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    Under the Oak: Poems by Peter Hynes
    Under the Oak: Poems by Peter Hynes
    Under the Oak: Poems by Peter Hynes
    Ebook225 pages1 hour

    Under the Oak: Poems by Peter Hynes

    By Peter Hynes

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    About this ebook

    Although his poetry has been published in several anthologies with other poet's
    work, it has never been collected in a book of his own. This is the first.

    Under the Oak collects poems previously shared, and some that will be new to readers. We have tried to include a broad sample, hoping to find something for everyone to enjoy and re-read in the future.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTellwell Talent
    Release dateApr 12, 2018
    ISBN9781773709703
    Under the Oak: Poems by Peter Hynes

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      Book preview

      Under the Oak - Peter Hynes

      a hard light

      a hard light

      shines

      on your misdeeds

      while the good

      you do

      remains obscured

      by a fog

      of resentment,

      an uncaring ignorance

      of the facts

      life never claimed

      to go according

      to your plan

      it's got

      a will of its own

      and a carapace

      that will not yield

      no matter how hard

      you try to shed it

      but you must rise up,

      move on—

      your luck could change

      you won't know

      if you don't get up again

      a lifetime’s bond

      she was sweet and kind

      everything he’d been missing

      from his life

      and he was drawn to her

      like a flower draws

      a hummingbird

      and like that bird

      he stood off a little

      never quite ready to land

      and risk that she

      might close herself to him

      it was up to her

      to bring him to her side

      using everything within

      to make him see her

      as the beautiful one

      that she was

      not just her face

      nor her body alone,

      but all of her

      including the things

      that only a lover

      would ever discover

      as she allowed him in

      they bound themselves

      to one another

      promising to remain one

      no matter what life

      might throw in their way

      despite the upsets

      the sometime disagreements

      and the difficulties

      only living can throw up

      they’re still together

      surrounded by those they love

      and looking at the future

      with the same undying belief

      in one another’s love

      that has carried them so far

      thunderstorm

      wthe night is dark

      a storm is blazing

      forks of lightning

      streaking the sky

      while kettledrum thunder

      rolls over the roof,

      shaking the windows

      a purple sky

      devoid of moonlight

      only brief, exotic flashes

      breaking through the darkness

      wet asphalt shining bright

      as the chariots of the gods

      process overhead

      sitting in the window

      rapt attention

      waiting for the next

      outbreak of light

      the crashing sky

      pounding the garden

      with its abundant tears

      again and again

      the sky-drums rumble

      trees bending like courtiers

      before the monarch wind

      no one in the street,

      the house lights flickering

      then flashing once and gone

      thunder grumbles, distant now,

      breaking clouds illuminated

      by far-off lightning,

      sheets of bright

      etch the night sky

      in a noisy encore

      as the rain rushes away

      sudden silence, absolute,

      even the wind has subsided

      the trees unbending,

      shaking out their leaves

      in the mere breath of breeze

      that rustles through them,

      faintest echo of the storm

      trust

      he took your trust

      and snapped it like a twig

      then threw you and it away

      without a backward glance

      telling everyone who’d listen

      it was you who broke him,

      but he was always such a liar

      there’s few who would believe him

      it was too late

      when you finally saw through

      the thin tissue of his pretense

      the damage was already done,

      but at least that knowledge

      dried your tears

      even as it crystallized

      the scattered shards

      of your aching heart

      you and the road

      I’m not sure why

      I came here

      there doesn’t seem

      to be anything for me

      so I guess I’ll

      take up my duffel

      and get back on the road

      you can write me

      at this address

      if there’s anything you need

      write me,

      if I’ve got the cash

      I’ll send it

      and if you need me home

      I’ll return

      but till then

      I’ve got to keep moving

      because every time

      I try to settle

      it’s like sitting on a cactus:

      your legs appreciate the thought

      but your bum can’t agree

      so you have to move again

      it isn’t that I don’t love you

      it’s just that the road

      and I have a thing, too

      and I can’t deny it

      any more than I will

      ever deny you

      a true silent night

      not everyone loves the snow

      and fewer celebrate Christmas

      than some of us would credit

      but it’s the spirit of the season

      that is the thing that really counts

      whether you wish for peace

      or just to get along

      this time of year

      seems to be when such things

      can be best promoted

      remembering always

      that while we’re enjoying

      ourselves; the lights,

      the food, the presents and songs,

      there are others who can’t

      because they don’t have the means,

      and more who just don’t

      join in with our revels

      because it’s not their belief

      but in spite of the state

      of this doomed blue world

      let the spirit prevail

      and the good will suffice

      to at least see us through

      to the end of the year

      so merry Christmas to all

      and a true silent night

      if only for once

      in this turbulent year

      cat in the window

      drowsing cat lying

      in the patch of sun-lit carpet

      beneath the shining window

      orange-gold sphinx

      glowing, eyes closed

      it’s all a ruse

      and you had best beware

      he’s got a will

      that is both stubborn

      and unreasoning

      he will go where he will

      and in his own time;

      I’ve got the scratches

      to prove it

      you laugh and tell me

      he reminds you of me

      I’d answer

      but I’ve got this cream

      to lap up first

      dream girl

      I dreamed of you last night

      holding you close,

      comforting your fears.

      you cried a little,

      then you kissed me

      but

      in the morning, as always

      you were gone

      I drew your pillow close

      and inhaled your perfume

      knowing then

      that the dream

      was not a dream

      and so my own tears

      began to fall

      disconsolate

      for the loss of the dream

      yet hoping against hope

      that you’ll return tonight

      flaming flood

      when you first

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