The goddess urges—
dream of luscious ifs,
in storms and shadow-seas
see the mist rise to honeyed sun
singing of time—
recall summer petals as floating light.
A thousand sleeps were–
in bitter after-aches,
cry at the blood moon,
ask why
it shines
while the wind whispers
heart breaths–
love, there, here, always.
It’s Open Link Night at dVerse, where Mish is hosting. I never got to Tuesday’s prompt on the vatic voice, but I consulted the Oracle today, and this is where she led me.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
“See the mist rise to honeyed sun, singing of time.” great word-weaving. A full moon can be reassuring and lovely, until you hear the howling.
Thanks so much, Glenn. I suppose it depends on who is listening. 😏
Very beautiful!
Thank you!
Sounds hopeful!
Thanks! 😀
Lovely, Merril!
Thank you, Jill!
Some lovely sounds here – ‘in storms and shadow-seas / see the mist rise…’ and echoes down through the rest of the stanza. and the single syllables in last lines – ‘love, there, here, always’ – emphatic as a prayer.
Thank you so much for your close reading and kind comment, Peter.
Love the mystic and uplifting verses specially: dream of luscious ifs.
Thank you very much, Grace!
The opening phrase draws the reader in. Well done …. and great pic.
Thank you very much, Frank!
I soo love the mysticism and allure of your imagery in this one, Merril! 😍 Especially; “see the mist rise to honeyed sun singing of time.” 💝💝
Thanks so much, Sanaa! 😍
Well done Merril. The questions and ifs are always there… seemingly with few if any answers. Ifs always seem to take me backwards… and when going forward seem to leave me with indecision! What answers did you come up with?
Thank you, Dwight, for your thoughtful comment. That is interesting about if. I think I look to the past, in what if I done such and such, but I look to the future imaging what could happen. I don’t know that I have any answers. But I try to listen to the wind and the river, watch the light, appreciate the beauty of nature. . .
I like your answer. We always have the present day. Ifs change the future but not the past.
She does not ignore the aches, but why and if are always answered with love. And such a rich photo, a capture of the fleetingness of time. (K)
Thank you very much, Kerfe.
The Oracle and the wind have whispered beautiful words to you, Merril! Thank you for sharing them 🙏
That is most kind. Thank you, Ingrid!
Such a gorgeous misty shot, Merril, and a poem to complement it. I love the idea of a ‘dream of luscious ifs’ and ‘bitter after-aches’ that make one ‘cry at the blood moon’ – a bitter-sweet pain.
Thank you for your lovely comment, Kim!
Deep and beautiful
Thank you so much!
My pleasure
Foggy is beautiful, as are the if’s and why’s … and love is constant .. Thanks Merril, most lovely –
Thank you very much, Susan!
So evocative of a foggy morning sunrise
Thank you very much, Derrick.
The foggy battlefield photo is the perfect image for the voice of the goddess urging love and to let go of the anxious asking why. Your words are evocative and mysterious and beautiful.
Thank you so much, Victoria!
The “honeyed sun/singing of time” is such a brilliantly sensual personification, at once comforting and welcoming of the future. So lovely!
Thank you very much, Dora. That’s lovely!
I love the way you’ve used nature’s delicate voice for questions and reflection. You had me at “dream of luscious if’s” but every line is a gem.
Thank you so much, Mish!
The river blues have turned to greens in the morning mist, as the Oracle longs for the heart breaths of the wind. Very nicely done.
Thank you Liz. The filter turned the water greener–I was trying to find something to make the moon show up a bit more. 😀
Ah, I see.
I’ll have some true blue ones for you soon. 😀
Oh good, something to look forward to!
I love the dreaminess here… so timely for the season.
Thank you very much!
You have a beautiful way with words ❤
Thank you!