La Tragédie

New Poem - work in progress inpired by Mahatma Gandhi

2011-12-12T20:36:00.000-08:00

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. Mahatma Gandhi Indian political and spiritual leader (1869 - 1948)

Watch this space

Copyright©Xsapph

Hara Gulab - हरा गुलाब

2010-05-25T17:45:00.000-07:00

Hindi: Hara Gulab

हरा गुलाब

[Commissioned by Ewan Nisbet]

A joy, felt blithely

A companion nearby.

Longingly, lovingly

Hear at first, thy soft sigh.

Perennial lost beauty

Soft kissed innocent face.

Yearning soft entreaty

Longed for laughter and grace.

The feint hearted ne'er kept

Nor knew thy wondrousness.

As if in half dreams slept,

Or chose carelessness.

No safe refuge, retreat.

Or solemn whispered plight.

Or outstretched arms entreat.

Or blind sullen, delight.

Cloudless sky, silver chaste.

Springs joyous light evoking.

Virulent ivy haste;

Quicken green buds choking.

Rose in green apparel.

Yet can ne'er undress,

Or pathless time conceal.

Its' rapture and distress.

If by thy colours dressed

Springs' bright vitality.

By thee we each are blessed

Sans sin: idolatry.

No tiara worn, nor yoke,

The heart that governs thee.

Nor secrets, beneath cloak,

To mar thee breaking free.

Underneath green flowers,

Sleek cats' back arches high.

'Neath her quick claw: cowers,

A tired rat that must die.

Playful eyes, fearful eyes.

The cat may taunt or tease.

Who would mourn rats demise?

Or pity its' spirits breeze.

Seductive feral cat

Hidden beneath its blooms.

Buds softly delicate,

Brushed against: as it grooms.

Periwinkle bank fountain.

Trailing stars of purple fire.

Diadem buds, white pristine.

A summit, to inspire.

Love, a defiant treasure

Conjured by the creative.

Distance, a vain measure

Crossed by the instinctive.

Eyes of a hidden toad,

Catching gadflies at play.

The solitary road

In time fades away.

Hopping toad's sudden leap,

Awakens each scented bloom.

Though rooted in a lost sleep,

Its' exquisite perfume.

The soft rustle of leaves.

Reveal endless shadows.

Lost innocence grieves.

Seeking shady meadows.

Secrets that merge serene.

Hidden within a rose.

Time snatched memorable scene.

Only the weak expose.

Cool wind uncoils red kite.

Breeze unfurls green petals.

Jousting wasps cease to fight,

Caught in rusty nettles.

Petals that tear softly,

Protect secrets fear hid.

Fate will eventually,

Reveal all, or forbid.

If slyly discovered,

Sweet rare loveliness.

A spine shiver followed.

Impending wariness.

At the perilous edge

China rose vert flora.

Interspersed teary sedge,

Its radiant aurora.

Those that saw only grass

Missed its heart pulsing love

Those who sank in morass,

Reached for loves' sacred glove.

Soft fingers hold tightly.

Oblivious to sharp thorns.

Ivy held rose nightly.

Caressing until torn.

Each sepal tinged with red

When kissed by tender lips.

Then where is thy soft seedbed?

Did love lead to hardships?

Aspire a fervent wish.

By nature designing

Its green rose unscented bush.

Fern and frond entwining.

Swathed by heart leaved ivy

Tinsel frilled, tipped leaves.

This green blush, none envy.

Ivy vining weaves.

Its deeply embedded roots

Twisting sightlessly.

It's colonising shoots,

Reach skyward endlessly.

'Round interweaving vine,

Green buds tightly embrace,

Whilst roots slender and fine,

Each others' tendrils chase.

No bards, lyrics delight

Nor soft silence intrude.

The battle ensues through night.

As ivy and thorns feud.

In slow seductive trails.

A haunted, tireless sleep.

The ivy mat prevails.

The wretched lonely weep.

Loves disparity

In prim isolation.

Cut wrist sincerity?

Or cruel hearts violation.

Tear filled decay and mud,

A bloodless gripping will.

Oh poor green rosebud

how fare thee so well, still?.

Summers soft sullen sigh.

Arid, bleak, wind beaten.

Each flower head stretched high.

Blight or aphid eaten.

By weathered dusty road.

Languishing jade green rose.

Its green sepal whorls twisted.

Enfolding kindred sorrows.

Lizard silvery zinc,

'Neath gold suns' fire burning.

A cold streams' endless drink;

Lizard tongue flicks yearning.

Saffron gold, tinged pink skies

Warm the ice glazed green rose.

Expunging all our goodbye's.

Swiftly fly maudlin crows.

Unstrained souls' tender touch.

Two green buds are entwined.

Soft petals blend too much.

Loneliness consigned.

If that grey unscented air,

Autumn fed, roses red.

To find the roads that tear,

Beauteously rose covered.

No senseless quarrel,

Would by maelstroms, devour.

Or infectious rival,

To steal thy sweet flower.

Light sparkles wistfully.

As bee and wasp disperse.

Creation flees hastily.

No rejection so terse.

Buds sway, a scent followed.

Careless petals lost.

Petal-less, dust swallowed,

Swiftly dead-heading ghost.

Though cobwebs shudder too,

Wilder storms that shower

Rarer, than roses blue;

'Neath lightning cower.

Wet and heavy buds droop.

Shimmering webs' enlace.

As spiders spin and loop.

Silk ravelled interlace.

Loves' hope suspends death.

Until petals shiver...

Old winters icy breath,

Freezes thy warm centre.

Plucked lifeless ill time

Winter shortness of breath.

Each false smile will repine

Withering, hope 'till death.

