Wretched crocus, perfidious flower
daffodil, now is not the hour.
where is the howling wind and cracking snow
where the biting breeze and glacial foe?
splashing through puddles reflecting naked trees
go away warm zephyrs and scented breeze.
spindly twigs and mistletoe
by Your sweet breathe all must go
spring comes creeping in to suspect glee
faulty joy rising through the heart
to hide the hour when we all depart.
L, Ivison 2026 copyright
what strange impressions fresh roses give
when winter bites our very toes
apple blossom pink and fine
while hoar frosts still come and go
too bright green leaves of sycamore
too red the roses on the vine
outside snow and frost now thaw
and freezing rain so very fine
blinds my eyes to summer's bliss
while longing for the icy mists.
l. ivison 2026 copyright.
WILLOW TREES
I yearn for the same air you breath
O darling willow tree
in this dusty town i grieve
that i can never see
your graceful arms above the lakes
nor your golden yellow leaves
thIS lonely town has only dusty trees.
here the leafless bye ways
a thousand windows show
each reflect the light of days
but nowhere trees can grow.
forced lines like weary soldiers
stand by the ancient walls
picket green and dusty
golden willows call.
what is it willow tree
that makes me love you so?
is it the rhthmn of your leaves
as I pass and go?
or is it that you were created
by One so dear to me
the One who made you live your life
whose inner life I see
I crave your beauty
but more than that I know
your heavenly grace calls to me
for heaven is where i go
each and every morning
through the dusty city street
to meet my One true love
in sacred bread I meet.
Amen L. Ivison 2026 copyright.
I laid you beneath the Lady's feet
to perfume this chilly vault
where the white Virgin stands.
sightless she looks at all who
lay their prayers with trembling hands.
The vault is locked and dark tonight
but I am sure She stands alone
as the pink hyacynth prays
when all human prayers are done.
its perfume shrouds the Lady white
embalms the air while I sleep
and slowly passes this long night.
L. Ivison copyright 2026
I put the hyacynth by your side
Sweet Lady of the Light
it was pink
tight petals folded
waking slowly in the night
Will the lady of the Light
statue in marble white
see you with her unseeing eyes
beneath the everlasting skies.
L. Ivison copyright 2026
t
DIEPPE HARBOUR
Neither blue nor grey nor white
neither cloud nor sunshine nor shade
There the harbour
green grey
today.
There the tiny trees
by the ancient fort
too far to walk
but miniatured in my eyes
under yellow rose skies/
all is dark over there
yonder by the ancient fort
except that special light
a misplaced dawn light.
The bus does not come
but the grey cloud does
blotting out the blue but
leaving the early morning light
over by the ancient fort
for my delight/
L. Ivison 2026 copyright
HOW MANY
How many more times will I hear the rain fall
how many rainy days?
how many twigs will snap beneath my feet
how many beats will my heart beat?
how many times have I wished the end
how many hours wasted in thankless hours
how many prayers did I not say
that this is all, every minute Yours?
L. Ivison 2026 copyright
