Words are the chosen tools of Mankind.
Hear the cock’s golden horn call from afar
as a solar torch touches the edge of the world
Igniting the night’s sky, turning dark clouds to white.
Your dawn’s horizon afire with another’s sunset
a pathway paved in ashes of fallen rainbows
a bridge seared onto the surface of the sea.
Follow me to where days have no end
and the night needs not hide in darkness
where the worrier, has no worry
and the warrior, no war.
Walk With Me…
Walk With Me.
by Hugh A Tague
Blindsight
(Shakespearean Sonnet)
by Hugh A Tague
Thor forewarned me of the impending storm
his hammer thundered in the distant sky
from a gentle breeze the strong wind is born
whipping up the sea as it blows on by
spray from the gale-charged whitecaps sting my face
great swells pound the pier beneath my feet
mimicking foot steps, the waves keep pace
timbers trembling as they run past me
specters of warriors invade the shore
the angry surf crashes upon the beach
sounds of mortal combat with shield and sword
it seems their victory is now within reach.
The sighted can see, all that can be seen.
In blindsight I feel, what all things can be.
Autumn’s Sun
by Hugh A Tague
Autumn’s sun shines bright by day
warming the ground where fallen leaves lay.
As if Mother Nature had to sneeze
a strong wind blew the color from the trees.
Nighttime arrived with a clear star filled sky
sound asleep under a warm blanket we lie.
Jack Frost’s breath fell gently upon the ground
kissing the once green fields turning them brown.
Journey For Life
by Hugh A Tague
Bursting forth from an earthbound pod
finding freedom in the late Autumn wind
adrift high above the mountain’s side
through treetops on currents of air it rides.
The winds deflected by the canopy of limbs
sending the little seed twisting and turning
the fluffy white flyer’s adventure now unsure
as it falls gently toward the forest floor.
Star Gazing
by Hugh A Tague
As I gaze throughout
the clear night sky
I dream of far away worlds
that are but a twinkle in my eye.
Could there be another out there
just like me?
Staring back at earth
through the planetary sea?
Is there another world
exactly like ours?
Do they dream of me
when they look upon the stars?
I may never know for sure
as we may not meet
Is there someone else out there?
Are they looking back at me?
Fall of The Sumac Phoenix
by Hugh A Tague
Helios’ sun no longer reigns supreme
as Autumn’s sky begins to cool and gray
Hephaestus loads his brush in nature’s forge
painting each of the bird’s feathers with fire
wings stretched, the sumac looks skyward
milkweed burst in puffs of white smoke
and the phoenix is consumed by winter
until Boreas’ takes his last frosty breath
with Spring’s gentle touch, comes resurrection.
by Hugh A Tague
I see Autumn’s brilliant colors are all but gone,
Summer’s sweet song has long been sung.
Short days followed by endless cold nights,
brown forest and fields are now Winter’s delight.
I see a bear walking about curious and free,
no more long Summer’s naps, in the shade of a tree.
She now searches for a safe and suitable den,
so her and her cubs, can sleep until Winter’s end.
I see squirrels abandon their tree-top penthouse suites,
storing nuts underground, or in the hollow of a tree.
Needing food aplenty, they will not sleep Winter away,
even on the snowiest days, the squirrels frolic and play.
by Hugh A Tague
Their form beckons to a past time and place
In the bright light time stops for not a soul
sunshine transformed into yesterday’s sight
memories and dreams cast in black and white.
Its all but lost now this style and grace
a seen played out witnessed to not one eye
her pleated dress his top hat so passé
silhouettes dance in shades of black and gray.
Shadows know not time nor respect of bounds
sashaying upon the wall with great mirth
her dress fluttered as if caught by the breeze
he took her hand her heart she gave to thee.
love faded into the storm’s dark abyss
as clouds slipped in front of the sun’s spot light
for no longer can they frolic and play
unwilling to see they just walk away.
Their form beckons to a past time and place
its all but lost now this style and grace
sunshine transformed into yesterday’s sight
memories and dreams cast in black and white.
they walk away
love and hope behind them
just turn around
(Free Rhyme Quatrain)
closed with a Codas in; (English Senyu 4-6-4)
The Oldest Battle
It is the oldest battle ever waged
that of good and evil no soul is safe
light and darkness they are so described
In side of all of us they both reside.
No warriors weapons or battlefield
to either side a person’s soul may yield
the battle nor war can be lost or won
for life’s decisions can not be undone.
Without light in darkness we can not see
without darkness the light we do not need
a balance of each all of us must keep
then and only then can a soul be free.
by Hugh A Tague
Late Summer Storm
The long warm Summer’s day
now begins to cool and fade
nighttime creeps into the day’s light
Winter’s reign of darkness now in sight.
Trees are the first as if prearranged
recognizing Mother Nature’s subtle change
denying life giving essence to branches and limbs
storing all its nourishment deep down within
soon they will enjoy a long winter’s sleep
a lasting silence but for an occasional crack or creek.
“The Feathery First Mate”
(QUATRAIN) In first person
by Hugh A Tague
Gliding high on a warm ocean breeze.
Over white sands beaches and bright blue seas.
Or perched way up high in a coconut tree.
That’s just a few places that I like to be.
From my crown to my tail and on both my wings
Color abounds, red, blue, yellow, and green.
when pirates came to visit me in my tree,
The captain of the ship took a fancy to me.
Winter
The silent, and unforgiving boreal descends
Upon tawny fields and umber forests.
Snowflakes glisten with hues of periwinkle.
Endless night’s moon sires ice crystal’s twinkle.
