Delights Poem by Barry Middleton

delights like warm blackberries
picked in June are best because

we know they will improve with age
chilled atop tomorrow's ice cream

so like a love still hot and sweet
the best includes the more to come
...
the first orange blossom of spring
its perfume drifting down to the lake

is sweeter grown to old age wisdom
that knows of ripening and death

so in spring we take a deeper breath
and close our eyes on fragrant dreams
...
we listen to soft wind in the trees
and the breath in a rush of rising surf

and in summer when thunder speaks
and lightning fires beyond the sky

in the distance a church bell rings
before the quiet hush of the evening
...
to look upon the world's beauty
and yet to see its agony and shame

can make us reach into ourselves
if only to console another's grief

and within that moment's peace
to share a vision of hope and strength
...
the precious gift that equals sight
is touch with all its pain and power

touch can turn the world around
and light the darkest corner of night

when all we see is burgundy and black
a lover's touch transforms to velvet