Three Poems by Susan Brumel

 

Predatory Moon 

 

It too, does sweet summer slowly die, 

Though not detected by the sun-glassed eye 

 

Nor can the ear hear the waning of the rose, 

As she shyly sheds her sunny summer clothes  

 

The tongue is numb to taste of her decaying, 

Summer’s bounty too thick upon it laying 

 

And the nose senses not the fetid fumes, 

As summer’s death, wrapped in light, scentlessly looms 

 

Only the heart can know the dying has begun… 

As the moon slowly preys upon the sun 

 

 

Music of The Past

 

Amber light reflected in your sea green eyes, 

Shimmers to the hum of violins 

A symphony of autumn hues 

Rings soft ‘neath lilac skies, 

Gently waking silences within 

 

Songbirds mimicking the haunting tremolo, 

Sing harmonies with tumbling melodies 

As Little Reds build fortresses 

Against the coming snow,  

In the strong muscled arms of old oak trees 

 

Azure breezes meandering through the sleepy wood, 

Gather players with scarves of bright green glass 

When springtime folly takes the stage  

Where winter’s shadow stood, 

Crystal blossoms waltz to music of the past…

 

The Walking Stick 

 

Creating where his friend once stood, 

By artist’s hand, of nature’s seed, 

He breathed new life into the wood — 

A walking stick born of his need 

 

With nature’s gifts plainly in view, 

Serpent, bluebird, butterflies — 

He raised the stick with life renewed, 

Inspired by its earthy wiles 

 

In days gone by, strong arms held wide, 

Oak shielded him from heat and cold 

In each other, all, they would confide — 

Long after they had both grown old 

 

When Oak drew in his final breath, 

His dear friend carved him from the dead 

Gifting him new life from death, 

Their lives together, spiritually wed  

 

What of nature’s soul to be… 

If not to live within our own? 

We will only know eternity— 

When blended hearts are deeply sown.

Susan Brumel has been writing poetry since retiring four years ago, from a thirty-five year career in hospice counselling. Her work is inspired by the spiritual journeys of her patients, the compelling beauty of nature, and the human condition. When not writing, Susan enjoys playing piano and singing, getting lost in the woods with her Bernese Mountain Dog, Dottie, floral design, and jumping in puddles with her grandchildren.