Poetry, Street Moon, Elsa, Light goddess, Byblos, conquered heart

Lebanon Art, virtual art gallery.

The Street of the Moon

Scarce fifty yards long is the Street of the Moon,
Thronged with the crowd ‘ere the heat of the noon .
Busy we are but once we are inside
Our steps slow down and our eyes open wide.
Time stands still and people slowly saunter,
Not pressing on but contented where they wander.
Yet all around the streets are full of hustle,
All full of noise and a lively bustle.
But here are dignity and unconcern in place,
All feeling equal in this narrow space.
Bright young ladies with their eager laughter
Engage their elders in a lively barter
For their charms to please the passer-by –
Their grace a reason for the trade they ply.
From a window Madeleine holds conversation
With a novice admirer who feels hesitation.
Those selling tobacco and drinks to quench thirst
Are many and pressing to serve of their best.
Street of the Moon, we leave with a void in the soul
But there is suffering too if we hear not your call;
Best pass again seeing what you can find,
Take courage, then leave and put right out of mind.

Elsa

The traffic is thick and early this morning the heat,
While long shadows still cross the road ‘neath the feet.
On my right is a form that comes into my sight,
Spectacles black, arms crossed, blue jeans and shirt white.
From high heel to heel she shifts her silhouette young,
Fingering a bag from her shoulder low-slung...
Her lines are harmonious, all slender with grace.
Cars brush her by as they slow down their pace.
Time passes slowly when the traffic scarce moves,
But when I draw up to my side she slips –
She has great round eyes and sensual lips.
“I call myself Elsa and I’m a walking doll,
On the roads around Byblos I stroll along.
Now I am free this Holy Week day.”
Time passes slowly and the clocks still show seven.

Light

You run in my veins as if you were sap,
And like some garment my being enwrap;
Your manifold shades fill my sense with your balm,
And leave me to gaze at your abounding charm.
Though the sun may leave you, you follow your road,
Crossing all bourns to our hearts your abode.
Light, radiant like fire or diffused and vaporous,
Seen or unseen, bright and clear or mysterious,
Sources you had that once did shine
With particular wisdom in ancient time
On Olympus ’s summit as god or as titan,
But we turn now to Christ the victor of Satan.
Contemplative Light, my heart to you speaks,
The heart calls to hearts, not rebels it seeks.
In the paths of the night, from hidden fire,
Give light to my soul and words inspire.
Give me the cup of your inspiration
For a draught to bring mercy in my creation.
Though silent, your rays your beauty refine
As in darkness the grape-juice matures to wine.
In summer the sun gave grapes their sweet flavor
In darkness and cold their juice gives new savor.
To touch and to seize you, a rose sweet and fragile,
To embrace you, fleet light, dancing and agile,
Savoring the masses you model in passing,
To love you, adore you, my goddess, my passion.
To want to be lost where your splendors begin
To wander alone there, can this be a sin?

Origins

What goddess once bore you, what pearl formed your face,
Bearer of youth and of charm and of grace.
You landed in Byblos , the town of the Book,
And each day from my heart I pass you a look.
All these roads in my heart, when I repine,
To love you, adore you, which should be mine?
Appareled afresh with a military air,
Amazon, soldier, unequalled and fair.
You conquered my heart, betrayed by its zeal,
Completely disarmed by what it did feel,
Surrender complete to my beautiful sprite,
Smiling, rebellious and ready for fight.
O star in my sky that bathes me with light,
Surrounding my planet with radiance bright,
You come swiftly along the Paradise road,
From heavenly home to take up abode
In my welcoming eyes, so love is a sight
In a dream in this city on midsummer’s night.

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