Abandoned

(Free Rhyme Quatrain)
by, Hugh A Tague

Crops and  flowers no longer flourish here
windows boarded up no one to look out
sounds of children playing heard never more
no neighbors to stop and knock at the door.

Once rich and fertile land now lies barren
no life dwells as far as the eye can see
no animals nor ox to pull a plow
four walls and a roof are all that’s left now.

Standing alone surrounded by nothing
for all that once was is now abandoned
sky dark as night though it’s only midday
no color to be seen just shades of gray.

Wind blows dust across the desolate fields
ominous grey clouds take over the sky
life giving rains are too little too late
forsaken forever is this land’s fate.

For all that once was is now abandoned
sounds of children playing heard never more
windows boarded up no one to look out
four walls and a roof are all that’s left now

Copyright © 03/11/13 Hugh Tague

 

Walk With Me

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

 

Aquathritis

Old Wizard, Art by Alexandra Khitrova

Born a brother of the sea

My blood moves with tide

Great waves crash inside me

As life plays out upon its stage

Rain dancing with terra firma

Cleansed skyward reaching pillars

quenching their Sun-blanched thirst

Gray clouds thunder with light

The storm’s magic is no longer silent

Bones tremble as ocean’s ebon depths rise

Gale-fired swells transverse the shore

It Surrenders to its fury without fight

Calling to mind ‘All that is given’

With time nature’s eye closed

Tortuously the storm initiates rest

Suffocated soil may once again kiss the sky

Devouring with vigor the day’s light

Perched upon this mountain top

Time’s toll on my form is evident

Each droplet of future’s rain

Is a promise to me forecast in pain.

by Hugh A Tague

Blindsight

Blindsight

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

 

Photo by Hugh A Tague

 

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

 

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

Art by; Kathy Jurek

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

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.

Can You See What I See?

 

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.

Just Turn Around

 

 

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

Good & Evil

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

“Late Summer Storm” by Cindy Griffith

 

Late Summer Storm

by Hugh A Tague

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

“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.

Accolades

“Tomorrow’s Awakening” by Rachel Bingaman

by, Hugh A Tague

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

Masterpiece: Day’s End

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

Graphic Design by Diane Wilson

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.

Haiku

Five of Cups

Photograph by Matthew Rambo

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.

Hate His Touch

“Summon The Reaper” Art by AnneStokes

Hate His Touch

by Hugh A Tague

Would you deny his ardent touch, if you could?
Has he brought wisdom as well as great pain?
Vanity’s cry in your reflection withstood
Your ignorance washed away with his rain.
Foolishly thinking you can take back your night
Each minute belongs to him and him alone
With the same voice he turned your hair pure white
His hold is deep-reaching into the bone.
When you thought that he couldn’t be watching
Closing your eyes, you feel his grip release
Slipping into a place no clocks are ticking
His reign upon your life will never cease.
Hate him for keeping you within his shroud
The Reaper’s touch, you will not disallow.

The Longest Day

Summer Solstice- Painting by Mark Garro

by Hugh A Tague

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.

Dandelions Are Everywhere

“Terraforming” by Jess McCole

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.

dandelions-are-everywhere- TRR Poetry

Way Of The Warrior

Photo by Matthew Woltunski

This poem was inspired by
(Robert Frost’s “A Soldier”)

Way Of The Warrior
By Hugh Tague

The warrior’s body thrown to the ground
his soul released from its earthly bounds.
Freed to a place not known by men
Humanity struggles to understand.

The effect of his actions on the planet
taunt the universe we take for granted.
The weapons used to fall the man
rip, tear and destroy the land.

Sight set on victory at any cost
the warrior once stood tall, now is lost.

http://trrpoetry.blogspot.com/2013/05/poem-way-of-warrior_26.html

A Paradox Reflection

A Paradox Reflection

by Hugh A Tague

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.

Set Adrift

Set Adrift; by Hugh A Tague

(Cascade)

by Hugh A Tague  

Alone and set adrift upon the vast blue ocean
tossed about like a tiny feather amidst a storm
as Poseidon lifts me high atop a mighty sea swell
I am but a speck so far from anything I once knew
to again feel the beach’s warm sand between my toes.

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.

Window of Love

Window of Love

The Window Of Love

 by Hugh A Tague

As if painted with
the fire of the Sun
the golden sky signals
the day is done.

