The Peach–Purple Profundity: Poetry by Elisabeth Connelley

Last Week

I found your orchard
and walked upon green grasses
and leaves danced
the eyes of the child
and shy peaches
perched upon the limbs
and lilting rays
pushed slashing down
and momentary glimpses
her perfection—luminescent
quickly hidden
snatched away
the dancing of those leaves

I plucked the peach so carefully
and cupped her in my hands
–her firmness, yet fragility
echoed with the dance

I touched my lips to silken flesh
to taste what lay beneath
Her flesh,
gave way my tongue
her juices,
tang and sweet

My hunger grew
desires fulfilled—swaying with the dance,
The sky
it circled round about,
falling down upon the grass

My thoughts are whispering with those leaves
they dance to you and say—
I plucked this peach for you my love,
enjoy it whilst you may.

–by elisabeth connelley

 

Morning Trip (51)

“I am not at all interested in immortality, only in the taste of tea.
–From Lu Tong (also spelled as Lu Tung)”

“Lu Tong’s Seven Bowls of Tea 七碗诗 卢仝（唐. 790~835）

The first bowl moistens my lips and throat; 一碗喉吻潤，

The second bowl breaks my loneliness; 二碗破孤悶，

The third bowl searches my barren entrails but to find 三碗搜枯腸，

Therein some five thousand scrolls; 惟有文字五千卷，

The fourth bowl raises a slight perspiration 四碗發輕汗，

And all life’s inequities pass out through my pores; 平生不平事盡向毛孔散，

The fifth bowl purifies my flesh and bones; 五碗肌骨清，

The sixth bowl calls me to the immortals. 六碗通仙靈，

The seventh bowl could not be drunk, 七碗吃不得也，

only the breath of the cool wind raises in my sleeves. 唯覺兩腋習習清風生。

Where is Penglai Island, Yuchuanzi wishes to ride on this sweet breeze and go back. 蓬萊山﹐在何處，玉川子乘此清風欲歸去。

(Steven R. Jones 2008)”