Emmie29

Emmie will appear sometime during the week

Ring Around The Moon

Crow flies
Day dies
Who drew
That ring
Around the moon?

JL Dec 28 18:51

Green Shoots

As if on cue
In the night
My little tree
To my delight
Is throwing
Brightest sprigs
Of green
Of a Christmas tree
Never seen.
Before
It makes
My spirit
Soar.

JL Dec 27 12:49

St Stephen's Day

I must cast off these chains
That so confine my heart
To inward looks into dark corners.
I must resurrect soft colours
Swirl myself in fragrant flowers
To keep each day remembered
For the beauty of the time
And not be wracked by memory
Of sweet pleasures snatched away.
Tomorrow I will call up the spirit
And paint a picture to delight the eye.

JL 26 Dec 14:02

Hodie Christus Natus Est

Puer natus est
And a clear sky
Echo a clarion of bells
To comfort those
In our flooded land.
Bring harmony
To our divided hearts
And hope to those
In hardship
Sore oppressed.
That we may celebrate
The new born child
With purity of heart.


Dec 25. 00:32

A Distant Memory

In the darkened nave
A slice of silver
Combs the silent air
And we gather
The small community
By the Lady statue
A. single voice intones
Salve Regina
And we are gathered
Into the day's final prayer
And after that
The silence.!

JL Dec 24. 12:51

Advent 4

And then
The wind came
Blowing
Through the night.
Way out west
The rain of many days
Leaves
A shining Sunday sky.
Finches glitter
In the sun.
The fourth
And final advent
Waits upon
The coming Christmas
Eve.

JL Dec 23. 13:10

Emmie 28

Yasmin arrived on Tuesday Evening. She was a changed person. She was wearing her hijab with all the intentions of making a visit to her family. She had been in contact and a time had been arranged to meet at the hospital: neutral ground. This information was rattled out at top speed and there was a certain enthusiasm in her voice. The fact that she was staying with Emmie gave her the independence to view the prospect with something like confidence.

" When are you going to the hospital ?"
" Tomorrow afternoon. Jenny is coming round later and we going out for a meal."
" Well that will save me cooking," said Emmie somehow feeling none too pleased with Yasmin's new found cut and dried manner.

She ushered Yasmin into the spare room and went downstairs, determined not be involved with the forthcoming negotiations. Half an hour later Yasmin called her farewell on the way out. Emmie made sure she had a key and said she may well be in bed as she had work in the morning.

As Yasmin left, the phone rang. It was Marie Louise.
" Hello Mum?"
" Yes love, are you in England?"
" No in Miami, we are due in Heath Row early tomorrow."
" I am working so I will leave a key under the flowerpot. How are things?"
" So so."

Emmie put down the receiver and breathed a sigh of desperation rather than relief. She went upstairs and looked at the jumble of a box room. She couldn't face the thought of that now. She went downstairs and put the kettle on.

JL Dec 22. 15:53

On The Other Hand

Today
The Christmas people came
With sounding brass
And lights in all the trees
With rattling boxes,
Shopping bags,
And squealing
Tesco trolley wheels.
On they marched
Through checkouts
With ping opened tills
Too rushed to notice,
Lying,
By the boarded door,
The frail beseeching hand
That called out
From the floor.

JL Dec 21. 16:07

Flat Calm

On the turn
The year's run
Towards a lighter day.

No sunset
Beyond the edge
Of chilling sea spray

Flat calm against the shore
And the curlew cry once more.

JL Dec 20. 15:33

Within the Palm of your Hand

Avoiding cracks today
Hop scotching
Lady Luck

Hopping against hope
On firm ground
Till you took me home.

I loved your smile
Looking down
Your hair haloed

My hand clasped
Needing no release
Just comfortably contained.

Then to sleep
Imagined
In your softest folds

Becalmed.

JL Dec 19 13:55

Sunshine Child

Sunshine child
Along my country lane
Feet in dust
Dashing thistle heads again

Crushing camomile
Beneath his feet
With heady scent
Of meadowsweet.

In his hedgerow
Fruiting wild
Dark damsons
Just to tempt the child.

And with his lips
All purple stained
With a clang of gate
He's home again.

" I see you got back safe.
Off you go and wash that face."

JL Dec 18 16:02

Sweep and Swoop

So still today
And fingers silent
In the trees
And that seagull
Still occupies
His chimney potted throne
No doubt
Like me
Waiting for the turn of tide.
Oh that I could lift off
Like he does
Sweep and swoop
Upon a cloud
When the moment decides.

JL Dec 17. 15:15

Desert Island Discs

Sister Wendy
Suited Sunday
All consuming
Her spirituality
Her judgement
Beyond the world
Beyond my faith
A footy fan
Of Norwich City
Could have been Julian
My foot
on a drawing pin
With my conscience
Ouch!

JL Dec 16:07

Emmie 27

It was nearly end of term and work in school office was very busy. The pressure of Christmas parties, nativity plays and fund raising events together with a gathering of high spirits made the end of the day most inviting. As she went through the double doors she breathed a sigh of relief and took a deep breath of fresh air.

Emmie slipped into the rear pew of St Joseph's just to settle her thoughts. It was dim and quiet with the lingering scent of incense from yesterday's high mass. She must get some provisions in. The cupboard was quite bare after her holiday. Vegetables, rice and pasta should be enough for Yasmin. She tended to steer clear of meat for Yasmin what with Halal and all those rules. She paused to spare a thought for Marie Louise and sent up a prayer for a happy reconciliation. She made her way to the door, dipping a finger into the holy water stoop as she went out into the busy street.

The market was quiet, it being Monday afternoon. Local, new laid eggs were her first purchase, bread and vegetables the next. She treated herself to some dry cure local back bacon and made for home. Egg and bacon for tea would be just fine.

She arrived home at just before five and switched on the kettle. That cup of tea was the best of the day. Then the phone rang. It was Yasmin. She would be arriving the following evening.
" That's ok" said Emmie and rang off, poured her cup of tea and switched on the radio.

JL Dec 15. 16:08

Cyclamen

My new
Gifted cyclamen
Are dark red butterflies,
Dancing on their bowl
Of shining leaves.

Once romantically found
On stoney ground
In winter forests
Under trees
Beneath clear Persian skies.

Prized long ago
By noble ladies,
Greek and Roman
Are now,
Upon this wet and wintry day
By me.

JL 14 Dec 15:12

Chimney Potted

Early sun
Discerns
The colours of finches.

The scuttle
Heralds
Mail on the mat.

First frost
Eases
Out of sight

Morning duet
Dancing
In the dust motes.

And

A solitary sea gull
Chimney potted
Warms his bum.

JL Dec 13. 12:53

Clinic Day

The clinic
Arrived in daylight
Left after dark
Nothing new
Sort of
As you were.
And I am.

JL Dec 12 18:13

Window Whimsy

My collared doves
Are here again,
Plump and bouncing
In the sycamore
No leaves disguise
Their ungainly perch
Unwelded to unwelded
Mister and mrs C D
The completely flappable marriage.

On the other bough
My lordly wood pigeon,
Brightly plumaged
Alertly sedate
Beneath the feeder,
The picker
Of ill considered trifles
Responds to alarm
Just out of reach,
Keeping all in view
With his flinty eye.
A man of independent means..


JL Dec 12:08

Edge of Darkness

Here on the edge
Of darkness,
I would wish
Once again
For the soft
Summer scented
Twilight
With wineglass
Slippered smile
Among your friendly
Gentle voices
The which
I never thought
To lose.
There were cicadas then
Lulling me to sleep.

Here on the edge
Of darkness
I hold you close.

JL Dec 10 14:28

Emmie 26

It was late afternoon when Emmie returned from an excellent Sunday roast. She switched on the fire, made a cup of tea and sat in her armchair with a sigh. She put down her cup and saucer and fell asleep, the result of the warmth, good food and a clear conscience. She awoke with a rather fuzzy head an hour later, paid a visit to the bathroom and splashed her face with cold water. Now for that pile of post.

The gas and electric bills she put on one side for payment, the NSPCC appeal would be considered later. The other appeals and adverts went straight in the bin. There were two personal envelopes, one from America and one UK. The UK envelope contained a card of Edinburgh castle with terse message " Will phone Sunday evening, Yas x".

The other letter was from Marie Louise in Florida. As Emmie read her head began to droop. The marriage was rocky and she wanted to come over for a breather: her words. She was bringing young Hayley with her.

The phone rang. " Hello Emmie ?"
" Hello Yasmin. What's the matter?"
" A bit of bad news, my dad has had a stroke, so I wondered whether I could stay for a while to be nearer? There are issues."
" Yes, I can imagine. All right, for a while, but my daughter is arriving soon and you will have to make other arrangements."
" Term is over here, so could I come on Wednesday?"
" Yes all right, bye."
Emmie needed to think.

Emmie went back to the letter. As she read the gloom deepened with the evening.

Troubles come, not as single spies but in battalions. She brushed away a tear.





JL Dec 9 15:45

Emmie

Emmie went AWOL today
She will,be back tomorrow

December Seven

How
Through windows
Wintry fingers
Climb my back
To shiver me awake.

How flower heads
Sadly droop
And strange to see
Late roses
Fill up with snow.

And how the wild geese fly
Against the blood red
Smokey sunset
At the end of day.

JL 16:04

Care

Forces of bureaucratic care
Have me besieged today
Even to exhaustion
Have to be careful
On the road ahead.
Sorry state of affairs.
Has to be done.

