Poems of Reflection

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#003333" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="12ad4c00dduajq.gif"> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="95" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 46 WIDTH="91"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="46" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="91" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="stan hedges homepage"><U>Return to Homepage</U></A></div> <div>  <A NAME="top"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <IMG SRC="141462c0.jpg" border=0 width="70" height="44" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> email:</div> <div>  sonoflawrence@yahoo.co.uk</div> <div> (Not live link. Copy & Paste)</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id5_alphabetical_list.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" poetry collection"><U>For complete list of poems</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id5_alphabetical_list.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" poetry collection"><U>CLICK here</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Miscellaneous"><U><B>Miscellaneous Poems</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id112.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Recent Poems"><U><B>Recent Poems </B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id114.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Poems of Reflection"><U><B>Poems of Reflection</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id116.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Poems of Introspection"><U><B>Poems of Introspection</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id115.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Poems in a Dark Time "><U><B>Poem in a Dark </B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id115.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Poems in a Dark Time "><U><B>Time </B></U></A></div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="alphabetical_list"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id114_m.htm#a_small_request_" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Poems of Reflection"><U>A small request</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125_a_virgin_soldier_at_dawn.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Miscellaneous"><U>A Virgin Soldier at Dawn</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id112_an_old_poet_with_highs_and_lows_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Recent Poems"><U> An old poet with highs and lows</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125_and_he_answered_thus.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Miscellaneous"><U>And He answered thus</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125_andrew_walker___in_memoriam.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Miscellaneous"><U>Andrew Walker</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id112_any__umberellas_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Recent Poems"><U>Any 'Umberellas'</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125_beethoven_s_violin_concerto.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Miscellaneous"><U>Beethoven Sonnet</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id114_m.htm#blood_letting" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Poems of Reflection"><U>Blood-letting</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125_blues_for_the_muse.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Miscellaneous"><U>Blues for the muse</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125_caravella_tours____portugal_s_best_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Miscellaneous"><U>Caravella Tours</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id116_children_in_a_playground_1.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Poems of Introspection"><U>Children at play </U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125_cool_man_cool.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Miscellaneous"><U>Cool, man, cool</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id115_dawn_at_the_disco.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Poems in a Dark Time "><U>Dawn at the disco</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125_divine_adultery.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Miscellaneous"><U>Divine adultery</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125_emma_is_leaving.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Miscellaneous"><U>Emma is leaving</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id114_m.htm#few_things_are_constant" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Poems of Reflection"><U>Few Things are Constant</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id114_m.htm#freudian_insight" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Poems of Reflection"><U>Freudian insight</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id116_hope_springs_____1.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Poems of Introspection"><U>Hope Springs</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125_in_defence_of_mediocrity.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Miscellaneous"><U>In defence of mediocrity</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id114_m.htm#last_words_of_a_romantic" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Poems of Reflection"><U>Last Words of a Romantic</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id115_lie_fallow.