R. S. Thomas, Still Luminary In A Mean Time

So guiding a light once, no
Need to wonder twice why 

Nothing’s illuminating anymore. 

 

 

 

Paean For Helianthus

O blooming majestic flower— 

Heart of yours truly following 

The tracks on which the sun beats 

Daily cross such ambivalent skies, 

Oh that you could speak 

To us in kernels silent 

And heaven sent 

Of the journey we’re on, 

And so unequivocally 

For which we’re meant, 

Give us this day 

The strength to keep 

Our heads high 

And never 

Repent for all 

Our mortal weaknesses, 

Even as we know 

It’s our fatal bent.

 

 

After Seferis: Over The Mountains

See, there’s still another
Mountain peaking,

The slightest distance—
Let us rise

A little higher, each
Approaching day. 

 

 

Nostos: Heavenly Hellenic Gossamer

Never dissipating ethereal 

Urge to witness it again— 

So piercing

 

A light passing through

Curtains of ever diaphanous, 

Ever evaporating rain!

 

Song Caught In Flight

In a dark time,
If and when it chooses  

To make one more
Appearance, thrumming almost 

Imperceptibly before you 

From out of nowhere, buffeted 

This way and that 

By a fickle wind, stop dead 

In your tracks and stand 

As you will, perfectly 

Still like a hummingbird, 

Till it makes you 

See the light.