flame

Never Mind the Kardashians

/ A. Gouedard / Leave a comment

Have you ever noticed that tulip leaves squeak?
Have you wondered what it is that excites them?
Could it be the touch of your hand?

Could it be the touch of your hand
in the earth that may sometimes heal you?
Does energy rise up through your sickening veins?

Have you ever wondered what it is that excites them –
the way a moth, expecting rapture, leaps in a flame?
Young children love repetitions – that’s a puzzle to me!

Have you ever noticed how tulip petals squeak?
I prefer to ponder these ridiculous questions
Than wonder what the Kardashians think.

Kardashians think?

Flame

/ A. Gouedard / Leave a comment

The world is full of blessings and light
And yet my feeble candle still stutters
Dark moths gather outside, escaping night,
They flutter softly against the shutters.
What is this feeling I cannot define,
What is the central source of this sorrow?
This darkness and loss can only be mine
I will send it away by tomorrow.
Over and over I send it away
Filling emptiness with music and song
Asking the angels to come back and stay
To help me feel I am here and belong.

Let moths burn in bright flame of desire
Transmute their wings to celestial fire.

Pandora had Hope

/ A. Gouedard / Leave a comment

open the lid of the memory chest
gaze inward at confusing profusions

happiness followed by sorrow, sadness,
unhealed wounds, unasked questions, no answers,
answers that came too late to be useful,
loud echoing moans of passion and pain
treasured hearts and momentary wishes
a shining smile hangs transfixed there in time

decisions made, regrets still regretted,
unfair accusations, retributions,
poets, madmen, traditions, musicians,
denials, betrayals, indiscretions,
honour, bravery, loyalty, liars
those dark places i found myself trapped in

all life packed away in a box, neatly
layers upon layers gathering dust
the past can haunt you for evil or good
the journey still waits, the road is ahead
fast slam the lid shut, forget all you saw
banish all visions, dream instead, lock it

a small voice still calls me from deep inside
i throw the lid open, once more in hope,
up flies my glorious hand stitched banner
with one word boldly emblazoned, a flame,
triumphant emblem, my name, ”Survivor”
written in gold on blue heaven, it sails

Beach Fire

/ A. Gouedard / 1 Comment

all week we gathered driftwood
following the storm
and dragged it to the yard
to dry out in the sun

i watched you racing children
jumping rock to rock
always sure-footed
you never made a slip

pied piper running,
Cheshire cat grin
always on the tide line
when the tide is coming in

the tides come in
the tides go out
sunset, moonlight, dawns
each day the wood is drying

we built the fire together
just beyond the waves
carefully constructed
encouraging the flame

we threw more wood on
as the light began to fall
we sat and watched the sun go down
a blazing golden ball

passing strangers watching
stood on the path above
they thronged like curious moths
you called them to the fire

they ask do we live here
they say how fortunate we are
you smiled and wandered off
always to the tide line

i watched you from afar
the waves rolled in
the waves rolled out
beneath the evening star

My Candle Burns

/ A. Gouedard / Leave a comment

i take a flame, my

blessing candle

shines and burns.

i will light another at

the end, to bless us both,

for nothing truly ends

 

whatever comes of it

i shall always have the will

to keep it kindled, not

a flame guttering at the last,

it will always show the

way through even darkest night

 

this is my solemn vow to you, but

though it be hard to keep, ah

it is worth long vigil. my

valour vanquished foes,

the battle always won, and

when the night is over, oh

such victory is mine, my

foes become my friends

 

and here’s the path it shows, it

bathes us all in love, gives

my life a blessing spell, a

pool of bliss so lovely,

a glory, full of light!

 

*****

 

if you read the last word of each of my lines you will see a poem by Edna St Vincent Millay –

 

My candle burns at both ends;

It will not last the night;

But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends—

It gives a lovely light!