Nasturtiums
A poem by Michael Hawkes
I passed through many stages in the decades of my life,
From fickle faith through doubt to disbelief.
I endured mankind’s outrages, his suffering and strife,
Until I settled in my dotage with an overwhelming grief.
Grief for the wounded planet, for my children’s lost domain,
For all the wonders on it that will not be seen again;
For the loss of hope that abundant beauty brings,
For the loss of deep respect for life and for the sanctity of things.
I grieve the helpless role I’ve played, for my carelessness and greed,
For the loved ones left dismayed by all the signs I didn’t heed.
My grief is inconsolable, it’s the cross I have to bear,
With a soul so wrung and withered that I linger in despair.
At the same time, as though emerging from a dream
A nasturtium flashes orange from a bower of mellow green
And songbirds rarely heard or seen are chirping in the bush
While within the roar of traffic lies a tranquilizing hush.
From the heartache that I suffer there is some slight relief.
By dwelling on nasturtiums I can press the ‘pause’ on grief.
30/09/21 – Hawkes
Feature image: StockPholio.com
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[/col][col size=”10″]Michael Hawkes was a cherished poet and contributor whose work enriched the pages of WestmountMag.ca with its sensitivity and depth. Over the years, he entrusted us with a rich body of poems, of which only a portion has yet been published. His passing leaves a profound void, but the poems still to come will continue inspire all who were moved by his voice.[/col][/row]