Drunk on Joy

26/09/2021 / delphini510 / 50 Comments

Drunk on Joy

Has it struck you at times, out in free open spaces
how very loud the little songbirds sing
how clear and distinct, from high trees near and far;
Yet their dome is the sky and walls don’t exist.

How can their little bodies contain so much
strength, beauty and joy.
Yet, in between they work hard finding food;
Building nests and teaching their young.

I wonder if we think to much whilst they simply live,
rejoice in song and flight when work is done.
Or in between.

Imagine humans bursting out in song, just like that
without wondering if it is good enough, or worse
If you are drunk.

It occurs to me that it would be wonderful to be
drunk on joy and gratitude for being, here and now.
Sing and dance with happiness,
not being so correct.

Age Old Song

18/04/202118/04/2021 / delphini510 / 39 Comments

Age Old Song

I walked down to the harbour today
drawn by the scent of the sea;
Before me I saw a scene of life and strength.

Trawlers had arrived back
from their week long work at sea,
from fishing and other lands.

Laughter, strength and sheer vitality;
Filled the air with age old song.

I loved it down there, watching and listening
keeping myself out of the way.
My father knew where I was and gave me a wink,
came and lifted me to the sky.

They loved their work, these men of the sea,
it was hard but they were strong and free.
Their stories fascinated me.

As the men withdrew to BOA,
a centre for repairing nets and making new,
for sharing news and laughs, bellyfuls.
It was also where the Storyteller held forth.

Fantastic stories and wisdoms held all enthralled,
as hands flew at tasks and laughter rose.

In the homes women happily worked,
cooking and singing;
Their men were safely home.

At BOA work and stories paused
as husbands and fathers longed
for their women, children. For home.

Happy as a bird I walked home
my little hand in pappas hand, so strong and safe.

Reaching home my mamma held her arms outstretched,
pappa lifted her up and walking around
sang her a song of love and fun;
A song all his own.

All five chicks following them around
waiting patiently for their turn.

Such joy reigned in our abode.

© miriam ivarson

STARDUST

04/01/2020 / delphini510 / 51 Comments

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STARDUST

I am the tree reaching for the sky
I am the woman underneath
I am the leaves glowing in the sun
I am the Earth that feeds

I am the bird on the branch
I am the deer in the glade
I am the squirrel flying between.

I am the girl diving in the sea
I am the sea
I am the woman watching stars
I am Stardust

I am you
You are me.

© miriam ivarson

BRUSHSTROKES

23/10/2019 / delphini510 / 41 Comments

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BRUSHSTROKES

with brush strokes light as feathers
I want to tell you about beauty
in a newly woken sky;
In a bird feeding his young.

In a woman’s graceful stretching,
her fingertips reaching high, just because.
Of glowing heather gracing my wall;

Caught by an artist with loving heart.

About the soft morning mist on the ground,
the neighbourhood slowly waking up.
Dogs taking humans for a walk –
or is it the other way around?

About the stillness and grandeur of trees
that grace the territory;
Teaching us not to rush,
to respect nature and all therein.

With softest colours showing us gratitude,
gratefulness to Be, alive.
To love, most important of all.

Remembering those
who seen only dark shades so far.

© miriam ivarson

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Harmony and Discord

08/09/2018 / delphini510 / 30 Comments

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As I fold and seal the poem below
into a turquoise bottle and toss it in the sea,
in the ocean that carries our words and thoughts;
I make a wish that it will reach some of you.

Please know, I now feel there is another poem,
a poem about how nature remained,
so true to its ancient self.
All the wonders of strength were there.

The sea, the bluest sky, the shimmering rocks.

Yes, I will tell you about that – another time.

Harmony and Discords

Was it so simple then
when I was a child, I ask myself;
Waking to the seagulls sounds,

as they happily greet the morning
soaring and sailing high above.
My heart feels lonely. lost,
there is so much sadness around;

Where once I felt simplicity and joy.

So many worries to attend
so much sorrow in many hearts;
I just wanted to sit by the sea
By the old cafe on the wooden pier;

Recalling the simplicity of life.

I listen to discords and angst,
my heart cries and I cannot sleep,
fearing the dark valley, these whipped up storms

Where is the harmony,
The simple belonging to life.

© miriam ivarson

ETHEREAL SEA

17/04/2018 / delphini510 / 30 Comments

ETHEREAL SEA

So many faces you have!
How I love everyone,
Did you bid the sun and clouds
to be just so today?

