A Moment

A moment

of poetry,
freshly drawn and tempered,
with rhythms perfectly balanced.

stanzas
that linger on the tongue,
and leave trails of meaning behind.

silence
in the aftermath of tastes
as the poet walks silently off-stage

tables
where fools never dine
and angels have discourse instead

goblets
of intoxicating wines
that touch the depths of the soul



© garnet robbie

Scarecrow

Birds of hunger
gliding toward me

cackle and caw
cry for carrion:

meat from the bones
of my dead poems



© garnet robbie

Visitors

The door's open,

the hinge on the screen
sticks a bit,

(I'll get to it
one of these days)

just pull it shut
behind you.

Leave your shoes
in the porch

(folks do that
around here)

Pull up a stump.

Water's on.



vancouver 2011 © garnet robbie

Prairie Mandala

Soft, dry, grey dust,
ankle deep,
covered my feet.

Stars,
in a thick blanket,
filled my sight.

Rainbows,
after rainfalls,
painted my imagination.

Chinook winds,
like magic,
warmed me.

The brustling
of the tall grass
swaying on the prairie;

the humming
of solar winds
lighting up the northern sky,

their whispered rush
down the heavens;

the drumming
of thunder
gathering in the foothills,

its long stampede
to a sudden
sharp and shaking crash;

the scattering of raindrops
tapping on the ground,
melting in the dust,

converging
to a torrent
slapping down;

the rustling
of wind-blown cottonwood
and poplar;

the orchestra
that revived
my soul.



xi'an 2009 © garnet robbie

Winter Silence

a lighted lantern
hanging from a willow branch

bends low over the snow

snowflakes' whispers
sift through the branches

murmuring, weightless

my lone footfall
descending on the scene

drifts in a slow-mo echo

the holy breath of winter
encircling the moment

bids hush on my lips



xi'an 2010 © garnet robbie

On Being Human

My spirit is with you.

My wings, I spread over you.

Let no harm come to you.

Let happiness surround you.



xi'an 2008 © garnet robbie

poets

Poets live best

after their death,

when their words

have been freed

from personality.



xi'an 2008 © garnet robbie