Will There Be Starlight

Will there be starlight

tonight

while she gathers

damask

and lilac

and sweet-scented heathers?

And will she find flowers,

or will she find thorns

guarding the petals

of roses unborn?

Will there be starlight

tonight

while she gathers

seashells

and mussels

and albatross feathers?

And will she find treasure

or will she find pain

at the end of this rainbow

of moonlight on rain?

~ Michael Burch

___________________________________

For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream. ~ Vincent van Gogh

Will There Be Starlight

Will there be starlight

tonight

while she gathers

damask

and lilac

and sweet-scented heathers?

And will she find flowers,

or will she find thorns

guarding the petals

of roses unborn?

Will there be starlight

tonight

while she gathers

seashells

and mussels

and albatross feathers?

And will she find treasure

or will she find pain

at the end of this rainbow

of moonlight on rain?

~ Michael Burch

___________________________________

For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream. ~ Vincent van Gogh

See

See how her hair has thinned: it does not seem

like hair at all, but like the airy moult

of emus who outraced the wind and left

soft plumage in their wake. See how her eyes

are gentler now; see how each wrinkle laughs,

and deepens on itself, as though mirth took

some comfort there and burrowed deeply in,

outlasting winter. See how very thin

her features are--that time has made more spare,

so that each bone shows, elegant and rare.

For loveliness remains in her grave eyes,

and courage in her still-delighted looks:

each face presented like a picture book’s.

Bemused, she blows us undismayed goodbyes.

~ Michael Burch

_________________________________________

This is one of the miracles of love: It gives a power of seeing through its own enchantments and yet not being disenchanted. ~ C.S. Lewis

See

See how her hair has thinned: it does not seem

like hair at all, but like the airy moult

of emus who outraced the wind and left

soft plumage in their wake. See how her eyes

are gentler now; see how each wrinkle laughs,

and deepens on itself, as though mirth took

some comfort there and burrowed deeply in,

outlasting winter. See how very thin

her features are--that time has made more spare,

so that each bone shows, elegant and rare.

For loveliness remains in her grave eyes,

and courage in her still-delighted looks:

each face presented like a picture book’s.

Bemused, she blows us undismayed goodbyes.

~ Michael Burch

_________________________________________

This is one of the miracles of love: It gives a power of seeing through its own enchantments and yet not being disenchanted. ~ C.S. Lewis

See

See how her hair has thinned: it doesn't seem

like hair at all, but like the airy moult

of emus who outraced the wind and left

soft plumage in their wake. See how her eyes

are gentler now; see how each wrinkle laughs,

and deepens on itself, as though mirth took

some comfort there and burrowed deeply in,

outlasting winter. See how very thin

her features are—that time has made more spare,

so that each bone shows, elegant and rare.

For loveliness remains in her grave eyes,

and courage in her still-delighted looks:

each face presented like a picture book's.

Bemused, she blows us undismayed goodbyes.

~ Michael Burch

____________________________________________

Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born. ~ Dale E. Turner

See

See how her hair has thinned: it doesn't seem

like hair at all, but like the airy moult

of emus who outraced the wind and left

soft plumage in their wake. See how her eyes

are gentler now; see how each wrinkle laughs,

and deepens on itself, as though mirth took

some comfort there and burrowed deeply in,

outlasting winter. See how very thin

her features are—that time has made more spare,

so that each bone shows, elegant and rare.

For loveliness remains in her grave eyes,

and courage in her still-delighted looks:

each face presented like a picture book's.

Bemused, she blows us undismayed goodbyes.

~ Michael Burch

____________________________________________

Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born. ~ Dale E. Turner