DELPHIAN DAYS
When daytime’s doors are fixed ajar
and sighing breezes wrap the land
and echo in the heat of day
from summer sun that’s seated high
with hues which tinge the changing clouds
and gentle breaths of air are felt
on Delphian days like these.
And easy is the path that leads
along its dusty cobbled reach
in solitude to reach a copse
in misty prospect dank the trees
that sway like pendulums transposed
abutting mildewed lichen walls
where gloom and solitude prevails.
Avoiding sunlight’s straining reach
and hidden deep, the only door
with peeling paint in evidence
exposing lines of liquid rust
that run from hinges newly oiled
a place that haunts the furtive mind
on Delphian days like these.
(Delphian: a reference relating to the ancient Greek oracle at
Delphi implying the meaning: deliberately obscure or ambiguous)
-
Author:
Michael Edwards (
Offline) - Published: February 28th, 2019 02:14
- Comment from author about the poem: Back to the serious - well apart from the cartoon that is.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 80
- Users favorite of this poem: Andrew Charles Forrest, Fay Slimm., Nicholas Browning.
Offline)
Comments9
Well
I lay down my pen as I need both hands to applaud
Thank you Michael
Great use od he word Dank... much underused I used it once I must look that one out in honour this made my day at 7;30
Aw thanks Andrew - don't worry - I've only used dank once - there are plenty more to go round. And it's made my day to read so many kind responses yours included.
Wonderful write Michael. I seem to be living in so many Delphian days.
Thanks Andy - I just wonder who has been using that door and why - could it be Orchi?
This is an amazing piece of writing.
It was like when ever I tried to paint a picture of it the breeze changed what I was seeing.
This is the problem of en plein air painters (en plein air = outside on location in the artists vocabulary) - the light is constantly changing altering shadows etc so you need to get it down quickly. Thanks Sylvia.
Ahh I just meant the poetic pictures I pain in my head, because with a real paintbrush I’m a disaster!
A fine write and pic M. Bit like a visit to a friend's - their door ajar (in Feb!) in their private road - ooh.
You know Delph? She any relation to Daph(Daphne)? And are they both Berles?
I only know Daph O Dills - she's well and blooming right now.
Hope she stays out, and not disappear too quick, if or when the weather changes. Are you Welsh? Shall we wear Miss Dills tomorrow - St David's Day?
7 more comments
A cartoon to save and as for those Delph days they could not have been expressed any better - a thrill of a read Michael. A fave. of course.
Thanks Fay and LGs comment about premature rigor mortis sums up the cartoon. As for Delphian days - well it's a phrase I might use more of as ailments kick min. Bless you Fay for your continued support which is so so much appreciated.
I dunno what to say that has not already been said... a smashing poem indeed Michael it reminded me much of several holidays abroad... N
Cheers Neville
How's that evening?!
Still waiting for the wheelwright.
All I can say is that it's very unlike you, and that I've been looking forward to this type of work from you - and that it's very good.
Thank you Nicholas - I enjoy writing these serious works and all that stops me writing more of them is time. This was written over several days with many returns and adjustments whereas my whimsical pieces are usually written in one sitting.
I know it's strenuous work, and I just wanted to let you know that the fact that I can read something like this is much appreciated.
Thanks UNCLE MIKE ~ Love the Clerical Errors ~ The established Church does have a sense of humour as in The Rev ~ The Vicar of Dibley etc and their many accidental verbal jokes like ~ Next Weeks Preacher can be found pinned up in the Porch (or hanging in the Porch) John Betjemans Poerm are masterpieces of Spiritual Satire ~ such as "Harvest Festival" I love recordings of DAVE ALLENS satire on the Catholic Church ~ because he was a Catholic. I love your POEM ! While ANGELA is in NZ my days too are DELPHIAN ~ BUT when she is with me they are HALCYON !
Love through Lyrics ~
BRIAN & ANGELA 🧡🧡🧡🧡
Thanks for your super response - love the reference to Halcyon days. JB is one of the masters.
To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.