Unrest plight, love cures.

Travel alone each day.

The bleak road endures;

Yet will in time decay.

To be helplessly caught

What untraversed terrain.

Requited devotion sought.

If love is to remain.

Sadly, dost thou languish,

Exude pepper fragrance.

Inner tranquil anguish,

Secluded songless silence.

So coy, contritely

Frosty fury will die.

Endlessly, hankering,

Hear at last thy soft cry.

When by sharp swift spokes

Of steel, iron or lead;

Caught by such life strokes.

Tumbled leaves, swam blood red.

A grey fox tilted its head.

To find roses' subtle scent.

Memory too lingered.

Angels' sorrowed lament.

Vigilant quiet stillness.

Inner silence spellbound.

Intrusions timeless,

Love-spilled and profound.

If thy soft petals stroked

Unconsumed times' hurry;

Fond memories invoke,

Sans hoary frost fury.

A silk life line from thou,

Conferred with lasting grace

Forgive and then allow;

A love redeemed embrace.

Silver, thy soft yearning.

Green as emerald silk.

Gold are the forgiving,

Anointed by mothers' milk.

If my love could change you,

What wouldst thou do if free?

Wouldst that I could sleep too,

If I were changed with thee.

Botanical name: Rosa Chinensis 'Viridiflora' Family: Rosaceae (Rose family)flora

Butter-soft

2010-04-09T17:07:00.000-07:00

Butter-soft

To recognise that dark smile,
In your pale thin lips that lied.
To have known more, all the while,
Warm butter-gold trust had died.

Reflect a solemn moment,
In a quiet meadow clearing.
If your harsh words had poignant,
Meaning: butter-soothe, wounding

In my reworked new choices
That my memory softens.
I shut out vague images,
With butter-soft emotions.

Too soon as sweet friends departed.
The laughter of friendly noise.
As stories we stole were shared.
I miss butter-melting joys.

Copyright©Xsapph

Look (Ghazal)

2010-03-30T17:07:00.000-07:00

Look—a Ghazal

To my young siblings I look
As we grow, how wise we look.

Blossom that brightly flourished
Each shade unique if you look.

If our enemy falls hard
Turn away rather than look.

Wherever we are life scarred
A lost unforgiving look.

Ugliness, remorse is marred
Unforgiven, why then look.

When reunited, we have regard
Why dismiss a yearning look.

The dark who are plagued are barred
Afraid to leave as they look.

Wagon load of corpses charred
Sad the mourner; mournful look.

Flowers wilt in cold discard
A short life; at which we look.

Copyright©Xsapph

Haiku Blue Pencil

2010-03-29T16:52:00.000-07:00

Haiku Blue Pencil

The rubber fell off

The best blue pencil bare end

No more revision.

White embossed paper

Texture of hidden ridges

Awaits my blood-ink.

Purple crying hyacinth weeps

Hidden butterfly sleeping then

Falling awake fast.

Chasing away fear

White doves like kites fly

Birds avid coition.

Pleasing playful poem

Read aloud soft words squabbling

Indigestible noise.

Resist the spit sip

A single tissue petal unfurled

A lovers lip curled.

The senses displease

The cold winters breeze pretended

To be hot and burnt.

Duality

2010-03-01T11:57:00.000-08:00

Duality Painting - Duality Fine Art Print - Patricia Ariel

Duality

A subversive enemy
Was once my beloved adoree.
Set her path and another's.
Mind games, courtship dances.
Lacking self-awareness.
Yet aware of dynamics.
Anguish, replaced by madness;
That hurt kinship with distress.
Mental instability Instils credibility.
Troubles never taken whole.
Darkness enshrouds the troubled soul.
Innocence is forgiven.
Loves attention striven.
Laudable virtues darkened night.
Even in softening light.
Adults don't escape rules.
So learn how to sharpen tools.
Lizard with its swivel eyes.
A confused medley espies.
Protect its' odd un-hatched eggs.
Shattered hopes broken dregs.
Quicksilver mercury coated.
Self-esteem re-established.
Unyielding, so long ago.
Another below-belt blow.
The kindness borne by the sly.
Splinter in a blue sky eye.

UNCONSCIOUS RIVALS,
lawrence alma tadema paintings

Copyright©Xsapph

Transformation

2010-02-12T19:32:00.000-08:00

Jilted by Irish artist Briton Riviere - Manchester "Terrier love"

Transformation

He needed someone with heart,
To skim the edge off his reason.
Revolving thoughts that would part,
The year by respective season.

Quiescent moment transformation,
Internal chaos closed in blackness;
Then familiar acclimation...
Light breathes life into darkness.

Precise and systematically,
He described softly his vision.
Angled mathematically...
Pupae editing and revision.

Reclining in hollow spaces.
Sketched in time, synthesizing,
Shapes that formed statues.
His rivalries were amazing.

A lovers’ dewey lip curled.
Felt the falling moon's cold gaze.
A single tissue petal unfurled,
Its chrysalis doth amaze.

To resist the senses that please.
Or taste the salty winter breeze.
The wind that burnt his nose,
Was kinder to the rose...

Cyclone

2010-02-12T18:31:00.000-08:00

Wherever she looked, her eyelashes glistened.

Her voice spoke gently, silently, I listened.

Seeking real, or fools' gold such folly treasured.

Comprehended, desires' fury is tempered.

I witnessed sky angel, her sweet face lighted day.

I wept feeling sadness: she had lost her way.

Wherever he stepped the ground became quicksand.

A delicate seed held in his weathered hand.

With gentleness he planted it deep in rich soil.

Time again, and again, weakened by his toil.

