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

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

Elephant Highway

listen to ‘Elephant Highway’ on Audioboo

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/

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

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

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

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. 

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

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

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

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.

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'!

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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'

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

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

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.

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

http://www.womanwisdom.com/w_wrop.shtml

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.

Synchronicity

                 Simultaneous 

actions 

signal deep

 mutual 

understanding.

Moving Earth

Volcanoes 

of 

joy

spring

into view!

All rights reserved.

Stillness

illness in a fast-moving world

Stillness in a fast-moving world

accelerates your soul's 

flight.

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.