tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18951883679356519172024-02-18T22:59:30.914-08:00Sue's BlogPoetry and other writing by Sue Burley
Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-6799729162523678882018-11-22T11:12:00.004-08:002018-11-22T11:12:59.904-08:00
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Firing up Autumn<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Reflect</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">on these flowers…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> those colours…<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">clashing, unco-ordinated,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">sky blue with burnt orange<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">lemon against scarlet.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Yet here, reclining by the
garden shed</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">michaelmas daisies drowse
and fall</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">where chinese lanterns’
fiery brilliance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">weave through the
smouldering fuschias</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">exulting in their own
exuberance…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">while in the dusk, the
evening primrose</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">glows pale in the half-light,
illuminates</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">the burning beds of early
Autumn,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">and nearby a red admiral,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>the glittering remnant of dying summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<strong><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">©</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Sue Burley<o:p></o:p></span></i></strong></div>
<strong>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">September2018<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-41753688242978231672017-06-27T11:03:00.001-07:002017-06-27T11:07:23.925-07:00<h1>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><br /></span></h1>
<h3>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">Returning from Buxton</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">You
set me down in the lane, not far,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">just
half-a-mile from the five-barred gate,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">so
weary from the tourist trail round<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">the
pump room and pavilion gardens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I
stand entranced by the buttercup fields,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">fat
lambs tugging at their wary mothers,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">and
the slope pushing up to dense woods,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">mystical
and shadowed in bluish haze.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">You
know I need this solitude – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">to
admire the pair of sleek swallows<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">refining
their high wire act and hear<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">pheasants
rasp from fragrant hedgerows. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Tempting
to linger; but there you are<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">at
the door waiting, and the path back<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">threads
between high, hay-scented meadows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Nearby,
cars grumble over cattle grids.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: small;">© Sue Burley </span><i><span style="font-size: small;">Rev. April 2015</span></i></span></h2>
<h2>
<i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">(Published in Summer 2015 ed of "The
Dawntreader"</span></i></h2>
<div>
<i><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>and "Old Malden News," June 2017.)</b></span></i></div>
Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-77049839590509229602017-04-22T03:27:00.004-07:002017-04-22T10:51:31.348-07:00<h4>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0;">A Spring Garden</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">Impatient for summer</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
her bare toes curl, settle</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
into soft moss; she savours </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
sweet violets, but dreams of lilac.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Catching her eye a pale brimstone</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
lemon yellow, sails on waves of air.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Snow blossom unlocks a fragrance</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
with the promise of summer's plenty.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Nearby. the willow's green mist quivers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A sharp breeze cools the wavering sun.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She shuts the garden shed, breathes in</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
the freshness of cut grass and shivers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;">Sue Burley</span></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;">'A Spring Garden', was published in the Spring Issue</span></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;">of "The Dawntreader" 2017</span></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCcEUyELs7b582DyYsES4IAFyg-bs5zXFFPj5HfzAlehZgvk0pAiAZzGA6QsLnoy7F8GRw8Dm1BUYONoR9rCJd3P7WqlW_KLj0HQ4OkhOubkJ28icf1w7TwPzi0zCASpWcXzo6ZmprwA/s1600/IMG_5601+%25282017_02_20+15_35_15+UTC%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCcEUyELs7b582DyYsES4IAFyg-bs5zXFFPj5HfzAlehZgvk0pAiAZzGA6QsLnoy7F8GRw8Dm1BUYONoR9rCJd3P7WqlW_KLj0HQ4OkhOubkJ28icf1w7TwPzi0zCASpWcXzo6ZmprwA/s320/IMG_5601+%25282017_02_20+15_35_15+UTC%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</h4>
Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-87893092725534987102017-04-18T07:07:00.000-07:002017-04-18T07:15:35.419-07:00<em><span style="color: #a64d79;">My grandchildren have updated the Christmas 2016 Mural, to become the "EASTER DAY Mural"</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;"> or the Murial as we call it!!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;">There was much fun creating this!!</span></em><em><span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcktQThtpdDg-Wepojuyw5jMm_PDHIrIP5pFyki1souup1Tl_moV8M97n4J-oGb8BFpf_g2cSTCcTkzvIJkBFughgIy2jctl1lvsYX1Ero5uzLWnqP3aX45HSW9q_mQeisB_uGPIh-waI/s1600/IMG_7647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcktQThtpdDg-Wepojuyw5jMm_PDHIrIP5pFyki1souup1Tl_moV8M97n4J-oGb8BFpf_g2cSTCcTkzvIJkBFughgIy2jctl1lvsYX1Ero5uzLWnqP3aX45HSW9q_mQeisB_uGPIh-waI/s640/IMG_7647.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></em>Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-42272675524665508562017-01-03T11:46:00.001-08:002017-01-03T11:46:37.611-08:00<em><span style="color: #a64d79;"><strong>Before Christmas, I encouraged two of my grandchildren to paint a Nativity scene on the hall wall. </strong></span></em><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span></em></strong><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em><span style="color: #a64d79;">This is what they came up with................</span></em></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span></em></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpI2PhKinFCsdnfLUotJkb9GSN4svlnBemK3r_zmlHbc5g2JuLxs3Jg35bHl0CFlvlgl_UXMQEk_Aw-Al7Zq2e8ver65Oz3Mi0PI3W5rc7NqrKupGo1EerpReBIpeJZb3oGVcHjd0BKCo/s1600/IMG_7425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpI2PhKinFCsdnfLUotJkb9GSN4svlnBemK3r_zmlHbc5g2JuLxs3Jg35bHl0CFlvlgl_UXMQEk_Aw-Al7Zq2e8ver65Oz3Mi0PI3W5rc7NqrKupGo1EerpReBIpeJZb3oGVcHjd0BKCo/s320/IMG_7425.jpg" width="279" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2JG28GgVBReqHWzJPMQ7BJfi4PILHjY2knHIzXblarb0ntOiQwE21RAwxixie-OlfY8I5seO1K_EtoQbzZwW_4RhCQLMYB4qvs2W_S0zH2sClXOCL6xkZtLDd7YOUYrhmDfyWIIlysE/s1600/IMG_7433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2JG28GgVBReqHWzJPMQ7BJfi4PILHjY2knHIzXblarb0ntOiQwE21RAwxixie-OlfY8I5seO1K_EtoQbzZwW_4RhCQLMYB4qvs2W_S0zH2sClXOCL6xkZtLDd7YOUYrhmDfyWIIlysE/s200/IMG_7433.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've not regretted it, as it turned out to be a great project. And sometime in the Spring, the hall and landing will be completely redecorated!!!</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio36540gd2kl2lRMnCpTV5ydXAt1pbKJ8FDtH5rqIWdFj2RH2vP8NgEaQMo7150PMTVI_gADR0HURAQCm15HnqiefKqOWXilucY1_KdqCGsFpxW-MNfATSEm2Ix9yGHeV42v6towqiyc0/s1600/Sheep+on+Mural.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio36540gd2kl2lRMnCpTV5ydXAt1pbKJ8FDtH5rqIWdFj2RH2vP8NgEaQMo7150PMTVI_gADR0HURAQCm15HnqiefKqOWXilucY1_KdqCGsFpxW-MNfATSEm2Ix9yGHeV42v6towqiyc0/s200/Sheep+on+Mural.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-8875974531506944322017-01-02T11:15:00.000-08:002017-01-02T11:15:04.210-08:00<h4>
<span style="color: #741b47;"><em>I found this gem while reading the daily paper. . . . . . . . . </em></span></h4>
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;"><strong>At present my life is a bit upside down, and this struck a chord and made me think:</strong></span></em><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><em><strong>It is a parable as told to a child by his grandfather.</strong></em></span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #a64d79;">Grandfather:</span></em></strong><br />
<span style="color: black;">There are two wolves inside us who are always at war with each other.</span><br />
<br />
The good wolf represents kindness, goodness and love.<br />
The bad wolf represents greed, hatred and fear.<br />
<br />
The boy thinks for a second and says, "Grandfather, which one wins?"<br />
The Grandfather quietly replies: " The one you feed".<br />
<br />
<br />
(As told by Sarfraz Manzoor - journalist)<br />
<br />
Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-50515828776294724022016-08-13T03:42:00.000-07:002017-01-02T08:56:01.172-08:00<span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>Summer's End</strong></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">There
is the sun, pale but slowly lifting</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">through
smoky shreds of tangled cloud,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">and
overhead the moon becalmed and fading.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Such
tender days give no sign of easing,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">though
captive leaves sigh for the clench of frost<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">and
fumbling bees are somnolent and loitering.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Beneath
my feet, the luscious grass still springing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">near
scarlet hips already ripe, yet<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">summer’s
breeze is warm and softly lingering.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">In
truth there has to be an ending,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">but
turning leaves drift one by one –<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">so
calm the fall; so strong the sap still rising.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><o:p><em><span style="color: #351c75;">Published in 'The Dawntreader', Summer 2016</span></em></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><o:p><em><span style="color: #351c75;"></span></em></o:p></span><br />Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-80413609311209989442016-08-13T03:30:00.000-07:002016-08-13T03:30:20.885-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BG-7DXp229VeWUkT31-CJcFz2HeAjRt10rM9uMVWcCQCya6uK3OuV85AqpT2lhfBGzlSCm2Z4BMSauojUSd4AjmSvsKt8YEbVcBuoDUkhD0kVvjEW4TPZ5SAfDYaquHrnlHdKdzeSXk/s1600/IMG_0367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BG-7DXp229VeWUkT31-CJcFz2HeAjRt10rM9uMVWcCQCya6uK3OuV85AqpT2lhfBGzlSCm2Z4BMSauojUSd4AjmSvsKt8YEbVcBuoDUkhD0kVvjEW4TPZ5SAfDYaquHrnlHdKdzeSXk/s200/IMG_0367.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<em><span style="color: #741b47;">Globe thistles and Marguerites - </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #741b47;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #741b47;"> the glory of our summer garden.............