"Destined Minds"

Of Gentler Times

the dreadful mood
settled by the peaceful sunset
as soft lappings
reached the shore

as the waters edge
smoothes and strokes
the sandy banks
as if to pacify

as autumns rain beckons
a change of season
a change of tide
to put at last to rest

amiable and tender
the sunset kisses the
last remains of the horizon
as the thoughts of day

the too are put to rest
and cradled within the
mind till mornings light
is able to sort the fray

Maree Long
(c) Maree Long 2009

A Maple Autumn

never under-estimate foilage of rich color
the deep reds and purples
nor the oranges that radiate from
deciduous trees in Autumn

joy of seasons change as trees
put on a beautiful display so
cool and clear are the days that
are made even more spectacular

when brilliantly set against a
blue skyas the claret ash with
glossy green leaves in spring
turn to deep claret in Autumns wake

vivid autumn color puts warmth into
our days and give tranquil thought
as leaves fall in Winter and show
your grand structural form

you trunk and branches that said
goodbye to the graceful leafy surround
shade me in in my summer, and
give me my sun in my winter

Maree Long
(c) Maree Long 08

CICADA'S SONG - The Courtship of Summer

cicada's song that rings in the air
comes on the morning breeze
of summers breath thick in humidity

sounding like the word of "pharoah"
or the sizzling skillet of flighted meat
singing midday as another awaits the late afternoon shift

the female lured and flying nearer responds
to the male with a flick of her wings
and lured to the emitting sound

and when you sing all else is quiet as
vibrating rib plates in amplifying cavities
that which can be heard from half a mile away

so sing cicada sing, sing in competing throng
and secure a mate for thee
for you will sing for little less than 30 days

for summer's emergence tranparent wings
that filter violets light for
did you spy thousands of stovepipes there upon the ground

so fanciful and many are your names
Yellow Monday, Whisky Drinker, Double Drummer and Black Prince
the Cherry Nose, Red Eye and Brown Baker,

your song rises amongst the loudest in the word
adapted perfectly to the urbanized environment
is Australias emerald Green Grocer

but be aware the king of summers song
for Exerirus hunts and is ready with sting
numb from your demise stuck in a burrow

and there you rest on shelves of the catacomb
and be deposited there as mere food stock
as fodder for the wasp-grub that grow

and now summer moves as the leaves change their color
and Autumn in passing waves
and your secret isall that remains

now silent the defeaning drone
that once pulsed through the air
are the lifeless forms of summers reign

Maree Long
(c) Maree Long 2008
www.freewebs.com/poetrybymareelong