Tea

A comforting mug of mindfulness,
deep and substantial -
a heart-warming hug from a loved one.
It steams and shudders without contest
and sits submissively,
brewing conptemplatingly, with an air of royalty.
Clasp it: it's burning hot.

It makes you wait, but soon it stills
and its clear waters - once crystal and fresh -
are stewed and auburn. A burnt caramel.
The ripples still
and waves cease in a calm;
a moment.
A daily ritual; a moment of peace
before, between, during and after all things.

Sip it, slurp it, slug it,
however you choose: longingly
you are prolonging each mouthful
feeling smug, full of satisfaction.
You've achieved something
wallowing in this wonderful world.

A smile creeps over your lips,
in this exclusive moment,
as the swirling fragrant solution
soothes your soul.

Not Your Typical Valentine

Standing on the cliff edge
I jump into the raging storm;
It has appeared before me
and, although it comes as a surprise,
it is my own doing. A tempest formed.

You push. I leap.
I pull. You retreat.

Swirling in confusion -
waves of air pulse and beat us down -
we swell upwards and
sweep
in an uncoordinated fashion.
Utterances blast as battering billows of passion.

I push. You leap.
You pull. I retreat.

Edging away, with caution -
clambering over the blades, the rocks,
the challenging cliff face -
I question my motives.
Disgraced by an arbitrary demand.

We push. We leap.
We pull. We retreat.

Not staring one-another in the face.
Glimpses reflected;
frowns flash like the souring surf.
Groans of dismissal and misunderstanding
echo in the depths.

Push. Leap.
Pull. Retreat.

Your Wedding Dress

Cascading chiffon under
a mirage of intricate lace work,
of delicate fabric on fabric,
on skin, soft skin.
An illusion of rippling ribbons:
satins and silks.
An opaque curtain of grace and beauty.
A gentle moment of memories being made.

The waterfall of light,
luminous illusion,
strokes the shoulders,
hips and thighs.
It rests, like a babe's head,
upon the palm of your hand,
runs through your fingers,
like fine sand, and
flutters as you turn in reflected joy.
There's a resonating hush.
Astonishing.

Crystal stitching clutches
like diamond encrusted chokers.
Webbing grasps hands
and holds this masterpiece together.
Holding it together,
you gasp at the glorious vision beheld.
You are a vision.

Glittering gems
iridescent in the spotlights.
Sparkling smiles
twinkle in your eyes.

Majestic, as a swan.
Understatedly beautiful.
A cherub in a champagne cloak;
a gift from heaven.

Time

In my mind there's a ticking clock, tick,
dreaming of a time machine, tock,
measuring the waking moods, tick,
waves of ideas and fears, tock.

Every mirror glance reminds me -
we have one chance;
washing away the stains of daily grime
wishing the wrinkles take their time.
The clock continues; the striking bell chimes.

To one side I see myself, frocked, tick,
in a frilly tu-tu-too far, tock,
a gummy grin from ear to ear, tick,
and glittery, jelly sandals to top it off. Tock.

It's empty in this room, mostly.
There's no other being,
no one greater than myself -
but there are bigger memories that burn brighter
reflecting off the glass,
catching light like a new watch.

Even at night there's a glow. Tick.
And as morning breaks, tock,
an old, a new, a present life continues.