Turn off the light but turn on the light,

Galaxies shining as the world lies in bed

But we four stand by the brook, and look up for a time

As the stars vibrate, take shape, formulate,

Beauty.

Majesty.

A tapestry so deftly woven I could weep, but I keep looking, eyes finally open to it all, and I wonder, could the sky fall on little me? As I believe it could, should?

Words I despise with venomous fire,

Why use would and should and could,

When did and saw and will exist -

Words that come out of the mist like you stars,

Other worlds I don’t even know about,

Am I up there, somewhere?

Living another life,

A parallel.

These thoughts tell me I must not be mad, because I am not bad for having them.

I’m musing over thoughts like shooting stars muse over worlds, checking out what’s down below and deciding to go because it’s probably not worth the visit.

Still I crane my neck to take as many in, and thank God for inventing sin because without it I could not appreciate this, as much as I do

Here

With you.

(Annie McKenzie).

I am standing in your garden

And I wonder how many poets have stood here before me,

Awaiting inspiration

Maybe forcing it to come

When all that needs to be done is to look upon the springtime snowdrops,

Green pea shoots sprouting,

Yellow daffodils shouting … and me, we.

You said you wandered lonely

And sometimes I do too.

That was two hundred years ago,

When this world was bright and new,

Or at least a little different,

With a lot less dirt and mire,

Holding on to a fire of creation, elation …

Some things never change, do they?

I will plant rosemary by my garden gate,

Lavender for luck,

Maybe these things will tempt my fate, but I doubt that very much.

When I also feel lonely, which I admit is from time to time,

The hosts of flowers will sing, as I walk in the country by a fresh, clear spring

Allowing you to come to me in times of need,

And just believe the simplest of things to be true.

Thank you.

(Annie McKenzie).

I shall push you off the shore

To return never more as we say our last goodbyes

Tears in the corners of my eyes but I will not let them fall,

Not even slightly,

Not at all.

Why, you need me to be strong! Racked with wit! Fighting fit!

Our children may well ask where you went, why they came last.

I will tell them you fell into the deep,

Took your eternal retreat

So that they love you ever more as they stand on the golden shore with minds I hope at peace,

Finding some kind of release,

Through their half deserted smiles,

Innocent eyes ablaze with wonder and belief with how the world was meant to be.

I can ensure that they achieve all they see when they dream,

And it will be me who kisses their foreheads softly, 

As I whisper lullabys and we remember you fondly,

Though you have gone now out to sea.

(Annie McKenzie).