JL Dec 6. 17:23

Jasmine

Today
I had flowers
Brought to me.
Jasmine and fuchsia
Patrol the dressing
Table top.
The fuchsia
Deep as my blood
Top full of drama
Jasmine winter lemon
Waiting for the early primrose
A delicate foreground
To continue through my darker days.

JL Dec 5 14:25

Little Light 2

In the darkest hours
The lightest glimmer
Is enough to show the way.
On our journey recollect
That moment in the lane
At twilight after dew fall,
Where dampness under perfume
Intensely softens every sense
And darkness magnifies the scents
That day makes dusty and diminishes.

So we go in snuffle mode,
Tasting damp nettles
And bruised wild rose,
Brushing blackthorn
And pine perfumed larch
So pause to savour
Those gems of sensuous droplets
That we treasure
Hidden in our own ecstasy of dark.

JL Dec 4. 14:51

Little Light

Making way
Along the line of trees
Dusting wild flowers
With our tread
We see on high
The sanctuary
It's golden apse,
Proclaims the sun
The nearer we
Far distant are
It slips our fingers
Out of sight
We are not worthy
Yet
To share the light.


JL Dec 3. 15:101-

Underfoot

And underfoot
Beneath the sandal
Or the boot
Wild thyme and camomile.
Etched on the staff
Grasped in the hand,
A cross to point direction.
On our cloak roughly pinned
The scallop shell
A badge of most humble authority
The plainest of human kind
On the golden journey.

JL Dec 2 17:28

Emmie 25

Emmie woke late on Sunday morning, the result of a regained familiarity with her own homely bed. She made some hurried preparations to meet the world and with no time for breakfast, set off for mass. It was a clear crisp morning and the freshness of a slight breeze brought her to full wakefulness.

She pushed open the door to be met by the strains of "Come oh come Emanuel" and realised that it was the first Sunday of Advent. " So soon" she thought, " Christmas to think of already." She slid into a bench next to Dorothy and her husband with a mimed " Good Morning" and a nod.

The injunction to stay awake in the Gospel was more than appropriate and Emmie felt a pang of guilt. She had only just come round and seemed to daydream through the rest of the service. She should have had some breakfast. On the way out Dorothy invited her for Sunday lunch and she gratefully accepted.

On the way home she called in Tesco express for a wholemeal loaf and a pint of milk and picked up a local paper in the process. The slice of wholemeal toast and honey together with a cup of tea had a restorative effect. After a shower and a change of clothes Emmie was prepared for her trip out for lunch.

The pile of post still needed sorting. It could wait till the evening and be acted on come Monday morning. At first glance the local paper had little news, apart from the council's £3.5 m debt and effect on future services. She would find out the detail from Dorothy. She left the house looking forward to Dorothy's excellent Sunday roast.

JL Dec 1st 17:05

Nothing Daunted

Breaking bread
With the brethren,
Holding hands
With common purpose,
Setting out
For the selfsame
Destination,
Raising our eyes
To those distant hills,
Holding in our hearts
The hope that comes
With the warmth of sunrise
Glowing on our backs,
Nothing daunted !

JL Nov 30 14:32

Leafless Trees

Sunset with leafless trees,
Many fingers steepled
Praying to the sky,
A kind of lonely pilgrim
Silhouetted upon the road,
Hatted and with staff in hand,
Full of hostel hope
Before nightfall,
A glow of welcome
And a friendly hand,
Breaking bread
With the brethren,
Then sleep,
Thinking not of another day .

JL Nov 29 14:42

Once Again

In tune with sun time
A lingering melody
Of dusty pathways
And full leafed trees
A patchwork concerto
Of sunflower fields
And marching lines
Of fresh green vines.

In those blue washed skies
The flickering martins fly
To the scented chords
Of lilac round the doors.
Oh to be there once again
Walking with you down that lane.

JL Nov 28 14:39

Aconites

Long ago
A memory,
A carpet
Of aconites
Beyond a hedge,
Floating
On the mud.
How the beauty
Covered
The dark below
And how I was fooled
And wore
A damp sock
All afternoon.
Beware
The blandishments
Of early Spring.

JL Nov 27 15:00

Standing

Standing
In a metaphorical sense
Before another week
Before a latticed
Leaden window on the world
Of naked branches
And burnt brown leaves
I dip into a joyful
Memory of spring
Primrose yellow
Pale carpet anemones
In the burgeoning wood.
I have not the vision
Nor the strength
To paint the future
In such a coloured softness.
I will rest on my laurels
Such as they are
And nod towards the crucifix
With a rueful smile.


JL Nov 26 14:58

Dark Copse

Late evening
Crepuscular
Creeps across the copse
Darkling a blackbird
Calls a swift alarm
Naked branches
Etched against
A roseate sky
A ragged solitary rook
Calls towards a roost
And afar
Was that a vixen's cry?

At home I am cushioned
Upon the whispering
Pillows of the night.

JL Nov 25. 17:02

Emmie 24

Emmie's holiday was a bit of a wash out. Not that it mattered as Joan's house was warm, comfortable and dry. Joan was an old school friend from Camden Town. She had retired to a two bedroomed cottage on the Kent coast near Sandwich. They had a day out on the bus to Canterbury, a wet day outing on the bus pass. She sent a card to Dorothy from there. Then they risked a day out in the Pegwell Bay nature reserve. Emmie had brought a pair of stout shoes and it wasn't too wet underfoot.

The rest of the time they just relaxed and planned some minor excursions in the afternoons after the torrential rain had eased. On their final day they took the bus to Margate for a day of childhood nostalgia.

Next day Emmie took the train to London where she took the bus up north from Victoria. She arrived home that evening to a pile of post on the doormat. She gathered it on to the sideboard, had a light supper of a poached egg on toast, put her laundry in the wash and decided on an early night. The post could wait till tomorrow.

JL Nov 24 16:29

Roost

Dark clouds
Held above the hills
Here we are shining
Before the blackness
Gulls spiral
In sharp contrast.

While starlings
Whirl and tumble
To roost
Among the dunes
Sun dies
As Venus rises
Above a receding moon.
And then the rain.

JL Nov 23 17:23

Medication

Medication sent me to sleep today.


JL nov. 22. 19:24

Milk Bottles

Milk bottles
Wide necked
With cardboard caps
Are things of the past
As are my walks
Along the leafy
Margins of the old canal,
Under the arches
Of high beeches
Among the bluebells
By anemones
In the springing underfoot.
Still there dear friends
For you to treasure
Cast them not aside.

JL 21. Nov 12:52

Rocked

I need
The fresh face
Of the wind in my hair
The sound of sheets
Rattling on the yards
The gentle lapping
On the keel
Anchored on the
Shifting sand
And softly rocked.

JL Nov 20 14:16

Dark and Dank

Dark and dank
November
Where leaves
Are tattered and torn
And once again
The winter wheat
Is sown.

In place of my wild oats.
The sirens sing
About the naked trees
And jackdaws flap
Their raucous wings
Against the wind.

JL Nov 19 13:16

Nothing is Perfect

The first frost
Fell upon the garden
And turned today,
The spider's web
To a crystal filigree
Of jewels,
Sugar powdered
The pink petalled rose,
Forced the grasses
To a pointed march
Of sharpened spears
And threw
The crimson berry
Into sharp relief.

Then came the sun
Turning silver
Into dripping liquid gold
And within the space
Of one single warming breath
Turned back
The web to tissue,
The petals limply laid
Still pink
But softly bruised,
The grasses wilted
Under foot,
And yet
The berry,
Licked by liquid
Became a shining crimson
Magnificent without the gold.

How came the sun
To turn a moments glory
Common place
Where once was beauty
To behold
Was by adversity
Enhanced by frosty cold?

And there the blood red berry
Upon the thorn
Is forever present
Beyond the rime,
A counterpointed form.

JL Nov 17 14:15

Emmie 23

Emmie is on holiday.

JL Nov 17. 16:46

Children in Need

Upon the arm
Of the niched madonna
The painted virgin's shoulder
The podgy Christ child
Smiles
Half awake and half asleep.

And all about
The real world
Is ruined childhood
Wounded
And abused.

How is it
In the heart of man
To do such things?
And it was ever thus
From Herod to the present day.

JL Nov 16. 14:37

Ramification

Long ago
At fell foot
A sequestered ram
Would leap a wall,
Just butted at a gate
Not to be free
But to claim his own.
Beyond confinement
A field of ewes
And he ewes less.
Some of us
Have not the use
To even
Butt the gate.

JL Nov 15 16:44

Dream

Nostalgia dream,
Where was I ?
The spring of turf,
The new mown scent,
A cushion underfoot,
Sunlight and the pale green
Burst of beech bud,
Lace curtain blowing
In a gentle breeze
Line dancing laundry
Comforting the real
The damp November day.

JL Nov 14. 15:02

Dawn

Dawn before sunrise
Is a grey steel sea
High above
Is a tinted gull wing
Beyond the horizon.
In my face
A frost fresh waking wind
Another day begins.

JL Nov 13. 15:02

Gloom

Such a short dark day
Slants of rain
On a glooming Monday
Late roses bend their heads
Over leaf drop beds


JL Nov 22. 18:03

Vigil

A shadow
A window
Lace moonlight
Curtained
And beyond
A wet slick road
Reaching
For your late arrival.
The door latch
Heart jumped
Foot upon the stair
Your touch
All satin soft
To carry me
Sleep forth
Beyond the fear
Of waking
Upon another broken day.

JL Nov 11. 15:45

Emmie 22

Once the flowers were done and she had accepted Dorothy's invitation to Sunday lunch Emmie made her way home. She put the casserole she had prepared in the oven and settled down for half an hour with the local paper.

