Dingle Bay, Ireland (1987)


into deep blue nearness
fall shadows of stones
and of a boat moored
one among many
I've made it mine
by looking
closed hatch into its hull
of empty waiting
birds gather near it about to land
and there on the far shore
they gather too
signal an opening in the sky


Down at Kola Bella (1985)

just off-shore
boulder island
outlines blurred
by the old tides
shadowed conversations
amidst stones
darkly whisper
into low clear water
as sunset drops
its silent "oh"
into distant deep

Bahia Escondido (1984)

my yellow boat
I keep it
by the town
at rocky divide
between lush green and blue
five counts of emptiness
(the other boats)
wait offshore
I've hauled mine up
to paint it's hull
with sunlight

Cuyama Valley (1972)

lush shadows
of clouds into the hills
trees are repeated syllables
that pile long sentences
they've left the simple goldleafed garden
to climb up to the low grey immensity
I will not follow them
into the heightened storm

Calm Afternoon (1973)

one golden rowboat
beyond these reeds
invites my restless step
into it
who will go
out past the stillness
of stilted shadowed pier
an old man in his old craft
gives his patient look
to shore to see
if there is anyone

High Seas (1969)

alone with this sea
the mystery of the crashing
first hints
of moonglow
the sudden blush
of what will be-
the highest wave

Morning in Manzanillo (1974)

only morning
and the waiting ships
their imagined bustle
impatient as early afternoon
early risers on the shore
stare back waking
horses and people pace
at low tide
ignoring everything


The Bishop's Place (1969)

The horse is alone
he has no words
but uses his shadow as a mirror
while beyond the still tractor
the ranch and pasture
gathered haystacks
overgrown foothills
the evergreen silence of distance
mountains and not knowing
if anyone is home

02/03/2008

Author's Note: Inspired by 8 paintings by Milford Zornes, California artist who has celebrated his 100th birthday. To read the first 11 poems on his art, see Eleven Watercolor Windows. I still have one more to do. I will go back Wednesday and write again at the Pasadena Museum of California Art.

Posted on 02/04/2008
Copyright © 2024 Kathleen Wilson