Nightscape

The last trace of twilight slips away
As the stirrings of nighttime duly gain sway
A mysterious spirit, as if on cue,
Set nature's stage dramatically new.

Hanging a lantern in the cobalt sky
The queen of the night has now drawn nigh
Shedding her moonbeams with a gentle glow
That illumines the scenes of the nightscape below.

With a royal sigh, she exhales a breeze
Cooling the air with quiet ease
A nod from her, bids a symphony begin
Of chirping crickets and their insect kin.

Geckos join in and the music resumes
As night cereus and jasmine exude their perfumes
To the reigning deva, this sloe-eyed queen
Whose drama, by dayfolk, is rarely seen.

The poet observes, under clouds that drift by
Like a phantom train across the sky
Grateful her presence has gone undetected
Her heart filled beyond what she ever expected.

© Molly Moore

Castle Dove

I envy you, white dove
Atop the castle wall
How easily you've trespassed
The moat and fortress wall.
My true love waits within
The confines of the keep
As you fluttered past her chamber
You surely heard her weep.
Befriend this humble knight ~
On your return here daily
Bear a poesy to my Princess
As she crosses yonder bailey.
I envy you, white dove ~
Were I the one with wing
I'd alight her bower window
And my heartsong I would sing.

© Molly Moore

Cloud - map

I find adventure in the sky
'board a cumulus frigate rare
That takes me sailing happily by
The countries of the cloud-map there.

Romantic Spain quite near I spy
And listen for castanets
While a stately armada seen on high
Wends home before the red sun sets

The call of bagpipes I imagine soon
As cirrus tartans appear
That harken me back to Brigadoon
And the tales of yesteryear.

Then of a sudden the horizon's aglow
With molten Aztec gold
That Montezuma's boastful show
Bids all the world behold.

In the rosy twilight I hear the chant
Of evening arati sweet
From the temple of the elephant
Down an old New Delhi street.

So many lands left to explore
But night falls rapidly.
As my little ship returns to shore
I look back wistfully.

I'll sleep in peace, I do believe,
Sweet dreams upon my mind.
The troposphere I'll again retrieve...
New adventures there to find.

© Molly Moore

Evensong

Racing in the wind like a bird on wing
I joyfully pedal along
Enlivened by the magical evening air
That attunes my heart to a song.

A song of awe as the mountains arise
To enfold me on my way
In their ancient power and majesty
As we near the close of day.

January winds tease in playful gusts
Enticing me to their fun
Cooling my face as they whistle a song
In praise of a day well done.

Then on the horizon there suddenly erupt
Bright flames of orange fire
Engulfing the heavens and igniting in splendor
To the song of an unseen choir.

I pause from my ride, transfixed by the sun
As it melts to a rosy glow
Could I seep through the sky and follow it home,
With gladsong I would go.

© Molly Moore

In A Poem

I'm living in a poem, it seems
In picturesque blue Hawaii
The fabled land of romantic dreams
Where poets oft have longed to be.

Cradled secure in my valley nest
From the thronging mass I'm free
In poetic serenity I find my rest
Midst a wealth of vivid imagery.

As the trade winds whistle soothing songs
Through the spiraling mountain peaks
Not for worldliness my heart longs
But the wisdom which their melody speaks.

Oh, island spirits, bear me home
On the rhythmic ocean waves
Where I'll live content within my poem
For the remainder of my days.

© Molly Moore

Niu Valley Morning

I enter my valley cathedral
At the dawning of the day
To the strains of glorious birdsong
That draw me there to pray.

The lyric notes in melodic swells
More beauteous than any choir,
Midst plumeria and jasmine incense
A rush of joy inspire.

Then bring the keepers of the day
A glowing sanctuary light
Igniting the dawn in golden hues
That melt away the night.

My heart soars past the mountain spires
On blissful journey bent
Exalted by my morning Mass
In this temple, Heaven-sent.

© Molly Moore

Spring

As the sweet balmy breezes stroke my face
And the budding green leaves shed winter's last trace
As the crocus emerges, and the birds start to sing
My heart comes alive to the dawning of spring.

The sun rises earlier to light the day
And I find myself walking a livlier way
Hope's peeking out the cloud it was under
The stirrings of new life have earth all awonder.

I'll perhaps climb a mountain, or bound a stream
Or ride the wild horses I saw in a dream
Cartwheel through the meadow in joyful fling
I can do anything ~ afterall, it's spring !

© Molly Moore

The Thrush

The exquisite calls of a lonely thrush
Broke my evening reverie
Then scanning the hill and neighboring brush
I saw him 'top the tallest tree.

One melody after another he trilled
In beautiful sonorous song
As if he wished the earth to be filled
With his passionate message strong.

What do you see, my eloquent friend,
From your vantage point so high?
To all mankind do you wish to send
Your urgent hue and cry?

Is it children of the wars you view
In rags with nary a meal
That makes you once again renew
Your soothing song to heal?

Or bombs exploding in the Middle East
While Allah's name is blessed?
What sing you, bird, to the warring beast
As the sun sinks in the west?

From your lofty limb so loud and clear
You sing your apprising song---
The Darkness now is hovering near
Make haste to right the wrong.

Call after call the warbler made
His stamina marveled me
Until the day's farewell was bade
He would not silent be.

Thus sang the lowly, fragile bird
Whom nothing could discourage
I pray he knows his song was heard
And touched my heart with courage.

© Molly Moore