</span></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lFCL_4OPRPWTL9RnQH6UcyOqG55OhlKE97khIQsP8obHFwR8mAkuOyYqS1nTALzrABq7MPCdeibKJ1KcaaxfXH0iPINH2gfWutEeAA-T9xD-u-anDK9i1etQRNCxld7sublEQJLtZgg/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lFCL_4OPRPWTL9RnQH6UcyOqG55OhlKE97khIQsP8obHFwR8mAkuOyYqS1nTALzrABq7MPCdeibKJ1KcaaxfXH0iPINH2gfWutEeAA-T9xD-u-anDK9i1etQRNCxld7sublEQJLtZgg/s200/001.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YPxVckKHWzi-pabe4x08uhBd6n8YzJEzuVkctF33KEPukSIcBzInvovBJLAJPCu6_c6soTGf46g0xHUJzo-QNi8usGNDenEQDTb_Ij8iJMQUL41RpQJrJy7MuHx8Tl5iY0kGSoBHXCU/s1600/IMG_0366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YPxVckKHWzi-pabe4x08uhBd6n8YzJEzuVkctF33KEPukSIcBzInvovBJLAJPCu6_c6soTGf46g0xHUJzo-QNi8usGNDenEQDTb_Ij8iJMQUL41RpQJrJy7MuHx8Tl5iY0kGSoBHXCU/s200/IMG_0366.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMsfrXMdbQXsm72QSXSQIDIapfvR7XIPzcOrhKkAiU09Ld5UyplA7uNaTENQhHztJBJEhdMWMkJYjdJN6VqcYYesZmRX-2jij89hQx0UQ5FZXjiFB03w8D3ZnH7j1VqX0F8rGpa3te7o/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMsfrXMdbQXsm72QSXSQIDIapfvR7XIPzcOrhKkAiU09Ld5UyplA7uNaTENQhHztJBJEhdMWMkJYjdJN6VqcYYesZmRX-2jij89hQx0UQ5FZXjiFB03w8D3ZnH7j1VqX0F8rGpa3te7o/s200/002.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-6461156567218012182016-07-08T03:29:00.001-07:002016-07-08T03:35:03.120-07:00<br />
<h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #741b47;">The
Spare Room<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I
think of this small room as mine,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">but
know it isn’t; that others </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">come
and go – fleeting shadows - </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">and
gaze at the painting of azure seas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When
I return, there are still the shells</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">heaped
and heady with a tang of salt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Clasping
their roughness to my ears</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">there’s
the hissing lure of pounding surf.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Each
day the quivering curtains</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">filter
translucent light and warmth</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">on
to my cool skin and pale wrists,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">where
blue-veined river deltas run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I
lie, drinking in the comforting view;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">nothing
is new, though time is less</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">and
seasons seamlessly change,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">like
old dreams – an endless reprise.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><em><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(<span style="font-size: small;">Published in 'Reach Poetry', June 2016)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></em></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-69059783780570849652016-02-16T08:33:00.003-08:002016-02-18T05:46:32.422-08:00<br />
<strong>Daffodils</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
You could say they saved <br />
my life that day;<br />
a limp bunch past their best -<br />
or so I thought.<br />
Speared leaves already tired,<br />
traded for a fistful of change<br />
and thrust into the first jar to hand.<br />
<br />
But by morning they had revived,<br />
come alive in the warmth<br />
and now they face the world - <br />
sun bright in their innocence.<br />
They try their best with their <br />
elusive scent that is balm <br />
and succour to me.<br />
<br />
I gaze long in to their shady depths.<br />
"Come on, come on," they whisper<br />
just to me, "don't give up."<br />
<br />
So, I can't and I haven't. Not yet.<br />
<br />
<em>Sue Burley</em><br />
<em>2000</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><em>...daffodils are my favourite Spring bulbs and are flowering early this year due to a mild winter.</em></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #741b47;">If I am out of kilter with life, these flowers have the power to restore hope and wellbeing.</span></em><br />
<strong></strong><br />Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-23238498511921596802016-02-16T03:53:00.000-08:002016-02-17T00:08:14.886-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em><span style="color: #741b47;">..... now we are heading towards Spring, Winter has really begun; with sunny blue skies and frosted grass and seed heads. These photos were taken down in 6 Acre Meadow....</span></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVty8NydwrYlEeQEcuqWuCZ3DVsPuxGpnEO0CT7jb8vQXqxeoUZUXdajzTihiqngV9M6FYQfsYXxofh32v7EPG0GZK0VQMA5EyCBKYFakZvDIYD2ToHbSbWCkbHr8JJeFfizOobJkSx-o/s1600/IMG_5295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVty8NydwrYlEeQEcuqWuCZ3DVsPuxGpnEO0CT7jb8vQXqxeoUZUXdajzTihiqngV9M6FYQfsYXxofh32v7EPG0GZK0VQMA5EyCBKYFakZvDIYD2ToHbSbWCkbHr8JJeFfizOobJkSx-o/s320/IMG_5295.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #741b47;">Seed heads of Giant Burdock</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DAD55Op6MDa1YmAixOGG3jqSYcsBo2dRYbT796MF-oWoB5v-kpOXnj36SksTSC2m4WyMa8En63Ul4FXejcNyrV9K3cCSWy0jhw2KBI1JtnFFRYockimvZkfg6RAHMkIbhF-Rb9R-ZKA/s1600/IMG_5298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DAD55Op6MDa1YmAixOGG3jqSYcsBo2dRYbT796MF-oWoB5v-kpOXnj36SksTSC2m4WyMa8En63Ul4FXejcNyrV9K3cCSWy0jhw2KBI1JtnFFRYockimvZkfg6RAHMkIbhF-Rb9R-ZKA/s320/IMG_5298.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #741b47;">Teazle Seed heads</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFWNDyal1zclh2NAS4LRtJrNXpHFzNxoozPuKiR0LSERfrsuTaVdFVqZmzJr9AanbybKH32q3znkFIUbJyK1b1RQ_HFIT1BWYg845b6IWUmJBMMp9j6V83D50bwKWgkM2D59SgjjtltI/s1600/IMG_5301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFWNDyal1zclh2NAS4LRtJrNXpHFzNxoozPuKiR0LSERfrsuTaVdFVqZmzJr9AanbybKH32q3znkFIUbJyK1b1RQ_HFIT1BWYg845b6IWUmJBMMp9j6V83D50bwKWgkM2D59SgjjtltI/s320/IMG_5301.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #741b47;">Oak Leaves with the frosted stems </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #741b47;">of Rosebay Willow Herb</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #741b47;"></span></em> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-25200749477708734802015-12-31T04:07:00.002-08:002016-01-03T10:53:59.781-08:00<span style="color: #741b47;">Happy New Year to Everyone ....</span><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: #4c1130;">..... Sadly, no snow for us this Christmas., or New Year! </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #4c1130;">I have a sledge for the grandchildren, which has not been in use for at least two years. We are promised a cold snap in February, so here's hoping,and now for a snowy poem...........</span></em><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br />
