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

Avenue in the Fog

Avenue in the Fog

Morning avenue,  pink flowered bliss,

cherry blossom in my sight…

poetry and romance, my mind.

Silent forest of shadowy menace

confronts evening homecoming.

Wraithlike trees eerie blooms leer,

fearsome behind mists gloomy web.

Dank icy air clings, penetrates deep,

sending shivers into my soul.

Burrow deeper within mantle

to keep out creepy miasma.

Lamp posts, grey sackcloth cloaked,

secrete a muted orange flush,

little aid to a nervous traveller.

Safe in portal of my dwelling,

I glance into thick foggy night.

Hostile shrouded trees dare me…

venture into the spectral night,

explore our ghostlike scenery.

Hesitation none…I turn the key…

cross the threshold into solace.

©June Sciortino