There was a notice at the bottom of page three in the personal column.
"Yaz and Jen will be in touch".

Emmie went to the dresser, took out he blue exercise book and made a note. She would wait for further developments.

JL Nov 10 19:52

Twilight

Fickle fingers
Letting me down today
Too late
In the dusk
Twilight silence
From the rooks.

JL Nov 10 17:34

Dapples

This autumn sunshine
Dapples fading leaves
And apple orchards
Down the lane.


Terracotta towers
Once damp with rain
Give themselves to warmth
And comfort once again.

In the pale wash blue
A solitary plane
Tips and tumbles
Loops into a spiral game.

An unaccustomed silence
As he cuts the cloud
And sunset comes
To touch his wings
With flame.

JL Nov 8 13:53

Misty

Mist in the damp
To turn
My sycamore.
To a yellow state,
Pointing witches fingers
To the sky
Waiting for snow time,
And its redemption,
A snowy crystal chiffon
To put a little polish
On the day.


JL Nov 7. 20:02

Closing Time

My life has come to lees
The sparkle gone
From bubbles
In the glass
Empty on a tabletop
A trap for stinging things
That summer brings

Clear that table over there
Clean the ashtrays
See them empty
In the bin
Behind the till.

Kiss me before you go.
Lock the door
As you go out
And remember me
To Florrie at the corner shop.

I forgot to sweep
Those brown blown leaves
Wedged behind the sill.
Come tomorrow
They may have made
Their own way out.

Called away
By darkling winds
Beyond the hill.

JL Nov 6. 13:17

My Hope

Hope is a slip
Of green willow
A song of praise
To the spring rain.

Hope after rain
Is a golden harvest
The plumpness
Of fruit upon the vine.

Hope after harvest
Is a place of ease
The promise of sleep
In the velvet dark.

JL Nov 5 16:46

Smokey Sunday

Smokey smells
Purgatorial fires
Holy shadows
Strange desires.

Will the hand
Raise to bless
Assuage the fear
And calm distress.

In the darkness
A candle flame
Extends the prayer
Beyond my presence
Once again.

JL Nov 4. 17:22

Emmie 21

No work for Emmie this week and there was a consequent feeling of being alone. She took the opportunity to visit David's grave. He was in the close by church grave yard. Father Costello chose to disregard any ecclesial strictures and followed Emmie's wishes.

The grave was in the far north eastern corner by the dry stone wall. Beyond the wall were fields, now grazed by a large flock of tup marked sheep. The gravestone was simple, white marble bearing the inscription: " Of your charity pray
for the soul of David,
husband of
Emmie Jacobs
1937-- 5--4--2010."

In the corner was a small Magen Shield.

Emmie stood for a moment and brought to mind her last remaining living image of David, placed a small white pebble on the corner of the stone, paused for a moment, and the turned and walked slowly towards the church.

On Friday she returned to the sacristy to make a start on the flowers. She cherished the remembered thoughts and images which came with the flowers. "Consider the lilies of the field, neither do they toil or spin." And the glory of Solomon.

" Hello there! " It was Dorothy with a cheerful lift to her voice.

JL Nov 3 16:10

Flowers Scent

Dark autumn flowers
Dark red daisy petals
The deepest of dark roses
And there a tiny white bud
Set against the dark rose
How apposite
A spirit kept alive
In white.

JL Nov 2 18:26

Return

As I return
I meet from the ambulance
A clear sky
Pierced by Venus
And in my mail
Messages of love
The flowers
Demand
Their own blog
Tomorrow.

Thursday 1. 11. 20:44

Hospital

Going to hospital now
No hope of wi fi.
Surgical assessment
JL Oct 30 14:27

Surrender

This Monday,
The trees are aflame
Burnished hands
Reaching for the sky
Surrender
To the autumn chill.

JL Oct 29 16:46

Leafless

Tripping into dark
The collared doves
Bounce to roost
In my oh so friendly
Sycamore
Shortly to become
A hand
Of witches' fingers
Reaching for the red eyed sunset.

Along the lane
The roosting rooks
Top the great beech stand
Soon to display
Their spindly village
In the sky.

The chill calls
The leaves to ground
And leaves me also
Leafless.

JL Oct 29. 17:20

Emmie 20

Emmie moved into the living room and switched on the light by the door. Yasmin stood by the hob in the kitchen.
" I've put the kettle on, " she said.
" Have you indeed?"
Yasmin turned to look at Emmie and Emmie saw the bruise over Yasmin's left eye.

For some reason Emmie remembered a phrase from a story she read the children: , " Who hath dared to harm thee?" The phrase repeated in her head as she took Yasmin into a kindly. almost motherly embrace. "The Selfish Giant" it was. She remembered the picture of children under the tree.
" What happened?"
" It's nothing to worry about. Just a foolish mistake, just a glancing blow because I said no." She smiled. " It won't happen again."

" I'm glad to hear it. I think we might have that cup of tea now. I see the bag is back."
" Yes, I am quite settled now. The university have awarded me a special access scholarship grant. I have had all the interviews my grades were better than expected and ...
" What ave you opted for?"
" I have decided to do physiotherapy. I have a good chance of getting on an accredited NHS funded place which comes with a bursary. The teaching hospital is just down the road from the Uni and they have found me a place to live with a family. Some domestic chores will be involved but it is supervised by Student Services, so I should be ok."
" I presume you had help?"
" Yes Mrs Evans and Jenny's mum." .
" Well you know you're always welcome here. And what about the family?"
" They have sort of disowned me but not disowned me. I think it will work out in time. I am going to stay with Jenny tonight and tomorrow and go back on Monday. It's good Jenny and me are settled but she has a place in hall which could be handy."

They spent the next hour with tea and buttered scones and a discussion on clothes, uniforms and materials. Yasmin then left for Jenny's with an extra twenty pound note in her pocket and instructions to get in touch if things started to get too much.

JL Oct 28 16:27

Breath

Raised a finger
To the wind
The direction
Of the draught.
So difficult to tell .

Clouds scud
Shadows slip
A moving patchwork
Over field and fell.
Along a lane
A chapel spire
Within a copse
Hidden from
The prying eye.
The praying heart
In spired
Within a well
Of silent aspiration.

The direction of the wind,
A wordless breath,
An offering set aside
To sanctify the soul.

JL Oct 26 13:35

Three Lane Ends

Leaves ankle deep,
Though fuchsias
Still dance
By my window.
But
Roses so sadly
Bow their heads
Along the last line
Of summer resistance.


Out and about,
Well drained
Chocolate fields
Are harrowed
To a tilth.
While
Pastures retain
The stain of
The last deluge.
Below the rising ground
Clumped rushes
Are in standing water
Still half hid.

Beyond the marsh
Above the church's tower
The crusader's flag,
Unlike the land
With dogged hope,
Not drowning but waving
Albeit,
Beneath the doubtful eye
Of a solitary rook.

JL Oct 25 12:49

Caterpillar

Late caterpillar
On a curling leaf
Autumn left behind
To winter sleep.

Summer will see
It fire its way
Into flamboyance
Just for a day.

JL Oct 24 18:13

Late post clinic day

Grace

The smooth sweep
Of cloud
Above a far
And distant hill

The poise of wine
Just flowing
Oer the brim

The seal slip
Beneath
The flow of sea

The graceful things
That sing
The peace of grace


The inward grace
That blesses
All our thoughts

Yet in our frailty
Can we give ourselves
To disgraceful things.

JL 23. Oct. 11:51

Coils

Caught in coils
Of being
Somewhere else
The silver spirit
Deep inside
Laid on the riverside
Watching turgid waters
Swirling by
Waiting for a further flood
To carry me off
Just for today.
Tomorrow will be
A day for singing
And graceful play.

JL Oct 22 15:27

Chrysanthemums

Glory tinted globe
Chrysanthemums ,
Burnished copper
Turning red on gold,
Clustered feather ends
Falling roundly to the hand,
Most apt for gloomy apse,
Their ragged edge
A superficial smile
Nodding at the coffin's edge,
Most apt for autumn's gift,
A munificence of fruit
Before the winters chilling depth.

JL Oct 21. 13:47

Emmie 19

Saturday morning and Emmie set off for church again to do the flowers. In the hall Dorothy was already there with her arms full of chrysanthemums, all glorious yellow and burnished red and gold. They aimed to keep the arrangements quite simple, letting the vibrancy of the colours speak, uncluttered by frippery and artifice. Their underlying principle was to strive for adornment rather than decoration and they usually achieved it before lunchtime.

By 12:30 they were finished and walked the short distance round the corner to the "Copper Kettle". It was a popular spot and tended to get very busy on market days and Saturdays and so they booked a table every other week for the two of them between 12:30 and one o'clock. As they opened the door they were met by the welcoming clatter and chatter of the lunching occupants, mainly ladies of a certain age and style. They ordered quiche and salad and shared a large bottle of still water.

"Have you heard from Yasmin?" Dorothy enquired, between mouthfuls.
"No, not a word. I was thinking about her yesterday when I dozed off in church. I imagined her turning round and smiling with a wave. And the next thing I knew was Fr Costello waking me up -very embarrassing."
" I hope it wasn't an omen!"
" I hope not. Jenny is coming over tomorrow afternoon, so I will know more then. I think she would have said if anything major had happened."
" Yes I'm sure."

