There’s smoke
in the air tonight
it’s blowing in from the east
tinged with salt
seaweed
wisps of mermaid hair
fire
that feels
somehow familiar
I wonder
if it’s your tinder
burning
flames
embers
swallowing everything
whole
where the heat
turns caramel
into blue
I wonder
if this musky breeze
tickling my face
running wanton
wild
through my hair
in tendrils
creeping curls
vines of ivy
poison ivy
are the flaky
achy
pieces of ash
from your fire
pieces of your
light
that you
put in a bottle
seaglass
corked neck
sent my way
on this hot summer wind.
I opened
all my windows
drew back the curtains
for the smoky husks
of the hot breeze
for you
felt you
I felt you
suck under the doorways
whistle through
my window frames
nestle yourself
between my shoulder blades
breast plate
around my wrists
between my toes
I felt you
felt
the smoke
the light
the burn
of you
in my skin
under my tongue
I closed my eyes
played with fire
plucked
pruned
harvested
the things you love
your favourite things
in cloak and dagger
from my midnight garden
in the cool smoky air
of dusky light
tonight
I gathered you
the last blooms of summer
wrapped them
in gossamer
spider’s web
lily petals
tucked them between slivers
of silver moon
folded them between slices
of lemon sun
so wherever you are
under the same sky
one day
the next time
you’re wandering
lost
wanderlust
wondering
when you smell the scent
of past summer blooms
open your windows
draw back the curtains
sit in your favourite chair
watch the moon
star-cross
the sun
wonder
wander
ask yourself
the quiet
question
the burning question
that turns
caramel blue
look behind you
between
your shoulder blades
under your tongue
in your skin
around your wrists
because
the
answer
will be
me.
copyright © 2009, Holly Ringland.
roybarry
I opened
all my windows
drew back the curtains
for the smoky husks
of the hot breeze
Absolute literary perfection.
Holly Ringland replied
roy you great big bundle of love and joy… absolute literary perfection is the nicest way to start my sunday. thank you so much :)
Lisa Jewell
Stunning imagery…..
Oh wow this is one of the finest, most romantic pieces of writing I’ve read…
Each word, phrase was a delight to read, to feel….
Yep I love this….xxx
Holly Ringland replied
oh lovely heart… thank you… i do love it so when you read my words and feel them and get them and know where they came from xxx
lianne
My God woman where does all this perfection come from, what well do you drink from, what voices whisper in your ear that you can create this kind of feeling and wrap it up in such perfect form and incredible imagery?? I want a bucket from this spring just once before I die!
Holly Ringland replied
sweet jesus lianne, you evoked a belly laugh from me with this comment of yours. you’re too kind sweetheart, too kind. if there is a well, if there is a pool, you are more than welcome to pull up a beach chair, bring some cocktail umbrellas and drink until you’ve had your fill. thank you so much, i just love this response of yours.
burntblue
yes! wonderful! hooray!
Holly Ringland replied
thank you, thank you, thank you!
butchart
such sensual wonderful imagery that traveled through my vison and mind much like the smoke you so beautifully describe…......b
Holly Ringland replied
so kind you are b…. thank you so much… i’m glad the smoke in this reached you.
girlinthestars
reading you is like when i used to roll down grassy hills as a little girl. just sheer wonder, delight, and awe.
Holly Ringland replied
oh amy… you and your lemon drop lovely words… i remember that feeling, tumbling, out of control and completely happy. what a compliment, thank you so much for reading my work.
ShadowDancer
Dearest most beautiful Holly, you are breaking my favorite button.. smoke, blue caramel, wrapped in gossamer, your magical gift makes images swirl in my mind like watching the memories of favorite movies all at the same time. breathtaking.
Holly Ringland replied
beautiful peej… my poetess friend… you make me giddy. thank you so wholeheartedly and completely… your comments and thorough responses and feedback mean worlds to me.
CloudChaser
oh dear…..you always make me go a bit weak and wobbly with your beautiful words…. I had to close my eyes after reading this…... absolutely beautiful. xx
Holly Ringland replied
thank you so much velvety cloud :) you are so always kind and lovely with your responses to my work and i will never stop being humbled or amazed that my work reaches you. thank you for reading, thanks so much xx
bellmusker
ask yourself / the quiet question/
the burning question/
that turns / caramel blue
My girl of the holly, your writing is so intensely luxurious that I feel as though I’ve fed to my heart’s content when I read; as though I’ve wined and dined and been sent away with a langourous smile & always, a thirst for more. x x x
Holly Ringland replied
oh my girl of bells. what do i say to this… to these words of yours that leave me like the cheshire cat… just a little more smug, a little more chuffed, a little more delighted and full to the brim with a grin. thank you sweetheart xx
inAWE
such sensual imagery….I could smell this poetry….as well as read it….
I could watch it drift and dance into my mind, like a breeze through lace curtains…
You have such a gift!
minnow
I didn’t realise I’d been holding my breath till the end. Elemental communication, so intimate and beautiful; it was a joy to read, thank you.