What Name? Poem by Richard Blanch

By coming suddenly, ordinarily into this life you
Riddle the dust of days. Husks of spent years and habits left by
Old dead monks fall through the mesh of the net. Bright things remain,

Wonder, confusion (churning like this stirs, perplexes) . New
Notes sound: and, in answer to their urgency, the clear sky’s
Iridescence coalesces in moistness. Pleasing, easing, rain

Slants across gardens, teasing young seeds, lost roots. Bearing fruits
And youth, your sunburnt feet tread light and sweet in an old mind,
Making, unmaking, unaware of what you do. And this unchained,

Unmarked by any binding. You leave all open, ready to
Circle warm space released, free of fixations..Frank eyes
Have tendered friendship while an eager spirit goads, Much has been gained:

Books come cascading like a flood in flames, Words dance in the dew,
Even play in the dawn (banishing sleep) ..Your eager, fine
Thirst drinks up springs, leaves them dry and cries, More! I need more! uncaged
Thought thrusts itself into existence: it comes sudden, piercing through
Eloquence, knifelike and needling and vigorous, bouncing life’s
Riot around like a ball. Rich comes the calm after such games..

******************************************************************
Cycles revolved us; our clock ticked, unremitting, a dull cruise
Over predictable oceans. But no more. A breathless cry
Licks the ears of women, loves the world alight. It has unframed


Our pictures and set them running, painting them fresh. There are few
Unaffected.. A ship like a wind whipping seas, changing tides
Rides a wake full of smiles, whirling and chuckling and saying one name- the water’s aflame.