Wherever You May Walk: Poem

Wherever You May Walk

Wherever you may walk, my heart goes with you.
In acceptance, in silence, in the completion
Of Absence; recognizing the emptiness of this life
When you leave my presence. In knowing that
I need to sense this vital presence as if it is
Water in the dunes; as though it is sun in polar winds.

I will speak of this emotion only if you want to hear.
I will also leave you your freedom if you so desire.
I can control my steps, but my ears strain to hear yours.
I can choose to walk away but even then my soul will
Long, long for your presence.

I hear the nightbirds though my window.
I can hear the silence of a sleepless night
That, with the fingers of dawn, have silenced
My words, desires and whatever lived within me.
I have waited so long; long did I wait for my fate.

Wherever you may walk, my heart goes with you.


Copyright (text and image): Rani Turton

Folk Musician, Delhi

Folk Musician, Delhi.  Garland of flowers, colourful pugree, earrings...

Credits: http://artisanofwords.tumblr.com/

Photograph: Study of Yellow Flower

These colours were magnificent in the Delhi sunshine.

Grief: Poem

GRIEF

Grief, don’t stand near my bed tonight
I’ve had enough and more than I can bear
Last night was the worst: I could feel you
Watching me whilst silently standing there.

Now tell me, grief, are you friend or foe?
What is it about me that attracts you so?
Is it for my beauty, my wit or my fragility
That you stand there clothed in such simplicity?

You knew that yesterday was a hard day.
I had a certain difficult role to play;
Grief, as I suddenly felt you in my room
Ah! I actually felt the weight of your gloom.

Now I know that you are more than a presence;
I even think you sense my absence;
I almost think I’ll wait for you tonight:
Grief, please do step into sight.

Copyright: Rani Turton