Rachel McCrum - LIGHT Poem #1

LIGHT Poem #1
(Rachel McCrum: BBC/National Poetry Day)
30 Sept 2015

Some days are light
days and some days
are heavy days
some days fast
days and some
days slow
days

but there is no old light
no new light
no curious nor
hopeful light
no fearful light
nor careful light
no light that is more loving
or indifferent
than any other light

unlike us

we crazy diamonds

light comes round once
and travels on.

****

Just after sunrise
the old woman nurses
porridge, waiting for the world
to catch up.

Sees the street clean and bright,
as in a sea light,
light at odd unseen angles
like broken birdwing light.

Not yet dust-kicked-up-by-day light.
Remembers coffee and mangoes,
other breakfasts in hotter lights.
Everything happens for a season.

She watches a young couple creep home
skulk through shadows,
like airplanes caught behind the dateline
forever just chasing dawn.

Down on the pavement,
the girl mouths 'blinker me'
and he cups her temples,
palms warm against her hair.

They'll be Jack-Go-To-Bed-At-Noons,
the world circled
in their eyes -
Hers blue, his green.

Eyelashes like blinds
drawing down,
cosy as darkness dancing.
Everything happens for a season.