Paul Hansford Poems

Just as when looking into the sun
I am dazzled by pure light,
which is invisible,
and I only see what is lit
...

Still waters, deep,
surface like glass reflecting green above;
and below are trees, sky,
shadows, leaves, sunlight,
...

Why does the right hand get all the good jobs,
like greeting visiting dignitaries
(such a pleasure) ,
or blowing farewell kisses to the one you love
...

1
The morning sun warmed the dew
from the opening rosebud;
a bee visited the fragrant heart of the rose;
...

1.
Into a dull day
you came all unexpected.
My afternoon shone.
...

Stand there, he told me.
Look up, try not to move.
So I stood there
while he painted me in half-profile,
...

I have looked at sunsets as long as they lasted
the reds and the golds and the pinks of them
the play of light on the edges of clouds
the changing shadows over the land.
...

I write my shopping-list in rhyme.
It doesn’t take me too much time,
and always helps me to remember.
(I’ve been doing it since last September.)
...

Why does a cow say moo, Daddy?
How many leaves has a tree?
Why am I smaller than you, Daddy?
How does food turn into me?
...

January's frost and snow
makes your central heating blow.
February? That's no better;
almost as cold, and a good deal wetter.
...