A Yellow Cabriolet Convertible

We picked it up in Amsterdam.

After folding back the top we drove

through tulip fields, passed windmills

in flooding sunlight up the Rhine to

Lichtenstein. Our hearts pulsed with delight.

After seeing Alpine-wonder’s sights,

we traveled to Bern and saw the Old Town

and its fast-flowing river Aare, with its blue-green

icy waters rushing by. Inspired, we moved on

to Southern France, then to Spain.  O sun-filled time!

At Villa Franca de Panares we lunched on soup of

squid in its own ink, and sautéed octopus—“Wow!”

Next stop: Valencia, where we rented in the

town center a furnished flat. Our neighbor?

a bullfight-arena where people weekly roared.

To our surprise it got cold, we had to bundle up

within because no heat to keep us warm

from head to feet to toes. All this, and more

 we did, on a trip through Europe

—with joy—and why? We had the wisdom

to buy a Volkswagen Cabriolet.

-- eva-maria hogrefe --

Exile

Exile

In my solitary way, when words of love

I silently say, I smile and gaze

At memories of sweet embrace--

Glorious vision shaded,

Heaving breath faded.

Settled by the water’s cool

Fondness ushers in a rule.

To my incredulous surprise,

What do I recognize?

An ever-present treasure:

A friend I hold too dear.

My life is now a hermit’s part,

With Love the beacon of my heart.

Above the whistling of the breeze

A box of music is arriving for my needs.

Alight with joy, think of that gaze, the smile

That once reflectively beguiled,

Now, melodiously veracious—

With “Thank you, dear,” starting

A restrain echoes through the voice.

Well, Love reopens eyes,

Never again such sacrifice,

For heart and soul and mind parting.

Ask, “Who is the ruler of the heart?”

If it’s true love, it’s destined

According to Mind’s sacred plot,

Nothing else affords more earthly joy,

If such is our fate—why try to escape?

Why cause anguish by mistake?

Why remove so suddenly the good?

Only unworthy flirt hastens to its mood,

It downcasts—ah, the world’s shared complaint!

Unavailing constraint!

Oh, blessed eyes serene beyond,

Seeing only the very best in man,

Which is never withdrawn

When love, holy beauty awakens at dawn.

--eva-maria hogrefe—

"The government of divine Love derives its omnipotence from the love it creates in the heart of man; for love is allegiant, and there is no loyalty apart from love."

 --Mary Baker Eddy, Miscellany 189--

(August 21, 2009)