I witnessed earth angel with his head hung low.

I wept feeling sadness for his soft pain flow.

Wherever failed a coy futile endeavour,
The earth angels' greenery felt surrender.
The planted seeds lifted by the cyclones heart beat.
To land anon., they would permanently seat.
I witnessed some strained up to kiss sky angel.
I wept feeling sadness, they froze: icy chill.

Wherever he turned, she seemed everywhere.
Air ripples that surrounded him with tender care.
Leaving their soft imprint on his skin, like lace.
The earth angel touched the sky angels' frail face.
I witnessed a momentary tenderness.
I wept feeling sadness, sharp became softness.

Wherever by his kiss she felt love fortified,
He withdraw her storming seas' forceful tide.
Even as for her destiny had begun,
For him, the question was whether her to shun.
I witnessed a beautiful moment of bliss.
I wept feeling sadness, his love she would miss.

Wherever earth angel slept, by him she lay.
Lunar butterfly love that died in one day.
Celestial love or exigent sensual struggle?
A cyclone of thoughts and emotions that juggle.
I witnessed a breeze that passed me in sorrow.
I wept feeling sadness, its' heart; missed arrow.

Wherever pale yellow grass merged into green.
A battle occurred, no-one would have foreseen.
A sky angel had lost aërial perspective.
For surely love deigned, to be protective.
I witnessed his doomed, bittersweet rejection.
I wept feeling sadness, at her dejection.

Wherever, the golden zephyrs swiftly flew,
The sky merged into forest which became blue.
In the cyclone centre, the thunder rumble eased.
For a moment eyes to eyes - a look appeased.
I witnessed her soothing, force gently declined.
I wept feeling sadness, his look: she confined.

Wherever, she grasped bushels of gold flowers
There fell sky columns of silver rain showers.
In between these towers, emotions heightened
Running in and out; winter, by spring brightened
I witnessed, he tried to forgive; to atone.
I wept feeling sadness, for those souls alone.

Wherever, he was found by the closing wind.
Like an injurious fugitive running blind.
Cochineal, Prussian blue petals floated lightly.
Sky angel followed him, spiralling brightly.
I witnessed her appear to release her grip.
I wept feeling sadness, seeing a painful rip.

Wherever he stumbled, her suspicion cut cords.
Whispered accusation, like lightening swords.
As she bestowed upon him, her airy shawl.
Dust shapes grew tall, to form a narrow wall.
I witnessed a shadow upon him, advance.
I wept feeling sadness, at each stolen chance.

Wherever he hid, she searched, childlike smiling.
So began their 'hide 'n' seek', her dance: beguiling.
Then as always her way, suffocating him.
Stitches unravelling, each fanciful whim.
I witnessed her tearful unending dark rain.
I wept feeling sadness, at her loss and pain.

Wherever he left soft parting, tiptoe traces
Black rainfall quickly filled, each footstep spaces.
Just as when love piqued, lost its' intensity.
Lingering dark foretold solemnity
I witnessed specious questioning that laboured.
I wept feeling sadness, suspicion aroused.

Wherever it rained, his puzzled heart beat alone.
Whatever mistakes she tried to atone.

With glowing promises of charm and allure.

There was no cure for the pain that would endure.

I witnessed a horizon where no sun set.

I wept feeling sadness, fear cruelty beget.

Wherever the tears fell hard, they fell soundless.
The loneliness of grey metropolis.
If I could have spoken, forsooth to mend hearts.
Earth angel, pursued predatorily, departs.
I witnessed the futile sport of Love's lost end.
I wept feeling sadness, being unable to mend.

Wherever he paused, the suns love burnished gold.
To those who hurt nature his stone stare was cold.
His full lips trembled awakening her desire.
Whilst he in return felt a sterile pleasure.
I witnessed sky angel stroke a fox fur beard.
I wept feeling sadness, as he disappeared.

Wherever he sought solace, he found no peace.
Forever impermanence, sensual caprice.
Flirtation ~ its language, steadily overt.
Fleeing quickly, left her, feeling rejected and hurt.
I witnessed an angel fall like a meteor.
I wept feeling sadness ~ natures censure.

Wherever they were, always close together.
Complete harmony, they followed each other.
Then did the grey sky stretch its banner at last.
Then did they step away, far ends, worlds impasse.
I witnessed a long search for earth angels' ghost.
I wept feeling sadness, radiant hope was lost.

Wherever he swiftly flew, saw her fly too.

In delicate sly moves to force a coup.
He stepped back rather than court frivolity.
Disengage from indiscreet complicity.
I witnessed; she silk-sewed him to her lithe form.
I wept feeling sadness, she churned a windstorm.

Wherever the sky became swollen and pink.
Woven clouds, even heavy chain, would unlink.
The silvery cool of the winds breathlessness.
Evermore the guide of tearful sightlessness.
I witnessed her long fingers reach out full length.
I wept feeling sadness, he rejected her strength.

Wherever his torn flesh left its tattered mark.
The wind would leave him shivering in the dark.
The tempest that was once his lover's passion.
Left memories now grey, then charred and ashen.
I witnessed her foraging for his remains.
I wept feeling sadness, her mind now insane.

Wherever she ran, longingly chasing him.

Convulsing tears, her life-wounding was grim.

His torn limbs; red-ripped by invisible barbed wire.

In her flashing eyes, her passion ignited fire.

I witnessed lost angel kiss an angels lip.

I wept feeling sadness as Fate let her slip.

Wherever she slid, she found herself in tow.
A chasm opened wide in the hollow below.
Caverns within which her secrets to conceal.
An air lasso that became a noose of steel.
I witnessed her smile, in wordless acceptance.
I wept feeling sadness: silent acquiescence.

