…of time

We linger long on peaceful thoughts
in heaven’s shaded pools
fragrant petals floating in memory
where we hesitate upon the threshold of ecstasy
the path is threaded with shining dew
while the moon circles aged, rolling hills
there is magic in the stars and the willows
now everything is frozen for us by the gentle hand of time
diamonds shower the oceans of heaven
strewn a thousand careless ways
always, without being heard
their gleaming pattern, the lost music of the stars
they lie beautiful, beating beyond love
a humming celestial forest
shining like tears for us in the light of time
heaven woven in aching shades of blue
a shade just less than love, yet more than oceans
a magnificence, rain ripened, echoes free
clouds roll in, believing, strangely motionless
such a passion they blow
a temple filled with blossoms and stars
light trickling, everything revealing
a slow graceful dream for us
walking gently and silent on the relentless path of time
one light above is uncovering the question
one dream is and will be again
a far sweet place
hidden within stones of unseen days
and undreamed nights
a cold knowledge enriching sure thoughts
the shroud of ages is falling, un-leafing
the ancient tree of knowledge
the answer, like the frost, falls for us
like the loud unrolling of time
© Ann Bagnall
2012 revised 2025