Thursday 27 December 2012

New Year's Light

Softening twilight
of year’s end
eyes trained firmly ahead
no thought of what, could or might
as flashing rays
of new year’s light
melt the snow
of a year grown old
into pools
of brand new hope








Copyright 2012 Suzy Rigg

Sunday 25 November 2012

Daily Grind or Black Something

The daily grind is there for that
to pulverize your soul
with meditation prayer and rest
you will regain your whole

Working in a job you love, 
feels not like work at all
this, my friend is where to aim
to fulfill your life's true role

Making money makes you rich
but does not give you peace
in time my friend, you must let go 
to feel your SELF release

The more you earn, the more you spend
is no contrary notion
the act of earning just gears you up
for more, and intense spending

Review your life, take stock,stop now!
to feel where you are going
while bricks and banks are piling up
sweet beauty is past you flowing

The international language spake today
it seems is simply money, 
but love, compassion honesty 
take charge in their abundance

There is no scarcity in these things
they're free, just deep within us.





Copyright Suzy Rigg 2012





Friday 9 November 2012

Elephant Highway






Unbalanced carts spilled sun ripe fruit
on the dust strewn road
splitting colours, splashing seed
to meet the market dawn.

Spindly children tried to run
alongside heavy traps
some were strong and long of limb
and barely caught their breath.

Bicycles too, took their own road
and weaved their wheels about
the death they cheated,
although in jest, made
villagers shout out loud.

The noise grew low
for something strong
had taken up this path
a silver grey bull elephant
was on this very route!

Without a sound
the track was cleared
of children, wheels and fruit
whilst 'mister majestic' walked
~ in no par-tic-u-lar hurry ~

Without a backward glance.



Copyright Suzy Rigg 2012

This poem was inspired by the artwork of Borg de Nobel, browse her wonderous artwork here: http://borgeous.wordpress.com courtesy of the ever innovative dVerse Poets crew: http://dversepoets.com/

Thursday 25 October 2012

Showgirl


She watched them falling through the bus window,
in slow motion like dandelions from a giant upended field
crimson leaves curled and fell, swaying side to side
forming a variegated rouge brown carpet.

The mother and child on the park bench, people on the bus
delicate pensioners, everyone stilled in rapt appreciation
of her rainbow shower, aware this magnificent show 
was for a limited time only.

Wordlessly, relentlessly, with a glamourous last russet hurrah
she tidied away for a more barren and sinister act to follow
her generosity and voluptuousness 
casting lingering relaxed and happy shadows 

As she finally revealed herself naked
everyone’s thought was the same:
"she never fails to put on a show
yet each one thrills as if for the first time."



Copyright Suzy R 2012

Friday 19 October 2012

A turning circle

             i
Shiny men lined up
jostling for her attention
she knocked them all down

             ii
together they'd walked life's path 
humming a familiar tune 
laughing, loving,living  
gone too soon

             iii

Inching and ebbing
her beating heart lost power
leaving golden sparks.



Copyright Suzy Rigg 2012


Monday 8 October 2012

Fossil

We could be fossils, you and I
pressed flat after centuries 
of lying inert in the rock.

Curious that the tiny hermit crab
the roman centurion
the colossal dinosaur
would share the same fate:
To be peered at, fondled 
by some scholarly archaeologist.

Consider the sweet relief
of our fossilised friends:

hermit crab - free from food chain dramas
soldier -  shielded from the blistering rays of midday sun
dinosaur - not anxious about anything big
like being wiped off the planet.

Roll up, roll up for fossil school!
A snapshot of life, in death.



Copyright Suzy R 2012

Friday 28 September 2012

Mourning Song

For one so alive
it is hard to believe, you are gone.
Like the melody of a much-loved song
your refrain lives on.
Suspended in the twilight 'tween light and death
straddling in vain ‘twix dark and life
straining to be understood but
simply wanting to be somewhere else, entirely... 
Since you’ve gone, the days have stretched
into wafered sheets of gold leaf; 
memories of you hold a shining sting
oh came back - please!
I promise to bind you in the loving threads
of whispered eternity.


Copyright Suzy Rigg 2012

Looking at the date, I wrote this one before mum passed away.
Much of our knowledge or 'knowing' is buried deep in our subconscious minds; poetry is one of the ways I access this hidden part of me. 

Wednesday 19 September 2012

Fallen Leaves


Autumn breeze plucks leaves from trees
that touch the ground so gently
leaving branches pining, asking
why have the leaves ceased to sway?

