Safely through

The purpose of your poems
is not merely to observe,
certainly it isn’t to disturb –
no: the words work to connect
your heart
with certain, chosen things out there

– the tree's bark, its falling leaves;
a jogging man, with children, cycling;
gardeners in conversation, striding by;
fishermen with gear,
for a night on the jetty;
diligent women, led, mornings and evenings, by their dogs;
the balding bushbuck, with his stately horns
and soft, wise eyes;
or, simply, streaming rain.

Each item from the cornucopia
pearls forth its shimmers –
each word is a choice vessel,
shipping
the prizes
of wonder, kindly belonging –

as the day dawns,
your moving hand guides your mind
safely and serenely through
even her worst storms.

– Silke Heiss, 29th May 2022