aging

Springfall

a seed, conceive
to sprout, we’re born
a leafy green new life
trunk and roots, further sunk
nourished, loved, great height
full, vibrant, ripe
moulting, colours, beauty
the crown of wit
autumnal slant of light
mellow, wilt, decay
bare branches, skeleton buds
frost without a fight
repose, accept, goodbye

—Terri Guillemets

Branches

this winter afternoon
i stare between bare
branches of gray trees

in the distance i see
an unreturnable past
or a dwindling future

i can’t tell which but
the silence is sublime

—Terri Guillemets

Iridescent

the years sprint, sail, drift, fly —
days melt into sleep
decades we no longer know
by taste or smell, yes
but hard fast memories tend not to keep —
youth lives on — yet, is long gone
birds chirp each spring anew
but our hearts sing the same shades
of childhood colors we once knew

—Terri Guillemets