like multicolored flowers

he turned and walked away

and the saddest parts of me

grew sadder for he’d left

without the slightest intimation

of feeling – nor did I detect

a drop of longing to linger

near me …  a moment more

and then, as if my hurt had

slapped him on the back

like a drunkard’s bid to bond:

he spun round, startled and,

fleetingly, looked oddly lost

in that familiar place – and then –

a trace of recollection flickered

and in his eyes, I glimpsed regret

for the perfunctory emptiness

of his good-bye – and then,

he smiled, in the way he had for me,

as he erased his steps and returned

to hold me in a subtle hug … evocative

and nuanced as a field of multicolored  flowers 

photo:  Multicolored Flowers – M.S. Bourke

© 2015 W. Bourke  

Pink Tulips

HEAD DOODLING BACK

He had left

pink tulips 

nonchalantly perched 

near the still steaming coffee pot.

(sentimental – but not gushy)

And they greeted me 

in gobsmacked giggles.

(apparently, they were in on the joke)

Then I noticed: 

he had sliced a cinnamon bagel in two 

and placed each half in the toaster, 

ready to go.

I smiled – out loud – 

and whispered:  Flirt!

  

photo:  Pink Tulips – W. Bourke

  

© 2013 W. Bourke  

the serpent of temptation

scattered in the opera
mauve watercolor bleak

mind shadows flit  

like winged peri spirits: 

in angel-evil hide and seek

the one true thing:  

as basic and intrinsic as the air – 

alas, one never gives it thought . . .

until it isn't there

then, when  

it seems that all is lost
to anger, ache and fears

the serpent of temptation –

in the addled trance . . . appears

note:  In Persian mythology, the Peri are exquisite, winged fairy-like spirits somewhat between angels and evil spirits. They sometimes visit the realm of mortals.  In popular culture - in the novel Zariel's Doom (2014) by Joseph Robert Lewis, "Peris" appear as small impish creatures that can speak, but can only be understood by angels, and can only repeat words and phrases that have been spoken to them previously.  In the Doctor Who series episode, The Twin Dilemma, the Doctor compares his travelling companion, Peri Brown, to a Peri, explaining that “before the Peri became good, it was evil.” 

photos:  Pier Reflections (The Boathouse Pier in Port Moody on a very rainy day) – Wendy Bourke 

© 2015 W. Bourke