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Poems in a Dark Time "><U>Lie fallow</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id112_municipal_dwellings.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Recent Poems"><U>Municipal dwellings</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125_my_darling_lucy_lou.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Miscellaneous"><U>My darling Lucy-Lou</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id116_ode_of_a_humpty_grumpty__1.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Poems of Introspection"><U>Ode of a Humpty Grumpty</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125_on_glances_from_a_young_girl.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Miscellaneous"><U>On glances from a girl</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125_on_parting_from_ziggy.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Miscellaneous"><U>On parting from Ziggy</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id115_on_self_pity_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Poems in a Dark Time "><U>On self-pity</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id114_m.htm#once_upon_a_merry_moon" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Poems of Reflection"><U>Once upon a merry moon</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id112_our_wish__for_emma_and_richard.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Recent Poems"><U>Our Wish for Emma...</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id115_so_near_a_saint_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Poems in a Dark Time "><U>So near a saint</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id115_thank_you_for_the_note.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Poems in a Dark Time "><U>Thank you for the note</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id116_the_continuum_1.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Poems of Introspection"><U>The continuum</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id112_the_first_death_sentence.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Recent Poems"><U>The first death sentence</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id114_m.htm#the_pantheist_meets_his_brother" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Poems of Reflection"><U>The pantheist</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id112_the_poet_s_new_clothes.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Recent Poems"><U>The poet's new clothes</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id112_the_spoils_of_war_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Recent Poems"><U>The spoils of war</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125_this_sleep_of_love_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Miscellaneous"><U>This sleep of love</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125_thoughts_in_a_college_garden.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Miscellaneous"><U>Thoughts in a college garden</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id115_to_a_wife_unknown.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Poems in a Dark Time "><U>To a wife unknown</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125_valediction_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Miscellaneous"><U>Valediction</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125_we_had_our_quarrels_you_and_i.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Miscellaneous"><U>We had our quarrels...</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125_what_is_needless_to_say.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Miscellaneous"><U>What is needless to say</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125_wingless_with_the_birds__.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Miscellaneous"><U>Wingless with the birds</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id5_top.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" poetry collection"><U>Return to Top</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="stan hedges homepage"><U>Return to Homepage</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFBF0" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I><B>Poems of Reflection</B></I></div> <div> <IMG SRC="1865e030.gif" border=0 width="350" height="3" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="blood_letting"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000066" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>Blood-letting</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> When sorrow came</div> <div> you returned to the earth.</div> <div> Lying sidelong in the grass above a lake,</div> <div> beneath an ash whose black mosaic leaves </div> <div> played peek-a-boo with the light,</div> <div> you finally discovered that you were of </div> <div> no greater value than earth itself.</div> <bR> <div> You envied the scurrying ants,</div> <div> toiling incessantly, grumbling </div> <div> at mere grains of sand;</div> <div> while the lake below danced to </div> <div> the sun's old song as it shimmered, </div> <div> tossing kisses from wave to wave,</div> <div> until, quite suddenly,</div> <div> each glint stabbed you like a rod of truth,</div> <div> remembering how the wise man said that</div> <div> everything is in a state of simply becoming.</div> <bR> <div> You thought how that lake danced with </div> <div> more joy than you had ever known.