from BARDO

The stars are in our belly; the Milky Way our umbilicus.

Is it a consolation that the stuff of which we’re made

is star-stuff too?


– That wherever you go you can never fully disappear –

dispersal only: carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen.


Tree, rain, coal, glow-worm, horse, gnat, rock.


Roselle Angwin

Friday 4 November 2016

teign gorge: where the dance is (poem)

Teign Gorge, Dartmoor, TM's birthday, November 2nd 2016

Where the Dance is


This is the long hour –
Eliot's 'moment in the rose garden'

where you stand with your lover
here in the kingdom of air

bridging heaven and earth
above the autumn waters

this deep gorge
carved with the patience of river
from Dartmoor rock
where the blaze of beech and hazel
sparks the whole valley, the river
into long flame 
that sears your retina
and hollows you out 
as it fills the reach 
of river, boulder, tree
where a slow salmon leaps
and slaps back under

and you remember that ancient longing
that tells you
this is where the dance is
this place you will never leave

– even as you turn away west
and walk back through the meadows
through the cows to the road, the cars
the fading light – 

everything being as it always was
always is
holy




© Roselle Angwin 2016 (poem & photo)



 
 

 

5 comments:

  1. I love it, Roselle. Especially the evocation of Eliot, dancing, midwinter spring. And the 'blaze of beech and hazel', 'the turning away west' the 'fading light' in this glorious autumn on our last day in Keswick. Showers, sun, rainbows, mist, tunnels of fiery trees dripping.
    But I'm looking forward to home and the return to discipline, inspired, I hope, and in reach of words.

    Shall be in touch about TWR once I'm back after tomorrow, Nov 5th.
    Love and thanks,
    Miri x

    ReplyDelete
  2. PS Have only just noticed TM's birthday below your stunning photo. Happy Birthday from us both,
    Miri x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you Miri! Your words always appreciated.

    Keswick must be stunning too right now.

    Workshop today, big family 'do' tomorrow, then off to Brittany (occasional email access).

    Love to you both

    Rx

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  4. Absolutely wonderful poem, it made me shiver - thanks dear Ro!!
    Love B

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh! Thank you, B! I didn't see this before as I haven't visited my blog in a while. Lovely words from you. Rx

    ReplyDelete

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