Kindly soil so richly deep
envelopes falling leaves to sleep
waltzered slowly round and round
before they touch the waiting ground

Children kicking crinkly leaves
beneath benevolent aged trees
while winter's gentle setting sun
breathes heat of autumn peace.




I hope you rest in perfect peace and your family find the strength 
to let peace into their hearts to fill the void where you used to stand.


For Martin, RIP.
Copyright Suzy R 2012

Saturday 15 September 2012

Swanly


Silently floating with oceanic calm
Watchful, vigilant, poised yet stern
Inscrutable eyes flashing violent charm
Gliding along the sun flushed lake.




Copyright Suzy R 2012

Lovelace


Love is
Eternal. One hundred and two years ago 
you were born when I was still stardust 
we loved each other
we didn’t need to be alive
for our love to ignite.

Before you found room in my womb
I loved you eternal stranger
you are a new light in my love
agonisingly familiar
although we have 
only just met.

The strands of love 
that join all of us 
to each other through 
generations of unknowing 
are unfathomably exciting
unimaginably frustrating.

Connections with others 
who you have known before you  
knew yourself, illuminate life
casting delicate
stitches ~of ~love 
that are eternal. 



Copyright Suzy R 2012

Tuesday 4 September 2012

Prayer for Humanity


the news is becoming more violent
the truth is becoming more silent 
do it now, or do it never
we really need to join together 
the way of the future 
is love.






Copyright Suzy R 2012

Thursday 30 August 2012

Tritina for Clara


Clara liked to slip on her pyjamas of the palest pink
after a long day in court. She craved the sleep
that called her, from the four-poster bed, beckoning soft.

Refreshed from her sleep
she breakfasted on grapefruit, not ruby red, but pink
and brushed her hair until it was soft.

Dusting powder onto rosy cheeks so pink
pouting in the mirror as Chanel lipstick caressed lips so soft
she winked at her reflection, glad she’d had a good night’s sleep.

She drove off, all sweet, sleepy pinkness, in her black Mercedes SL.


Copyright Suzy R 2012

More props to the dVerse team http://dversepoets.com/2012/08/30/form-for-all-on-tritinas/ for setting such interesting poetic tasks. This poem is a tribute to the glorious poet Marie Ponsot.

Saturday 25 August 2012

Elephant Highway


Unbalanced carts spilled sun ripe fruit
on the dust strewn road
splitting colours, splashing seed
to meet the market dawn.

Spindly children tried to run
alongside heavy traps
some were strong and long of limb
and barely caught their breath.

Bicycles too, took their own road
and weaved their wheels about
the death they cheated,
although in jest, made
villagers shout out loud.

The noise grew low
for something strong
had taken up this path
a silver grey bull elephant
was on this very route!

Without a sound
the track was cleared
of children, wheels and fruit
whilst 'mister majestic' walked
~ in no par-tic-u-lar hurry ~

Without a backward glance.

Copyright Suzy R 2012

This poem was inspired by the artwork of Borg de Nobel, browse her wonderous artwork here: http://borgeous.wordpress.com courtesy of the ever innovative dVerse Poets crew: http://dversepoets.com/

Be gentle with me


Lovingly massaging unscented oil into baby’s velvet skin
Kneading, ironing out soft wrinkles
She felt dream-like, 
as if she were caressing herself-
hypnotised with love
paralysed with fear
this angelic babe
sweating slightly,
heavy limbed was
totally dependent on her.
An hour had passed,
sweet baby scent perfumed the air
her tears mingled with oil
she had no idea who
gave who more
comfort.



***

The corset hugged her baby-bump
She was almost hour-glass again
the uniform black pinstripe
white shirt, red gloss,
hair or nails ~ but not both
lent her insane confidence.
An hour had passed,
the meeting in 
the airless room
had over run.
Through polished glass
she spotted a group of mothers
casual, laughing, free;
her breasts tingled with milk
for her baby
at home.
 
Copyright Suzy R 2012

The debate rolls on about working mothers, or stay at home mothers: what's best for baby, what's best for mum or indeed the whole family. My view is it's rarely that cut and dried; the reasons to work or not are purely personal and are influenced by an alarming array of factors.

So, this poem is really saying there is pain, depression, guilt on both sides of the fence. Sometimes, what feels like the absolute best decision today, can feel like an anchor round your neck, the next. Women, be kind to each other ~ being a mother is at once the most challenging yet rewarding blessings known to 'man'!

Wednesday 8 August 2012

OLYMPIA

                            i

In stadium est laudum ~ the goal is to praise
to be lifted up above competitors' heads
on the roar and swell of human approval as
the endurance of my personal pain is a torch half-lit
without the fire of admiration, to strike it into full flame
there is no merit in weightless feet pounding the earth at breathless speed
unless the eyes of a million cities are gazing on them in wonder.