Wherever, beneath, are both diamonds and coal.
Within the bowels of earth a stirring soul.
Enduring mental anguish, dark gestation
Without relief or inspired absolution.
I witnessed an oasis in an arid plain.
I wept feeling sadness: only tears remain.

Mother: Courageous Rose-Fire

2010-02-05T12:02:00.000-08:00

Mother never tried to hurt.
Caring, not sentimental.
Her power and vows assert.
How sweet are the kind and gentle.

I recall each hour we spent.
Sensation we decipher.
Sharing our private assent.
Sometimes in whisper.

So much of her life to learn.
Her blood and passion fever.
Her softness for which I yearn.
And fear her life threads sever.

Certainties gently blissful.
Doubts that were never dubious.
Her generous life so full.
Make her pure kindness precious.

Burnt by her passion flashes.
To oppose her, feel the sting.
Within her ice heat clashes.
Yet still always exciting.

Remembering surrender.
Tempestuous carelessness.
Her fire would often tender.
Driven rueful restlessness.

Her interpreting gesture.
Settled sleepy sunlight siesta.
Even her harsh, cold censure.
Lit a flame: moonlit fiesta.

Mothers love for each of us.
Unerring sincere soothing.
Her quickness and without fuss.
Her warm hands always healing.

Mothers deathless affection.
Comfort rendered solitude.
All of her soft reflection.
A beloved, lyrical étude.

Speedily, love finds its pace.
Quickly, to arrive in calm.
Let Father, Mother embrace.
Let safety be her balm.

Copyright©Xsapph

Poisoned Quill

2010-02-04T16:53:00.000-08:00

Poisoned Quill

"Oh no," were the fearful words, spoken softly.

Even as slow footsteps neared the broken spine.

The handsome form that had once moved so deftly.

Resting limp against the raised pillows incline.

Truths or dares like falling meteors ignite.

My close friend, the evil executioner.

To be judged from an infinite lofty height.

In her own mirror she finds fierce surrender.

Cautiously, her delight in playing on each side

To look into her eyes and see only rage.

A parting breeze isolates, a wish denied.

Fingers rest on fingers form an open cage.

To release a shattered glass coated eagle or kite.

Any betrayal or interference she decried.

Then falling from darkness, into untouched sight.

A lifetime ago! - To deviously hide.

From the trusting mother, crying and dying, awake.

Secrets hung like sweet dew from spiked webbing net.

Far easier to withdraw than idly forsake.

Listen to her footsteps quick advancing, threat.

The scholar that in life and love would believe.

Lifetime deciphering, a restless thing.

Smuggled messages, from her, would dryly deceive.

A contempt, tattooed with a quill-lash, fury sting.

Trusting her, the mother would slip into sleep.

Remembering the hearts words and their measure.

Why would such idle thoughts twist like vines to creep.

Around the throat and through the brain at leisure.

Where abandoned hopes would seem dark and bleak.

And seeking the lost one would be filled with dread.

If the woken child was kissed: each rosy cheek.

Feeling afraid, in confusion to have fled.

Resplendent, frozen in ice, a clear oracle.

The dewey fire-gold rose shuddered our sight.

The havoc, friendship or lifetime debacle?

The winds' air-kiss into Winters' misty light.

Breeding mistrust, she soils the hearts deepest well.

Longingly like baying wolves praying to the moon.

Yet isolated, in a damned keep, guarding shell.

Revolves midnight into another noon.

Wasted in childish combat, such collisions defied.

Her hidden fingers red or a handshake send.

And feel the claret steel; bloody knife inside,

And seals the woven threads of deceptions' end.

As if old bones will forget, why deny?

An unmoored boat, trust forever went adrift.

Thus, the sly can escape, and leave love to die.

Let the guillotine fall, Gods' will, pray be swift.

Stealth

2010-01-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

Venus and Mars by Sidney Harold Meteyard.

I take my leave, of her dry well, for all that she has done.

Time passes on, takes what it will, even when I'm gone.

I knew her once with tenderness, then learnt her devious way

Cushioned pain, assurances: no more than night is day.

Dawn 'till night, I listen to the sparring, baleful sound,

Of a sly one who broke her word, and dispersed it all round.

What would I try but keep in vain, all secrets from her play.

A devising satellite, from milk would lure the whey.

The child in me is but a cipher of someone I once was,

Her inner child, veiled in stealth, pervading all she does.

Feigned affection is merely game, for one without love,

In mirrored clarity, I recognise her iron-fisted glove.

Bookends, in her minds', fateful coalition.

To undermine synergy, as the sole opposition.

Divisive plans will oft' mislead, collaborated labour.

Derisive scorn towards a fallen man: sincere saviour.

Slippery forked, snake tongues, in golden sand-shells sway,

Entice a path of loneliness, where long-lost we stray.

One may excuse the imbalance; of a fractured soul,

Echoeing the emotions of a winding, depthless gaol.

Dissolution

2010-01-17T02:43:00.000-08:00

Dissolution

Latitude, longitude: our shadows merge, enveloping.

In florescent rainbow light, brightly developing.

Well, next year, I will escape, or the year after, vanish.

How to divorce my wife, before by her I'm banished.

Ah! Her smile, the serpents bite, would be more sweet

Wind-beaten wings, flutter my doleful heart-beat

Delirious fool repeatedly enticed to her lair.

Oh she blushes coyly, as if I would seek love, there.

Removal of such privileges, are a black dungeons tomb.

Withdrawal of her timeless gaze, a dark interrupted gloom.

As if my forehead aged furrows could ever ring the wood.

