Still Life

Still Life
In this old dog?
Possibly
But
A birthday?
A number
A year older
Deeper in debt?
Maybe
But, to whom
My mother
Gone
But never forgotten
Indebted for certain
Deeply
For without her
I would never have had this life
Would not have known
And loved
My family
Have loved
Close and dear friends
Have known the scent
Of the morning
Of new mown grass
Of the perfume of loving
Would never
Have held
My wife
My children
Never have seen
The sun rising in its glory
A bird
Hovering
Watching
The moors, wild, unkempt
Unfettered
The woods, the grass
A thousand shades of green
My horse galloping free
My dogs running, playing
Walking by my side
My cats
Filling the fireside
My knees
I would never have stood
By the sea
Watching it
Lapping gently
Or roaring in its might
Tempestuous
Uncontrollable
All-consuming
A birth place
For life
Would never have known
The touch
Of a lady's silken hair
The softness of a pet's fur
My horse's mane
Freshly washed, brushed
The warmth of his breath
Like
The wind
Blowing
Hard or gentle
Waving the grass and the branches
Calling through the trees
Moaning and chilling
Frightningly enthralling
Would never have felt
The joy of new friendships
Of shared jokes
And memories
The sadness of losing
Dear friends
Neighbours
Loved ones
My mother

In debt
Yes


Terry Rhiannyr
July, 2012