</div> <div> Then reflected in quiet mood until,</div> <div> high above that self-indulgent acre,</div> <div> a lark intruded. </div> <div> This last intrusion mocked your sorrow, </div> <div> and you loved her</div> <div> for she knew no other way; </div> <div> she never understood. </div> <bR> <div> Ah, the things you never understood:</div> <div> how meadows hum; how spinneys spin their spell; </div> <div> how feathers float where there is no breeze; </div> <div> how a breeze becomes a blow,</div> <div> wind enough to set the cornfields pulsing,</div> <div> wave enough to mock a mountain, </div> <div> storm enough sink men's hopes.</div> <bR> <div> Yes, you let natural wonders crowd </div> <div> your disillusioned head </div> <div> until the longing to be so dead </div> <div> as not to feel, was tempered. </div> <div> Earth bled you a little; </div> <div> it was enough.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="a_small_request_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000066" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>A small request </B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> Suppose you went away?</div> <div> I might lose the nameless power</div> <div> that gagged my demons.</div> <div> And remembrance of that pit </div> <div> incites unspeakable dread.</div> <bR> <div> But if you must, let me first be annealed. </div> <bR> <div> Before you go, take me in your arms </div> <div> with special intent to kiss farewell, </div> <div> yet leave one drop of that essence</div> <div> which calmed a turbulent mind.</div> <div> And without my knowing that you did that, </div> <div> (for knowing could break the spell).</div> <bR> <div> Let it find its way to the small </div> <div> but irremovable part of you </div> <div> that burrowed deep,</div> <div> deep beneath the tattered shroud </div> <div> that wraps up all my grief. </div> <bR> <div> It's little enough to ask, </div> <div> to leave a lip-print in the sand.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="the_pantheist_meets_his_brother"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000066" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>A pantheist meets a brother</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> Forgive me </div> <div> if I appeared to ignore you,</div> <div> walk idly past </div> <div> leaving you agape,</div> <div> I simply had no idea we were so close!</div> <div> The crosses we two bear</div> <div> are so dissimilar.  </div> <bR> <div> I'd put yours as a lack of freedom. </div> <div> Whereas mine is the curse of too much.</div> <div> Faced every moment </div> <div> with the curse of endless choice …</div> <div> Should I do this or do that?</div> <div> Shall I go here or go there?</div> <div> What if I tell a lie now </div> <div> but a kind of truth later?</div> <div> Or just... damn the truth? </div> <div> Which would hurt most, </div> <div> which do the most good?</div> <bR> <div> Do you begin to see, old friend, </div> <div> why it took me so long</div> <div> to connect arm with branch </div> <div> and hand with leaf</div> <div> and flesh with bark </div> <div> and soil with home?</div> <bR> <div> Hello tree!</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="few_things_are_constant"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000066" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>Few Things are Constant</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> I know but little, </div> <div> only that few things we need </div> <div> and love, are constant.</div> <div> I know that tears must fall, </div> <div> lovers part; </div> <div> the seasons change; </div> <div> all wax and wane.</div> <bR> <div> And in my heart I know</div> <div> this wind November sends </div> <div> to free the timeless leaves,</div> <div> brings, too, rain's sentient kiss;</div> <div> the everlasting tears of eyes once bold</div> <div> masked by the pity </div> <div> of an autumn wind. </div> <bR> <div> I know but little; </div> <div> only that these leaves will fall unceasing  </div> <div> long after every tear has dried </div> <div> upon the fragments of my being,</div> <div> which now will suckle some new-born tree.</div> <div> And in my heart I know</div> <div> this moon will for ever bring delight, </div> <div> despite what Man thinks fine</div> <div> to plant stiff in the middle </div> <div> of her belly.</div> <bR> <div> I know, too, that once we're gone </div> <div> we feel no pain.</div> <div> And though I know </div> <div> old men in passion's thrall are few,</div> <div> what I know best of all is you, </div> <div> beloved wife; </div> <div> that you will be near; my one, </div> <div> my only constant.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="freudian_insight"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><B>Freudian Insight</B></div> <bR> <div> Note: Some worship the unattainable goddess, not the woman.</div> <div> Said Freud: 'Where such men love there can be no desire, </div> <div> and where such men desire there is no love.' (Siegmund Freud).</div> <bR> <div> In triumphant haste, in mawkish youth,</div> <div> beneath paper moons and rhinestone suns, </div> <div> I too fell for cosmetic odours </div> <div> of eau de cologne or cochineal; </div> <div> their cloying smell. </div> <div> Each artifice a lure, </div> <div> each smile a welcome gaoler.    </div> <bR> <div> But my eager fists of flowers</div> <div> culled from hedgerow, field, and meadow, </div> <div> were trodden under like wragged pieces</div> <div> left behind in some schoolboy paper chase;</div> <div> or plastic blooms from Rathbone market;</div> <div> a penny a piece, a penny a piece.</div> <bR> <div> They wilted in their careless hands, </div> <div> hands prone to sweat like any other.</div> <div> Too reverential to be a lover,</div> <div> rotting bouquets then tasted of a bitter wax;</div> <div> like lipstick rotting beneath one's kiss.