April Poetry: Jax Bates

In recognition of Poetry Month, and to celebrate and highlight our treasure trove of Orcas Island poets, Orcas Issues is pleased and honored to again offer daily poetry during April.

I Live Here Now

— by Jax Bates —

It’s not the house, though nice
enough at island’s edge, with
a bright fire that warms heart
and hearth and the pot of thick soup
for when the dark arrives.

I live here now, with view of the sea, of tall firs,
of the moon glancing from the water,
when the fog decides to lift her frilly skirt.

I live here in aging body, sagged and scarred
but strong enough to walk on the shore,
to take the kayak into the bay on a sunny morning.
Still strong enough to bring a load of wood
up the outside stairs .

I live here now, world news worrisome ever.
But pain smoothed now by time, by cooling shadow,
by experience, I live here. Restless rarely,
knife edge dulled by books and birdsong,
rose blooms and thorns.

I live here now, fears gone mild. Passions tamed
though remembered kindly, I walk the shore, choose
smooth stones to warm my palm. I live here
now, content at last.

In the good company of a bad-tempered cat,
I wait for spring, for the first green shoots
of stinging nettle, for the quieting of the sea,
for return of old friends, wintered in warmer places.

Caution forgotten,
hope remembered, renewed,
innocent of what may come and when,
I live here now.