.
Fold back time
like a pleat
in a blanket
shifting sunlight
to morning
and hauling evening
ever closer
.
Living the same hour over
a luxury to savour
a bonus hour to play with
or sleep seamlessly through
.
Time to think of hibernation
slow things down
turn up the heat
read a book
bake some bread
learn to knit
walk the dog
.
Fold back time
like a pleat
in a blanket
to a simpler way
of being satisfied
unconcerned with trappings
or looks
.
Waking with the sun
embracing the day
.
By Carys Owen
.
Hey Trees
I don’t know your names
I’ve been walking here for years
enjoying your shade
breathing in your exhalations
feeling the contours of your bark
loving the green
loving the green
but I don’t know your names
.
Hey trees
I used to know your names
but somewhere on the path
I let them go in favour of
drinking in your beauty
feasting on your exquisite forms
breathing in your exhalations
loving the green
loving the green
I used to know your names
.
Hey trees
I brought a friend with me today
we tried to recall your names
and think you might be hemlock
and you are definitely cedar
we quibbled over Oregon grape
and salal which I always confuse
we breathed in your exhalations
we loved the green
we loved the green
we tried to recall your names
.
Hey trees
will you teach me your names?
in the rustle of your leaves
the whisper of sap rising
the wind in your branches
the brush of needles as I pass
the runes engraved in bark
the kiss of your exhalations
the lovely green
the lovely green
will you teach me your names?
.
by Carys Owen
.
Scoop up the happiness
from each special moment
gather it gently
pull it in close
let it wash through you
brightening the greyness
.
Take in the medicine
knowing you are worthy
this is the sunshine
you have been waiting for
this is the love you can
reach for on lonely days
this is the place you create
for your tender heart
.
Scoop up the happiness
let it run through your fingers
feel the weight
and the lightness
watch it come
watch it go
.
Store the warmth
in the safe house
of your bones
.
By Carys Owen
.
The tide crashes
in and out
throwing up spray
pulling my breath
with every wave
slowing my pulse
soothing my nerves
.
The wind plays
in my hair
lifts the feathers
on nearby crows
tousles and buffets us
promises coolness
and clear skies
.
The night draws in
faster every day
shaving slivers
off the sun
trading bright light
for a soft blanket
speckled with
stellar fragments
and messages from
other worlds
.
By Carys Owen
.
My broken heart
longs for a lullaby
because how much
can one person cry
for the monumental mess
humankind has created ?
.
My heart hurts for
the children stolen from
their loving families
.
My heart hurts for
the villages burnt to the ground
in apocalyptic flames
.
My heart hurts for
the whales and fish
broiled in an oceanic fireball
.
How stupid is this?
How selfish is this?
How avoidable is this?
How shit is this?
.
My broken heart
longs for a lullaby
because how much
can one person cry?
.
By Carys Owen
.
I see you and you see me
on days when we are blue
on days when we are glad
on days when we just don’t know
on days when we wonder
do I matter?
.
in the mirror of our friendship
we reflect love for each other
we see the smiles we are lacking
.
in the messages of caring
we echo the wisdom and kindness
we have learned from each other
.
in the phone calls we share
we speak each other’s names
we say ‘You matter greatly’
.
in our own separate worlds
we remember these words
and know our worth
.
By Carys Owen
.
So tiny!
He looks brand new
just born
we slow right down
turn off the engine
and wait for his mum
to decide which way
to lead
the tiny fawn
~ landed on
an alien planet ~
testing his legs
for the first time
all irregular angles
and bewilderment
.
We will let them choose
one lush verge
or the other,
tall with spring rain
filled out with flowers,
Mom can’t decide
perhaps it’s her first time too
.
We marvel at
the fragile newness
the perfect miniature
as a massive truck
crawls to a halt
and waits in reverence
while mom and baby
select their exit point
.
The pick-up passes by
with tender slowness
and we continue quietly
on our way
amazed at the care
of the drivers on
these winding roads
who stop with love
for deer and bear
.
Who never tire
of the wonder
.
by Carys Owen
(a true story)
.
I twine my fingers
amongst green leaves
feel the pea tendrils
tug at my arm
.
my fingers sink
into soft soil
as I thin the kale
and ease out weeds
.
strawberries watch me
fat but still pale
bobbing on their stems
as garlic scapes curl
.
the busy silence
slows my pulse
and brings me gently
down to earth
.
in my mind I shrink
Alice-like
and walk the rows
feeling cool rain
on my face
seeing tender leaves
bend overhead
.
I am immersed in green
watching the chlorophyll
brighten like starburst
hearing bees
bumble about the flowers
.
I soak up the lushness
of this garden life
and drink in the
newly minted air
.
reluctant to resume actual size
I feel so at home
in this garden life
and wonder what fruit I would produce
were I to stay and
lay my roots down here
.
By Carys Owen
.
Hold my heart
this way up
don’t tip it
or drop it
don’t leave it in the sun
.
Hold my heart
this way up
don’t rattle it
or poke it
don’t leave it outside all alone
.
Hold my heart
this way up
don’t shake it
or test it
don’t wait too long for love
.
By Carys Owen
While you’re here, please check out
my ‘stories’ page where I have also
added a new poem.
If you visit my ‘stories’ page and scroll to the bottom, you will find a video recording of one of my favourite poems- Smart Dog.
Carys Owen Poetry 