Venus Rising

The planets conjunct, portending his birth bade us search on…….

We found him there in Bethlehem
as the charts foretold but not with ease.
Not one well to do house of Arab or Jew
Roman or Greek had birth between them,
no infants male or female could be found
born that auspicious day; or women
nigh to deliver under the star bright sky.

The planets conjunct, portending his birth
bade us search on; visit caravan, tent,
Inn and stable. Divers places all to no avail
until on tavern steps, feet begging to rest
we overheard a shepherd speak,
of how his shelter was occupied by two
well dressed Jews. Man, woman and a child just born.

Yes! –and here he hurried to tell his kin
such peace as lulled his sheep to sleep
and such Light about despite the moonless night
that quite amazed him. A wine skin for his guest
he took, and his sister with a knowing look
on being told, insisted she also would journey back.
He talked of voices of unseen guests.

At once we realised the town full – where else?
Our profession advised; the tavern temptation dismissed,
we had the shepherd guide, our bodies begging for rest.
The pathway hard, our camels bad tempered,
the cold wind swept hills unforgiving.
We talked of turning back, yet could not agree,
urged on by power greater than the body’s sap.

Wearily we arrived, not a moment to soon
and knew at first sight, our year long journey
cross sea, mountain, desert, river and plain
was justified. Our faith upheld, the purpose
before us in the bedding straw, a child
born Venus; the power on Earth to Love.
His eyes; the majesty of the Monarch of Time,

Our strength returned quite unexpectedly, as if
we ourselves had the child’s unlimited power.
In his grasp we placed our gifts, Myrrh, Gold
and Frankincense. We gave news of Herod,
Spoke highly of the child. Held our tongues
in check on futures and bar that journey soon to be
would say this and only this –

“His word and deed would long be sung in praise
ere Jupiter and Saturn swung the sky
and Man in darkness has the voice to cry
Hosanna, Herald of the peace to come!”

The Price of Fish

Fear is the shake of riveted plate and love is a church locked up on the land

https://masticadoresindia.wordpress.com/2022/12/20/the-price-of-fish-by-tony-ashenden/

Comment from Terveen Gill Tony’s poetic ode to fishermen and their bravery is beautiful and tragic. Those of us who have never ventured beyond land cannot fathom the dangers the waters conceal. I like how the sea has been portrayed as a mistress, mysterious and moody, unsure and chaotic. The men and woman who place themselves at her mercy are definitely heroes deserving of such lyrical beauty. May harmony prevail and the spirit of coexistence emerge supreme.

Pray hard for men who hunt the deep sea
in their cockleshell boats out of Clyde
scour the swims of Poseidon’s green head
filling iced holds with dead alive eyes
where the buffeting wind screeching
is God’s angered ethereal Hand
fear is the shake of riveted plate
and love is a church locked up on the land.

Elemental wind, do not keep them from shore
they who dare open the water blue door.

Pray soft for souls who haunt the seal lanes
hymned only by December bright sea
and snatched calls of seagull’s scorning
the squint-eyed sons of water borne men
striding the foam whiskered aboriginal depths
bed to the bones of lost kinsman
who went roaring to death protesting
peace swallowed in the fish fat ocean’s mouth.

Elemental wind, do not rage for their soul
their fathers have paid the fish stealing toll.

Pray love for the sons of water and blood
patient for the calm, eager to net
ever ready to chase white fish
over mountainous crests, under
the pale dark bruising wet sky
casting to web Gods’ octopus’ head
claw the fish from his shivering throat
endanger their lives with the weight of the prize.

Elemental wind, do not anger the sea
Man and his Mistress must ever be free.