When they had finished they ordered two coffees. The young girl asked if they would like to see dessert menu. Dorothy demurred but Emmie said she would treat herself and ordered a slice of Sacher Torte with whipped cream. When it arrived Emmie smiled appreciatively and savoured the first delicious mouthful. She looked up to see Dorothy smiling at her. "What?"
" I was just thinking, some of us have to watch our waistlines."
" Never seemed to be a problem with me."
" No I know, you're lucky that way."

After the dessert and the coffees they settled their individual accounts and manoeuvred their way toward he door. With a nod and a smile, they went their separate ways. "See you in the morning." Dorothy called out.
Emmie turned back. "I'm not sure. I may go this evening and leave Sunday free."
" OK I will see you later in the week. Let me know the news if there is any."
" I will. "

Emmie smiled at the michaelmas daisies at her garden gate and put it in mind to sweep up the first fallen autumn leaves from the path. She let herself in and closed the door slowly behind her. It was a gloomy afternoon and the hall way was quite dark. She switched on the hall light and there, hanging on the newel post at the end of the bannister, was the brocade shopping bag.
Her voice quavered, "Yasmin ?" She called.

JL Oct 20 19:04

Friday Folk

Sunny space
To touch
The falling leaves
To glint
The goldfinch wings
To cheer
The lunching ladies
To promise
Foraged bargains
To end
The working week.

JL Oct 19 13:42

Night and Day

In the wild wood
Silver birch bark
Shines
By the dark pool
Moonlit.

So soft
In sunlight
Dab chicks ripple
By the sedge edge
Dipping

The swan's flotilla
At a distance
Lumbers into cloud.


JL Oct 18 14:18

Whimsy

Midweek melody
Of leaf fall
And darkening
Afternoons,
That fall
Into night slip,
Where memory
And dream
Mingle into
Scent and softness.

As the poet recalls
In pages long ago
"Never to recapture
That first careless rapture"
When you first
Let fall your tears
Upon my tie
And I with casual
Deftness
Slipped from your arms
To pursue
An alternative
Attraction.

Oh how the past
Can punctuate
Our foolishness
With but a semi-colon.

JL Oct 17 11:50

Great Gale

A tapestry
Of creation
Weaves colours
Into flowers and fields
Brings a Michaelmas
Of purple by the wall.

The gale today
Great waves rise
Mid October
Blown away.



JL Oct 16. 14:02

Far Tractor

In the distance
Sunlight tints
A tiny tractor
At fell foot,
Its dark plough
Kicks up
A spray of gulls
From broken stubble earth.

There is a cycle
To this feeding
Delve and seeding
Where I am caught
Upon a spiral
Of unbroken words
Catching my breath.

JL Oct 15. 14:14

Shifting Sand

Today
Late sun
Leavens my lazy
Afternoon.

I'm wrapt
In the mystery
Of chains
Anchored
From a heavy sea
To foot slip
Shifting sand.

I wait
For another day
Another tide
To lift me free.

JL Oct 14 17:01

Emmie 18

Still as still, she caught the corner of Father Costello's eye. He was not sure, but as he made to move down the aisle he became aware of the almost imperceptible rise and fall of the woman's shoulders. Not wishing to give her a shock he rattled his keys against the radiator. She came to with a sharp intake of breath.
" Oh it's you Emmie! "
" I'm sorry Father, I must have dozed off."
". That's all right. When I first saw you, I thought you had dozed off for good. "
" I could well have, but I don't think he is ready for me yet." She gave a smile and a shrug. She was aware that her knees seemed very stiff as she tried to get up.
" Let me help," He said. " Old bones, that's something we share. Would you like to come in for a cup of tea? You feel quite cold."
" No thank you, all the same. I must get back."

They walked together down the nave. Father Costello opened the door into the porch, and let Emmie through into the darkening evening air, " Now you just take care," he said and locked the door behind her.

She stood by the gate and paused to gather her thoughts. " How embarrassing being found asleep in church. Like a vagrant," she thought. And her knees still felt a bit wobbly. She would walk back slowly. She wondered whether Jenny was visiting that evening. She would check the calendar when she got in.

Opening her door, she hung up her coat and went to the calendar. Jenny was due on Sunday afternoon. " Good, " she thought. That visit to church had left her quite drained, time for a nice cup of tea.

JL Oct 13. 13:04

Nettle Matal

These days
I need a soft
And rounded
Gentle light.
To push
Sharp things
Out of focus
Into my holding.

I do not need
The prickle thistle
Nettle-metal
Thorn horn
Hard to handle
Daytime shine.

Me is to
Even shadows
Crepuscular,
Misty dusk,
Geese skeins
Horizontal
Against the sunset
All in silhouette.

And as some
Fjord lord
I could
Take myself
Upon the tide's ebb
Out to sea.

JL Oct 12 15:44

Southern Wind

Here is the
Autumn
Southern wind
That bends
The willows
Fit to break,
That rattles
Outhouse doors,
Lifts latches
And brings rain
To fill
The lower meadow
Once again.

JL Oct 11. 12:00

Wild Duck

The evening sun
Purple tints
The heather
Over distant hills,
Peaches meadows
Flooded
After days of rain,

As it flies
The curlew cries
High above
The salt marsh,
Where this week
I hear
The wintering teal
Are coming in to land.

Such season seasoning
Adds some savour
To the fare
Of one so welded to a chair.

JL Oct 10 12:39

Wrestling

Heard birdsong
Rare this time
Of year
To cheer
The ear.

Familiar
Blackbird
On the lawn
At dawn

While
On chimney pots
Raucous jackdaws
Wrestle.

While
With words
I wrestle
Locked indoors.

JL 9 Oct 11:59

Empty Monday

Empty Monday
Waits upon
The coming week,

With each dawn
The coming hope
Which lies asleep,

That we could rise
And ride before
The haunting eventide

To choose the moments
That bring the sharpest colours
To our lives.

JL Oct 8 16:45

The Sun Settles

As my sun settles
Into sand and sea
I need your armful
Warmth about me.

In an empty room
The dust settles
Your presence there
In rose petals.

An open window
Rustles of leaves
The soft sureness
Your words weave.

As my sun settles
Into sea and sand
I feel your softness
Beneath my hand.

Wherever I go
You'll still be there
With that scent
Of lavender in your hair.

JL 7 Oct 13:47

Emmie 17

It was Friday, the end of another week and Emmie was on her way back from the covered market. She thought she would just pop into church on the way back and have a word with Him upstairs.She pushed against the heavy door and stood in the sense of coolness tinged with a scent of guttering candle wax. The emptiness was quite dark, lit only by the red and blue light through the stained glass windows of the nave. She brushed her fingers against each pillar of the south aisle, recalling the many fingers of a century of days before. How many hands..........?


Making her way to the sanctuary, she genuflected on the lower step and walked slowly towards the candles holder at the foot of the statue of the Sacred Heart. She placed two small candles on their spikes and lit them with a match from the box on the ledge below the statue. They stood there, upright and plain, each with its steady flame, untouched by any draught. There was one in remembrance of David and one for the future of Yasmin.

She sat in the front pew quite quietly. Her hands rested in her lap as she drifted into the past. She saw the image of David in his skullcap with a cream silk prayer shawl around his shoulders. In her mind's eye she counted the tassels and as she did, she saw his hands with palms upwards slightly stretched towards the altar. She held him there and as she did, she felt the tears slowly blear her eyes and as they flowed she felt his image slip away.

Yasmin shimmered in a more vibrant light but was just as present, there in her pale blue hijab and modest school uniform. As she turned she smiled with a faint wave of the hand. Emmie gathered them both to her, placing them in her heart before The Lord, the one being held in her love from the past, the other in her care for the future. There they were, Christian, Muslim and Jew, a faceted trinity of individual souls, joined in Emmie's heart without any religious chains to nail them to the world's uncertain ground.

Emmie became aware of the traffic drone outside and with a rueful smile
wiped her eyes with a cursory finger, tucked her scarf deeper in her collar, crossed herself and made to leave this moment of peace for the hurly burly of the world outside.


Father Costello found her sitting there, quite still when he came to lock up, just as it was going dark.

JL Oct. 7. 11:44

64 Bus

Every school day morning
Whether in the rain or dust
One's innards did a shuffle
At the sight of the 64 bus.

The prospect of the journey
With its attendant lust
Against a convent cultured thigh
Held tight on the 64 bus.

Adolescent chatter
Discretion was a must
For calculated coquetry
On the morning service bus.

Those delicious handheld moments
That forever stay with us
When first we went a wooing
On the morning service bus.

These days all is different
Just a wild and noisy fuss
Where all finesse is lacking
On the special schoolie bus.

JL Oct 5 13:07

Poetry Day

Poetry today
A panoply of poems
Purposeful
And possessive
Personal
And poignant 
Purple passages
Of perfect pitch
Pace and pressure
Preferred parallels 
In painterly pictures
Of pleasure and pain
All put together
With lip smacking
Plosive impact.

JL Oct 4 12:23

Just For Today

Sometimes I can't but help
To see the flowers fade
The petals fall to floor
And into leaf mould laid.

The streamers of the larch
Hang towards the ground
The procession of it all
That moves without a sound.

Sometimes I hear far voices call
Furtive whispers in the leaves,
Echoes of my summers' past
That bring me to my knees,

From whence I cannot rise
On the ground perforce to stay
Make virtue of necessity
Tis a fitting place to pray.

"Not for tomorrow Lord
Just for today".

JL Oct 3 12:05

Judas

I have you
In the corner
Of my eye.
Your smile
Slightly turned,
As in the crystal
Corner of a glass.

Across the table
Your slender fingers
Twist the knapery.
The sorrowed remnants
Of our meal
Are tumbled into disarray.