<br />
<h1 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Boxing Day – Nonsuch Park<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p>We conjured up the long lost sounds</o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p>Of Henry hunting here with hounds,</o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p>Across the oak-edged rolling fields</o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p>Once ranged by stag and gentle hind</o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Gone
are the herds of roaming deer,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
flying manes and glittering eye.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">No
hunting horns blow sharp and clear,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Yet
still we love to walk through here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Today
the ice gleams on the trees,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
fields flow silver like the sea,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">And
larches softly drape their boughs</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">With
lace of frosted filigree.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Above the dense, dark wooded hills,</span><br />
The pale moon lies in turquoise sky.<br />
Caught in time we stare, quite still<br />
<br />
at parakeets with rosy bills.<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Sue Burley</em></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span> </div>
Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-46489575351134401952015-12-12T08:51:00.003-08:002015-12-12T08:51:34.173-08:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #741b47;">Might this be God…?</span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Could this be God
then,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>when the rugged old oak</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">splashes rain on
my head?</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Or when the brisk
wind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>snatches at my hair</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">and lifts the load
from my back?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC79BDSEsVnmZPfRLPoiZM6f7OaTRC0mViENjkIfrgHDqEaJRsjLtHviuwBv3i2g6mW_DFHm-aFvH5wEtGKanQM1LwIHcvBe1utwuelSusC6-HKbBD9YV3a3FgcZfV0N65ekjI0UAmkS8/s1600/IMG_6329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC79BDSEsVnmZPfRLPoiZM6f7OaTRC0mViENjkIfrgHDqEaJRsjLtHviuwBv3i2g6mW_DFHm-aFvH5wEtGKanQM1LwIHcvBe1utwuelSusC6-HKbBD9YV3a3FgcZfV0N65ekjI0UAmkS8/s320/IMG_6329.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Might this be God
then<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US"> when the lime tree scatters<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US">the earth with
luminous yellow hearts?</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Or when the scarlet
rose hips<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US"> glossy with dew, spread<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US">the power of peace
within me?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Could this truly
be God then</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>when wind, leaves, earth and rain<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US">create in me this
happiness?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">©Sue
Burley</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8lSNiXM-mQ0U3aWKVgmi25-QaOkULOds2BFcF8oSQySVnzAT-CvJmHbzHhkFOmOwKdD_OhvXF-2INYSL8xpf842wNNv0vZAoY0fWK-l2pQtZJJZCK-ie09w1DywpP3yb3La5bcZAyDA/s1600/IMG_6336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8lSNiXM-mQ0U3aWKVgmi25-QaOkULOds2BFcF8oSQySVnzAT-CvJmHbzHhkFOmOwKdD_OhvXF-2INYSL8xpf842wNNv0vZAoY0fWK-l2pQtZJJZCK-ie09w1DywpP3yb3La5bcZAyDA/s320/IMG_6336.JPG" width="260" /></a></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">2015<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-59521368242993030152015-10-30T09:10:00.000-07:002015-11-06T08:03:08.722-08:00<em><span style="color: #741b47;">At St. John's Church, here at home, Remembrance Day is kept on the nearest Sunday, (this year, the 8th November.) After the service, prayers are said at the war memorial for the fallen of all nations throughout the world.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #741b47;">This is also the same day as the Act of Remembrance which takes place at The Cenotaph, Whitehall in Central London.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #741b47;">Of course, the official day is 11th November every year....</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: #741b47;">Here is my own poem in tribute ...............</span></em><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Remembrance
Day </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">A
soft grey day<span style="mso-tab-count: 6;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">on
the cusp of winter chill.<span style="mso-tab-count: 5;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Fallen
leaves, fragments underfoot -<span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">crushed
frail wings of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Speckled Wood</i>;<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">and
shy moorhens dipping red shields<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">backpedal
against the charging stream.<span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The
glowing bonfire’s heaving heart</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">aims
smoking tracers to the ashen sky.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Bitter
drops of hawthorne’s vivid blood</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">flood
the hedgerows; a heron waits -<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">and
by the church scarlet poppies<span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">lie
