Alchemic Verse

Between the feet of mountains
Stone swords of cosmic war
Thrust sharply to the surface
Colliding at Earth’s core

Where on the blade the seasons
At once can show all four
Along the rock serrated
Snowcap to desert floor

But not in ornate buildings
Where holiness is bought
Power cloaking mouths from which
Hypocrisy is taught
Inverting every pocket
To earn in grace a spot…

When at the feet of mountains
Is where the soul meets thought

Between the eyes of lovers
Where each the other sees
And holds their light and darkness
As cherished and complete

Where on the tide of moments
Both tears and laughter meet
At once and also separate
The bitter and the sweet

But not in scornful sermon
Where fear receives love’s name
While hidden in same trench coat
Stack hate and wrath and shame
While pointing every finger
Away from who’s to blame…

When in the eyes of lovers
Is where the soul is claimed

Between the sounds of music
Each silence in the weave
Of tones and rhythms dancing
And tension begs relief

Where on the swell of climax
A memory retrieved
Brings chill of freshest frisson
In time with soul’s reprieve

But not in dusty pages
Translated by who wins
In wars to prove who’s worthy
To rule to own to sin
To wield the words as weapons
To justify their ends…

When in the sounds of music
Is where the soul ascends