Brief Beauty
Poems and Thoughts from the Anxious Poet
Brief Beauty
The jasmine that flowers in my
January house owns just one short
day of pristine whiteness and
of course the perfume of rapture.
It is the same with the frost,
when I open my door to the dawn
and stare at the laced leafed whirls,
presented like a chill blooded
artist’s opening show.
Works achieved in temperatures
below freezing, these crafty etches
are gone when the sun rising
over the naked sycamores kills them.
In this tiny margin of days,
if I upturn the reckless snowdrops
like a jeweller valuing diamonds,
I see a vision of miniature elegance
in doll’s house green and yellow.
But the shortest of days frequently
slip by whilst I remain in the cautious
warmth, futilely busy with things
urgent but of no importance.
Whilst outside nature offers such
unprolonged grace, to be seen again
only after a year’s turning.
I gaze at the early setting sun
and wonder whether I will return
with the frost and the flowers
and the blissful scent to savour
such beauty in brevity.
Whether or not I do, in this elegy,
the fleeting brilliance will still gleam
ephemerally through, and perhaps
this brief beauty will transform me.
This poem comes back to me every January and as it is the last day of the month I thought I would post it here on my Anxious Poet’s Substack. We have a carpet of Snowdrops that come up every year and encourage me to go it into the cold and upturn them to see the delicate wonder of their markings. It is at this time of year that I am also treated to the frost on our conservatory roof that again is always a work of art fleeting and yet stunning. May this January and February give you some of these fleeting pleasures and see you through to Spring.
As a quick PS I would like to thank the person who pledged a monthly subscription to my work. This substack will remain free but I am grateful for any support that helps me to continue my writing and performing.
A second PS to all those who listened to my latest Anxious Poet’s Podcast that featured my middle daughter Lara. It broke my record for first day downloads and is a great listen.
