They say that love (1983)

they say that love
like other actions of the heart
is a consumer of time

time does not pass faster
there is simply less of it
the heart has its bit

they say that time
(whatever’s left of it)
consumes the heart

the heart does not beat faster
there is simply less of it
time takes its bit

I wonder

then what is growth
what is this sensation
of feeling the heart
love
grow
against shrinking time

future memories left behind
a year, a year or only part

is love, then, the wisdom of the heart,
or wisdom, rather, the love of the mind?

A mother leaving (2011)

On the passing of a dear friend’s mother

Now that you’ve left (and at such short notice),
I worry: did you pack all that you need?
Did you take sufficient clothing, a good coat
for these late winter days?

Now that you’ve gone (no time for long goodbyes),
I wonder: where will you sleep, where will you dream?
Are there blankets where you’re going, a soft pillow
for these late winter nights?

I see you did pack some essentials:
my love, eternal gratitude,
my friendship and my heart;
at least part of it.

Now that you’ve died (your room dark and still),
I ask myself, where will you live?
But I know the answer: you now live in me
as I once lived in you.

Before me the river (1993)

before me the river
behind me the wind
blowing my thoughts across the water

across the water
my thoughts
leave their nest:
a bird’s
maiden flight
not knowing how
not knowing where
to forage

before them the river
behind them the wind

packed in smooth shells
born as eggs
thoughts look organized
and understandable

but now
flying out
they look rough
and uneasy
not knowing where
to go
for courage

and

landing
across the river
they seem no longer mine

catch them
they are yours

Ode (1989)

how often, how too often
do we come out
play a game
moth and flame

how seldom, how too seldom
do we come out
moths to flames

how often, how too often
do we stay within
cocooned
hiding colours

how often, how too often
do we come out
suggesting colours
but grey moths
hairy monsters
singed wings

some say
we should all fly out
circle danger-flames
intense life
exciting life
no time to breathe
carousel of little time

but I
but you
earthbound
by chosen destiny?

here
here in our confinement
we now admire
peaceful beauty
the two children
images of gods

woman
warm firmament
your love a silent blanket
profound peace
we live within you

you are our home

Pictures of some past (1982)

Pictures of some past
bring out the beguiled in you;
playful, vivid conquest
recollects the wild in you.
Never wasting time:
Love has settled mild in you

(smiles in you)

Blue light in your mornings,
radiant red afternoons:
no artificial suns
could have killed the child in you.