Poetry Pals work - Week 2 - What Else is Possible?

Poetry inspired by a prompt

What Else Is Possible?

When the tender warmth leaves the autumn sun
toward the end of another satisfying day;
When the parched leaves on the dreaming trees
tumble to the ground waiting to be kicked by playful feet;
When the softer light fades from the darkening sky
the luminosity perfect for photography;
When the delicate moon rises slowly heavenward
casting a gentle lustre across the valley;
When the distant stars begin to waken
glittering pinpoints in a darkening sky;
When silver-slithered cirrus clouds wisp the gibbous satellite
catching space glitter in their strands;

When we settle for the night in front of the fire
apple wood smoke teasing our nostrils;
When we snuggle and doze in each others arms
scant attention paid to the flickering inanities on TV,
secure in our love for each other.
When this is our life 
it matters not what else is possible
For this is now and this is good and this is all I want.

January 2024

The second week of

Poetry Pals

, working from a prompt inspired by a poem by

Maggie Smith

.

Now I was unaware of many modern poets until a bit more recently, so this was my first introduction to Maggie Smith not the actress. My ME/CFS forced me to retreat from the world a lot, and at my worst I struggled to read. So I’ve missed a lot. It is fantastic to now be learning about these poets I have missed. When I was young liking and writing poetry was not really the cool thing to do, and I couldn’t afford poetry books. They were always amazing but very expensive hardbacks (rarely got into paperback that I knew of) but I couldn’t afford them, my Saturday job at Woolworths barely covered 1/4 of the cost. Then came family and kids and I didn’t have time anymore. As many on here have written about when you have a young family, especially one made up of 3 neuro-divergent kids, you sort of lose yourself. And I lost poetry and writing. I did try a little over the years but then came the chronic illness and I lost even more. I feel on the up now. Able to take up my ‘self’ again; like putting on an old favourite jumper. I have a life now, that though different, is good.

I’m excited for next weeks challenge.