Reflections

 A Little Night Magic

The moon aloft in a star splashed sky Spills liquid silver across an ebony sea, Satin sheen dancing with tumbling blackness Flows and shimmers from horizon to shore, Upstaging glossy jet waves rolling Like giant seals onto opaque sand. -Eleanor…

Golden Touch

The music soars and swoops, Rippling fingers caress the keys Showering shivery delights into the dark, Tingling the senses. Notes tumble over notes, Free-wheeling, mellow, Shifting moods with easy grace, Gifts of the elegant jazz man. And caught in time’s…

Futility

Act One (1918) He pressed against the rough parapet, Ankle deep in putrid mud Oblivious to the stench of filth and rot Meandering through the trenches, Home to: Red-eyed rats — fat and satisfied, Blank-eyed soldiers — gaunt and terrified.…

Night Visitors

Midnight has passed, The lake is black, Masses of distant stars Shimmer, decorating the sky, A dazzling Christmas tree.   The lonely wail of a train Disturbs this stillness, And, then, leisurely fades Beyond shadowy hills.   Abruptly, like an…

Elusive Light

Butterflies, in delicate dress, Yellow, orange, ebony tinted, Dance, weaving flirtatiously Amongst flower petals Ablaze in scarlet and lavender In our sun-drenched garden. Monarchs and painted ladies Enticed by the light.   Moths, creatures of the night, Sombre in smoke…

Nasty Gnats

Tiny insatiable creations of nature Driven to pierce mercilessly All bare flesh; Fussiness is not an issue, Delicate nips blossom Into lingering itchy welts Plaguing the victim By day and night. Mosquitoes whine, Black flies are visible, But, no-see-ums, Lillipution…

Clouds

Across the rippling lake, Beyond the island necklace, Rising imperiously over manicured hills, Cascades of billowing clouds drift, Sun-dipped to slate shades commingle Creating shifting phantom shapes Or bodies in postures of repose, Allowing mortal thoughts to float, A fleeting…

Beam Me Away, Scotty

It’s late and I sit alone Staring at the blackness, Window image staring back As frigid gusts howl and roar. Streamers of snow slash by, Tree branches whip violently, Autumn’s leftover leaves Surrender, swirling madly Down and up and away.…

Ravens at Large

Coal-black, sleek, cackling titans, Foreboding, demonic and dark Edgar Allen Poe’s fond familiars; But—those aren’t our ravens, oh no Muskoka’s are practical jokers Bursting garbage bags with ease Willful, comedic tricksters Partaking of gourmet delights While scattering the odorous rest…

Autumn Audited

The vista unfolds before me A familiar, though ever-changing picture Viewed once again from my comfortable niche. At ease, I sit, pillow surrounded, Contemplating reflectively On fall’s stealthy intrusion into this scene, Albeit early. Chipmunks and squirrels, legs spinning, lawn…