Our perennial tree of love and hate, will ne'er be understood...

Irresistible

2010-01-10T15:31:00.000-08:00

Irresistible

The one who traveled far couldn't see the crescent moon.

Yet seeing in the face of the forgotten; a tragic futility.

In those lost moments, we felt a somber radiance grow.

Turning away, our eyes wince at the recollection of pain.

An unchartered journey where strangers pass by silently.

Falling we see the pitiless who watch from above.

Today the beloved cat walked beside us more slowly.

Must it always lead us back to grey cold doves shivering?

How cordial my enemy was when cheeks were kissed.

The one who traveled far couldn't see the cloudy skies.

Yet seeing in the face of the forgotten gentle quarrels.

In those lost moments, we felt a white ash silence.

Turning away, our eyes hurt far back into our thoughts.

An unchartered water of doubt and illusions might vanish.

Falling we know what we have become to others.

Today the petals that fell were left to crumble untouched.

Must it always lead us back to the trembling tiger in rain?

How cordial my enemy was whispering to those dear to me.

The one who traveled far couldn't see the half-shut eyes.

Yet seeing in the face of the forgotten, loyalty treasured.

In those lost moments, we felt the others intimate presence.

Turning away, our eyes lower and search our palms.

An unchartered voyage if there were only enough time.

Falling we grope in the darkness for the long lost.

Today our past cares resigned themselves to memory.

Must it always lead us back to the lonely wolf baying?

How cordial my enemy was recounting ill-begotten fears.

The one who traveled far couldn't see the outstretched hand.

Yet seeing in the face of the forgotten, heart flurried senses.

In those lost moments, energy depleted our thoughts.

Turning away, our eyes look to each other for recognition.

An unchartered rift that led only confusion to chaos.

Falling we may laugh at our uncertain, faltering steps.

Today we sipped decanted ginger wine, warm and golden.

Must it always lead us back to shattered moth wings?

How cordial my enemy was resisting accountability.

The one who traveled far couldn't see the soft smile.

Yet seeing in the face of the forgotten, composed withdrawal.

In those lost moments, we felt unfathomable urgency.

Turning away, our eyes blink back tears of comprehension.

An unchartered path to bridge a weak dialogue between us.

Falling we decipher excuses of the weak and pitiful.

Today we cherished noisy echoes of once-filled rooms.

Must it always lead us back to windowsill dried wasps?

How cordial my enemy was slipping into darkness.

10/01/2010

Love Denied

2009-04-04T21:59:00.000-07:00

Love Denied 040409

Banishing crystal cheeriness,
the rejected wanderers weariness.

Plunging despair of entreating,
to the strong, the weak retreating.

Solitude or azure smile,
entombed beneath a violet bile.

Nameless haunting melancholy,
just another human folly.

Revitalised by scent and reason,
transparent drops of spit and treason.

Counting fleeting moments eleven,
yet remain, cruelly unforgiven.

Heavens outcast meteor-comets,
as beggars' coins shower pavements.

Captives shadow may have striven,
fiery eye, from deaths door risen.

Arms that embrace, outspread,
whilst intention marred by feet of lead.

Eyelashes tangle, quell a lions roar,
beguiling, enticing, pulsating core.

Softest glance of gentle power,
will fracture, sepulchres' granite tower.

A lovers gaol, landscape, environ,
enclosed both suitor, and his siren.

Covetously, hid by the tenanted;
filigree flacon, perfume scented.

Privately amongst leaves trembling,
promises avowed, disbelieving.

Even if for many hours peering,
eyes into eyes cut glass searing.

The splinter that needled, restlessly,
would remain embedded, endlessly.

A touch that is coyly, tremulous,
or seduction softly capricious.

The moons silken cords calmly,
tying, the sunbeams, breezy, balmy.

Glow, the bronzing limbs that burn,
stirringly, a restless turn.

Silky sultry, slumbering,
coupling, and murmuring.

Spirited fervor of a passionate tribe,
envied by the lonely scribe.

Observe, forever changing stars,
silver columns, marble bars.

Sunken arabesque architrave,
or hidden deep descending cave.

Vivid hues of slumbering stars,
could not be brighter than his eyes.

Clarity appears the sincerest,
to harness wisdom, profoundest.

Lost semblance of mortality,
a cobra's kiss merciful, swift delivery.

After empty tarrying, parrying grace,
soft tears, adorning jewels replace.

Sombre sky, soaring, racing falcon,
out of sight; I drew the curtain.

Feathers fold in tightclasped wing,
entombed desires faltering.

Vigilant, wistful smile, uncertain,
endless time, in soundless season.

Trap

2001-11-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

Augustus Leopold Egg’s painting, known as Past and Present Nos.1–3, (1858),

TRAP

About a husband, releasing himself from his deceived wife, leaving his children to circumstances and God...

[Breaking Unneeded Ties]

Those, who must be trusted, would lead the blind, firstly.

Spindles turn, ropes burn, gulping rain thirstily.

Young tree shoots, from mother earth, break the tie.

To be healed by Lady Mantle's buds or strangled die...

[The Usual Affair]

Persecuting secreted reason, energetically absorbing Life.

A ceremonious glint, gloating dispersion, never yielding to strife.

Prelude to suspense, lost in an illusion of power.

Building within a cool moat, an impenetrable tower.

[The Sly GoodBye]

To find safety in poacher's snares that were less hidden.

Leaving the startled child behind was so sudden.

Slippery seeds would be planted, to sedate rage.

Concerns that frighten the sensitive, wise sage.

[The Lovers Triangle]

Concealed interference advance by her chameleon face.

Time wills you to lose or defer only lasting disgrace.

