In the sandy shadow of the beige fronted buildings I pass Sometimes lost in a shady labyrinth, of narrow paths A confusing shortcut making a wrong turn Spilling me then into crowds of Saturday shoppers Newly trendy vendors selling specialities in street art squares Places to be where freshly brewed coffee perfumes the air
Born again quarters named after new tram stops Ushering in gentrification with organic food shops
Despite its many changes of direction This street map holds on to my affection
Only I can see the tracing paper layer of where I see the traces of moments of our lives in places
The cartography of my memories overlay Coordinates that my heart strings play Etched in the air, as I turn that corner there As if sketched on a layer of see-through paper The image of a memory’s trailing vapour Of a moment, years ago, at this exact location
These four letters spell your name. Meaning love, and that I will never be the same.
Juno, a sound, that sets off cascading stars bright sunlight, flocks of birds, flowers bursting into bloom, just at the thought of you.
Juno, how my heart is full.
The possibility of fun now endless. On the floor in piles of toys, making a mess With you, it’s all new.
When you smile at me I am invested with special powers. When you reach for me I am chosen. When you look at me, I am rich. When you laugh I am drunk, with happiness.
When you hold me I want you to stick, like glue. Juno you have made me new.
Juniper,
Two bright berry eyes
Staring, round at me
Amused easily
Top lip curling into grin
Tiny double chin
Open mouthed in glee
Staring up from my knee
Ready for a new small adventure
And egging me on
Intensely
Juno, I know
A world of perfection
In an imperfect world
Who wants a lift
When you can do this
When you can take a whiff
Of the scents of leaves underfoot
When you can sniff the air
Feel the softest breath of the breeze on your skin
Feet sinking into soft pathways
Freshly made by the morning rain
For too long I didn't know
Nothing is better than a slow stroll
Close to the river's ebb and flow
A tree canopy so close it looks like a stroke
Of green feather dusters
wiping the sky clean
Of clouds
It's sharp blue astonishing
Clear of all but the yellow rays of sun
Reflected artfully in window panes
Duplicated on the rippled surface
Glimpsed between dancing plants
As I glance
On my way past, in rapt attention.
Chosen for their character
they made themselves at home
stretching out roots
filling pots and overflowing over tops
Yawning into morning
grown into their spaces
and transforming,
ordinary corners
Into colourful collections
Taking up odd poses
adorned with dewdrop jewellery
small bohemians draped in spiderweb scarves
and, sharing a space with guests of other species
Holding an afternoon yoga session
together communing, green and bright,
then craning, towards the retreating evening light.
That was fun
Those unexpected coffees in the sun
Some belly laughs while you were on the run
This was fine
A gift of time
An in between moment became mine
This was ours
Planting seeds and flowers
Watching telly after hours
That was good
Laughing at stupid jokes
Because we could
You were home
Meals on the sofa
Not chats on the phone
You were here
Upstairs working
Where I could hear
You, loud and clear
With me near
Trying not to interfere
A new trio was born
And I'll attempt
Not to be forlorn
Rather, to thank
My lucky stars
For this shared time of ours.
I woke up this morning feeling fortunate
A new fortune amassed over the weekend
A weekend of moments with you two
Laughter and music, safely stored in my memory bank
Nothing is more precious to me
Nothing more worthwhile
Than these hours of complicity
We three
Or others there peripherally or permanently
The goodness of that free time shared makes me wealthy
Your voices collect interest in my memory
Your words hang like priceless art in my mind's eye
I start my week adorned with the rare jewels of happiness
What an investment! A weekend together en famille.
You wonder what you want,
What you desire,
To what you aspire.
You ask what you will need,
To leave the vacuum
That you assume
Why not
Take stock
Of what you’ve got
Of what is here, now for the taking?
Look around you
To see those who
Are not faking.
Who need no reminding,
Who are still finding,
In you,
Enough.