                           ii

There is no 'i' in team, is a laughable phrase as clearly,
the team would be nothing without me
I carry them, us, our country, the world, ME!
Oh sweet victory, let this be my, I mean our, moment
of crowning glory!


                            iii

I'm watching, straining as far as my eyes can see
surely those dots on the screen can't be real?
what's real is the man next to me, well his stink
does he need to be inebriated to enjoy this spectacle?

                            iv


It's pointless standing apart during this once in a lifetime opportunity
So I'll merge with the crowd I'm crushed with, like family
and cheer for my team, my country, my heroes ~
In stadium est laudum


Copyright Suzy R 2012

This poem was also published in the June issue of What the Dickens Magazine. And what a fabulous read it is too! Well done Editor.





Wednesday 25 July 2012

Step into Spring


Throw off the blankets of winter
Slip off your overcoat’s gloom
Wipe off the makeup of hope
Take down the baubles in the room


Push away the pastries and cakes
Nibble on lemons instead
Stretch your legs, expand your lungs
Let the breeze lighten your head


Fling open the shutters of your mind
Remove the dirty drapes
Throw away moth-chewed jumpers
Create some new space


De-clutter your heavy wardrobe
Make love to your fragrant wife
Walk barefoot on warm pavements
Re-introduce yourself to life





Tuesday 10 July 2012

Big Hosen


Smashing the
plentiverse of ideas
shaking thought into truth
carefully unfolding the doubt
of humanity


Leaving black planets
alone to ponder
their own magnificence
and splendor
brave but misunderstood


A great undoing of the doing
shadows cast by ego,
self-aggrandisement
truth is victory!
rang the Universe


Particles of soup erupting from
the pit of nothingness
revealing the secret
that never was
since time began.



All verses copyright Suzy R 2012



Wednesday 13 June 2012

A Toast

Some have meat and have no teeth
Some have teeth but have no meat
But we have teeth and we have meat
So let us all sit down and eat!


(Accompanied by uproarious laughter, always)




My grandfather taught me this little rhyme, in his thick Jamaican accent with perfect diction, oh how we laughed.

Sunday 10 June 2012

GRIEF




Gnawing at your heart
Rolling down your cheeks are tears
Impossible to imagine the pain that is
Eating you up inside until the intensity of the
Feelings fade ~ but the memory of you never will.




For all of us, at some time, have loved and lost...the love is eternal.



All rights reserved.

Wednesday 23 May 2012

Relationship 2


Realising your thoughts are permeated with thoughts of your lover,

Elevated feelings create sensations that make you wonder at creation itself

Love.

Amazingly unique and 

Thankfully a recurring theme on the human landscape

In spite of the complexity of human emotions,

Our spirit is trained on expansion and

Nothing expands the human

Soul as much as the

Heady

Intimate and loyal embrace of the

Person you love, who loves you back.



All rights reserved.

To be read in partnership with 'Relationship 1'

Tuesday 22 May 2012

Relationship 1


Rudely ignoring each other’s

Evident pain

Lies (only small ones) are an everyday occurance

And yet you are 

Tied to them, tightly bonded although

Intimacy died several years ago, leaving an

Opening to be filled by trivial and other

Naughty pursuits, you feel

Sadness that the relationship has changed course but

Happy, that you are no longer ‘on the market’

It’s complex, but

Perhaps there is something in this marriage lark, after all.



All rights reserved.


To be read in partnership with Relationship 2

Sunday 20 May 2012

Mother Light


The light of a new mother’s moonlight
which bathes her infant in protective beams
fades each passing year as the infant matures.
This rite of passage stimulates umbilical cords 
of independence to unravel, snaking their way to freedom.

When the infant finds its first voice, not the weeping
but the lyrical turns of ‘yes’ and ‘no’
there is in this, the defining of the ego;
not something the mother dreamed of
whilst flicking through pastel coloured baby magazines.

The desire to walk and run soon 
transmutes into dark steps of danger:
the unseen car, the ferocious dog, the reversing swing
lying in wait to hurt you,
your freedom comes at a high price.

Time rushes forward like wind 
baby's evolution into adult is complete.
Dancing to the beats of hormonal heaven
emitting sighs of longing
mother has long forgotten.

Reminders of the heights of desire you touched 
before the babies arrived:
your cheeky baby-snatchers
stealing passion,
in return for muted contentment.


