Photosynthetic, a Ghazal

I am born from this earth.  Seed, soil, roots and leaves

I sprawl in the sun’s light.  I cry each time it leaves.

I forgive the darkness. Knowing, morning will come.

I kneel before the sky. Basking, in all God leaves

I grow weak as time wears.  Quickly, I outgrow my bed.

I extend limbs outward.  Stretching as tension leaves.

I expand, inch by inch. To the sun, wide I yawn.

I expel precious breath. To the air, my best leaves.

I wake to refreshed air. Today brings tomorrow.

I harness moisture’s beads. Dewdrops caress my leaves.

I share all that I may. Aware, that love remains.

I weep tears of pure joy. They glisten on my leaves.

I dream within my bed. A cycle without end

I watch as the stars shine. Changing, as evening leaves

I have all I should need. I ask for nothing more.

I am blessed and prepared. In me, love sprouts new leaves.

Over at D'Verse, Sam Peralta is tending the bar for this week's Form-For-All.  This time we're writing Ghazals.  Stop on by and read Sam's excellent introduction, where he'll explain the ins and outs of this truly beautiful form.  I'm pretty sure you'll find some inspiration to try your hand at one and once you do, be sure to link it up with all the other excellent responses from the poets of D'Verse.

Foreigner

The grouse flies worlds away

From where the hyacinths calmly sway

To the symphony stirred from whispered wind

A fossil I am to you

Despite the partition of age

Your so much like I was back when I was

Not a fallen angel, where poor decisions had

Slipped their cursors upon my screen,

When time was but an ever-growing play, without curtains, without actors on the stage.  Just a play

Pursuing a question I’ve yet to find

Perusing the shelves as I dig

Through countless words I cannot read

But love the way they sound when spoke

Its probably something ridiculous or damaged wisdom well rehearsed-

Yet when I hear each syllable roll from the tongue

I think of hydrangeas’, pastries and seduction

Vacuums, race along the route I take

Past the small café I’d always wanted to try

As it looks so lovely each time my feet scuttle by

Yet, I’m never thirsty then

I’ve been here a week, perhaps 10 days,

I’d lost track after the third,

As it’s hard to determine the patience of each hour,

When you’re only speaking aloud in the warmth of the shower’s flow

Nobody knows me.  Nobody cares to approach

No one seems aware even.  It’s as if they’re life is in slow motion, yet they are too busy to adjust the speed.  I’ve made a few attempts, but quickly they creak their necks, as a dog would do, when they listen, wanting to understand yet barriers born determine the breadth of this experience.  Quickly the separation occurs, with a polite nod and perhaps a smile.  I thought everyone, everywhere spoke English, I thought this little book would allow me the privilege of making that first foot forward routine, yet I guess just trying is not always enough, and it must be hard to try having a conversation with someone that’s consistently thumbing through his pages, looking for that perfect word, ignorant that some words change effect when paired with others and at what point in the phrase or sentencing you choose to place them in.  It must be frustrating; I know it is for me.

But despite the isolation one often feels, as he or she wander about, by themselves in a crowded spot, you know, it’s amazing to watch what you can see, to understand without understanding, to believe, because it’s everywhere, a living time capsule-breathing, each breath telling its own tale, history lives in every thing.

And then I turned a corner I’d yet to see

A dark alley, tumbling with trash, lined with sleeping feet, clothed in wares I’d burn.

Run I did not, I paused as long as I could stomach the stench, why?

Simple answer really.  It was the first time a semblance of home resonated. 

But upon the edge of this external corridor, I reached a place I’d often been, just never knew this possibility existed, an alleyway, invisible yet in clearest view.

This was when I first saw you.  And I knew.  Home had found me.