Ice Melts
By Phyllis Anderson
Copyright 2011 Phyllis Anderson
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For my Mother
CONTENTS
Introduction
Mountains
The
Cobbler
Stob
Ghabar
Tempus
Fugit
Haiku
for Mountaineers
Religion
Sunday
Matinee
Sssshhh!
Little
Pearl
Transformed
by Taste
The
Priesthood
Loving and Dying
Sunset
Rabbie’s
Rose
Unrequited
Snowdrop
Ist
dass Gott dort oben?
Haiku
to a Piece of String
My
Little Angel
Autumn
Star
Sand
Man
Christmas
Christmas
Morning
A
Special Friendship
Christmas
Time
Christmas
Night
Animal Kingdom
Emperor
Dragonfly
Mute
Swans
Flamingo
Dawn
Yak
Peacock
Butterfly
Place
Experience
A
Final Chapter
Footsteps
to Freedom
A
Tortured Soul
Age
Wolf
Man
Wisdom
Tree
Yellow
Star
When Phyllis Anderson joined our local Writers` Group, we sensed at once that we had a new star in our midst. Her prose was impeccable, and there was a quality of dark magic in her stories that was unique in its appeal. Her imaginative handling of character and location led us willingly into strange and spell-binding worlds. We were hooked!
It comes as no surprise, then, that she has moved on into the realms of poetry. Her special skills lend themselves to poetic expression, and she is sure to prove herself mistress of imagery and rhythmic musicality.
I was delighted when she asked me to write an introduction to this anthology, and along with all her other fans, look forward to reading the poems in it with great pleasure. I have already been privileged to read "The Cobbler" and "Haiku for Mountaineers" - great for starters. My appetite is now truly whetted for the main feast.
—Betty
McKellar, Award Winning Scottish Nature Poet
The Betty McKellar
Poetry Walk is a feast for the senses in Muirshiel Country Park
Perseverance
is a
snowflake that
refuses to melt
MOUNTAINS
The
barefoot pilgrim
has no use for shoes.
Zig zag stitches
bound to sole,
as we traverse the path.
Congregation in worn
boots.
Joyous in the aftermath.
Icy beacon towers
above.
Simple hearts tumble below.
Creviced face mended with
time.
Battles fought long ago.
The Cobbler toils
into night.
Path lit by crescent moon.
Sewing in dreams,
crumbling to dust.
Clock ticks down so soon.
Voices illuminate
the bay.
Pilgrims in safe abode.
For some, their
first;
others, their last
footprints on the Cobbler’s road.
Stacatto tap.
Climbing boots.
Sharp bows. Burning coals.
Trapped. Snow
shaker dream.
Requiem for climber’s souls.
Icicle fingers
beckon
wanderers from the path.
Captivating crystal
rinks.
Slippers made of glass.
Rootless Trees rose
from Earth
Jewelled fruit. Tempted land.
Apples glistered like
a Sun.
Crumbling grains of sand.
Avalanche truth
imprisoned them.
Meringue tower. Hollow shell.
Emptiness echoed
in their hearts.
Nectar from a poisoned well.
Deer herd scrambled
below.
Loose pennies, hail of change.
Cold silver targets
strays.
Unveiling shadows, at close range.
The Climber’s toll
on Stob Ghabar,
an exchange that can’t be spent.
Converting
darkness into light.
Narrow pathway to ascent.
—In memory of Lawrence Oates, Explorer (Died 16th March 1912, Ross Ice Shelf, Antartica)
Ice wing eagle
Threadbare time.
Seeking sifting sky.
Ancient observing
eye.
Bruised feet.
Clouded hope.
Doves ring change.
Loves lost. Perils path.
Flaming soaring Seraph.
Caravan camels
desert dust.
Tattered. Fray edged robe.
Night nomads. Blunt
sword.
Minutes lance sharp words.
Mantel clock. Frozen
time.
Watchman, why dost ye sleep?
Hours collapse. Death
behoves.
Glacier cracks and moves.
Crooked claw. Hooks
in Earth.
Sand dust drained soul.
Shelter wing. Prophet
rest.
Beating heart. Golden breast.
Soaring o’er
gardens fair.
Dew drops kiss honey suckle.
Queen bee hums.
Summer glory.
Armour knights. Valour story.