Lake Taupo, from Whanganui Bay – Zandri Spies
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Birdsong flung at the dawn
In joyous exhalation
Another night survived.
The sun lovingly coaxes night-bestowed dew
Jewels back to the air from whence they were condensed
Soft sense of upward mobility, warming,
Frost reforming a gentle haze
To veil the sun’s gathering gaze,
Daylight washing away the chill of night with a steaming wipe.
Grass comes awake to insect chirrup and scuttle.
The body forgets it’s held tension,
Relax to float in aerated suspension
Breathe in with ease the outbreath of trees
In a circle, cycle, recycle, repeat
Crate lake colours from dark to deep blue,
Tempting feet to seek the chill anew
Low angled light strike new jewels steel on flint
A shimmering silk road striking east
Guiding, as old men fish a rich feast
In old tin boats, patched and worn and perfect.
Morning sings away under the swift sunrise
Crescendo to burning glare,
Kind morning replaced by harsh blazing air
That blisters skin, sends beasts racing in
Under shadows and shade
Let her fade, let her fade!
Find a tree ‘neath which to rest
Let midday sun rage and beat the land with malignant eye
Cold bodied lake whispers “take my hand:
Sink beneath her rippling skin
To cool the flesh, relieve the sting.
Sun starts to slow, slide to the west
Easing, calming, an ember nest in the cavernous blue
Earth rolls around in endless tumble
Spinning on a slow grill
The fever pitch peters out to a softer patter
Of warming rays
The sky licks from dry to glazed
Wisps of water find their way to curl
And stream across the sky
And dream-like catch the fading light
Lit with vivid mirrored flame
Filigree fingers of warmth remain
Wrapped around the cup of day
Linger in the rocks and hearts
Birdsong finds a mournful mien
Wiser now through what has been another living day.
Humble now, the edging sun, releases
It’s last look upon,
The loving earth.
As moon takes up its mantle
A silver penny’s worth.
Shining with reflected light,
The cool and shimmering gossamer white
Time after time this cycle turns
An elegant, unintended, rhythm
Dancing, endlessly sublime.
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Joe Blogs, Oct. 2022