A gentle white foam
floats atop the blue sea
a fine ocean mist
is carried upon the breeze.

Flaming Beauty

Photo by Ashok Babu Thangaraj

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.

From High Atop Your Tree

From High Atop Your Tree by Hugh A Tague

 by Hugh A Tague

Tweet, tweet, tweet little bird,
sing me a song of love.
Sing to me of passion so free
from your perch above.

Tweet, tweet, tweet little bird,
sing me a song of life.
Sing to me of happiness and joy
not of pain and strife.

Tweet, tweet, tweet little bird,
sing me a song each day.
Sing to me of bright sunshine
not of skies of gray.

Tweet, tweet, tweet little bird,
sing me a songs of glee.
Sing me awake each morning,
from high atop your tree.

I Have Neither

 

 

by Hugh A Tague

My lips dry and cracked
thirst for a droplet of moisture
water and shade are life
in this barren wasteland.

A Thread In Time

Mankind walks upon a very thin line
Each but a tiny thread in the great fabric of time
Twisting and turning, weaving as they go
Always moving, sometimes fast, other times slow.

The past and future are connected by the now
That is the only absolute that time will allow
Variables make up the rest of the space,
Affording individuals a unique freedom of pace.

Each of our threads’ tethers one day shall fray,
From time’s great continuum, they fall away,
Unable to stay in the present, the future will not come,
As we take life’s last breath, our thread is done.

Peeling Away Winter’s Mask

 

Peeling Away Winter’s Mask

By Hugh A Tague

The pure polar blanket of alabaster
that once lay at the feet of sleeping trees
no longer reflects the faint day’s light
from barren skies of grey.
Vanquished from the surface,
transformed into liquid tinder,
fueling the inferno of rebirth overhead.

The lake’s opaque tempered shell
falls victim to longer days of Spring.
Solar rays peel back Winter’s mask
from the great mirror’s face,
once again allowing Mother Nature’s image
to rebound into the heavens.

I am but a single bard, standing in awe
as the muse of the cosmos whispers
gently in my ear; inspiring my voice,
empowering my pen, painting my soul
with respect; a respect of this place
here and now, this beautiful place,
adrift among the stars.

Photograph
by Hugh A Tague

Jack Frost’s Storm

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.

 

Here Comes The Pain

Art work by,
PAtScHWOrK
https://www.facebook.com/patschwork

Here Comes The Pain

by Hugh A Tague

The sky darkens with clouds of deep despair
Streets glisten in crimson as the pain falls
Now it’s time to tread where others have fled
Through these streets of grief now painted in red.

An umbrella my only protection
Safely in the shadow of this shelter
Flooding negativity is insane
The streets now run red with sorrow and pain.

Sounds of suffering thunders from above
Freefalling from ominous dark black clouds
Can I weather another storm of pain
Am I strong enough to walk through this rain.

All that is good takes shelter from the storm
Nothing I can do to make it all stop
Searching the sky for a glimmer of hope
Just one ray of sunlight will help me cope.

Streets glisten in crimson as the pain falls
Sounds of suffering thunders from above
Now it’s time to tread where others have fled
Through these streets of grief now painted in red.

Springtime’s Glory

“Sugar magnolia, blossoms blooming, heads all empty and I don’t care”~Robert Hunter

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.

HAIKU, English 3-5-3

by Hugh A Tague, 俳句ヒュー ©

laden boughs
Winter’s white dress coat
decadence

ラディン枝
冬の白いドレスコート
デカダンス

Italian

ramo Laden
Abito bianco mantello invernale
decadenza

Laden branch
White dress coat winter
Decadence

French
Laden branche
Robe blanche manteau d’hiver
décadence

Laden branch
White dress winter coat
decadence

A Promise Made

A Promise Made
by Hugh A Tague ©

Late Winter’s dusk set in shades of magenta and tangerine.
The Sun’s promise to the frozen soil, and sleeping trees
That Spring’s thaw will soon arrive, warming the land and seas.
Mighty trees’ boughs and limbs caressed by a warm breeze
As sunshine feeds their new and supple leaves of green.

Cabin Fever

by Hugh A Tague

The day’s radiant sunshine gives them life
a clear cloudless blue sky grants full access
white crystals begins to glisten then flow
thawing them from the rooftop’s stock of snow.

Droplets of water ride down the steep pitch
slowing as each falls over the ice edge
racing toward the cold snow covered ground
these lucid travelers polar air now surround.