Even now
I feel the tension
Of your distress,
And count the tortuous 
Travel of your tears
Along the intervening years.

I can taste them even now
As I am looking 
Out to sea.

JL Oct 2nd 11:27

Another Monday

However dark the day
Settle your eye
On the half open rose
Dew drop dazzled,
Unfurling freshness
Of scented promise.

Look to the distance
Upon the silver shimmer
Of wind turned
Willow leaves.
Or taste the sense
Of forest dampened 
Autumn floors.
And
Remember
We are
Also part
Of this creation.

JL Oct 1st. 12:12

Sunday

Sunday

I wish you
A new morning
Among the flowers 
With a prospect
Of an ice cream
Pastel afternoon

JL Sept 30 12:39

Emmie 16

Dear Emmie 
All cool here.
Jenny will call and see you 
this week.
Yas 

The postcard had a picture of Seahouses.
The postmark was Northumberland.
Emmie slipped it in her blue exercise book and looked forward to the sound of the scooter up Chapel Walk.


JL Sept 29 13:02

Waking Late

Waking late,
Laid Low
By somnolence
And fateful fatigue,
Rose to see
Sunshine happiness
Dappling from leaf to tree,
Slanting through
Late fuchsia
Sheltered by the wall
Long to be there
Until the first hard frost of Fall.
Autumn now has come to pass
with daisy shades
Of Michaelmas
A patch of purple
By the wall.


JL. Sept 28. 13:12

Harbour Lights

With all the silver
Shine upon the sea
The moon has spilt
The lovers' shadows
By the harbour wall.

Touch for touch,
Step with step,
By silent
Coils and kreels,
They make
Towards the laughing
Lamplight
Of the quay side bar.

There they join
An anonymity of noise
Taking up
Their single lives
Once more.

JL Sept 27 15:38

On the strand

Come to me
You lovers
Of the sea.

Hand in hand
We lovers
On the strand.

Let me not feel
Your finger's loose
The grind of keel.

I stumble now
Toward the headland
Just to catch
A glimpse
Of your sail's retreat
No rhythm beneath
The gravel scramble
At my feet.

On the horizon
Wake in moonlight
You are gone.

JL Sept 26 14:18

Among the Dunes

I remain
In the dune slack
With wild and tiny thyme.
Some time asleep
With Creeping Jenny
Clover and the common vetch.

Above me
The high marram
With a touch of couch
Where from
The lark rises
All lift and tumble
Tossed upon a cloud.


Today I drown
From the plashing
Of the night rain
And my lips
Are tainted
With the rust
Of forgotten nails

What would it be
To live in clover?
Take away the sea
I could be yours.


JL Sept 25. 14:16

Wet Monday

May the morning
Find you
Touched by the gold
Of sunshine
The halo of the dawn
Setting you
Among the flowers
Of the field
To soar with the lark
Choosing the day.
Even with the thought
Of "Oh what weather"


JL 24Sept 12:22

Equinoxious

Here and there
Come and gone
The night lengthens
Winter drawers on.

Gather mufflers
Knit your scarves
Look out the gloves
No time for laughs

Have you seen
My wooly socks?
Autumn equinox.

JL Sept 23 3:22

Emmie 15

Dear Mrs Jacobs

Just a note to let you know that we are trying 
to get some financial  assistance for Yasmin
through special university funds. We are also in 
touch with a hostel for temporary accommodation.
It looks promising. Family relations no solution
as yet- working on it.

Regards

Margaret Evans

There was no sender's address which seemed odd. Emmie put the note in her blue exercise book and put them both in the welsh dresser drawer. She also made a note to have a bit of money set aside should it be needed.


JL Sept 22. 13:07

Dove Grey

This year's
Fully fledged,
First come, clumsy,
Collared doves,
Flap and dash
Themselves 
About the garden sycamore,
Lumber and bounce
Upon soft twigs
Flumble to the ground
And cast an accusing eye:
Cumbersome, who me?
And in a turn 
Of nonchalance 
Take flight
Into a grey
As dove like afternoon.

There will be rain later.

JL Sept 21. 14:18

Wishy Washy

Here it comes again
Marching 
With the tide!
Driven by a naughty wind
Umbrellas
Turning 
Outside in.

Every other day it seems,
Filling to the brim,
Urns and pots,
Capacious things,
Wished or not
Compelled to swim.

Hard not to feel
When it recedes 
To leave its mark
Just washed up,
Like Noah ... ... ........ ...

JL 20 Sept 11:18

From Time to Time

From time to time
I come and go
Along a bow
And swing softly
To a stringed adagio

To slide across a sea
With Rachmaninov in D
There above the grasses
Of the Russian plains
See the flight 
Of migrating cranes.

With each wing beat
They repeat 
The rhythm
Of the softest spring adagio.
While we are pinioned
Discordant
On the  Earth below.

JL Sept 19. 11:38

Flames

Flames
In clouds,
As to my back
A dark chill
Slips the sun
Beneath the sea.

Recall 

Lace curtain
Shadow shapes,
Dance with moths,
Around the lamp,
Create a  scene
Of mystery.


Kings  and castles
Crowns and crenellations
Of bedtime stories
Long ago
And friendly voices
Drifting me to sleep.

JL Sept 18. 11:17

Migration

Above my head
A sycamore 
Scratches cloud
And swallows swoop
To settle on the wires
And telegraph  their teams
To seek the south.

As this westerly 
Turns north
It tips their tails
Towards the pyrenees. 

Martins pause at sunset 
Kissed with gold
Above the Alcazar
Until they reach
Their winter perch:
 A Moroccan minaret.

Will I have the grace to see
Your swoop and chatter
In the Spring return?



Written distracted by the Ladies British Open golf in Hoylake dashed by driving rain but from the comfort of my sofa.

JL Sept 17 11:46

Voices

The ears,
Being more important
Than the mouth,
I listen to the wind.
Its
High voice 
Along bare branches,
Basso profundo 
Down chimney stack
To hearth,

Plaintiff moaning
Under doors,
Staccato rattle 
Along ships' sheets,
Its flap and crack
Among loose sails.

A dour warning
to those who venture 
Out of harbour,
Or on open fell

Better far
To stay bunked up,
Blanket bound,
To hear
And not be part
Of such cold and chilling
Tittle tattle.


JL Sept 16. 12:58

Emmie 14

Dear Emmie

Hope you are ok and there wasn't 
any trouble with the police. The place
to stay is fine. Job in ice cream van
with a guy called Alan for the summer/
Uni organised will keep you posted.
Luv 
Yas.

The picture on the front was Bridlington harbour.

Emmie remembered  a song from the past. 

oh oh oh Antonio he's gone away
Left me  alone ee o , all  on my own ee  o
I want to met him with his new sweet heart
And up will go Antonio and his ice cream cart.

Music Hall Florrie Forde she thought.

The one she remembered was on a sunny afternoon at the park gates. "Granelli's" Ice Cream,,red and white with big blue letters.

JL Sept 15 11:55

Old Knees

Sitting down to pray Is so demeaning
Thought Jeremiah
Grappling to his feet and wobbling down
The dusty choir.

Pausing by the rood screen to take 
A laboured breath
Looked up high to contemplate 
The tortured face of death

A voice beside the sanctuary lamp
Caught his vague attention 
"I heard every word you said
Was that your intention. ? "

Better watch my language
Jeremiah thought
Kneeling, standing, sitting 
It seems to matter nought.

JL Sept 14 11:49

The Burning of Leaves

Time for the burning of leaves
The heady spiral smoke
Above the whitewashed cott.
The turf smoke scent
A memory of smiles.

Now
The dog rose
In the dune slack
Turns to hip.
The willow whip 
That bends its back
Before the lash of hail.

I see it all
And wish my part 
To play with it again.
To taste the salt 
Of sea upon my lips
And shed those tears
Caused only by the bite of wind,


JL Sept 13 13:55

Shirley

There it is 
The flame
In the picture,
Between them 
Jesus and the high priest.

And you 
Sending the note
Composure
In a neat 
And steady hand.

A week today
I hold the picture
The candle 
Without a flicker
Between them.

Of your flame
Many pictures
Held in memory
Before me 
Carried to me 
From the past
Without a flicker.>

JL Sept 12 11:34

Jervaulx

Old stone buildings
Ruins from an age
So long ago,

And this lichen,
Smudged  upon my sleeve
Seven centuries 
Of sacred dust

The tracered 
Gap toothed edge
Of this colonnade 
Gone west,

A grassy mound
Of sanctuary
De-sanctified,
Today the spiral incense
Only that of burning leaves.

On this holy ground
Where lambs
May safely graze
White cowled monks
Once hourly
Sang their praise.

JL Sept 11. 14:15

Rambling

On shining days
This time of year
The heather blooms
Across the sun filled moor.
Tussock  islands
Patched in purple
Over peat bog black.

Rambler beware
The boot clutched
Suck of mire.
Keep to the worn
And gritty path
Gauged by torrents
Rushing from the fell.

They do not have
The soft adventure
Of the heathered way.
Where one light  step
Will  fill your boots
And bring a soggy end
Unto your rambling day.

Take the plain and flinty road
And end up home and dry.

JL Sept 10 12:41

Stubble Fields

As  mist gathers
Over stubble fields
The far monastery
Vesper bells aspire
Treble, alto and bass
Call hooded shapes
Clasped in shade
Gathered from their tasks
To praise the end of day.
In their cloisters
Shuffle one by one 
To pray.

As the sun descends
The rising of a golden moon.

