Variations on a Theme of Orpheus
by Tim Kavi
moonlit night
foggy breezes
beasts of the wood
melodies of
Orpheus always pleases
across the river
in a dark place
turned away
from Eurydyce's face
tears flow
on this last time
such sad longing
missing the beloved
wife's belonging
by his side
she was
the gentle bride
she is
passioned and gone
he sighs
hopefully in destiny's
dark design
there is a returning
notes rising
to the heavens
as goddesses
take flight
birds uprising
heaven is silent
instructed in woe
descending below
turned away
by the dark foe
Orpheus keeps playing
captured by hope
that his notes
are delaying
destiny's defraying
of his continual
mourning
bringing comfort
to the masses
these are the ways
of the passioned
artist
always comforting
others
from his own place
of veiled
loneliness darkest
playing to the
audience
while Rome burns
or armies
wait in the wings
or his heart
trembles
dance! sing!
jovial things!
filling the air
with notes
sweet ministry
twilight says
night is coming
death the final
post
together finally
with Eurydyce's
now, happy ghost!
This poem is reprinted with permission from my publisher TiLu Press, and also appears in my collection Ascending Goddess. You can read this poem along with many more in that collection by clicking here to purchase the book! Thanks for supporting my work!~~TK
"Stone Buddha"
by Tim Kavi
up on
the narrow
ridge
there is
what was
once
a contested
bridge
enclosed
in stone
fruited plains
in the valley below
a shrine
still sits
where
corpses line the way
the light
still shines
through
follow the path
up to the
light for
it ever shines
bright
blind ones
receive their
sight
when the
fragrance
of the blossoms
meets
the morning
dew
the troubled
ones'
troubles
are few
if they
continue
to the light
broken paths
stones
overturned
such
places
are not
earned
or won
grace's
appearing
is in the
clearing
where the
stone
Buddha
sits.
