Drought in Hyde Park 2006

Drought in Hyde Park (2006)

Spiky straw-like blades
flattened by seekers of shade,
flex to a shoe drop or paw pad,
prickle vulnerable soles
of a barefoot free spirit

No daisies for chains
or dandelions to crush.
Withered brittle leaves,
nettles wilted, heads bowed.
staring at the fractured soil.

Morose trees in the distance
stare at the wasteland
unsure if they too will share
the grim fate allotted to
an erstwhile lush playground
 

Witness the paltry palette,
of ochre, sepia and umber.
Contemplate this landscape
forsaken, heat hung with thirst,
imploring a sun swamped sky.

 ©June Sciortino 05/08/13

 

For Dreamy Georgia

For Dreamy Georgia

Waste no time with the whimsical…

expectations of sweet romance.

Mock anticipations of true love,

made-up prince in shining armour,

blinkers you with dust crammed reveries

Visit reflections…a jonquil moon…

floating across a midnight lake,

with a twinkling of gemstone stars.

Flawless images…scented allure…

circlets of petals, styled perfection,

untarnished visions for alert eyes

Liberate honeyed thoughts galore,

relish your world, heaven on earth.

Don’t miss life’s ember to celebrate.

Waste not your time in the maybe’s.

When it’s time for a love to emerge,

recognize the attraction within…

sincere feelings aren’t gossamer thin

unlike your fanciful dreams and…

you won’t have shattered your hopes.

 
©June Sciortino 05/07/13

To Fuchsia, Ballerina

To Fuchsia, Ballerina

Lissom, graceful, ballerina…do not float past.

I crave to learn the mystery of your innate soul.

As you dance away in your secluded garden,

am left bemused with the tale of your creation.

Free without connection, a reprieve desired,

an answer to a thousand unanswered questions.

Cast your petals to the wind… liberate my mind,

reveal those inner thoughts as to where, when and why.

Don’t leave me stranded with such strange disclosure.

Relieve me… past resentment, guilt and discontent.

Permit me please to remain within your flora.

Lissom, graceful, ballerina…do not dance away.

 

©June Sciortino 04/07/13

Like Munch

Like Munch

 (pertaining to: The Edvard Munch painting 'The Scream')

A times I want to open my mouth, bellow, howl.

cry torrents until no tears remain, the pain…a dull ache.

Curse…blame friends, enemies, family, even you

for agonies lodged inside soul, ingrained into psyche

trapped…unable to set free for peace of mind

Hear my screams, open your mouths into an 0 shape,

cover your ears…you are my Munch hearers.

The fault…not family, friends or even you. 

Torments  accumulated… cruelty I suffer

failure to let go, move on... my weakness

until  I find the way to release despair…

breathe each day in serene harmony

Silently I’ll scream, open mouth into an 0 shape,

cover my ears  so I am the Munch hearer.

But…you will only see my smile.

©June Sciortino 13/03/13

Waiting for him with Wendy Cope

Waiting for him with Wendy Cope

(The book ‘ If I don’t know’)

Wendy Cope diverts my mind

as I drink tea and wait for you.

If she doesn't know, neither do I,

but I’m stuck to the book like glue

Titters emit with no constraint,

I snort out loud with hilarity.

Café consumers glance my way,

thrown by such abnormality.

 
A call for the men in white coats

is sure to be issued shortly.

Doubt I’ll be laughing in that case,

But… bet you will be blatantly.


©June Sciortino 15/06/13

Don't rip the wIngs off a Butterfly

Don’t rip the wings off a butterfly

               'A villanelle'

Hurtful remarks… out of sight, lie,

don’t pierce me with thorns, end the decry.

Don’t rip the wings off this butterfly.

Look away…when you make me cry,

Go on your way…turn a blind eye.

Your hurtful remarks… out of sight lie.

It’s all in your mind…wish I knew why,

relishing that I look like small fry.

to rip the wings off this butterfly.

I am worthless, is what you imply,

you pull me to pieces, high on the sly.

your hurtful remarks… out of sight lie.

Converts to worse, when I don’t reply,

Please recognise that, I’m really quite shy.

Don’t rip the wings off this butterfly.

If…you don’t want to change, big guy,

the right time to say goodbye…is nigh.

Cos hurtful remarks… might out of sight lie,

but you won’t rip the wings off…this butterfly.

©June Sciortino 05/05/2013

A Villanelle of Childhood Summer

A Villanelle of Childhood Summer

Fragranced childhood vacations, Grandmother’s scented clothes

Perfume’s evoked in memory, love that grows and shows

Tender summer cuddles of distinctive hazy musk rose.

Slippery sun screen on hot beach, prickly sand amid toes

Vanilla ice cream cones, earnest begs for one of those

Fragranced childhood vacations, Grandmother’s scented clothes

Walks by the sea at twilight, watching the tide as it goes

Hugs as we run to and fro, fun with dog catching throws

Tender summer cuddles of distinctive hazy musk rose.

Early to rise each morning, ponytail tied with pink bows

Lunches of homemade bread, watching the dough as it grows

Fragranced childhood vacations, Grandmother’s scented clothes

Grazed knees get some comfort, for the pain and your woes

In bed before sunset, tales of the past make us doze

Tender summer cuddles of distinctive hazy musk rose.

This year when time for a break when July come to pose

Memories and yearns flood the mind, she is no more…it knows

Fragranced childhood vacations, Grandmother’s scented clothes

Tender summer cuddles of distinctive hazy musk rose.

©June Sciortino 27/04/13

Label it (a cautionary tale)

Label it (a cautionary tale)

Last night work weary dear hubby

came home to aroma of stew.

Tasty morsels of juicy lamb,

(Vegetarians, close eyes do).

It floats in my finest wine sauce

with every fresh veg I could find,

new spuds, rosemary and garlic.

His platter scrapped clean, bear in mind.

Next came a vibrant fruit salad,

Melon, mango, kiwi, and pear.

 All in a juice of my making,

plus red & blue berries add flair

Last a dessert of distinction,

Chocolate (with French accent, say),

orange liqueur added flavour,

in a wee plastic pot on a tray

Placing full spoon in his mouth

quick pleasure changed fast to disgust…

then he spat out the…offensive,

am rendered completely nonplussed.

Chocolate was not an component

In truth it is gravy of beef.

my careless mistake thus happened

and caused me a whole lot of grief.

I didn’t pay much attention,

Being a disorganised twit.

I forgot to do the main thing,

to unerringly  — label it

©June Sciortino 19/04/2013