The Stone Wall

I saw her sitting on a wall of stone
As on her flaxen hair the sunlight shone;
And as I gazed the summer sun stood still
To rob my mind of thought, and legs of will.
I stood there motionless amidst her grace
And watched the warm sunshine caress her face,
And dreamed those gentle sunlit hands were mine,
Drowning my soul in silent thoughts sublime—
A short sad moment later she was gone
Though in that silent spot I lingered on,
While in the west the dying sun did burn,
I stood there still, awaiting her return.
I placed my hand upon the stones now cold
And thought if they could speak of memories old,
What would they say of our brief meeting there;
And would they tell of sunlight on her hair?

© Loubert S Suddaby. All Rights Reserved.

Sonnet 84

For Time shall cease with these deft strokes of pen
And in proud ink your memory live on;
All future eyes who read shall pause again,
And marvel too, these lines—my gold baton;
Thus may a poet’s hand out wrestle Time,
Or in rhymed writ, his spoil of grace forbid—
May poet’s wit ascend to heights sublime,
And with sweet words, fair beauty’s foe be rid.
Then this shall be your shrine forevermore;
Your shield against the ravages of age;
Your proof—the grandest charge a bard e’re bore;
Pure beauty’s truth, not just a poet’s rage.
Be this the hand that made the world stand still,
And your sweet grace outlast, by poet’s will.

© Loubert S Suddaby. All Rights Reserved.

Sonnet 83

For love can turn to hate, and hearts to stone;
A joyous smile may twist to dreadful frown
And sweetest hopes can darken to a moan—
Within pure truth, dark lies may still be found.
The best perceived may yet become the worst;
The surest victory fall to rank defeat;
The staunchest friendship may, with time, be cursed;
Great fortunes razed to dismal and ruin complete.
Thus with bright light comes sable shadows deep;
Even golden sunshine yields to rain;
Into the roses’ heart, vile insects creep;
And wicked Time makes beauty seem profane.
But my love for you ever will stay strong;
Though Time conspires to make each right a wrong.

© Loubert S Suddaby. All Rights Reserved.

Sonnet 82

How will you remember me when I am gone?
A zephyr or a wild raging storm,
A moonbeam or a lustrous ray at dawn,
Grey April, or a burnished August warm?
A raucous river or a placid lake,
A windswept plain, or yet a mountain grand;
Anfractuous wave or gentle ocean wake;
A jungle deep or stretch of golden sand?
I shall repose in sun, in wind, in rain,
The dark side of the moon, a silver star,
Great deserts, sure, and too, the watery main:
Near in your heart and yet at distance far.
May nature’s aspects ever be my shrine,
And their sweet forms, my silhouette in time.

© Loubert S Suddaby. All Rights Reserved.