To show your ethereal, inner Self,
whilst the sky took advantage,
used the mirror you bestowed;
Like Narcissus admiring what it saw,

Your face on a stormy day;
fearsome, mighty drama on display,
No theatre could this attain,

The sky follows suit
clouds so magnificent, in dark hues,
At times the sun glints through

to remind who is the Star
of this eternal Show.

@ miriam ivarson

CHANCE ENCOUNTERS

25/02/2018 / delphini510 / 32 Comments

CHANCE ENCOUNTERS

I met a gracious lady, she smiled,
light lit her eyes;
I dropped a curtsy to the wise woman
showing my respect.
Do we honour those wiser than us, often enough;

   The Lady spoke to me, we shared,
   experiences of life.
   of joys, pains and love.
   Her road was gilded but her heart had bled,
   my mother would love her, that is enough said.

   We walked among roses, talked about heroes,
   of our children, with humour and delight,
   about countries and people.
   About the sky, the oceans and nature’s force.

We found unity.

   I walked up a mountain in a far away land,
   met a Shepherd resting with his flock.
   You have come, he said, seeking long
   please sit down, share my fare.

Quietly I did as the old man said.

   We talked softly about life,
   its passions and grieves, it’s beauty and joy.
   What can you hear, the old man asked
   I was quiet for a while, then said;

The mountain stream, the wind through the grass.

   The old man smiled and his eyes shone bright.
   You have come a long way, he said
   but you found the core of peace.

Do never forget the mountain stream, the wind
Let stillness and wonder live in your soul.

© miriam ivarson

The creek (crick) outside our balcony

SONGBIRD

18/02/2018 / delphini510 / 66 Comments

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Many of us “bloggers” have talked about what prompted us
to write a specific piece. Be it a book, a poem, an article or
something visual that caught the eye.

I find it interesting to learn about you and how your conscious
and subconscious work together to trigger a story. There are as
many different ways as there are writers and no work would exist
without some inspiration. This is my belief.

My poem ‘Songbird’ below came to me in the morning two days
ago. The word SONGBIRD just came and I felt that compelling feeling
to pick up my notebook. I wrote what you see below without thinking
or stopping – this time even without editing.

That it was written in first person I cannot explain. The “ I “ could be a male or female.

The hidden message that seems to be there I can still only
guess at, hopefully it will come clear as it otherwise is strange.

So, this time the source of inspiration comes after the poem.

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SONGBIRD

A songbird landed on my hand
looked at me and sang,
sang from her pure heart;
With delight I watched and listened

But didn’t join in
nor give her even a crumb,

Next day she came back
pecked at my hand, then sang,
the most wondrous song

I didn’t say a word
nor give her a crumb,

I was delighted and told my friends
but what about the bird
that sang her heart out

I just didn’t think of her
Didn’t give a crumb,

One morning she sat on my hand,
she didn’t sing,
Just looked in sadness
moving her head back and forth,

Then she flew; higher and higher
I never saw her again.

Finally I understood my selfish ways
I hope she found someone who knew
how to love.

I will forever miss this soulful bird.

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CHURCH BELLS CALLING

28/12/2017 / delphini510 / 54 Comments

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We are approaching the end of this year and readying ourselves to greet 2018, perhaps wondering about the joys and trials it might bring.

One sound that always plays a big role on New Year’s Eve is the Church bells. The idea of sharing my thoughts came whilst listening to the local Church atop the hill ring out every Thursday evening. Spreading quieting sounds mixed with gladness.

Every week the bellringers practice diligently. I always feel a certain awe and peace as the bells ring out across the villages and hamlets. A stillness falls among all the busyness. I hope many of you have the pleasure of hearing the same wherever you live.

Back to New Year bell ringing. I was going to send you a poem read each year in all cities and villages in Sweden. The squares are packed with people whilst at midnight the poem “Nyårsklockan” is read. I had until today thought this was a Swedish poem but looking for a suitable video I found that it is originally written by Lord Tennyson.

A Swedish poet translated the poem and a few years after Tennyson’s death it became the big Swedish tradition. So the countries share the love for one great poem.

Hence you will understand that I am giving you this beautiful poem by Tennyson and make no attempt to write one myself.

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Ring out, wild bells

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.

Alfred Lord Tennyson, 1809 – 1892
The poem was first published 1850.