(Work in Progress)

Charcoal skies shimmer, dawn grows ever dimmer,
Flames burst on far-off hill;
The Phoenix rises

Silent soul a'quiver 'neath the ashes.
Where does this agony begin?
Scratched and shattered it flutters in flaming flashes...
When will this agony end?

Roaring fire, from origins unknown, rages under shadowy glittering sky.
Night dies.
On distant horizon the Phoenix lives... Just one cycle more.

Blazing spirit bedazzles the very heart of man,
Warming centres splintering with cold.
Droplets of fire rain down from cloudless heavens;
Where they land new life begins.

Inferno fading as flames are spent … slowly, slowly, crumbling in deafening silence;
The Phoenix falls.
Behind the mountains the Dragon opens her single glowing eye.

Soothing, opalescent light settles over the remains
Of her lover and her friend.
Starry scales slither over each other; she reaches to gather the cinders,
The Dragon sheds no tears.

Icy chill seeps in while the Phoenix is cradled against the Dragon’s heart
The Dragon watches and Night lives.
Tomorrow … Just one cycle more.

*Rhiannon Oset* © October ‘08

Escape

Wooden blinds pierced

By splintered sunlight,

Already tree-filtered

Yet eternally bright.

Sunrise over a leafy sea

All points and curves and green;

Awakening sleepers

With a kiss on eyes that dream

A living panorama beheld

Astonished eyes alight with a smile;

Features enlivened,

It will remain for a while.

Lungs renewed with crisp, fresh air

As feet rejoice in sunlit dew;

Phantoms in the forest dance

Witnessed by these very few.

*Rhiannon Oset* © June 09

(Knysna a place to visit)

Angelus

Once upon an evening clear
An Angel crossed my track;
Could not foresee the coming tears
And missed the wings of black.

He smiled at me and took my hand
The Devil's Waltz we danced.
The music played by unseen band
I left it all to chance.

As suddenly as he appeared, he left;
I stood amidst the softly falling feathers
Remnants of what was, now bereft
Ghosts of whispers, silent deceptive pleasures.

He walked away that night
yet still I danced the part
As I watched the Fallen Angel's flight
Toward another's heart.


*Rhiannon Oset* © Mar '09

Elusive Emancipation

There was a breeze today;
It carried thoughts of you.
The rain that followed didn’t stay;
It poured memories of you.
The sun came out in subtle rays;
It lit up moments spent with you.
Tomorrow, perhaps, I’ll say
Goodbye to you.

*Rhiannon Oset* ©  Feb '09

A Question of Hope

Dancing Hope skittered through
The shadows, the wastelands, the hearts of few.
She moves and shines and skips around
Within her barriers, her prison bound.

How long ‘til Hope will lose her glitter?
How long ‘til she spits bitter?
How long ‘til her spirit starves?
How long ‘til her grave is carved?

Sleeping Hope dreamed of death;
Of darkness, sadness and loss of Love’s flame.
She writhes and claws with sharp indrawn breath;
Slowly wasting away within Fate’s cruel game.

How long ‘til Hope will lose her shimmer?
How long ‘til she grows ever dimmer?
How long ‘til her life flies?
How long ‘til her eyes die?

Cradled Hope in slumber embraced;
Gently, gently dozing far from sorrow and fear;
So very small, she has almost left no trace.
Love cups his hand to draw her near

Perhaps she’ll wake
Perhaps she won’t

*Rhiannon Oset* © Jul '08