A.F. Paterson
Corfe Mullen - Light Movements
Like a linear clock the garden charted light:
morning bees hummed sunrise at the front
then sun lofted over the terracotta tiles
clearprinted the big rowan onto blue sky
and steadily lit the grass, sheds, plants and pond.
Just the murmuring ginger hens, investigating
under the apple tree wings, kept shade.
As time flew light escaped the garden until
playing with kittens or football or tents faded out.
The last backward throw of day’s light
lit the table under the kitchen window
and we sat eating, drinking, talking
warm enough until the wine cooled us,
then with cardigans and coffee
we stayed, speaking across tealights, in the dark.
That warm night, against the old caravan
(container of teenage Doug and Joe
dozing to their music and musings)
we cranked our seats back and our necks
eyes tuned to darkness. Gradually
into our gaze stars glimmered
began to slide about the sky, fireworking
silent and cold, making great arcs above us
gouging miracles – the Perseids.
August air cooled to comfortable, the boys laughed
as we, feeling too immense for sleep,
sat tipped back staring at flying stars.
Page(s) 40
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