entrenched with pale crosses.<span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">From
Hyde Park cannon boom </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>fracturing the still air.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">©
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sue Burley</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span> <em><span style="color: #741b47;">Published in 'Reach Poetry',</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #741b47;">November, 2015; issue 105</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #741b47;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #741b47;"></span></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEg5LzSdG3IPJhQBlx-rl0gsR1S2eePw0oBw4oVZniX13SWx0g_W6OAk5mDkaI5hGGWk6K5xik3TYOUbo_ZJvuluGqGywR1t1hFI6TTr8LqNRyJ9MwPNYnnGZL321RTuT4u-I0giyrng/s1600/IMG_6349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEg5LzSdG3IPJhQBlx-rl0gsR1S2eePw0oBw4oVZniX13SWx0g_W6OAk5mDkaI5hGGWk6K5xik3TYOUbo_ZJvuluGqGywR1t1hFI6TTr8LqNRyJ9MwPNYnnGZL321RTuT4u-I0giyrng/s320/IMG_6349.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluiT6VG8Hilqz_J54zpBBQg029IH_FihgIvn2q95nR8wocuGsSLgXoJi6YpxfjKNQUXJjPOqfVdDZRFlPZzbGQuLRs8l_V7-pnSRelcHhh17RMXa_K1zUPeSDsCu8gQ_U5JE3w4fbcSo/s1600/IMG_3673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluiT6VG8Hilqz_J54zpBBQg029IH_FihgIvn2q95nR8wocuGsSLgXoJi6YpxfjKNQUXJjPOqfVdDZRFlPZzbGQuLRs8l_V7-pnSRelcHhh17RMXa_K1zUPeSDsCu8gQ_U5JE3w4fbcSo/s320/IMG_3673.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"> 'The Fens', 6 Acre Meadow, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"> near St John the Baptist, Old Malden</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-53006579092317819842015-09-10T08:20:00.001-07:002015-09-10T08:20:24.612-07:00<em><span style="color: #741b47;">... we are off to Swanage, Dorset on Saturday, and as I haven't managed to write anything new, here are a couple of my photos of 'Woody Nightshade', which kindly grows over my trellis by the potting bench... </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #741b47;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #741b47;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #741b47;"></span></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3rHBayfiCjGpU_X-yrq_-6hwMYjnRtQ86mUGUguADYqUUn-4LupSxA6mckR1_8TOXKonMIcrqcB_BPPsywNUKnEMq_oE7XdZ_3_4Tksyw0BfHowoVl2_IU_X5BMJ1AXZGrfJa5Kz9VE/s1600/IMG_5913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3rHBayfiCjGpU_X-yrq_-6hwMYjnRtQ86mUGUguADYqUUn-4LupSxA6mckR1_8TOXKonMIcrqcB_BPPsywNUKnEMq_oE7XdZ_3_4Tksyw0BfHowoVl2_IU_X5BMJ1AXZGrfJa5Kz9VE/s1600/IMG_5913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3rHBayfiCjGpU_X-yrq_-6hwMYjnRtQ86mUGUguADYqUUn-4LupSxA6mckR1_8TOXKonMIcrqcB_BPPsywNUKnEMq_oE7XdZ_3_4Tksyw0BfHowoVl2_IU_X5BMJ1AXZGrfJa5Kz9VE/s320/IMG_5913.JPG" width="320" /><br />
<br />
</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgSaj5erOrdC-s1Ju_THzZC9fIM-OknVnFZghJxkSbg_DTWEDVxfcYUXvqbGueYC2YhmtXF_hMDyscQb4myerIkyiPnRMzAqvR5sboyalMSFAP_83WkwPKqf0BRAS2wTyR1DtC1ld0R8/s1600/IMG_5911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgSaj5erOrdC-s1Ju_THzZC9fIM-OknVnFZghJxkSbg_DTWEDVxfcYUXvqbGueYC2YhmtXF_hMDyscQb4myerIkyiPnRMzAqvR5sboyalMSFAP_83WkwPKqf0BRAS2wTyR1DtC1ld0R8/s320/IMG_5911.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<em><span style="color: #741b47;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #741b47;">This is a beautiful climber, but beware, the berries are poisonous, and can cause sickness!!</span></em>Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-1128970646999415242015-08-22T08:19:00.001-07:002015-08-22T08:19:46.594-07:00<span style="color: #741b47;">...<em> We have recently been blessed by a second grandson, a welcome addition to our family. He is now six weeks old and the first child for my son and his wife. </em></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #741b47;"></span></em><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><em>... It made me think of the poem I wrote when our first granchild was born. She is now 10 years old! How time flies ..........</em></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Hungry Baby<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">(for
Rose)<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">I pick the baby</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">from her mother’s
arms,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">her peachy cheek</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">colliding with
mine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Milk rimmed, her
puckered mouth</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">still fiercely
sucks</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">rooted to my neck.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Slate grey eyes
open</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">in puzzlement;
fists worry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US">Her head bumps my shoulder</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">like soft fruit
falling</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">to </span><span lang="EN-US">earth, face
crumpling</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">in berry-red rage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">© Sue Burley</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">2004</span></i><br />
<em>Revised 2010</em></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-29379252115662868112015-06-24T11:28:00.001-07:002015-12-01T11:10:27.798-08:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">The Ribwort Plantain</span> </span></b></div>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><em></em></span> </h4>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><em><span style="color: #a64d79;">(Nonsuch Park, Summer 2015)</span></em></span></h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8AnY5Ms8_4BTLFUdjcHjrCqmtXGkfOMtHfL8C7baaMyoMh0A2scbTcid_gjUc4YK_RZW-bE5LFZrayLzyaOJqsF1FhVLRN-6MEKpNW3It_TCUQVtW9-n5IetNNgCa6G2cmDi6AC6xvE/s1600/IMG_5701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8AnY5Ms8_4BTLFUdjcHjrCqmtXGkfOMtHfL8C7baaMyoMh0A2scbTcid_gjUc4YK_RZW-bE5LFZrayLzyaOJqsF1FhVLRN-6MEKpNW3It_TCUQVtW9-n5IetNNgCa6G2cmDi6AC6xvE/s200/IMG_5701.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Unassuming, most
lowly of plants</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">edged out by the
