All these and other poems are in the book Poems & Patterns #1 by Martin Strasmore
POEMS & PATTERNS #1
The earth element.
I would rather look at rocks.
Then carry them home.
In my pockets.
Placing them around the garden.
Hoping they will remind us.
Of that walk along the Cornwall coast
Or through Utah canyons.
But then I might forget,
the places I have been
The earth I have seen.
The really beautiful rocks.
Are immovable and perfect,
just where they are.
Perfect placed to be there.
For whoever visits them,
and looks down.
The water element – Kilimanjaro memory.
Water is transparent.
Easily taken for granted.
Until you are at the equator,
High on a mountain,
Hot and thirsty,
sweaty and dirty,
and carrying as much water.
As you can.
The first moment,
days later,
When the shower pours.
Over your body,
Washing away, dirt and fatigue,
Is exquisite delight.
Only matched
by the clean, cold water,
Trickling down your throat.
The fire element.
Sun is the source.
Of all fire,
All energy.
The sun gives.
Light and color,
life and joy.
Sunny day,
Time to play!
The Wood element
.I love walking.
In the forests,
Along the streets,
Near our house
in Connecticut.
There are more trees
than people,
and that’s how I like it.
Trees are like silent pets,
Always giving,
asking very little,
Just the occasional hug.
And a good drink.
This moment in time.
Hoodoos.
Standing
Still
Silent
Shapes
Of wind
And water.
Who are we?
This moment.
In time and space.
Standing
Still
Silent.
Shapes
of past generations.
and our presence.
in us
Live.
Parents.
And teachers,
Free will
And destiny,
And the power
To change
This world,
Now.
Reflections.
Gliding through our lives.
Reflections on everywhere.
Waiting to be noticed.
We think we are separate.
In a cocoon of illusions,
Until we realize
That everything is a reflection
of the One that is in us.
There is no escaping.
The beauty.
Of our own reflection
Leaves and humans.
Emerging
Budding.
Growing.
Expanding
Blossoming
Gathering
Accumulating
Sharing.
Nurturing
Giving.
Drying
Shriveling
Falling.
Decomposing.
Merging.
Silence.
Conclusion.
Trusting, an end is not the end
Only the opening to a new beginning
and in that pause.
Choose to see that space.
As God’s grace
To the human race.
The seed
Of life
Unfolding.
©MarrtinStrasmore2023