These poems were written after I met Dónall and we spent days and nights together for the whole of August, getting closer and more loving all the time. Now we've had to go back to work, live separately in the week, and it's been a wrench to say the least. Dónall's response to the situation follows my desperate attempt at a solution to the problem:
.....................................................................................................................
I have a plan.
Why should I not lie forever
in the circle of your arms?
Leave the world’s stream?
Can’t we lie here forever?
While outside the window
the world wheels round,
daylight dawns and fades,
sunlight flashes up and dies in season,
rain falls softly or storms,
trees rock and fall in gales,
lawns are mowed
and neighbours’ children play
then leave them aging
and in fear of loneliness.
This is my plan:
(our needs are few.)
We shall condense our world
to fit this marriage bed;
lay in a store of luxuries
(they’re free) :
the touch of skin on skin;
exchanges of loving words;
laughter and stories; passion;
all heaped in easy reach.
And we shall lie in bed,
Resisting siege.
(by Janice)
................................................................................................................
Dónall wrote this lovely piece:
'To the Ends of the Earth'
After our first
kiss
we spend
the next month
in bed
leaving only to wee
or make a cup of tea
unwilling
unable
to leave the haven
of the Heaven
of each other’s
embrace
forgetting why it is that
humans wear clothes?
Existing only on endless
tin after tin after tin of assorted soups
living a life under siege
until the rations ran out.
Our bed
a raft
Love...
setting us adrift
on an endless ocean
of Time & timelessness
day & night
ceasing to exist
hours & minutes
vanishing
into an ether
of tenderness
lost
in each other’s arms
(not even returning mobile telephone calls...ever!)
Love laughing
at us floating
under a hot sun
of sex
shipwrecked us
almost delirious
(reluctant to be rescued)
carried by cuddles
& conversations
laughter & lust
trust & devotion
to the ends of the earth
the ends of
the earth
ends
of
the
earth.
(By Dónal Demsey)
..............................................................................................................
And this tanka was my answer:
The Island at the Ends of the Earth:
Contented castaways,
our island sustains us
with coconut kisses...
We do not hoist a flag, nor
seek escape from passing ships.
...............................................................................................................
Sadly, we are back in the mainstream again now, but we're looking forward to Christmas!
I like the closing desperate lines 'And we shall lie in bed, Resisting siege.' - the bed is a barricade against the chaos outside. It is so simply beautiful your plan. I love the simple beauty of the poem, the unsophisticated beauty of your wish. And why not? Well said!
Outside there, the ‘world circle’ reels...leaving alone this ‘streaming’ circle, the poetess wishes to be ever (resisting siege) inside the unchanging ‘arm circle’ of her soul mate...only minimum needs in demand...and those needs are surprisingly ‘free to take luxuries’ also... nothing more than love and only love...a poem written artfully good 10/10
beuatifully executed and the title is apt too...goes beyond the materialistic level
Such heart felt poetry from both of you................... Ruthie
Is this not what Love Is? ... Beautiful... Make it So... Colin J...10...
Sigh.... all of the pieces are achingly beautiful. Your love for each other is palpable. I am so very happy for you both. HG: -) xx
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
awww. thats really cute. xD theres something about this poem that i like, alot. i cant pin point what it is yet, but just know i like it xD zoe. xx