dazzle of buttercups,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">the startling
white of campion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US">A survivor, not
showy but strong,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>stayer pushing up drab flowers<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">from a rosette of
speared leaves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Accordingly, drives
down tough roots, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">colonising field
margins, hemming</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">path edges,
mingling in meadows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIdJsxbeTAwtJql3cfdPS4CafsJ_fjf62ws75-x25c2n_yqtLNYKwHsWpbdasHaA9Xc7TM_rg0Ns492SiSaqjckkA-vAH54VhsvCe00NfSW9GgjxjbfR-Gzovn2tgzh2aWJpGemcmnk0/s1600/IMG_5712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIdJsxbeTAwtJql3cfdPS4CafsJ_fjf62ws75-x25c2n_yqtLNYKwHsWpbdasHaA9Xc7TM_rg0Ns492SiSaqjckkA-vAH54VhsvCe00NfSW9GgjxjbfR-Gzovn2tgzh2aWJpGemcmnk0/s200/IMG_5712.JPG" width="200" /></a><span lang="EN-US">So, here it is -
rashly consorting</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">with silken
poppies, showy orchids,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">the dancing
grasses, red clover -</span><br />
</div>
<span lang="EN-US">but not to be
outdone, unwraps</span><br />
an ethereal halo, a fragile wreath<br />
of creamy anthers - its surprise package.<br />
<br />
<br />
<em>Sue Burley</em><br />
<em>2015</em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kc0ukyitwIkvrAI68IRr98FvkHPpsOfuK6HNn2eSEzf24LYLRvzaF1Bt6Y9iJjvVewJKCi8QnfErbgRwX2OSU3Flk8EkjWGdzn9Zcjtvpq0_WSG9NgIORsNjZ1ZzMK2P0Oputizvui8/s1600/IMG_5709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kc0ukyitwIkvrAI68IRr98FvkHPpsOfuK6HNn2eSEzf24LYLRvzaF1Bt6Y9iJjvVewJKCi8QnfErbgRwX2OSU3Flk8EkjWGdzn9Zcjtvpq0_WSG9NgIORsNjZ1ZzMK2P0Oputizvui8/s200/IMG_5709.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<em></em><br />
<em></em><br />
<span lang="EN-US"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><br /><em>
</em></span>Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-29446563379566284972015-06-17T11:13:00.002-07:002015-06-17T11:19:44.253-07:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></b><em><span style="color: #a64d79;">.............. Now that it is nearing mid-summer, and the wild flowers are luxuriant and colourful, the insects are out in abundance.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;">One of my favourites is the Hover Fly, which true to its name hangs above any plant. And even when reading in the garden, often can be seen from the corner of ones eye, darting one way then the other.</span></em><br />
<br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;">The Hover Fly</span></em></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Only
when the sun shines</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">the
hover fly, tiger striped</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> waits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Then,
friendly, in your face,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">homes
in</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">quietly
hums and hangs</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">in
mid-air</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">static,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">except
for the glimmer of wings.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Without
due warning freefalls </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">and
plummets</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">on
an invisible current<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> of
air.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Crashlands
on the meadowsweet<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> to
feed.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;">Sue Burley</span></em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;">'The Hover Fly', is published in the Summer 2015</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;">issue of 'The Dawntreader' poetry magazine.</span></em>Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-90360720690372146322015-05-02T01:38:00.001-07:002017-04-30T06:36:12.179-07:00<em><span style="color: #741b47;">...... Whilst we are lingering at the start of May waiting for warm summer days, here is a poem I wrote in Croyde, North Devon. The surfy sea, the dunes and the beautiful, bracing cliff walks - all ingrained in my memory.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #741b47;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #741b47;">It transports me back to family holidays and what happened in the tiny garden of our chalet one evening.......</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #741b47;"></span></em><br />
<h1 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<em><span style="color: #741b47;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></em></h1>
<h1 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<em><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Prey</span></span></em></h1>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Pale
moth wings flicker on the lamp.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Outside
the blackbirds chink danger –</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">their
distress so great, I at last step</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">into
the warm smother of dusk.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It
is his legs I glimpse first,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">gleaming
yellow in the half-light.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">My
eye holds his of glinting jet;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">feathers
fringe a sickled beak.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I
do not know who is most afraid, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">yet
it is me who backs away -</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">and
the stand-off is broken</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">as
he takes flight, wings whispering,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">talons
gripping the lifeless prey,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">ashy
feathers floating in his wake.</span><br />
<br /><br />
