Long Summer
from the Black Book Two
flap flap
flap flap -
tui passes 551
iron skies -
grass swaying this way and that
waiting for the rain 552
the right key -
always the last
into the lock 554
planting onions -
the gardener
on all fours 558
smallest cricket
comes inside with me -
I show him out 561
fresh raspberries
plucked from the cane -
taste of summer 562
evening clouds
speak of shapes to me -
crickets ask why? 563
gentle rain -
the trees
slumber 565
gum leaf
red white red white red -
falling 566
in the rain
through cut grass -
dandelion smile 567
fireworks
paint the sky -
still in my eyes 569
maple tree -
its wet leaves
surrender 572
soft rain -
the world gets smaller
all day 573
behind the rain -
star light
on every drop 574
all the hills
come to sit
under the moon 578
summer rain -
red onions
drink heartily 579
sudden breeze -
the grass
whispers rain rain 580
distant thunder -
everyone quietens
to listen 581
night sky -
no clouds to hide
the milky way 582
magpie
running down the hill -
you do more than I 584
summer days
green grasses -
grow longer 585
tonight
covering the face -
half a moon 586
crafting
a rose of copper -
the sun, my son 587
stillness -
the trees
know better 591
silence -
but birds
do not agree 593
summer breeze -
a sudden shower
of gum leaves 594
leaping for joy -
Acacia Bay crickets
glad I am home 597
so blue the sky!
the summer day does not
want to end 598
perfect day -
their smiles
at dusk 599
sing
morning songbirds!
cicadas slumber 600
butterfly and I
rest on the spade handle
a moment more 601
summer moon -
by its light
my shadow returns 602
From the Brown Book
just the grey -
across the headland
a sea wind 116
less red
after the squall -
Pohutukawas 119
coming in
the smell of the tide -
going out 121
in the pond -
ducks and rocks
all the same 122
pohutukawa
touching the beach -
gulls circle 123
fight! fight!
yell the boys on the pier -
who gets the fish? 124
midday -
fisherman and gulls
work the net 126
today
I saw
a mermaid 127
Raglan by the sea
has forever given me
the peace of the sea 131
summer reflections -
sea and sand
together 132
children telling him
where to fish -
a grandads smile 133
line of fishermen
laughing at the young guys catch -
their buckets empty 134
Raglan harbour
so much promise that
the sea breeze stiffens 136
steps down to the beach -
mud holds an orange dinghy
the sea long gone 137
black dogs
running across the sand -
barking joyously 139
tidal pool
grey heron seeks breakfast -
moves on 143
summer fun -
chasing the beach ball
across the sand 144
white surf -
in the heat haze
sea and sky join 145
black sand -
pain, pain, pain
pain, pain 146
flying kites
from the beach -
laughter takes them higher 147
All poetry (c) Steven Clarkson 2012-2013
from the Black Book Two
flap flap
flap flap -
tui passes 551
iron skies -
grass swaying this way and that
waiting for the rain 552
the right key -
always the last
into the lock 554
planting onions -
the gardener
on all fours 558
smallest cricket
comes inside with me -
I show him out 561
fresh raspberries
plucked from the cane -
taste of summer 562
evening clouds
speak of shapes to me -
crickets ask why? 563
gentle rain -
the trees
slumber 565
gum leaf
red white red white red -
falling 566
in the rain
through cut grass -
dandelion smile 567
fireworks
paint the sky -
still in my eyes 569
maple tree -
its wet leaves
surrender 572
soft rain -
the world gets smaller
all day 573
behind the rain -
star light
on every drop 574
all the hills
come to sit
under the moon 578
summer rain -
red onions
drink heartily 579
sudden breeze -
the grass
whispers rain rain 580
distant thunder -
everyone quietens
to listen 581
night sky -
no clouds to hide
the milky way 582
magpie
running down the hill -
you do more than I 584
summer days
green grasses -
grow longer 585
tonight
covering the face -
half a moon 586
crafting
a rose of copper -
the sun, my son 587
stillness -
the trees
know better 591
silence -
but birds
do not agree 593
summer breeze -
a sudden shower
of gum leaves 594
leaping for joy -
Acacia Bay crickets
glad I am home 597
so blue the sky!
the summer day does not
want to end 598
perfect day -
their smiles
at dusk 599
sing
morning songbirds!
cicadas slumber 600
butterfly and I
rest on the spade handle
a moment more 601
summer moon -
by its light
my shadow returns 602
From the Brown Book
just the grey -
across the headland
a sea wind 116
less red
after the squall -
Pohutukawas 119
coming in
the smell of the tide -
going out 121
in the pond -
ducks and rocks
all the same 122
pohutukawa
touching the beach -
gulls circle 123
fight! fight!
yell the boys on the pier -
who gets the fish? 124
midday -
fisherman and gulls
work the net 126
today
I saw
a mermaid 127
Raglan by the sea
has forever given me
the peace of the sea 131
summer reflections -
sea and sand
together 132
children telling him
where to fish -
a grandads smile 133
line of fishermen
laughing at the young guys catch -
their buckets empty 134
Raglan harbour
so much promise that
the sea breeze stiffens 136
steps down to the beach -
mud holds an orange dinghy
the sea long gone 137
black dogs
running across the sand -
barking joyously 139
tidal pool
grey heron seeks breakfast -
moves on 143
summer fun -
chasing the beach ball
across the sand 144
white surf -
in the heat haze
sea and sky join 145
black sand -
pain, pain, pain
pain, pain 146
flying kites
from the beach -
laughter takes them higher 147
All poetry (c) Steven Clarkson 2012-2013