Moon in a blithe night sky <br />Glows coolly at herself out of water <br />Shimmers in a rock pool in a grove. <br />Lunar stillness holds the leaves <br />And another being: mild <br />Between moon and moon shine silver horns <br />Over a thicket of hair - <br />Indigo, copper, spiky, gold - <br />And two drinking eyes. <br />Is it a stag of the forest? <br />But the eyes are violet, are green <br />Above a human nose <br />Above parted cherry lips, <br />Sheltering shadows pearled by the light, <br />Thighs furred and sinewy, <br />Buttocks and tender feet pale on the grassy rise. <br />One hand rests by the pool <br />Where crystal glitters. <br />The Guardian of the Wood <br />Is scrying. Two more moons <br />Play in his downcast eyes: <br />Moon binds sky, basin and serene head. <br />Dark noises pile silence <br />Into a green-blue veil <br />Waiting with Him for what the water will show. <br />A little breath scythes, <br />Shivers the crescent in the pool. <br />Soft lips almost curl. <br />Sweet susurration of <br />Milky leaves: night’s voice. <br />In the crook of his arm leans <br />A staff of birch, hung with bright bands, <br />Strung with flights of foliage. <br />Fingers play lightly <br />On its cool curves. <br />Another breeze flutters the tendrils <br />Around his gentle neck. <br />Spirals and eyes, carved on the rock, flare. <br />Kit’s Time. Bewitchment. He smiles, <br />Voluptuous, imperturbable. Quiet might. <br /> <br />Vision comes <br />Owl hoots. <br />Fox barks. <br />Serious delight <br />Settles as a mist. <br /> <br />Guardian- <br />Guard us. <br /> <br />January 2004.<br /><br />Richard Blanch<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/guardian-of-the-forest/
