who will soothe your fears,
Without me there to protect you?

For you, Sudhi;

Should My Treasure Come

Should my treasure come,
By chance she should appear;
I’d recognise her by her step,
As light as any strain of deer.
Though she were still a mile off,
With velvet moss I’d line my lair.
I’d sense her by her coming
And rush to greet her there.

Should my treasure come,
My darling should appear;
I’d remember all the things she said,
And whispered in my blessed ear.
I’d know her by her soothing touch,
And by her endless ache.
I’d know her by her burning eyes,
In the hour before daybreak.

Should my treasure come –
Perchance she will yet show!
I’d take the form of wind
As light and swift as silver roe.
I’d find her from a mile off,
Racing through some briar;
She’d sense and turn toward me then,
Her startled eyes on fire!

Should my treasure come,
By chance she will be kind.
I’d recognise her by her step
As fleet and sure as any hind.
Though she were still a mile off,
I’d rush to meet her there;
I’d take her in my loving arms
And kiss her eyes and face and hair!

Apologies, I think this opening line is better;

With the storm downgraded to a simple squall,
Forgotten for now are the trials heretofore.
The sheaves are being gathered and stacked against the wall,
Admired by the old men down by the threshing floor.

seeing you, sight
returned to my eyes,
though until that moment
I did not know that I was blind!

bending and re-stringing
the bow of soul,
then taking aim

Today is the 20th Anniversary of the shocking terrorist attack at Beslan; Andrej  Martjanov

For those children that passed from this world on that day…

Lullaby

Go to sleep my little one,
The day’s been long, we had our fun.
Close your eyes my sleepy head,
And with the angels, off to bed.

See the gentle lambs so rare,
Gambolling in the meadows there.
We’ll call them in in ones and twos
And count them as they pass on through.

Hear them bleat and hear them cry,
Hear them fuss and hear them sigh;
Until each one, now bleary-eyed,
Finds its way to mother’s side.

Time for bed, my little one,
The day so long is finally done;
Close your eyes without a peep,
And with the angels, off to sleep!