picture the world
in black and white
- what a relief that would be
now I´m not thinking
of good or bad
just autumn sky
with autumn clouds
and the colour of the North Sea
no forty shades of green
no sixty shades of red
- just there or not there, you and me
talking sense
or nonsense
you playing the piano
me putting words on paper
or no words
- no words at all.
----------------------
Springtime Revisited
This pre-Easter mild expectancy
in the wintry air
reminds me of my youth:
new clothes, old friends with naked knees
and lederhosen running in the street
and me, standing on the kerbstone,
simultaneously afraid of and keen on
joining the rout.
Whereas the fields are still
barren and February-like
the first green growing
in the sheltered garden
announces that nature´s hibernation
will end soon.
I yawn, stretch my legs and smile
anticipating long walks and bike tours,
kayaking and picnics with the family.
-------------------------------------------------
The Snowline
I´ve got to let go
of the starched linen
in my pregnant wife´s sickbed
the winter air must cool me
off from her fever
the engine is cold
but I step on the accelerator
leaving the grey hospital yard
for the white lines
of the motorway
somewhere nearer the mountains
the rain turns into sleet
and I change into
the fast lane
eyes burning into the white
I´m driving on squinting
until I find the snowline
to bury myself
in that innocent shroud
before I return.
-------------------
Instant Before the Rain
the instant before the rain
you´re standing in
the open door
the leaves already shaking
and you allow yourself
one tranquil moment
taking it all in:
the garden in full bloom
brown fields so far from barren
summer in a mild climate
and you in the middle
but thunder´s waiting
behind the forest
or in this cloud
and it will shake you too
yet you won´t listen to
the voice inside
its warning
till the door slams shut
and you´re marooned outside
on the balcony:
your island in the rain.