Those that pity have no time to savour something real.

To warrant innocent joy or yield a nourishing meal.

[The Lovers Den]

Hush, for the padding paws that take their last voyage.

Breath pauses, for a moment, in a locked gilded cage

The warm fire, beckoning, the hearth afore which to lie.

Puma baiting or bear trap pen, are safer to occupy.

[A Dénouement or a new pen(ance)]

The forest squeezes the meadow with a love that is blind

As the minds capsule a trappers' coop refined.

Even if it takes forever, to cast off pretence.

Forsake the gentle path, pleading with inept silence.

LOVESTRUCK

2001-03-06T15:04:00.000-08:00

LOVESTRUCK

Altered undecided realization

Apprehension and fear

In vivid likeness, to a cat preening, fur.

Blazing green eyes, the colour of sin.

He mused, (lighting a hand-cupped cigarette).

Guilty conscience deposed

Preoccupied gaze

Behind, which their deeds concealed

Tendons crack, as he reconciled his blade,

Back into it’s obscured sheathe.

When Lovers join in flattering light to entwine.

So close, even the sky has difficulty getting in.

Whispers of distress and discovery

Some innermost feeling to veil

Complacency? As a sloth-like woman slithered by

Yet His eye followed her with covetous sigh.

Her snowy radiance with trembling glimpse,

Searching studiously each eye.

Affable influence had no effect on gaunt cheek

Lovers estranged, suffering a shattered tie.

Profound foretelling tone

Stillness settled from bullets of silver-white snow.

The knifes blade crimson from his stomach blood flow

Jealousy struck once, but defeat beset both.

As rain melted ice and turned it to mud,

And Her footfall was masked as she sped.

Hearing thunder, through a deluge of rain.

So, the death peal rang its tragic knell.

His head turned to Her fleeting gown,

Eddying thoughts through memory banks

To why She would mistrust,

Dark passion drenched desire.

Wretchedness, un-spared was He,

For each unforgiving, broken word,

As faithlessness her currents had borne,

Until the final spear had been thrown.

What lingering worm in side his brow,

Twisted, tormented by awareness now,

To discover that each steep ascent,

Left sorrowful, rain-filled steps below.

Sapphire McCullough

06/03/01

Luna Moth

1999-09-03T09:09:00.000-07:00

Vintage Photo: Luna Lady

Intricate lemon laburnum,

Star anise, polished gold wings.

A luna moth, searching a key light,

That fired up the twilight.

Acoustic ceremony of fire embers.

Elaborately textured brocade.

Raised peonies and trailing vines.

Only a child saw the mask slip.

Broken bridge between cliffs.

A torn bridal Broderie Anglaise veil.

Trapped Luna Moth.

Yet this, the man who died thrice.

.... Didn't dare to care, for the first.

'broken-change' vows.

The life well lived,

Reflected on too late.

Left a lazy impression

evaporated perfume head-notes

In the middle of a season,

His feelings compounded.

As early lust dissipated.

Like an exquisite Luna moth.

Such short-lived tawny moments

The heart notes scented his way.

Chillingly, she departed

The deeply rich, vibrant Saffron.

Violet liqueurs velvet path,

amused his fingertips.

Much as a scarf that she left,

so quickly she had gone, Luna Moth.

Honeydew & Lemon

1996-06-11T06:19:00.000-07:00

Honeydew & Lemon

Come picnic with me - walnut.

With plover eggs, strawberries, champagne.

In Spring it won't be those, but;

In counterbalance, feelings remain.

As when we were nine, or ten.

Honeydew apples and lemon pop.

Come picnic with me - at once.

In wild summer rain, I won't explain.

Softly ending; a lost chance.

Sleepy love was on the wane, again.

As when you were mine, and then.

Honeydew lips, bitter lemon drops.

Come picnic with me - shade blue.

Lush opulence - you will soon forget

In Autumn, I will wrap you.

Falling rainbow leaves, squaw blanket.

As when you were mine, unruffled.

Honeydew love; bitter lemon heart.

Come picnic with me - cocoa.

My sister's fine art might illustrate.

In Winter, your wolf-eyes glow.

My brother met you, and left elate.

As when you were mine, sublime.

Honeydew brew; spilt lemon cognac.

Peppermint Innocence

1989-09-18T17:13:00.000-07:00

Peppermint Innocence

Night pools of rain, freshly fallen; blood warm

Illuminated by distant star shine

Ebony cat, eyes; as golden corn

Takes a sip, tongue flickers incarnadine

He leaps to immolate his soul unseen

To the platinised goddess Artemis

Whose immaculate eyes are sharply keen,

Whose iced lips are never to kiss,

He stalks along a precipitous sill

A callous eye watches for a hapless victim

An inexorable, solitary; silent vigil

A tomorrow-less fantasy stretches before Him

He instinctively follows a hidden track

Where leafy tendrils are found descending

Where shades of grey, caress shadows black

And the twilight becomes never-ending.

Butterfly man adopts an endless state of pretence

His cocktail of narcotics dissimulates reality

Beauty marred by a loss of peppermint innocence

His transparent character frozen by sensitivity

In a timeless rhapsody of nightmare surrealism

The phantom pursues, but there is no sanctuary

Confusion leads him closer, to the depthless chasm

Life itself is bizarre; no aspect is temporary

Lonely man endures a sad state of existence

Unable to separate fact from fiction

Abject depravity has tarnished his countenance

His life; a living death: ironic contradiction

Hoot owl, silent; throat freshly torn

Feathers rustle, bathed in satin moonshine

Ebony cat, eyes that never mourn

Takes a sip, tongue flickers incarnadine….

