At this silent hour the water still
I breathe it in and have my fill
for at this quiet time of day
the river has a voice to say
all that it wishes in hushed tone
its soothing voice is quite alone
save for me who noiselessly
savours sunrise all for free
The eastern sun rose
slow behind as I walked
but I turned on a whim
and there, it was caught
a bright orange globe
rising swift from the night
in the still hours of morning
for a marvellous sight
so I took a long moment
hardly drawing a breath
before turning again to
walk back to the west
I got up early
the sun was a blaze
it didn't feel much
like a day for a laze
so with coffee inside
I ventured out there
dressed up for the chill
as I still have a care
and greeted the day
as it greeted me
the sun as a tonic
to help with the free
There's no clink in Clink Street at this time of day
Just the footfall of seldom trod feet
Occasional scuff on the cobbles down there
as we pass under night time's retreat
It's a moment of pleasure to seize and to hold
before all the tourists descend
to these streets of old Southwark which at this time of day
are simply a means to an end
Another early morning
and the beach is quiet and still
the sea a mirror calm
barely moving there until
the world around in slumber
slowly wakes up with the dawn
and I again am thankful
that another day is born
In this still hour of darkness
before morning's begun
when the night time remains
with mere vestige of sun
you'd be forgiven for thinking
it just wouldn't come
and that darkness forever
would be the deal done
But if you did you would always
miss out on the fun
for this time of day
is a long way from glum
Walked out for some exploring
early morning of the day
found the Five Bells atop the hill
saw sheep and lambs at play
the sun gleamed on the tower
of the church down in the village
as a big tractor passed me close by
avoiding country spillage
And this morning
the glorious sunshine pervaded
so wondrously
that I was persuaded
though it didn't take much
it the truth be told
as when one is faced
by mornings of gold
it is really and truly
abundantly clear
that June has arrived
and the summer is here
These early mornings
I’ll attest
are good for me
the very best
The gentle rain
just after dawn
with still the air
of new day born
And solitude
where here about
a whisper sounds
just like a shout
I relish this
the quietning time
as it is almost
wholly mine
Five in the morning
September, still dark
and as usual midweek
I’m up with the lark
The world is still silent
the night not yet done
though a tinge in the East
shows the morning has come
Today I will probably work for a while
I’ll start about eight I would think
But first I’ll sit here and look at the world
as I’ve still some more coffee to drink
The dawn’s not yet broken
and I’m travelling again
on the road for one more business trip
With birds still asleep
as the night is yet deep
I tip toe up the road lest I slip
A blueberry scarf
is the ring of her neck, a promise
to remain warm when clutched by the chills of love – it’s enough.
Enough to block the ravaging eyes, keep her head
snug and rooted on her shoulders,
keep her mouth speaking foreign languages
and her ears keen.
Poet's Corner 