today
on this first day of winter
walking past the pandanus
on bukki road
the mid-afternoon
has softened - the sun
gently filters through
this plantation
a small anomaly
in this otherwise authentic landscape
yet large enough
to stifle sound from the world beyond
replaced by ever present hum
of delicate pines swaying in the breeze
then
falling leaves...[?]
no - leaves that fly...[?]
the sky is overwhelmed
and I along with it
the zodiac moths are taking flight
have taken fright
by the thousand, three score and ten
o - beautiful fear
I cannot feel sad to have disturbed thee
I can feel only gratitude
that I am a fortunate witness
to this myriad of silhouettes - of iridescence
the sky cannot compete
with this beauty
wings that together beat like hearts open
then settle again silent
I walk on to find
the branches are laden with life - life
life - so brilliant - so brief
who can know the worth of all our years
be they greater than a life lived in hours
be they grateful - any - who have known such beauty
however fleeting - be
that precious moment
'The days of our years are threescore years and ten;
and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years,
yet is their strength labor and sorrow;
for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.'*
*Psalms 90
[images + text Bek Larkin copyright 2011]
