“ Distant Faces ” – etched on my mind –

by Claude Théberge 1987
ceramic mural 12 ‘ x 9’ for Eastern Topographies,
Ossipee, New Hampshire, USA

Listen to audio

Distant Faces 

            – etched on my mind –

 There are traces
 From prior times, 
 Of distant faces
 Etched on my mind,
 That stay forever 
 Hence so adorn,
 A place of musing 
 Where past ground,
 Be worth pursuing
 Tho but a semblance,
 Might now be found…  

 As memories falter 
 Thus in mind’s eye,
 Imaginings alter
 And fall beyond,
 Familiar places 
 Of aging optimism, 
 In mature zeal 
 Be timeless isms,
 Scarcely notes real
 With fading traces,
 Of now distant faces… 

 Tho wishful thinking  
 Could yet show trace, 
 That offers an inkling 
 Alludes to per chance,
 A faint hint of passing
 Mightn’t ye remember,  
 Enough of such places
 May outlive December, 
 Has ye find the more, 
 Of now held distant faces!   

                 © Jean-Jacques Fournier 
  
                          Ode to Hilary, Natalie and Wayne, old friends! 
                                    
 Mural - by artist Claude Theberge ...
 Faces - Personal & private collection ...
 Music - Excerpt of,  Night Jazz, by Chet Baker ...   

“ If Memory Fails ” – guide me to a shelter –

  Listen to audio

“ If Memory Fails ”

            – guide me to a shelter –

Now that you’re here

Will you see I not falter,

As in time I yet fear

Fate chose not to alter,

Thence I might know

As age won’t be kinder,

And if memory fails

Thus with love you offer,

I pray the gods avail

Find you to be there

To guide me to a shelter…

 

Now that you’re near

A joy you be each day,

Tho I no longer hear

An easy voice at play,

Be yours ever so dear

Now fading far away,

Near muted to my ear

Save recall ere so clear,

Retention can but stay

Tho memory fades away…

 

Alas serenity assured

The while you be there,

With music you so speak,

There is sanity you bring

That has my world sing,

And does but so relieve

That foreboding cling,

For you are to be here  

A prompt ever so clear

Keeping mind yet sane,

The while if memory fails

Life destined be our bane,

Tho your love will still remain!

                               ode to my mother and father…                                                                

                                       © Jean-Jacques Fournier

 

“ Yesteryears ” ~ shades of foggy grey ~

The image alters

To blur the scene

I effort reminisce,

Yet barely feel

Its familiar kiss,

Brush the mind

That finds to hear,

A voice given life

To what appears

Be now unclear,

Yet distinct enough

To witness thus,

Time’s cruel crags

Sculpt its regress,

Sufficient to recall

Days no longer near,

I’d so held dear,

While time alas chose

I’m to witness its decay,

Turn shades of foggy grey,

Where archives yesteryears!

“ Amity ” ~ of a kind ~

I look for words

That reach,

To help me find

Amity alter time,

Enough to assign

A brutal world

Grow less unkind…

 

Words I may find,

Could so discern

Amity of a kind,

Would so touch man

To finally be as one,

Hence to bind a lifetime!