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;">Sue Burley</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;">Published in "Reach Poetry ", May 2017</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-59033586588259825982015-04-26T08:11:00.000-07:002015-04-26T09:12:22.901-07:00<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em><span style="color: #741b47;">...................this is our new Crab Apple tree flowering beautifully in its first Spring! It was planted to fill a huge gap in our neighbour's garden, when they had to take down an old Twisted Willow.</span></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em><span style="color: #741b47;"></span></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em><span style="color: #741b47;">Gorgeous!</span></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em><span style="color: #741b47;"> </span></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em><span style="color: #741b47;">And as an added bonus, the leaves will turn a stunning red-gold in the autumn when the fruit will ripen and feed the birds in winter. (photos by Graham)</span></em></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLf2ey9hvtWWOfe0oTb_zy1zbBMBp85ejCnsZn6_Iv4VB3ssg_qSq9Q0Wmy4m72Pj2CyXFwXz9vw99KmroIlBjlMsLvHfZchYcg9O1gicZXx8Jdl-SThpMmIXf9fXRojxraBjukKiq40/s1600/IMG_5601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLf2ey9hvtWWOfe0oTb_zy1zbBMBp85ejCnsZn6_Iv4VB3ssg_qSq9Q0Wmy4m72Pj2CyXFwXz9vw99KmroIlBjlMsLvHfZchYcg9O1gicZXx8Jdl-SThpMmIXf9fXRojxraBjukKiq40/s1600/IMG_5601.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLenAgkZ8Fnt17zFgMbM6AztEqK0W56OC8lFQlK7ABzRFbGw1MfoGlttH8e9qiE5xAxk_OL6V9i5EU13zE37lD_YGkYOAILOoJ7HtLrhNV1VObFeB-HhQOWbbVbvOMVI4-xZVTcNtnwc/s1600/IMG_5597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLenAgkZ8Fnt17zFgMbM6AztEqK0W56OC8lFQlK7ABzRFbGw1MfoGlttH8e9qiE5xAxk_OL6V9i5EU13zE37lD_YGkYOAILOoJ7HtLrhNV1VObFeB-HhQOWbbVbvOMVI4-xZVTcNtnwc/s1600/IMG_5597.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"> <em>Primroses in a Kentish hedgerow, photo by Cassy</em></span><br />
<em> </em><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6l2alOKfziaiMAhnkb3YGxk9j8LmOXzMEaSOxNq8HDrFSPCGSALYVUhYpIkEzAwZbYs4Qs-kd6GwAPHFPzXEZs2nsVdiH-5532obbyXO_Dg-ifvcAYl-n8-H_icABOvfrXrpwp3oxaI/s1600/DSC01536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6l2alOKfziaiMAhnkb3YGxk9j8LmOXzMEaSOxNq8HDrFSPCGSALYVUhYpIkEzAwZbYs4Qs-kd6GwAPHFPzXEZs2nsVdiH-5532obbyXO_Dg-ifvcAYl-n8-H_icABOvfrXrpwp3oxaI/s1600/DSC01536.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-69815414302235250722015-03-21T09:43:00.000-07:002015-03-21T09:43:42.430-07:00<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">When
the Rain Stops</span></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">The relentless rain slows, so</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">I look up just as the sun flares</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">and silvers the tiled rooftops.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Gleaming bright, a lofty convoy<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">of cloud sails in from the north</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">across the vast ocean that is sky;</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">then white hot sun, aims slanting rays</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">dazzling through the windows,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">spangling the raindrops in liquid fire.</span></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">But what I’d like to know is, <span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">whether the robin which sings at night <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">under the pitiless glare of street lights <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">is singing now,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>just for the glory of
great open skies. </span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><em>Sue Burley 2015</em></span><br />
<em></em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNJLCoa79nfkHpbvZXqRfWArblTwbVdU2S2y6MniNHH5rbnebgHRAFEyz0SqveTfRV-xVelk6zHKzudOqVDEdNIO3-PSEJaGupWG7hNekUEYWcLuSPx7t0B_s_f4zhYp2b61ebBknACE/s1600/DSC00042.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><em></em></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span id="goog_2044260528"></span><span id="goog_2044260529"></span></span> </div>
Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-67626890119349701982014-12-23T03:26:00.000-08:002015-12-01T11:11:22.672-08:00<em><span style="color: #741b47;">Remember how we used to have snow at Christmas, even in southern England? Well, no longer.....but here is a snowy poem, and some photos of what might have been and what might be in another year. Just hoping .... these were taken in 2009!</span></em><br />
<br />
<br />
<h1 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Snowy
Night <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">When
did snow last lie like this,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">So
fired with frost and ice-white heat,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Striking
sparks beneath my feet?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Walking
through the empty streets,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">How
calm and still: such dazzling light</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Fills
this lovely smouldering night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The
trees stretch high their glittering arms<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">To
stars laced through a velvet sky, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">While
rangy foxes hunt nearby.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Slipping
by the crackling pond, past</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Billowing
quilts spread in the park,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">See; soft flakes of snow wrap up the