Masterpiece: Day’s End
by Hugh A Tague
A magenta glow stained horizon
announced the end of a beautiful day
evenings cool air fell upon the shore
as summer’s sun dove deep into the bay.
I Wonder
by Hugh A Tague
Pillowing clouds fill the night sky
back lit by the glow of the harvest moon
their edges bright as if on fire.
Like scales on a celestial serpent
the great sky dragon slowly drifts away
disappearing into the darkness.
Five of Cups
By Hugh A Tague
Today’s potential consumed by the past
greener pastures through these eyes yet unseen
raw emotion cuts the land wide open
without resolve in place I am frozen.
Obsession’s tight grip keeps me in darkness
my kingdom awash in future’s bright light
water of forgiveness flows in-between
crossing it means then my mind can be free.
On this special Summer Solstice day
the great sun keeps the night at bay
but still the moon comes out to play
alongside the sun’s life giving rays.
Rejoice and bask in the extended heat
forever mother nighttime can not sleep
her promise to us all she must keep
into the daytime the night shall creep.
by Hugh A Tague
Dandelions here there and everywhere
tight little buds reach and stretch for the sky
a full bloom sits atop a long tall stem
tiny seeds blow away to are again.
You can find them growing in your green lawn
even on a barren planet like Mars
small fluffy seeds that are lighter than air
ensure dandelions are everywhere.
Summer’s sun’s rays bounce off the flower heads
like a field of gold at the rainbow’s end
adrift on a gentle warm summer breeze
flying away like a squadron of bees.
Sunlight nourishes the buttons of gold
they close up tight with the chill of the night
growing anywhere sturdy as can be
some say they aren’t flowers just worthless weeds.
Tight little buds reach and stretch for the sky
they close up tight with the chill of the night
small fluffy seeds that are lighter than air
ensure Dandelions Are Everywhere.
Starry skies over the full moon’s bright light
daytime’s rays shine throughout the clear blue sky
from here I view the other side of me
on this rock I see all that I will be.
The vast universe always in balance
good and evil forever contrasting
a paradox reflection in real time
dark and light divided by a thin line.
Black or white no shade of gray in-between
my station of life my perch on this stone
looking back at me with a knowing glare
unable to fly I just stand and stare.
Feathers glisten with light from either world
a cool breeze blows gently across my crown
as I bow my head and look down my beak
I see the other me below my feet.
Starry skies over the full moon’s bright light
daytime’s rays shine throughout the clear blue sky
dark and light divided by a thin line
a paradox reflection in real time.
Raging black water storms throughout the night
my body beaten yet my lungs remain full of air
the once angry sea now calm as if falling sleep
my grasp locked on a few boards and a bit of rope
alone and set adrift upon the vast blue ocean.
I wonder for just a moment what lies beneath me
what lurks under my only somewhat buoyant rest
did the storm stir up giant creatures of the deep
then with a smile I wonder was it all just a dream
tossed about like a tiny feather amidst a storm.
Lifting my head from the decking that preserves me
I see the horizon glow as the new day’s dawn cracked
thankful to see another knowing none are promised
closing my eyes my mind begins to drift into a dream
as Poseidon lifts me high atop a mighty sea swell.
I awaken with a hope I haven’t known for many days
only to have it smashed like a ship broken upon a reef
a fin sliced the water’s surface then another and a third
so this shall be my end tore to pieces no where to run
I am but a speck so far from anything I once knew.
One of the beast brushed against the side of my raft
quickly turning me around facing the other way
then I saw in the distance white water and palm trees
and friendly dolphins not sharks helped me to shore
to again feel the beach’s warm sand between my toes.
by Hugh A Tague
Sunshine rain and earth
transformed to feed
the tight little pods.
Vibrant lime stems
delivers nourishment
to the buds of gold
safely nestled among
guardian green leaves.
The day’s light
warms and excites them
the night’s cool air
allows them rest.
In anticipation
of nature’s promise
they patiently await
their debut.
Each in its own time
burst into full display
like a flame held high
upon a branch of life
in brilliant color
beholding to my
adoring eyes.
by Hugh A Tague
My lips dry and cracked
thirst for a droplet of moisture
water and shade are life
in this barren wasteland. Continue reading “I Have Neither”
by Hugh A Tague
Jack Frost’s Storm
by Hugh A Tague
A white birch bows to Jack’s command
laden with ice upon each limb and branch
all of Summer’s color, his magic blanched
silent, it’s burden held within a frozen trance
Nearby an old willow stands up straight
once flowing branches completely encased
Her limbs pulled to the ground from the weight
Summer sleeps under a canopy of crystal drapes.
The landscape has become unknown
locked in place with tools of ice and snow
a tranquil wonderland only he could sow
Jack Frost’s Storm, a spectacle to behold.
by Hugh A Tague
Winter’s snow falls victim to the sun’s rays
The once hard soil softens with spring’s touch
Sleeping tree’s roots awaken with great thirst
From their mighty branches newborn buds burst.
The sun’s light cuts through the still sparse treetops
Bright green sprouts brake through the earth’s fertile crust
A fast running creek feeds the thawing lake
Tiny birds search about for worms to take.
A spring breeze drifts across the forest floor
A hawk soars high on warm air fed currents
A carpet of clover fills a clearing
Along our path bluebells are appearing.
Broken tree limbs winter’s wrath remembered
The fall’s felled leaves are now spring’s top soil
Shades of brown take on green and golden hues
Migrating birds make the trip home to roost.
The sun’s light cuts through the still sparse treetops
The once hard soil softens with spring’s touch
Sleeping trees roots awaken with great thirst
From their mighty branches newborn buds burst.
Hugh A Tague's Poetry & Prose 