A Small Life
By: Sonja Benskin Mesher RCA
Cover art: “ YNYS Witrin” By: Sonja Benskin Mesher RCA UA
A Small Life Poetry and Art By: Sonja Benskin Mesher RCA UA
Table of Contents
Notes and Third Degree-
7
Soft Words-
8
Leaning Slightly.Grey
9
Face
11
The Museum
12
Birds Sing
14
Sleeping
16
Breakthrough
17
Running
19
Bones
20
Wading in Treacle
21
Sheep Tracks
22
Secrets
23
The Bath
25
Unfinished
26
Midnight at the Cathedral
27
Postcard Show
29
6
:: notes and third degree ::
all the burning, all the words dissolve from the morning into the day. tasks of keeping, absorb the notes, and rhyme, batteries deplete, and the soaring falls, with pockets of stone, and disappointment....
7
:: soft words ::
i dread the cold, and as i write the words the fear deepens
fear the ground will slip and the bones will ache as i walk the frozen.
fear of falling, breaking, and losing the soft words of my life
8
Leaning Slightly.Grey
9
10
:: face ::
mist rose before me, unexpected.
those words he wrote dumbfounded me a moment, as i raised my eyes saw the most beautiful controlled face, and i fell.
11
:: the museum :: no , not the coliseum.
bangor.
i limped.
into the cathedral. my life will be sorted, if i bought the book @ ÂŁ1.99, and suffering is good.
i looked at the boys, looked at the floor, read ecclesiastes, we are as dust, and limped out.
12
perfume retained, m & s bras also indicated unreasonable thought.
the museum saved the day, with everyday small stuff, not of gods, of children, housewives, lady landovery tiny waists and tea cups, the saviours here.
sped over moor, looking into black hills, my sanity retained, my day remained,
13
:: birds sing :: she talked rapidly about family, history, opera, poetry.
i idled, listened a bit, eyed her clothes.
wished i dressed liked that, treat myself, et cetera.
then.
14
she told me that her uncle, in war painted white crosses on men who deserted.
an aim for those who shot them.
she said, he was never the same after.
15
:: sleeping :: are you sleeping cariad bach
while i watch the burying, the pain, the madness, the snowdrops.
are you sleeping, while they hold her up.
cariad bach.
16
Breakthrough
17
18
:: running :: so far they led us into the green hills, where we stood back and let the past follow.
dealt with dice, life becomes abstract, dreaming of distances and partitions
if only it lasted longer
19
:: bones ::
i talk to bones old bones now hard in earth and the ground comes up to meet me.
no leaves to cover Me
20
:: wading in treacle ::
brown swollen water here, water rooted black trees, stranded sheep, i gloried in the medieval painting, the wind lifting my hair, then the day slowed, and dragged and wearied.
I drew the monkey, and took myself upstairs to sleep to rid myself of the number, and slept as a child.
21
:: sheep tracks :: its a tidal river, the sea water comes in to the bridge, where they used to build boats. the river full and still, mid flow, i watched and looked early, i noted the sheep tracks where we run, parallel.
'don't jump', he said, as if i would, the grave digger, grinning, ' happy new year' and the same to you, angel. 4 years ago, i may have jumped, after you buried him.
its those like you, that see the beauty of the river, where the seal comes to play, and the tide goes up to the bridge.
so we laugh and wave, and go on our way up to the bridge.
22
Secrets
23
24
:: the bath ::
when the wind and rain drive east up the estuary, hitting the house, i turn over and sleep, a treat for waking early so many days
dreams seep in, like basement water . real, real until waking, unexpected, unexplained, leaving my hair on end, a severe need for tea, and the bath.
25
:: unfinished ::
tacked. and there, unfinished, tacked and smocked the littled dress sewn quietly with love.
i know.
i have done this, when all else are asleep, stitching, thinking, listening to the rain.
when the voices stopped, i asked how much. one pound? yes i will love it, thank you
fled quickly away 26
Midnight at the Cathedral
27
28
Postcard show at APW Gallery, New York
29
Sonja Benskin Mesher is an artist/ poet whose studio is in a medieval longhouse in Llanelltyd, North Wales surrounded by mountains, lakes and rivers. Sonja’s writing is a mirror of her visual artistry, in that it opens a window for the reader to delve deeper into meanings of life.
She has won numerous awards for her artwork , exhibits in galleries around the globe and was recently elected as a member of United Society of Artists. This is her first collection of poetry and we are honored to bring her unique gifts to you.
For more information on her artwork and poetry, please visit her here: Artwork: www.sonja-benskin-mesher.com Poetry: http://bit.ly/JsB8s Face Book: http://on.fb.me/gmUZCB
Published by Free Penny Press, Tampa, FL USA For take-it-to the-street-poetry Visit us at: takeittothestreetpoetry.com