Yves Colas "Rain Downtown" 2009

Sapphire-eque – 18th September 1989

Sentinel

1988-02-23T11:34:00.000-08:00

Sentinel

Incomprehensible evil undertones

Harshen their movements

They are penetrating deeper

Artful navigation

Her sentinel friend watches dazed

Alarmed at her detached condition

His close surveillance uncovers

Much for concern, but too late

The Autumnal light deserts

Her melancholic glances

She seems somnolently vacant

Whilst the leeches repress

Positively, orgiastic amusement

Her skin has dry leather texture

Their eyes reflect, their crimson lies

Her lips no longer, delicately smile

Her body is here

But she is absent

23rd February 1988

Con Alley

1988-02-13T08:32:00.000-08:00

Fig.3
Augustus Leopold Egg
Past and Present, No.3 1858

Con Alley

Dim, gas lit lanterns sigh
Would be, big timer
Juggles die.
Scented, painted streetwalker
Dressed to comply…
Childhood, lost in the damp
Con-alley.
So slick, high heels click.
The set-up is juicy
Trust in me…
You’re free!
So what’s the hurry?
Suck, sugar pink candy…
Stay; don’t leave me!
Metallic handcuffs fit securely
Bruised maroon lips don’t lie
But spit; accurately…
Why do you cry?
Why?

13th February 1988

Jaded Rose

1988-01-31T12:23:00.000-08:00

Jaded Rose

How I long
For the frankness of youth
But a longing
For your company
Is a fatal excuse.
For profiteroles drowned by
Black coffee
At a latticed table
In full view
My eyes refuge
A wide brimmed hat
Your eyes, a persuasive blue
Frantic envious jury
In contempt; amazed
At any indiscretion
Formerly laid
I correct my posture
Lets not seem ridiculous
Lets dangle thoughts
My conversation
Nervously brusque
My feelings wrought
You watch fascinated
As I seduce you to laugh
At anecdotes collected
During a notorious past
Whilst neighbouring whispers
Gnaw my sense of respect
For a moral precursor
They are convinced
I have lacked
Even our stainless affection
Is shyly discussed
As to I being your patron
You the object of lust
Their blasphemous mouths
Gorge upon my mistake
I contain my wrath
Inside I suffocate
You’re oblivious to my pain
As I absorb
Humiliating blows
That caustically stain
My hearts jaded rose
And as you finally puckered
Your impotent lips
With eyes half crazed
I accept your parting kiss.

Sapph - 31st January 1988
Copyright©Xsapph

BEORC

1987-06-26T03:49:00.000-07:00

BEORC

Onset of summer’s lingering days
Basking heat foreordains
Dilution of energy.
Emergence of diaphanous faun
Softens pessimistic goat.
Hallucinatory Ophidian
Tempers optimistic lark.
Honeysuckle opiate mounts the senses
Which succumb nauseated.
Invincible Cronus blinks venerably
An eyelash whips the organdie peach cloud.
Poseidon’s inexorable drive overpowers
A frothy subterranean siren
Into ecstatic submission.
In Hades concomitant dark mind
Black with no relief
Ideas dye the vision.
Aries canyon sneer lasts a century.
Thunder roll tattoo as Zeus splinters
The crisp air with light bolts.
Ensuing rainfall quenches Apollo’s thirst.
Aphrodite’s rainbow girdle snaps in two
From Hephesteus’ moulding caress.
On earth; murky minds focus on dim lights.
The corrupt need to enslave the noble grace.
Passions flare through envy of innocence.
Frail greed heightens through
Hera’s profound jealousy.
Insanity seeks to imprison
Lucid perspicuous thought.
Natures economy annihilated the impoverish.
Hermes piercing observation
Cuts a shaft through blind chaos.
Artemis bathes the desolate
With silver inspiration.
Athena subjugates ignorance
To wise intuition.
And a new fragile creature is born
Of fine essence and transparency.
To inherit the rose and thorn
Of hope.

26 July 1987

The Flautist

1987-06-21T17:45:00.000-07:00

The Flautist

Primeval music runs nimble
Footsteps across her back
Building a high pitched
Crescendo of profound ardour
For the elusive flautist
Immense desire for darkness
Where sight fades
Where imagination develops
To be plunged
Into endless space
Plutonian depths
Dried bones and chalk dust
Imagery fills the air
Inconsistent arcane forms
On the cavern walls
Silhouettes of bestial mania
Un-harnessed mutable
Archaic impressions
Burnt umber overspill
The flautist grins
Aromatic incense dims
The senses
Opiate of the Hades courtesan
Picador animated
Envision awaited
Metallic hooves synchronise
With the piccolo
Staccato measured beat
Palaeolithic incantation
Eyeless sentinel servile to
The titanic regent
She crawls across the
Copper ceiling
To land adroitly
To share his awe
Diaphanous creatures
Aeon passion licks
His wordless thoughts
As hips are gripped
Her amethyst lips tremble
The amaranth imaginary non-fading purple
Eternal flower fades
In the alcove of time.

21st June 1987

Copyright©Xsapph

Dispossessed

1987-06-16T11:54:00.000-07:00

Dispossessed

A fragment chip from the earth
Flew to the moons domain
Was held aloft by east winds breath
Never to roll with Parnassus again.

In it’s contoured crib in silence
Dispossessed by a siren wild
Limbs outspread to coil reluctant
Lies: scented, absent memory child.

Hair threaded by burnt ashes
Throat stitched by crimson silk
Skin etched by serpent’s kisses
Eyes glazed by Ravens milk.