Gravity draws their essence to the earth
cold tempered their form is compromised
riding the surface of those that came before
and still they are pulled toward the forest floor.

Winter hands down its sentence onto me
confined by the warmth inside my home
cabin fever is driving me insane
bars of ice now my prison’s window pane.

Droplets of water ride down the steep pitch
the day’s radiant sunshine gives them life
racing toward the cold snow covered ground
these lucid travelers polar air now surround.

by Haiku Hugh 俳句ヒュー

Hiroshige, Shrines in Snowy Mountains, by Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川 広重

アイス冷たい冬の風
容赦のない霜の治世
夏は雪から隠します

(Translation)
Ice cold winter wind
Reign of frost unforgiving
Summer hides from snow

by 俳句ヒュー
(Haiku Hugh)

Art work;
Hiroshige, Shrines in Snowy Mountains
by Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川 広重

(Tanka) by Hugh A Tague

enveloped tree limbs
ice cold deciduous treat
powder coated art
eye candy in dawn’s daylight
blizzard made throughout the night

 

(Tanka)

I Love being in Love With You

by Hugh A Tague

As I get ready
to drift off to sleep,
I think of the words
you just said to me.

“You loved being in love with me“
that’s what you said;
those words and feelings
still swirling in my head.

Like a flower
that blooms just for me,
your words of love
are as sweet as can be.

I know how wonderful
this feels for you.
because;
“I love being in love with you too.”

My Everything

by Hugh A Tague

When I thought that my life might not be worth living;
You gave me hope.
When I thought that I had forgotten who I was;
You reminded me.
When I thought that I would never know true love’s kiss;
You kissed me.
When I thought that I would never know passion’s sweet touch;
You touched me.
When I thought true love did not exist;
You gave me your heart.
When I thought that I had nothing;
You became my everything.

Ode to the wind

 by Hugh A Tague

My Love,

Our bodies dance together,
setting the universe aglow.
Kissing under the stars
sipping a fine merlot.

Your free loving spirit
feeds my hungry soul.
Because of your kindness,
as a man I have grown.

Love of my life,
my choice, this I know.
Once, you chose me,
no longer was I alone.

Still the wind is wild,
a force I can‘t control.
I love you far too much,
not to let you go.

If I live a thousand years
my memory won’t forgo,
throwing my heart to the wind
allowing my love to flow.

Forever yours my darling.

Mother Nighttime

Mother Night by PAtScHWOrK https://www.facebook.com/patschwork

Mother Nighttime 
by Hugh A Tague

Mother of darkness and all that is unseen.
The full moon’s bright light is all her glory.
Daytime’s warmth surrenders to her cool shade,
releasing her nighttime into the day.

Her sorrow falls to moonless pitch darkness.
Her silent cloak envelopes everything.
Nighttime’s mystery belongs to her,
to not another can darkness refer.

Nocturnal creatures lurk in her shadow.
Dense evenings clouds block the heaven’s light.
Nighttime’s high seas reign black from shore to shore,
until morning’s first light, the darkness adorns.

Possessing all that is considered nighttime.
The moon’s beams and all that they shone upon,
whose reflections in hues of blue and gray.
A star’s light that twinkles from far away.

Mother of darkness and all that is unseen.
Dense evenings clouds block the heaven’s light.
Daytime’s warmth surrenders to her cool shade,
releasing her nighttime into the day.

 

#poetry #art #HughATague #freerhymequatrain

Summer’s Bounty

Summer’s Bounty
by  Hugh A Tague

The mid summer’s sun
enveloped the rich canopy
feeding leaves of green
held high atop the mightiest of trees
as their bows cast a gracious shade.

Sumac and Mountain Laurel
edge the river’s bank
Honeysuckle’s alluring scent
captivates, while Baby’s Breath
whispered of the warm summer’s breeze.

Fern completely unfurled
blanket the forest floor
cloaked amidst their lush display
fairies evade detection
despite the most cautious of trespass.

Tiger Lilies and Queen Ann’s Lace
ascend above a bed of
Buttercup and Daisy
just beyond in a field
reaching for the horizon
stands the seasons first harvest of hay.

Nature’s abundant wealth
seized by the senses
captured from every view
on this most amazing
mid summer day.

© Hugh A Tague 7/21/14

#poetry #hughatague #nature