Flowers
Flowers: those mythical creatures
lurking all around us.
We cut them, and keep them;
still they grow, wild.
If we halt our daily rush
to see them,
we speed up again, uneasy
with such extraordinary creatures.
More at home on an alien planet
than here on Earth,
strange creatures longing for a farscape
of twin red moons,
and glassy desert sands.
Daisies and daffodils
are only the apprentices
to the most exotic:
from deep in a volcanic rainforest,
stunning bird of paradise.
Star-like Columbine.
snapdragons,
exquisitely formed Ladyslipper,
Dendrobium Orchids,
Epiphytic: perched on trees
like birds.
Amaryllis:
an orange nebula.
White Iris:
celestial high temple.
And others unnamed,
One a hallucinogenic purple.
Some so tiny and
exquisitely formed,
and so cool to the fingertips,
as to make you cry.
We strain not to damage the flower,
fumbling and trembling.
We look for the Buddha
to slip the blossom
into his hand.
Flowers: those mythical creatures
lurking all around us.
We cut them, and keep them;
still they grow, wild.
If we halt our daily rush
to see them,
we speed up again, uneasy
with such extraordinary creatures.
More at home on an alien planet
than here on Earth,
strange creatures longing for a farscape
of twin red moons,
and glassy desert sands.
Daisies and daffodils
are only the apprentices
to the most exotic:
from deep in a volcanic rainforest,
stunning bird of paradise.
Star-
snapdragons,
exquisitely formed Ladyslipper,
Dendrobium Orchids,
Epiphytic: perched on trees
like birds.
Amaryllis:
an orange nebula.
White Iris:
celestial high temple.
And others unnamed,
One a hallucinogenic purple.
Some so tiny and
exquisitely formed,
and so cool to the fingertips,
as to make you cry.
We strain not to damage the flower,
fumbling and trembling.
We look for the Buddha
to slip the blossom
into his hand.
© 2006 Lois Mintah
Tiger
Orange flash at water’s edge -
Pulse of the jungle quickens.
Tonight is not to hunt.
Paw in the water,
The heat lifts.
Strong face near surface,
Body ripples with the water,
Eyes cool with inner calm.
White and black Kabuki mask -
Warrior at rest.
Calligraphy strokes on white,
Dramatic, bold black stripes,
Spread with the fire of the setting sun.
Ancient samurai
Did strain to evoke this flowing grace.
One with the sword
Beauty - and Death:
Zen.
Orange flash at water’s edge -
Pulse of the jungle quickens.
Tonight is not to hunt.
Paw in the water,
The heat lifts.
Strong face near surface,
Body ripples with the water,
Eyes cool with inner calm.
White and black Kabuki mask -
Warrior at rest.
Calligraphy strokes on white,
Dramatic, bold black stripes,
Spread with the fire of the setting sun.
Ancient samurai
Did strain to evoke this flowing grace.
One with the sword
Beauty -
Zen.
© 2005 Lois Mintah
Night Quest
The night wind smells like honey,
The moon is a shiny clipping of Diana’s toenail.
Day has gone;
Night has fallen in her splendor.
The moon is a ghostly grey crescent
With phantom swirling clouds.
Night lingers on.
Will day never come?
The moon is an orange demon’s horn,
Impossibly low in the sky.
Triumphantly foreboding:
Eternal night.
The night wind smells like honey,
The moon is a shiny clipping of Diana’s toenail.
Day has gone;
Night has fallen in her splendor.
The moon is a ghostly grey crescent
With phantom swirling clouds.
Night lingers on.
Will day never come?
The moon is an orange demon’s horn,
Impossibly low in the sky.
Triumphantly foreboding:
Eternal night.
© 2006 Lois Mintah
Lois Mintah