16th June 1987

Quicksilver

1987-05-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

Quicksilver

Broken glass and shards never heal
To lie gleaming in grassy moss
The beloved whose form is surreal
With eyes tight-shut, retrieved from loss

Barefoot, on ice, glossy sheen
On tiptoes that raise hope slightly
No spectre of fear would intervene
Joy lifts the heavy heart lightly

Over shoulder softly glance
Firmly taken by the wrist
To gently leap, serene dance
Awaiting the corkscrew twist

Life's silk gone, like quick silver.
Icy spirit, I shiver.

Copyright©Xsapph

Opaque

1985-07-23T05:58:00.000-07:00

Fig.2
Augustus Leopold Egg
Past and Present, No.2 1858
Oil on canvas

Opaque

Open the blind
And see the light.
I see the child
That is the light.

I close the blind
Shut out the light.
The dark unkind
I waste, repined.

Without warm light
A cold closed mind.
I yearn for light
Sweet love is kind.

Lost road will wind
If lost sans sight.
To climb purblind
Lose sight of height.

Light and dark bind
Real shadows bite.
Bright light will blind
Souls will unite.

Soft limbs entwined
Glow of moonlight;
Reveals the kind
Or feel contrite.

If being unkind
If not in sight;
Senses remind
Of hearts shut tight.

23/07/1985
Copyright©Xsapph

Snakebite

1985-02-27T22:10:00.000-08:00

After All- Who Needs A Snakebite

Once there could have been pleasure

Deep heart felt emotions, but as with most sensations

The lasting impression was as transparent as You.

Once I could have held your image as it coiled around me

for almost as long as the snake keeps it's skin

Like which it lies discarded- lifeless.

Once I would have walked barefoot, bare soul

To embrace the cold glass reflection of myself

As seen through your discoloured eyes.

Once you were an innocent and a beauty

But both faded as you discovered the real You

And invented the You , that you became.

Once I believed that you believed in me

and cherished all that I was

I see now I am what you could only dream to be

Once, what I thought too little Love

You thought too much an obsession

How weak you are to fear a Love that is real.

Once I thought you gave me the apple of authenticity

Love sublime- with depthless clarity.

Once more? No never! After all who needs snakebite

Parasite Pleasure

1983-07-29T09:34:00.000-07:00

Parasite Pleasure

Fluid, gaunt neither creatures,

Sharpen horns with demonic resolution.

The lack lustre leeches, securely entranced,

By her unquestionable femininity;

Yet commanding aura.

Now they stealthily ingratiate,

Their selves to her linen hem.

They watch closely for a safe opportunity,

To approach her intimately.

They suck inexhaustibly, an urgent greed.

Their sinister smiles growing in frequency.

So singular is she in look,

That her eyes are filled with a fading,

Opalescent, copper sunset.

The discords of their low sucking sounds,

Are subtly disguised.

Their muffled whispers penetrate further,

Impregnated tape worm lies, multiply.

They steal over her in unintelligible designs.

Their sincerity elaborately feigned.

They are incapable of the combatant

Rules of Golden Chivalry.

Instead they create a multitude of unsoothed sores.

Hurts obscenely left exposed.

She is unable to extricate free,

Because she is bound by Silver Noble Laws.

Their outward composure

Suppresses intense inner vehemence.

They are unable to eject their turbulent fears.

Gaunt, lean contours avidly reflecting

The rumbling hunger in his flanks.

Grave dignity manifests sullenly in his eyes,

Even as he crawls midst smouldering foliage.

Acidic grass tongues scanning his naked limbs.

He reaches into the blade sheath.

That swings, loosely at his thigh,

It is withdrawn, gleams purposefully.

His head tilts, animated…eyes narrow.

He focuses on the narcissus…. immodest…. vital.

His wrist flicks…. momentarily a stillness.

The dagger is released…precision.

It soars through the swaying charred leaves.

The narcissus…throws back its bleached head.

Then melts the pain in submissive dignity.

A crimson tear appears…dribbles, stained petals.

He crawls nearer…. finally in reach…. his eyes lift.

A wry smile and stillness, as a solitary liquid ruby,

Falls… to be caught by his lips, a kiss.

Spring 1983

Rose Petals

1983-04-14T12:34:00.000-08:00

Rose Petals

Tiny baubles of reminiscent visions grow
Mind chaos, tosses inverted shadows
Transparent petal floats
In a slow motion war
Stylistically, choreographed silhouettes
Panic throbs in each movement.

Tiny baubles of reminiscent images form
And in my mind recesses
Shadows echo silence
Mauve eyes widen
Untrammelled passion: imprisoned
In a thought cell.
Cacophony of imagined screams are intense
Rhythmic manoeuvres; red ripples
In my minds fabric.

Tiny baubles of reminiscent shapes collapse
Shadows merge; uniform in design
And motion….
Challenge gone
Rhythmic monotony in space
Petal settles in soft pain.

Spring 1983

Whisper

1981-10-31T11:20:00.000-08:00

Whisper

You whisper cogent words of your ideals
Point to the distant shimmering constellation
Draw a hieroglyphic stylised script in the air
Tap a thoughtful index finger on the lacquered top
Press your face, pensively, to stare through the opal porthole
Your eyes reflecting the starlight with a fireless opacity.

It is true that you discard others degenerate beliefs
Thinking your own are unprejudiced.
Even as Your mind contains the murmurings of nightmares
You won’t be held to ransom
You won’t acquiesce
To accept alternative views diminishes your inner peace
So…
To continue… searching into the Night…
…. Whisper to yourself, cogent words of cyclic ideals
Inspired by the distant shimmering constellation.

An octogenarian whose intelligence was beyond belief
Who could believe assimilation of so many experiences and years
should produce such lack of wisdom?

31st October 1981