Wander Gently

 
            Wander Gently

        Wander gently
        through a Spring meadow
        in a desert land.
        
        Cherish a brief blossoming
        from the brilliant red poppy
        to each tiny, delicate, sunlit star and
        Purple thistles, blue flax, pinkish roses, all
        come bursting from rock
        and earth
        and everywhere
        where a seed might stray
        there is bloom.

Clarion

        My fair face
        hasn't the power
        to survive this blare of sun
        and I blush-
        
        burnt with defeat.

        My pale eyes
        haven't the strength...
        I can only squint
        in the bright light:
        
        I can't see colors as they should be,
        
        just recollections
        of what lines usually lead to
        and shapes should divulge.

poem copyright ©2000 Anne Selden Annab

The Theater

       
        Stroll on an ancient walk,
        paved with thick flat stones
        puzzled into place.

        Step inside an amphitheater,
        listen as echo looms footsteps.

        Approach the curved span of seats
        that step up with narrow ledges-
        imagine sweat and smell and sound
        and no choice but to nudge
        and jostle with a crowd
        in this empty coliseum.
        
        But there must have been
        sometimes, in those long ago days,
        that this place was left empty.

        Empty enough for a dreamer...
        To rest on a narrow edge and watch  
        the sunlight play against stone

        as a cloud shadow dances
        across the stage.

poem copyright ©2000 Anne Selden Annab