THE LIGHT

When light shattered across the floor

and briefly there was thunder between us, 

If your eyes had held water it would not have spilled

and when we peeled aside the dreams 

the skin underneath was still young. When all was black

you smoothed aside the words and said, 

It’s there, the light, when you want it it’ll be waiting for you –

and a certain peace came into your eyes,

That this was no different, 

that this was so different

yet every bit the same, 

and your hands stilled with satisfaction.

You did this without touch so that all around me your hands stood

shaped like shelters, all around me there was room

and after each moment the next was like a cavern

and around the corner and down the stairs

There lurked as always, light, as ever, light. 

~Charlotte 3.2009

In the half-light

Here I am in the half-light
Toes dig in the grass
What a glorious night
Twilight with clouds that scud by
Hiding the moons great mass

Hear it, hear the wee owl?
He does not fear the half-light
I sit and listen
As he sings with all his might

You are just in reach when thoughts escape me
I know sometimes it is hard to trace
By the looks on my face
In the half-light
on a clear night

It is easier to be contrite
Than discuss what lies in the air tonight
It is easier to fight with all my might
Then give into the half-light

And the wee owl sings along
He sings to the throng of all left unsaid
He sings for the fears in my head
To the half-light,
the wee owl will forever belong.

Charlotte Slater 2008