Caravan

This crisply muted

Calm Sahara night,

Belies the advent 

Of the furnace sun.

Amid our bivouac 

Of coloured beits

We stir from dreams 

To sweet oasis dates.

Our caravan decamps

To race the dawn,

On ancient trading routes 

Towards the sea.

By Adrar, Timimoun 

Proud In Salah,

Hence we shall follow

Our nomadic star.

You wear an abaya

Of damask black,

Your mouth is veiled

In lattice woven silk.

Your beauty glows

Lit by the purple sky,

Now overwhelmed:

I turn from you and cry.

Copyright© Alan Gilbert 2012.

Way Beyond Words

Written and video poetry by Southampton poet Alan Gilbert. 




Alan Gilbert's new poetry book is now available from iUniverse, Amazon and all on line bookstores. See customer reviews on Amazon. 


Title: Way Beyond Words. (Poetry on reflection)
Author: Alan Gilbert.
Published by iUniverse. 
Paperback. 978-1-4697-5163-4
Hardcover. 978-1-4697-5165-8
eBook.       978-1-4697-5164-1
Available from amazon, iUniverse and all on line bookstores. 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Way-Beyond-Words-Poetry-Reflection/dp/1469751631/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336568198&sr=1-1 
http://www.amazon.com/Way-Beyond-Words-Poetry-Reflection/dp/1469751631/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336568535&sr=1-1
http://bookstore.iuniverse.com/Products/SKU-000542557/Way-beyond-Words.aspx

Élan Vitai

So pervades the heart

That never could grow old,

A sanguine stream on fire

Unquenchable amour

Unwilling to withhold.

How the spirit flows

Impervious through time,

Insatiable desire

Restless in restraint

Yet quietly sublime.

Copyright© Alan Gilbert 2012.

Me and you and Kerrie Ann

We sailed out on that summer’s day

Just me you and Kerrie Ann,

Out to the islands in the bay

To where we knew the dolphins ran.

And as the wind blew from the west

For me and you and Kerrie Ann,

It gave each wave a silver crest

And billowed sails with natures fan.

We stopped and anchored out at sea

Did me and you and Kerrie Ann,

The day was peaceful as could be

Most tranquil backdrop for our plan.

But as we watched the dolphins play

For me and you and Kerrie Ann,

We never saw the sky turn grey

Or noticed how those currents ran.

You never made the slightest sound

Just slipped from me and Kerrie Ann,

And now you never will be found

Out in the bay where dolphins ran.

Now every summer’s day I sit

Down by the quay with Kerrie Ann,

Though all her timbers rot and pit

And all her sails are torn and wan.

Copyright © Alan Gilbert 2011.

Don’t Think Me Gone

I am not gone

Please never think me so,

The world must turn

Tides ebb, and spirits grow.

Our souls evolve

As everything must do,

Though bodies fade

My essence stays with you.

It's nature’s way

That everything must change,

All life must grow

Then fall to rearrange.

But nothings lost

Just takes a different form,

Our souls remain

Complete as when we're born.

Some summer days

You'll feel me close at hand,

The softest breeze

That whispers in the sand.

A gentle touch

Much lighter than a kiss,

And you may know

That life is more than this.

So talk to me

And wait for my reply,

For every soul

Was given wings to fly.

And I will answer

Everything you say,

I won't forsake you

For a single day.

Copyright Alan Gilbert 2011

Speedbirds

I watch the silver streaks across the sky

The vapour trails that show where speedbirds fly,

At once my heart is travelling again

To Massachusetts Florida and Maine.

They soar above the clouds in graceful flight

Where dazzling sunlight paints their colours bright,

And stride across the oceans shore to shore

So distance doesn’t matter anymore.

Transfixed, I watch them racing on their way

I wonder how much longer till the day,

When I strain my eager eyes to see

The speedbird that is bringing you to me.  


Copyright Alan Gilbert 2011

The terror of Garsdoon moor

They went out on the moor alright

The sky was clear the stars were bright,

The cart track shone like ribbons white

That zigged and zagged into the night

Across the Garsdoon moor.

Good progress they did make alright

She, dressed in wedding gown of white

Who held the carriage side so tight,

That lurched and rattled through the night

Across the Garsdoon moor.

He was young and brave alright

With gun and sabre for the fight,

To guard his love, his heart’s delight

From highwaymen that stalk the night

Across the Garsdoon moor.

But now the scene will change alright

Thunder roars with lightning bright,

Strange sounds are heard from left and right

Tormented souls that own the night

Across the Garsdoon moor.

The young groom is afraid alright

He holds his gun and sabre tight,

The bride like gown is palest white

As wails and moans are at their height,

Across the Garsdoon moor.

Now dawn it will arrive alright

And they will search the moor till night,

Of coach and riders there’s no sight

Back home, lock doors and windows tight

Across the haunted Garsdoon moor.

The local folks they know alright

That ghouls and demons walk the night,

Transporting souls to hell for spite

Tormenting them for their delight

On fearful Garsdoon moor.


Copyright Alan Gilbert 2010

Alice in the Afternoon. Written and read by Alan Gilbert.

Don't Upset the Birds. Written and read by Alan Gilbert.

The Myth of Moonlight. Written and read by Alan Gilbert.