Two Poems: John Ellison Davies

 

THE EMBRACE

 

“you have to love them"

I tell her "It's your only

defence"

 

she is puzzled

at first, then memory

blooms as it will

when a storm has passed

 

recognition rainbows

in her hazel eyes

there is a clue

of eagerness on the map

 

her indelicate history

delicately etched

sweats like glass

in the palm she offers

 

pressing

gently enough

to shatter worlds

 

 

EVERYDAY MASTERPIECE

enthroned
on their cool verandah

the old ones

connoisseurs
of light and shade

resolve
all problems
of proportion

each fragile gesture
a brush-stroke
in a self-portrait

nearing completion

John Ellison Davies © 2023

https://www.australianbookreview.com.au/poetry/states-of-poetry-2017/states-of-poetry-tasmania/author/1946-johnellisondavies