At the darkest time of the year
What joy to find you perching here
Upon the bare and sleeping oak
A merry song, a shim’ring cloak
To warm me in the harsh steel-grey
Of winter’s night and winter’s day
I’ll go with lighter step and mind
And leave my heaviness behind.
What a pleasure to hear your song
Up in the trees all winter long
-Essie Parker Walsh
Tag: winter
The Price Of Detachment.
The way is thick with a silvery haze,
And rich with winter’s fruit.
A fleece of moss hugs tight
The feet of our elders,
Who stand regal in crownless slumber.
A single loyal Robin on his guard.
An affection of rain
Kisses gently every exposed feature,
Promising new life.
Steady is the rhythm
Of this still breathing wood,
It moves with intention.
Not a thing is wasted,
Even decay is nectar.
Hours bead like water
On Wild Garlic shoots,
They pool about the stems,
And the day draws itself out before me.
The estranged march past it,
Severed and unseeing.
Time to them is but a number
That slips away.
They take no notice of the symphony
Of the gentle wild
That inspires me.
That devours me.
That devastates me.
– Essie Parker Walsh
A Promise Always Kept.
The sun was today a god of old
Painted in light and singing of good harvest.
He tore across the sky in his chariot,
The end of winter grasping at the harmony of his rays.
A pursuit eternal.
Winter falls behind today,
And so I shall join the chorus.
– Essie Parker Walsh
The Autumn Chorus.
Undress yourself.
Shed your millions
About mine.
Let your melody
Of red and gold
Fall gracefully
From your embrace.
I’ll sing your song
As we step together
For one final dance.
Now repose,
And paint yourself eternal.
– Essie Parker Walsh
Puddles In February.
Storm after storm
Has left this
Lullaby
Waterlogged.
Though as the sun
Fights through the clouds,
These puddles
Turn to crystal,
And even the mud
Has wealth.
– Essie Parker Walsh