dark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">© Sue Burley</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zut_BQeREHHWjJhlDl9gmxTWPwjhR_-HhSTouDuh0Vt0lrdAueqKfy6qOgrxBdC8pM7A6hotplZf02ILJTCSVHIzbXbPOq6NKRyj14Znx3rWu8-wnlxqJmyE7ECcjLNPJhKeExj198I/s1600/Feb1-2,09.Snow+8inch(18yrs!)%2B009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zut_BQeREHHWjJhlDl9gmxTWPwjhR_-HhSTouDuh0Vt0lrdAueqKfy6qOgrxBdC8pM7A6hotplZf02ILJTCSVHIzbXbPOq6NKRyj14Znx3rWu8-wnlxqJmyE7ECcjLNPJhKeExj198I/s1600/Feb1-2,09.Snow+8inch(18yrs!)%2B009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXn3pes7T6eMnhS5TrU0OzDobQaX0GvGq1nWxAK4FrCASOI9jcQ6JGWel0Y8XyYR6Xk2yCP5FDe2DoMTMVdlj-qOik3C0YG9zMfhtxqPBjjr5_bd9owYAkM2GLg_puVsYi1-yR8iL_H8s/s1600/Feb1-2,09.Snow+8inch(18yrs!)%2B035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXn3pes7T6eMnhS5TrU0OzDobQaX0GvGq1nWxAK4FrCASOI9jcQ6JGWel0Y8XyYR6Xk2yCP5FDe2DoMTMVdlj-qOik3C0YG9zMfhtxqPBjjr5_bd9owYAkM2GLg_puVsYi1-yR8iL_H8s/s1600/Feb1-2,09.Snow+8inch(18yrs!)%2B035.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">
<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsmzFPh_FLuzsMsEbtZI4PMOA59ajO7fjxZnxrSHyEAoiuR-H_mZPMKMWkLXOs87V5tzyjCl1fzwGzjPVAo20lTkLvXuRB_SDNewpjbWLGHhzNG40sXwRJphgq7C2S8UlMpjsjGoUtyw/s1600/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsmzFPh_FLuzsMsEbtZI4PMOA59ajO7fjxZnxrSHyEAoiuR-H_mZPMKMWkLXOs87V5tzyjCl1fzwGzjPVAo20lTkLvXuRB_SDNewpjbWLGHhzNG40sXwRJphgq7C2S8UlMpjsjGoUtyw/s1600/001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</span><br /></div>
Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-8996979166489367082014-11-16T08:01:00.000-08:002014-11-17T03:55:46.395-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;"> My younger daughter and her husband were due to fly home to Malaysia on Friday 18th July 2014, when we heard the devastating news that flight MH17 had been shot down over the Ukraine.</span></em></div>
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;"> This is my resulting poem ...................................</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span></em><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Returning<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Home<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">During the night</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>the heavens ignited</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">with anger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lightning </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
then</span> thunder forced</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">the sky awake.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Your pale cheeks</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>glistened with tears</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">silvery as the rain</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>coursing down </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">the misted windows. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">At daybreak, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">the
white-fringed daisies</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">gazed at the warming sun,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>the
frayed clouds -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">and trembled for you.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">We kissed, said goodbye</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>face
to face,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">my eyes holding fast to yours.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then
I gave you up</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">to the boundless sky, and prayed.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">©Sue
Burley 2014<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-12436865491081800552014-11-05T07:34:00.003-08:002014-11-05T07:34:52.642-08:00
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Sunset from St.
John’s</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Because
dusk is settling over the valley,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">the
yews are etched black</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>against a
runaway sky,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">their
branches tossed by a mean east wind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Here
are the high lands of the sky,</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">with
violet hills and knots of inky cloud</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">like
wooded knolls:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>ribbons of
pale grey</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">split
the sun before racing west.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Gulls
thresh and fall on the angry wind,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">wings
dipped in liquid gold</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>and edged
with pink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sue
Burley<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895188367935651917.post-27252247598623194292014-10-20T11:31:00.001-07:002014-10-20T11:31:34.858-07:00.... We are experiencing a few days of lovely warm weather here in the south-east. The garden is not looking its best, apart from the nasturtiums which I planted quite late in the summer. <br />
<br />
They are beautiful colours; orange, flame, fuschia, gorgeous and heart lifting; I picked a few so I could have them near me indoors..... here they are! Enjoy......<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_eEL2RtFFr8ZRSapSKmpgBcBE7A9HWZiehBBf1gWlQ1-wRVJYjvqsVYlU4nT9uIfMZGpd5Klzv7ZstmYx4GctBMvQjKu79JonMmdgx5eqgspH3n44hnQBVbN9o0xYPwRxhioj1Omt9Y/s1600/IMG_5255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_eEL2RtFFr8ZRSapSKmpgBcBE7A9HWZiehBBf1gWlQ1-wRVJYjvqsVYlU4nT9uIfMZGpd5Klzv7ZstmYx4GctBMvQjKu79JonMmdgx5eqgspH3n44hnQBVbN9o0xYPwRxhioj1Omt9Y/s1600/IMG_5255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_eEL2RtFFr8ZRSapSKmpgBcBE7A9HWZiehBBf1gWlQ1-wRVJYjvqsVYlU4nT9uIfMZGpd5Klzv7ZstmYx4GctBMvQjKu79JonMmdgx5eqgspH3n44hnQBVbN9o0xYPwRxhioj1Omt9Y/s1600/IMG_5255.JPG" height="240" width="320" /><br />
<br />
<br />
</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnaQdGZ6QxpjHpVAZgd0iNzNh-p0yBU2i9Mo280m06lq2oRyMl63tiW-5NJmnu5BQroTtUAydR6V01c5vhGBw0He4OlDgri1EQtqhxCiazKC4SuQZN-CbP_g7jBSpwjsjqlnjUJ27bzk/s1600/IMG_5257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnaQdGZ6QxpjHpVAZgd0iNzNh-p0yBU2i9Mo280m06lq2oRyMl63tiW-5NJmnu5BQroTtUAydR6V01c5vhGBw0He4OlDgri1EQtqhxCiazKC4SuQZN-CbP_g7jBSpwjsjqlnjUJ27bzk/s1600/IMG_5257.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Sue Burleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16438780577927267773noreply@blogger.com1