‘Gleam by Any Means’ by David Watt

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Gleam by Any Means

The poem that I seek to write, the piece with flair and form,
Which raises spirits high as clouds on zephyr breezes warm,
Or states a truth in such a way that brings a tear to the eye
Remains, for now, elusive as a mist from summer sky.

There may be time to write it if the phrases come to mind
Sufficient in their quantity, before my days unwind,
And words are found to place with care within each flowing line
As room for thoughts to linger like the aftertaste of wine.

I catch a possibility when autumn brings to ground
A host of gold and scarlet leaves accompanied by the sound
Of wind that seems to offer words, yet carries them away
To where I have no chance to hear—perhaps another day!

And where the line of darkness meets the rising light of morn
I swear that universal truths are lurking in the dawn.
But as the light expands it leaves the shadow world concealed,
Denying latent images that might have been revealed.

Perhaps I ought to rest beside a lilting mountain stream
To catch the falling rhythms ere they vanish like a dream,
And watch the waters drifting by to places lost from view,
Where seeds of thought may find fresh ground to germinate anew.

Ah! give me any means to mine a language rich as seams
Of gold that must be alchemized until it truly gleams;
And if the muse makes presence felt through mindfulness, or fate,
I’ll write a worthy artifact before it is too late!

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David Watt is a writer from Canberra, the “Bush Capital” of Australia. He has contributed regularly to Collections of Poetry and Prose by Robin Barratt. When not working for IP (Intellectual Property) Australia, he finds time to appreciate the intrinsic beauty of traditional rhyming poetry.