Today has been a blessed October day
This sweaty summer isle the sun did spare
Away the azure sky, the clouds would stay
A mist embalmed her face, recalled as fair
I’d weave a nest and den in crowdless parks
Where birds alight and chirp despite the rain
Some drizzling, rather, sprinkling water sparks
That scatter drops of stars in God’s domain
I saunter there with faith as only guide
The strolls —slow, slant, slack— get steep then slide
down to a delighted roaring roller-coaster ride
On lanes that surf atop the crests of hills
And vales that dive to rest before the tide
To me, a seasick man, it’s thrills and spills!
In truth the ups and downs unveil the Grail
To one who’ll walk and watch this wondrous way
The red flamboyant buds as fireflies flail
The birds? Tawny, gaudy, tawdry— but Lord, no grey!
Out of the blue alluring hues may woo a jay
To me, who feel so blue, the larks are gay
Some shyest sounds —the desert’s voice?— appease
The crunching rocks that crack the crust of soles
The rustling leaves from bushes, shrubs and trees
Yes, it’s the silence of solitude soothing the souls
I take a breath and sit upon a stone
Unseen, coiled inside a cove, apart
I read a book, and learn to live alone
It’s poetry, Rossetti, to pray by heart