The
Blank Page
the blank page-
an invitation to the citizens
of my heart
to gossip in the night
under gas-lit street lamps
standing on cobbled stone street corners
over-seen by tall dark factory walls
talking in hushed tones,
name-dropping celebrities-
mother father brother sister
wife and child-
sharing clues, suggesting
this outcome and that.
Jim Desson
© copyrighted, 2000, by Jim Desson, all rights reserved
Harmony
Craig said the
TV show
has a rhythm, and
each character has a rhythm
of its own.
As I write, Craig has the TV on,
the Simpsons play out their
medieval morality play,
Erin is practising her violin
in her bedroom, I can hear her softly
from the rec room,
while Michael plays the piano
the dishwasher hums along,
and the voice of Heather's
instructions to Michael
keeps me informed of his progress.
Jim Desson
© copyrighted, 2000, by Jim Desson, all rights reserved
Manotick Dreams
Very early spring morning
the fog, pure and white,
stealthily rose from the river,
covered the lines on the roads,
shrouded neatly trimmed bushes,
swallowed delicate yellow flowers.
As expansive lawns disappeared,
the fog, swirling white froth,
mist of translucent vagueness,
rose to drift into their garages,
and transformed each van, each seat,
into a colourless lumpish shape.
Fog rose up into their living rooms,
fixtures, chairs and art work faded from view.
Each kitchen a shapeless steam room.
In the bedrooms the human bodies reclined
with sedatious repose.
Fog swirled about their heads,
seeped into their nostrils
infected their dreams.
Jim Desson
© copyrighted 2000, by Jim Desson, all rights reserved.
To Sarah Farmer:
Illuminated Genius
how happy you must be,
you, the apple of your father.
the fire in your heart
illuminated your intellect
with a dream--
a dream that attracted
all the thinkers of your time
and has since grown
into a mighty giant
beacon of light
for all humanity,
spreading spiritual seeds
in Africa Nepal, India, Japan,
St. Lucia, Montreal--
yes, i met all of these peoples
at Green Acre
their faces smiled with kindness
and generous patience,
and their hearts sang every morning
attracting "the hearts of all men".
it wasn't easy,
you suffered physically and spiritually.
just when they thought you were defeated,
the thinkers gone away
the dream, a pale replica of former years,
a princely servant,
the recipient of your spiritual love,
'Abdu'l-Bahá,
came to Green Acre,
and, with mighty authority,
demanded that you be brought to him.
in an open carriage
i saw the photograph,
now embedded in my heart
this princely servant
bent over and kissed you.
Jim Desson
© copyrighted, 2000, by Jim Desson, all rights reserved
A Summer Breeze
As I looked out
through the eyes of our home,
I watched you, sitting on the back deck.
I marvelled at your quiet presence.
The sun lent a soft yellow glint
on your slightly bent head
as you read a book,
occasionally looking up
at the wind swayed trees, flying birds,
and busy squirrels.
I stood there
watching you, as visions
of the past and the future-
a summer breeze through my head.
The flowers in the garden, under your care
and bountiful rain, had blossomed.
Even the house had taken on a new coat of paint,
the floor, a new look,
and that, which was broken, was fixed.
Jim Desson
© copyrighted 2000, by Jim Desson, all rights reserved.
More of Jim's Poems can be found at his Home Page