JL Sept 9 12:34

Emmie 13

As Emmie moved towards the shadowed door she made up her mind what to do or rather what to say. "Tell the truth and shame the devil," had run through her mind from childhood and she saw no reason to depart from it now. 

As she opened the door she was taken aback by how much the two police officers blocked out the light and how menacing they seemed. She told herself that she had nothing to fear.
"Mrs Jacobs ?"
" Yes ." They did not show any identification as in the TV dramas she had seen but there was no need. They were  obviously police officers. However they did not, at first, give their names,  although their numbers were plain to see. There was a pause. 
" We are making enquries about a missing girl."
" I see, and would you be kind enough to tell me your names?"
There was a brief exchange of glances and the WPC said, " I am Anne Jenkins and this is police constable John Ryder and we would like to ask you about Yasmin Khan."

" Ah yes, do come in," she said, and led them into the kitchen. " This may take a little while. Would you like a cup of tea? The kettle has just boiled. Perhaps you would like to take off your caps and sit down." She was aware their extreme youth and they seemed to be quite reticent.

They took ther seats with a rather embarrassed shuffle.

" I would not like to think that this was an interrogation," she said as she took a blue exercise book from the drawer of the welsh dresser and placed in front of WPC Anne Jenkins. " It's all in there with dates and approximate times, apart from today. I left for work this morning leaving Yasmin in bed at about seven thirty. I have just returned to find that Yasmin and her belongings are no longer here. As I said to myself, ' The bird has flown.' "

" WOULD you like a cup of tea?"
" No thanks," they chimed in unison. They began to take down the details from the exercise book.  " Would you  like to tell us how and why this took place? What is your connection with he girl? "

" First of all she is not a young girl. She is a young woman. She is not a minor. She is eighteen years of age and I saw her  passport as proof. As such, I would say she should be free to make her own choices. She came here because her friend asked me to take her in.
" Did you know she had been reported as missing?"
" No not until I saw a headline in her local paper. To me she was a young lady who had left home to escape possible abuse."
" Why didn't you get in touch  with us when you saw the article?"
" Firstly she did not want me to and furthermore her friend knew, her school knew and Social Services knew that she was safe. Also I only saw the paper yesterday lunchtime and I didn't notice a telephone number. In the circumstances I did not want to phone 999."
" And where is she now?"
" I don't know. She just left a note. I'll  get it for you."  Emmie went to the sitting room and returned with the note, handing it to the WPC. " You see she just thanks me for the care and attention and says she will be in touch  when everything is sorted out."
" Do you mind if we keep this?"
" I think I'd like to keep it for the time being. You just make a note of the contents. If she gets in touch, which is quite likely, I will advise her to go to her nearest police station and show them that she is safe. Then it's up to her."

Emmie made it clear that Yasmin intended to take her place at university and at that time she might need protection, particularly if there was no reconciliation with her parents. 

" I will contact you if hear from her. That's all I can say."  Emmie got up from her chair and surprisingly her visitors took the hint and gathered themselves up.

" Well just make sure you let us know!"
" I most certainly will," she said and led them  to the door.

When they had gone she sat down for a moment. She felt herself start to tremble. She had surprised herself on how calm and composed she had been, but  she did not feel calm and composed now. She felt distinctly nervy. With sudden determination she pulled herself together and went to the cabinet in the front room and produced the bottle of Amontillado  Sherry. She gently poured the golden liquid into a wine glass. Her hand had stopped shaking and as she sipped, so she felt her confidence return. 

She went to the telephone and phoned Dorothy and brought her up to date so that  she would be prepared if a police visit should occur. She was not sure how Mrs Evans would respond but that was not her problem.  She returned to the kitchen and placing the glass before her, smiled and took another satisfying sip. 

She wondered what the weather was like in Filey!

JL Sept 8 13:59

Ps. Future episodes will be shorter as my wrists grow weaker and extended typing grows ever more difficult. Jeff

Friday Prayer

<

Benedicamus domino

This morning
Against sharp stones
On our road
May the lord protect us.
And may our tears 
Be counted
On the pilgrim's way.
With our frailty of faith
And suffering soul
May the Lord
Make haste to help us.

And

In the silence 
Of our hearts
May we welcome
And give place
To the Spirit 
Of grace and kindliness.

Deo Gratias

JL Sept 7 08:29

Leaf Fall

First leaf fall
Silent on the lawn,
Soon to hear
The dark wing beat
Through the twilight
Cross the marsh,
The weary wind 
Keening through 
The bleached bones
Of forgotten sailors.
On the coming tide
The steaming shrimpers come
Along the edge of dawn.

JL sept 6 14:37

Clinic

The distant fells
Are dark grey mounds
All rounded, 
Set against the clouds
The grouse
Still heathered
In the evening sun
And me just
Westering home
From the breathing
Clinic

JL Sept 5 17:34

Left on he Shelf

Saw single
Silver shoe
In shop window.

"Are you
Going my way?"
She said.
"Sure" I said.

Made
Sole music
Together

Never been
So happily
Lost again.

I  call it
Whimsical 
Widow shopping.

P.S.
Written on the sole
"Someday my prince will come."

JL September 4. 13:35

Dangerous Corner

A place of encounter,
At the crossroads
When that sense of the spirit
Took my hand,

Was it the shrine on the bend
Or the flowers tucked into the fence
The wayside crucifix
Gone in a glance?


I knew you were there
For the journey 
To bear in mind,
But somehow
I failed to keep a hold on you.

JL September 3rd 12:51

Summer Fruits

Late summer colours
A panoply of shining lights
Of dahlia delight,

Dark riches of fat damsons
Just across the hedgerow ditch
Blood squeezed brambles
Dripping juice  through every stitch,

A flush of late dianthus
Lights the garden path
And spreads its sweetness 
By the garden gate
And amidst it all
A child's expectant face,

Waits for Mummy 
Coming home.

JL Sept 2nd 12:37

Emmie 12

On Wednesday morning Emmie and Yasmin caught the nine forty seven bus into town. Jenny had made an appointment at the hairdressers for eleven thirty so they were in good time.When they  arrived at ten thirty five Jenny was already waiting at the 137 bay. The arrangement was, that the two girls would meet up with Emmie at a quarter to one at the Criterion Grill for some lunch. The two girls embraced and walked briskly off in the direction of the town centre while Emmie waited for them to disappear and she slipped into The Copper Kettle behind the Bus Station for a quiet cup of tea.

She had just settled herself down when she noticed a discarded morning newspaper with the glaring headline " Local Girl Missing". She discretely moved to the adjacent table and took up the paper. There was a small picture of Yasmin in a dark jacket, probably school uniform, wearing her hijab. She could have easily been mistaken for a local nun. The paper was not local and had probably been brought in on a bus. Emmie now realised that the police would have been informed and there would be a general alert. Emmie finished her tea, put the paper in er bag and left the tearoom. 

She made her way slowly round the shops, stopping here and there to look at items of interest. She visited a speciality cheese shop and purchased a small piece of Stilton. She was very partial to the traditional Cropwell Bishop which  she thought had a particularly creamy texture. It was not cheap, but there again you get what you pay for. She also noticed an end of season sale at a rather posh shoe shop where a pair of rather stylish navy blue casual shoes caught her eye. She decided to try them but to her disappointment they were the only size left and they we're too loose, being a half size larger than her usual fit. There was some time left and she found a seat just by the central library and sat there in the late summer sunshine to have another look at the newspaper.

The report mentioned all the details; Yasmin Khan , eighteen, Asian, but also added the possibility that she may be trying to leave the country as she had taken her passport and her  savings. There was an intimation that an older male was involved but there was no real evidence. She closed and folded the paper and popped it into a waste bin on her way to the town centre and The Criterion Grill. The girls were waiting outside already. Yasmin was carrying a large Army & Navy bag and she looked quite  different.  The short haircut had  made  a profound difference to her appearance. She now bore little resemblance to the photograph in the paper.

They placed their order: Ham pineapple and chips for Jenny; Sirloin steak and chips with grilled tomato; and for Emmie Steak and kidney pie, chips and peas. While they were waiting Emmie told the girls about the newspaper article and they were duly surprised. Yasmin did not think her  father  would have allowed the news out so soon, or perhaps he had already sent people to search for her. She was afraid now because she could expect a beating if she was found and brought back. The secret must be tightly kept. Yasmin had also done some shopping, a pair of Wrangler jeans, Nike trainers, some undies and a cheap rucksack from The Army & Navy for £19,99. 
"Being prepared! ", thought Emmie, but she said nothing, preferring to wait and see.

Having eaten, they made their way to the Bus Station. Jenny just saw her bus beginning to board at he other end of the station. She made a hurried farewell and said she would be in touch tomorrow with the A level results. The 137 came just ten minutes after and they set off back. Reaching home Emmie tidied up and got her things ready for tomorrow. As it was results day she would have to get in earlier. She got out the ironing board and ironed her cream silk blouse which seemed to get itself crushed even when hanging in the wardrobe. Yasmin went upstairs taking a large slice of fruit cake and mug of tea saying that she was going to write up diary and have an early night.

Emmie opened her packet of Stilton to find that it had become rather moist. It had a tendency to sweat if kept wrapped and away from the fridge,  but at least,  it made it easy to  spread, without breaking the cream crackers. There was a tomato left in the fridge that would go nicely. She brewed herself a pot of Earl Grey and settled down to a distinctly favourite munch. David would have enjoyed this although he would have preferred a glass  of tawny port to go with the Stilton. She paused in reverie and smiled with the reminiscence. Shaking herself, she got up from the table and took the blue exercise book out of the dresser drawer. She began to make a list of the events as they had developed over the past few days.

