The Afternoon Route
Lost in the Alp’s crooked smile
a toothpick between those Myths, there
I stood a cowgirl without boots
from America to Heidiland
fleeing ghosts who knew no boundaries.
I hiked up the pilgrim’s way and slipped
down behind the trees
I find myself at middle age
in the afternoon, following a map
to unknown places.
Fallen in the mountain’s crevasse,
I fell from who I was,
with my rucksack full of southern charm
tucked in like a snail
fearful of being exposed
but I find Tell at the apple orchard
and create my own rebellion
guided by the country light
I follow to catch Victoria’s view
and mourn like she did there for Albert.
Dusk. I watch bats
chase away the day.
The sky is busy. Stars
are preparing for their entrance.
A distant chapel chimes.
The cows are called home
and pastures are left open.
Within a rolling valley
I end up rooted like a perennial
anchored firmly in the soil.
Inspired by W.S. Graham poetry, in celebration of his 100th birthday
Denouement*
In the opening act of the year, the hills
are ivory white, unfurled, fresh.
I watch the crows, in a row
piano keys, playing to an invisible metronome,
their tempo, in time, a serenade
coaxing at the drama percolating
under the soil. The sun draws closer,
taking centre stage, teasing
causing the landscape to sweat in anticipation,
freckling in dots of green, little tips
alien fingers reaching out, revealing a preview
of the next scene about to begin
like an audience member, I am transfixed
as the coming season slowly makes
her entrance.
*The final part of a play in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved; The outcome of a situation, when something is decided or made clear.
Overtime
Tireless
bees swim against the wind’s tide
working overtime
flowers oblige
extending their opening hours
and still leaves fall like stars
a colouring of comets
they drift to unknown spaces
unconcerned by their fate
letting go.
Unlike us.
Exhausted
we cling to broken branches
beyond repair.
*
You can read more about Zürich based poet T.A.K. Erzinger here.
*
T.A.K. Erzinger is an American/Swiss poet and artist with a Latino background. Her poems have been published by The Mojave He[art] Review, The Beautiful Space Journal, The Cirrus Poetry Review, The Curlew, The Rising Phoenix Review and more. Her close relationship with nature and her struggles with PTSD feature prominently in her work. The themes in her poetry touch upon varying degrees of loss, forgiveness and healing, as well as some environmental and social commentary. Her debut poetry collection, Found: Between the Trees, was released in April 2019 by Grey Borders Books and is currently available at www.greyborders.com
She lives in the Zürich highlands with her husband and cats.