Copyright Suzy R 2012


Find out more about this beautiful Kelley MacDonald artwork here:
http://tinyurl.com/cw458yo


Wednesday 16 May 2012

Look of Love



Neither of them were conventionally beautiful
His spine curved at the top, into a small hunchback,
Dense ape-like hair poked out of the top of his jumper
He was about thirty, but looked older 
As he smiled warmly at his beau, eyes crinkling.

Her glasses were very think indeed.
She was shorter than him and could have passed for his mother
With her lank, greying hair,
But as he draped his arm protectively around hers and went in for several
Passionate kisses, it was clear they were lovers.

As they waited patiently in the queue for the bus,
He eyed the road anxiously, hoping for a traffic delay 
to extend the time with his loved one.
When the bus eventually came, they discussed their plans for the evening
What the weather may hold, the time for parting was near.

“See you tomorrow!” she said brightly watching as he got on the bus.
Fully-loaded with weary passengers, 
She waited as the bus pulled out into the traffic,
Her eyes locked on his as she blew kisses to her lover,
With the most girlish and beautiful face.




All rights reserved.

Sunday 13 May 2012

Wild Boy




Bottled mischief escaped him like fresh lemonade
After pretending to sleep 
And listening to mama’s sweet bedtime song,
Watching her through closed eyes he’d wanted to  
Sing too, but howling at the moon
Might have caused her to scream.

Falling out of the window was no big deal
It didn't hurt anyway,
Landing on concrete would have really hurt
But as wolf-boy-a handsome one at that-
He was invincible.

Drunk on the freedom of night air and no sleep
The was no particular plan
Maybe pull the tale off next door’s cat?
Throw stones at squirrels! he giggled 
As he smoothed down his baby soft fur.


All rights reserved.


Mother Processor

I am the mother processor
blending food not moods
dissecting tantrums of sibling rivalry 
slicing up ribbons of childhood frustration
into bite-size chunks.

When I’ve done this,
I begin to mix mother-juice;
that delicious blend of love, wisdom and protectiveness 
full of free radicals, nothing but the best for my family
I’m not even sure they notice.

Then I start with the vacuum cleaner
sucking up arguments of spiteful words
said throughout the day
folding up old resentments
to store neatly in the drawer.

Throughout the house I see you naked
discarded snacks and dirty clothes,
the parts of yourself you wish to hide
but I know who you really are
and keep your secrets in silence.

Fragments of toys with sharp edges lacerate my feet
as I try to clear your floor
of your symbols of active play
so completes my mother ritual
it’s the same for most of the mamas.

All rights reserved.


The beautiful artwork used to illustrate the poem is the front cover artwork from Mirror of My Future, Reflection of my Past.
Mara Friedman






Monday 7 May 2012

The Walk



Icy air made faces pink as they meandered across the moor
soft steep hills made wild hearts leap
bracken broke, heather sighed against the hillside floor
nature stirred inside him and
stealing her a glance
he spotted a colony of granite rocks
her movement a mystical dance
in rhythm he pushed her against the stone
she caught her breath, her eyes shone
surrendered to her father, her lover, her husband, her son
as they together again became one.

His kisses tasted of meadow rain
as he pushed inside her soul
her back chafed against the rocks 
which she didn't feel at all
in this moment, she was young
lithe and carefree
gathering up their soggy clothes
they hugged as lovers do
and wondered slowly down the hill
refreshed, atoned, renewed.






Copyright S Rigg 2012





I wrote this at the height of a passionate relationship as I contemplated how passion creates feelings of youth and vitality even when the reality is quite different. 

Step into Spring



Throw off the blankets of winter
Slip off your overcoat’s gloom
Wipe off the makeup of hope
Take down the baubles in the room


Step into Spring!

Push away pastries and cakes
Nibble on lemons instead
Stretch your legs, expanding your lungs
Let the breeze lighten your head


Feel Spring zing!


Fling open the shutters of your mind
Remove the dirty drapes
Throw away moth-chewed jumpers
And create some new space


Let in Spring!

De-clutter your heavy wardrobe
Make love to your fragrant wife
Walk barefoot on warm pavements
Re-introduce yourself to life


In the Spring!


All rights reserved.

Friday 3 February 2012

Synchronicity



                 Simultaneous 
actions 
signal deep
 mutual 
understanding.




Moving Earth



Volcanoes 
of 
joy
spring
into view!




All rights reserved.

Monday 9 January 2012

Stillness

illness in a fast-moving world


Stillness in a fast-moving world
accelerates your soul's 
flight.

Saturday 7 January 2012

Truth from the heart


Heart broken?





Heart is broken
it will not stop
the scar remains but your heart
will not 
cease its march through wax and wain
it beats again, 
and so life is made.



All rights reserved.