At the end of this busy day she brushed her teeth and  prepared for bed, setting the alarm for seven thirty. 

When she awoke all was silent. She had a shower and put on a hint of make up, blusher and a suggestion of eye shadow and a touch of mascara. She believed in subtle decoration of her construction rather than wholesale construction of her decorations. Thus prepared she had a slice of toast and a cup of coffee, applied a smidgin of lipstick, donned her lightweight top coat and made for the door. She paused momentarily to consider whether to give Yasmin a call but thought  better of it as Jenny would probably call later with the results.

The atmosphere at school was electric with tension and by the time Emmie arrived, there was a long queue at the front door, not usually  used by pupils, unless late arrivals waiting to sign in. This was early. Emmie's  'excuse me' caused a slight parting in the crowd and she made her way to the office. The sense of urgency was palpable and Emmie immediately started to put the remaining printed results sheets in the named envelopes. The reception of the results was met with the whole gamut of adolescent responses through tears of joy to moans of disappointment. Once the results were through, Emmie's help was no longer needed and she got off home.

As she put her key in the door she felt a real flutter somewhere below her navel. The house was silent. She went into the kitchen and on the table was the note.

Dear Emmie 
A & 2 Bs, enough for my place. Thanks for everything. I have borrowed the brocade bag and will post it back with news. Thank you again.
Yasmin. X

Emmie walked slowly and rather sadly upstairs. Yasmin's room was clean and tidy and empty of any vestiges of occupancy. Emmie thought  of Filey.  Just as she turned to go downstairs the front doorbell rang. She could see two dark shadows through the glass. She opened the door to a policeman and WPC.

The bird had flown.

JL Sept 1st 17:53

Flash

I wonder whether
Kingfisher wings
Still flash
Beneath the trees
Along the dark canal
And the heron
Still stands
Mournful 
As a vicar
By a grave.

One is  flashing
Fishy death
The other
Pointing doom.
I love 
The flashing blue
Can do without the gloom.

JL August 31. 12:42

Helter Skelter

Helter skelter
Of the swirling leaves
Pirouetting
Sycamore keys

And so we step
Into September
And further fall
Summer  just remembered.



JL August 30 15:01

Lytham

Sunny day
By the sea
All the world
In shorts
Windmill sails
Are still.
Picnic families
On the green
Thronging
Holiday
To grasp 
The last
Before
Schools 
Go back.

JL August 29. 14:25

Sit By Me

I smile
At a semblance 
Of summer today

A dark grey cloud
Above my head
Is tomorrow.

Reaching for sunshine
Through a grey mist
Is my God given grace.

I can no longer kneel
My prayer being 
Just sit by me I pray.

JL August 28 11:59

Simply

Simply

In my mind's eye
Dappled among delphiniums
Hazed in azure crowns
A plot of Summer blue
Affords a glory set anew.

While in my window

Rain storms in
Striding cross the plain
Rolled towards us from an angry sea
Lashing where once we had
The comfort of the sun's serenity.

Yet I would not be 
Without them both
Each in mirrored beauty
Seem the same to me.

JL August 27 11:49

Dead heading

This last red rose
Has pierced 
Some heart
Or within its petals
Has contained
A consummated love.


Dark velvet folds
Of  slaked desire
Trembling dew drops
At each petal's lip
Caught by sun shaft 
At the break of day.

I remember 
In the fading rays
Of summer sun
Light falling 
On your shining hair
And you were gone.

JL August 26 13:12

Emmie 11

Emmie never thought of herself as a nervous person. She prided herself on not giving herself to worry. Nevertheless, as she turned her key in the lock she had to confess to a slight feeling of apprehensive curiosity. 
She need not have worried, all was calm and peaceful.  Yasmin was sitting in the garden reading her book. There was a cooking aroma gently drifting from the kitchen. Emmie stood in the kitchen door and called, "Smells good! "
Yasmin jumped slightly at the shock of the voice coming down the garden.   "I couldn't sit here all day doing nothing so I made a curry sauce with that jar of Pataks in the cupboard." Yasmin smiled a quizzical smile, "I hope that's ok ? "
 " That's fine. There is some rice in there too."
" I noticed."
It was decided to use some mince which had been bought at the weekend. So that was taken out of the fridge and tea prepared.

The phone rang. It was Margaret Evans. She arrived at seven thirty. Emmie put them both in the front room while she started to clear away and do the washing up. She took in a cup of tea some twenty minutes later and by that time the plans were made. It was results day on Thursday and when they had come through further decisions would have to be made.

 It seemed that Yasmin's father had contacted the school but, knowing the situation, and Yasmin having left, there was no reason to offer any information. It was most unusual that none of the other Asian girls knew anything about it, except for some vague rumours. Mrs Evans said that Jenny would know more when she came over on Wednesday.

Emmie said that she thought that a visit to the hairdressers was in order, as  a shorter style would cut down the opportunity for recognition in town, so to speak. She said she would phone for an appointment on Wednesday morning. Mrs Evans said she would deal the results and administration on Thursday, making sure that  a copy of the results would be sent to the family. It was thought, that they would not know the difference between the copy and the original. However, she was worried that the secret could not be kept indefinitely and she did not know how social services would react. However, she would be as discrete as possible and would only disclose any information if absolutely necessary.

In fact social services arrived on Wednesday morning unannounced. She displayed her identity and was duly admitted. She seemed to Emmie to be treating Yasmin as a naughty girl who was running away from home. Emmie thought this was possibly a dangerous attitude. She might inform the parents with all the trouble that could cause. It was made clear by Yasmin that she was not a naughty girl  and she explained what had happened to her elder sister. She was, after all, eighteen and old enough to make her own decisions.  The SS was reassured by the knowledge that the teacher and head knew of the situation and said she would not open a file as long as the authorities were kept informed.

Yasmin said that Mrs Evans had said she would inform the police if there was any evidence of intimidation or stalking from her end. She was far enough  away and had promised to act to protect the location of the place of safety. Also Yasmin's family lived outside the local area of this social services office and the officer had no intention of opening another case file which would, probably, entail another mound of paperwork.

She left just as the sound of Jenny's scooter came echoing up Chapel Walk. Her bright pink helmet completely covered her identity. She bustled in while removing the helmet and and was obviously anxious to unload the news. The story was out and friends had been on their phones. The news was that Yasmin had run away with a boyfriend and had gone away right down south so that they could not be found in the big city. Jenny had done nothing to spoil the story as she thought it would provide a good cover. Jenny also said that she would go with Yasmin out of the area when they had got their results the following day. Jenny's aunt had a caravan in Filey they could use for a little while and just have Emmie  as a contact point. They just had to wait for Thursday morning. The girls discussed all the possibilities and Jenny left just as it was getting dark.

Emmie decided to wait and see what Thursday would bring and then make her suggestions. She was not too sure about two eighteen year old girls alone  on a caravan park in Filey

JL August 25 17:44

Barley Mow

The field has found
The Midas touch.
Rabbits scatter
To the sheltered hedge
And soon 
The country church
Will brandish wheat ears
At the end of every pew
And swallows swoop
About the steeple top.
We, having watched
Such industry
Will sit at ease
To take a scoop of ale
Outside the Barley Mow.
And relish there
Our idleness.

JL August 24 13:37

Rough Stones

Once upon the hill
Whipped
By mountain ash
And sharp marsh grass
A rocky road
Stumbled across the moor
And I stumble still
In fellowship
Not the best day
For a journey
I hope for brightness
On the morrow
Without sharp stones
And rough edges.

JL August .23. 15:47

Fancy Dance

Did you ever see
A face you loved
In bubbles of a champagne flute
Just filling to the brim;
An effervescent fancy  dance
Of laughter long ago,
A demi-semi quaver laugh
That tumbled in the air,
A brittle echo of your joy,
A quickstep Fred Astair
A Busby Berkeley monochrome ?

That glorious first affair!
When all your skin seemed silver
And first you waked on air.

JL August 22. 13:07

Beacon Fell

Find
The freshness
Of fuchsias
In the hedgerow
After rain,
Hope of clemency
In a curving cloud
And turn again
Along a forest path
Greenly dim,
To feel kind fingers
Sink
Into the softest moss
And taste its saltiness
Along the tongue
So to lift the head
Take deep breaths
And reach the roundness
Of the hilltop cairn.


A prosaic point of triangulation

JL August 21 12:51

Monday Morning

This morning 
Sunlit leaves
Have hosted
Butterflies,
Dun brown
And softly white,
While in the silence
Of my flowery yard
Honeysuckle
Is urged upon
By busy bees
Making up 
For time past
Lost in rainy days.

Such is my delight
In small things
To start a week

JL August 20 12:37

Slow Afternoon

Slow afternoon
Hidden 
In high grasses
Jet streams
A world away,
And beneath our arms
The spinning earth
Turns our heads
To smile 
Into a buttercup 
Taste honey
On our lips
And then,
To gather up 
The remnants
Of another picnic
Below another
Azure sky.

And arm in arm
Make tracks for home.

JL August 19. 16:30

Emmie 10

After scrambled eggs on toast for three, Jenny went home and said she would come back on Wednesday. She had a part time job at the local Spar on Tuesday and she would come round on the scooter. She did not want to do anything out of the ordinary as members of Yasmin's family could call. There was also Jenny's mum and dad to take into consideration. They would be back on Wednesday, with that off she went.