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="last_words_of_a_romantic"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000066" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>Last Words of a Romantic</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> The landfills, trash heaps, pits, </div> <div> and dustbins of the world</div> <div> are choked with things we need.</div> <div> Not just forgotten egg-cups</div> <div> or tea-spoons scraped off in haste,</div> <div> but a wedding ring or two;</div> <div> lost snapshots, wedding day forget-me-nots,</div> <div> love letters, perfumed, </div> <div> touched by a passionate woman,</div> <div> tinged with the ghost of lipstick... </div> <bR> <div> Even the odd baby's first lock of hair,</div> <div> or first masterpiece in crayons</div> <div> - which foretold so much more than chance could allow...</div> <bR> <div> And Valentines,</div> <div> or Mother's Day and Father's Day,</div> <div> Birthday cards and Christmas cards</div> <div> smothered with Xs, bought with kisses, </div> <div> sent with love.</div> <bR> <div> Or lost souvenirs that still bring a tear;</div> <div> some precious thing, </div> <div> like when you said,</div> <div> "That'd be a nice one to keep.</div> <div> 'Your son did much better this year.'"</div> <bR> <div> And then much loved, much-thumbed,</div> <div> well-remembered books,</div> <div> lovingly bought, dedicated</div> <div> 'Dear Dad, we love you so...' </div> <div> crying out to be touched,</div> <div> fondled, savoured</div> <div> and read once more</div> <div> beside crackling fires</div> <div> of sweet chestnut memory;</div> <div> along with his smelly pipe,</div> <div> his scruffy slippers,</div> <div> the one tongueless,</div> <div> the other footless,</div> <div> threadbare as his whitening bones</div> <div> lying there beside them.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="once_upon_a_merry_moon"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000066" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>Once Upon a Merry Moon</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> The moon was merry in the morning of life,</div> <div> long before men went galumphing to rape her; </div> <div> all mimsy she was, and beamery, </div> <div> her grin oversize and outrageous, </div> <div> and cows went upsailing right over </div> <div> with nerry a blink; while eloping spoons </div> <div> gave dishes the wink, then dashed away </div> <div> to gimble in Mary's glabes </div> <div> where fleeces were snowy as petticoats.</div> <bR> <div> Though - except for teddy-bears down in the woods -</div> <div> some lives were really no picnic:</div> <div> fecund old women sheltered in homes</div> <div> unfit for their carbuncled feet,</div> <div> to say nothing of numerous sprogs,   </div> <div> while others - some Hubbard </div> <div> with cupboard unlovely jubbly-</div> <div> had nought but a bare bone to eat. </div> <bR> <div> Merry old souls smoked sweet briar bowls, </div> <div> listening to fiddlers, playing in threes;</div> <div> while, in the carolling Christmas snows, </div> <div> (wrapped only in a five-pound note), </div> <div> poor shivering pages came dutifully hithering</div> <div> when big-booted monarchs succumbed to their whims</div> <div> and went hence, alas, seeking shivering woodmen</div> <div> with no shoes at all for their sins. </div> <bR> <div> Until spring! When little maids said paternosters, </div> <div> and stuck silver pins all in a row upon St Agnes' Eve; </div> <div> then decked their fingers with rings and bells, </div> <div> gathered boughs of wax-green holly, </div> <div> glossy and green, red-laden with berries, </div> <div> to deck their nut-brown hair, so jolly.</div> <bR> <div> They made all things bright and beautiful; </div> <div> so that silver bells and cockle shells </div> <div> joined in the sounds of bird-scaring horns</div> <div> across cow-filled, mooning-boy meadows;</div> <div> and well-a-day cornfields wore scarlet and gold, </div> <div> festooned in their poppying glory.</div> <div> My, it was all so jolly that, goodness knows, </div> <div> we thought we'd never come down again. </div> <bR> <div> Yes, the moon was merry in the morning of life,</div> <div> when all things were whatever we wished them to be.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="some favourite poems"><U>Poems I wish I'd written</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id132.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Autobiography"><U>Memoir of early life</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id61.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" selection of Short Stories"><U>Short stories</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id15.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="epitaphs Id die for! "><U>Epitaphs I'd die for</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id16.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="miscellany"><U>Miscellany</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="about me"><U>About the author</U></A></div> <div>  </div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="stan hedges homepage"><U><B>Return to Home Page</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Visitors are welcome to use anything on this site for their own personal use. However,  please note that personal copyright is reserved on my own creative material, which may not be copied for redistribution to third parties without prior written consent. </div> <div> © S. T. Hedges <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#9933CC" FACE="Times New Roman" >2007</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>