Yasmin had neatly laid out all her things, mainly jeans and tops with a selection of smalls which Emmie said could go in the wash tomorrow. Yasmin could take care of that herself while Emmie was at work. Yasmin had laid out her documents for Emmie to check. She taken time to gather them together bit by bit; her birth certificate, passport, GCSE certificate and her offer of a place at a northern university. She explained that had been planning her escape for months. She had had enough of her father's slaps and her mother's helpless tears. She knew that they would be absolutely upset and doubly furious for her dishonouring the family.She had received a hard time when her father heard that she had not worn her hijab at school. As she said this her face set into a firm, almost hard line and then softened into tears.  Emmie patted her hand and told her that she was now safe and to try to  get a good night's sleep.

From here the story becomes rather fragmented.  Emmie waited until after the mid morning break to have a word with Dorothy who was about to have coffee with the deputy head pastoral who dealt with girl issues. She was well aware of the difficulties some Asian girls had. Yasmin was lucky to get the time to take her A levels. Usually they disappeared leaving empty chairs in final year groups with no reasons given. The problem would arise if she got her grades and had her first choice of university. Then she could be traced and the parents could target the school with an official complaint. The results would have to be posted to her home address but a copy could be given to the friend. She advised Emmie to make no contact with the school and leave it up to Jenny .

Jenny went into school on Tuesday morning to see Mrs Evans. She explained the situation and described the development so far.  Mrs Evans said she would consult the head at Fairbarn School to see what could be done when the results were out. In the meantime she would go to Chapel Walk and talk to Yasmin herself. She would have to tell the Head because   Yasmin's father had been up to school to find out if anything was known about the whereabouts of his daughter but as all her classmates had now left there there was no information available. He had already questioned some of her known friends but they said that they knew nothing. Jenny knew that they would not say anything. They knew the score.

Mrs Evans saw the Head at lunch and explained the situation. He said it would be best if he knew no more about it, apart from the fact that she had gone missing from home and was presumed to be staying with a friend. He said he would leave any other details to Mrs Evans and that she was quite at liberty to take a copy of the exam results. 

Dorothy spent a good deal of time that morning ringing round  social services and educational welfare. Emmie was kept out of it as she was too easily traceable. They had little help to offer but suggested some voluntary groups, mainly outside the area, who provided shelter to victims of abuse and they might know of a group who had a special interest in problems from the sub-continent. It might be best to care for the girl in he time before she went to university as long as there was no chance of abuse. Dorothy said that she could vouch for the placement and social services left it at that. Fortunately Dorothy had the confidence of Social Services through many dealings with various problem cases over the years as school secretary. 

At the end of the day Emmie had been fully informed and went home to give  Yasmin the update. Just as  an afterthought as she was leaving she picked up a blue exercise book checked with Dorothy and popped it into the  famous brocade bag. It might be useful to jot down a few of the arrangements for future reference if circumstance demanded. It would be useful as evidence if anything untoward happened. A little voice in  her head said, "Emmie you  do right !" and she walked out into the July sunshine with a smile on her face and determination in her step. 

" She  must make an appointment at the hairdressers and get that girl's hair  cut. That shoulder length hair was a real giveaway. A short bob cut would really help as a disguise. We  must guard against recognition and choose places to be seen carefully."  With these  thoughts occupying her mind, she suddenly found  that she had walked past the bus stop and did a quick about turn. She noted that nobody had seemed to notice. At least she had not missed the bus.


JL August 18. 16:08

Rain Again

Again the swish 
Of rainy wheels
The drip drop
Damp soil scent
And luscious mossy green.

Remembered valleys
Hung with mist,
Ring pooled silent lakes
Seen through overhanging trees.
And along the lane
The sloppy march
Of muddy boots.

At tea time 
In the porch 
A scattered pile 
Of little wellingtons
While just within 
Are fractious cries 
Of little souls,

 Thank the lord
It's time for bed.

JL August 17 13:50

Busy Body

The day
Has let the light in.
The butterfly
Morning returns
Shining through 
To bring
A freckled afternoon.
With wind chimes
In the trees
And voices
In the distance,
The busy body
Being about their business
All beyond my reach.

JL August 16 14:40

How

I love

Slow summer evenings where
Shadows slip along the lake
Fall down valleys
And sneak behind the hills.

Here on the shore
That palest greenish sheen
Forms the watercolour wash
To the rising Venus.

And how

The shrimper courts the horizon
Its faintest chug urges us to peer.
There see !  Its stumpy silhouette 
Crawls against  the tween light mist.

And then

The sun dips 
Into a mirrored sea.
Below a crescent moon.

JL August 15. 12:25

Set Aside

Set aside,
Unconsidered,
To let the seeds 
Of silence grow
And the flowers
Of the wilderness
Flourish as they will.
A meadow of many tints
To fill my garden
And quietly set
My soul a growing.

JL August 14 12:13

Silence

Between waking and rising
Is a silence without force.
In the silence I hear 
The melody of  a cool
And mellow violin
Feel the touch of cool hands
And the cool fragrance of lavender
Sweeping through the breeze.
In the silence I can walk away,
Leave this shrivelled shell
And trace my steps along the shore
To treasure all that had been 
Once before.

JL August 13. 12:15

Exultavit

 At vespers yesterday
The Magnificat of Palestrina
And through the cantors  chant
The nave proclaims
Exultavit spiritus meus.

Light and vision comes
Through the shadows
To trace a blessing
On our hearts.
To gather up
Our smiles and tears 
And dull the creeping edge of fears.

JL August 12. 12:50

Emmie 9

" Must get on." was the first thought of Emmie as the alarm clock started the week with the early morning jollity of Radio two.  She enjoyed the Terry Wogan show and she liked the sound of that Fran Godfrey. She sounded a rather charming young woman. She got herself a light breakfast of toast and honey and although she shouldn't, a rather strong black coffee with two sugars. 

The effects of the coffee served to raise her spirits and she made her way upstairs to straighten the back bedroom. She emptied the bits and pieces from the drawers and scattered a handful of lavender flowers over the lining paper to freshen them up.  She made up the bed and made a mental note to wash the nets and give them a soak of bleach. They were beginning to look a little yellow. In fact she would do that right now. She took down the lace net curtains and put them in some bleach water to soak. She must make a visit to the mini market and make some purchases to prepare for her evening visitors.

The only exception to her usual shop was a packet of rice and a jar of Madras curry paste. She was unsure about this but thought that her visitor would have plenty of ideas. When she got home she took the net curtains out of the bleach, rinsed them out and washed them through, put them in the washer for a spin and hung them out on the line in the sunshine. They would dry in no time. After lunch, the house all being ship shape  she went into the garden to sit in the sunshine with the quickly drying net curtains. They were up in place after tea clearly whiter and crisply taut.

The door bell went at about seven fifteen and sure enough it was Dorothy.
She had had some thoughts about the situation and said that she thought that great care would have to be taken. The exam results would have to be dealt with and it must be explained to her school but not necessarily with  the police. Their response was a mystery as to whose side they would take.

The girls arrived at twenty to eight. Jenny had a rucksack  and Jasmin a large Debenhams bag which might well have brought home a suit or at least a large pullover. They were rather on edge when they arrived and breathed sighs of relief as they plonked themselves down and looked at one another apprehensively. Jasmin was quite tall and slim with dark flowing hair. She was not as dark as Emmie had imagined and with a different hair style she would not draw attention. Jasmin was really quite frightened  and worried that a her brother would be doing all that he could to trace her. She said her mother and father would not let anyone else know because it would be kept as a family secret for as long as possible. She had sent a letter to her parents and told them of her decision.

"  My sister Rafia  was taken on a holiday to Bangladesh after she finished  school and she did not come back with my parents. When she did  come back she was married and pregnant. That is not going to happen to me. I want to go to university. I am frightened that my family will send out people to hunt me down. But they might not because that would tell the community what has happened and they will be dishonoured. My brother will be asking questions."

" Well you are safe for the time being," said Dorothy " and when I go into work tomorrow I will contact your school, who should I talk to? "

" Mrs Evans is my form tutor and she knows about my problems. I am sure she will help. I have got my university offer and my passport."

" What kind of passport?" Said Emmie foreseeing all kinds of problems.

" British, my parents were born in England, well my mum came from Scotland. So when my results come through I should be able to get a place away from here."
Jenny had, all the while, kept silent.  " I will keep my eyes and ears open and wait for Mrs Evans to have a word."

The two girls were taken upstairs and began to unpack. Jenny was going to spend the night and told her dad she was staying with her usual friend Samantha. Emmie left them to it and went down to join Dorothy

" They seem sensible enough. I will do some contacting with the school tomorrow about results etc and we can move on from there. We need to find some support group to get advice."

" I will make some enquiries through our deputy head. We can just wait and see what happens. If there is any threats we can bring in he police, as a last resort." Said Emmie.

With that Dorothy left and Emmie went upstairs to offer the girls a little supper and reflect on the day.

JL August 11 14:17

Scents to Savour

At the meadow's edge
New mown camomile 
In the afternoon.

And then a crush 
Of geranium leaves 
On a green stained hand.

And in the morning
The clean and salty scent
Of lupins filled with dew
Standing up in beds
All yellow pink and blue.

JL August 10 12:58

Among the Geraniums

Cooing collared doves
Through the chimney,

Sunshine smiles
On lilies in the field,

Blood red poppies 
By the harvest mown.

Fuchsia ballerinas
On the backyard fence.

Summer on the doorstep
In bits and pieces,

High cloud 
Not serious but Sirius.

Time for a seat
Among the geraniums.

JL August 9 13:57