Between the Notes

Our love stands as tall as the far away mountains,

Haloed in clouds, toes dug in the earth.
Our love still sparkles like dewdrops and fountains,

Blessings of laughter, a wellspring of mirth.

Arms flung so wide they could wrap round the planet,

Gather me in with a breath and a sigh.

I can’t help but wonder how I could stand it,

If you travelled on and left me behind.

Don’t waste your tears on what hasn’t happened,

There’s sorrow enough to go all around.

No use in borrowing troubles imagined,

Or weeping for heartache you haven’t yet found.

So shake off the shivers and let’s go out dancing,
Music will chase away dark thoughts and gloom.

Between the notes, the balm of silence,
And we’ll turn away fear as we spin round the room.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Sarah Gowan  September 2017

I wrote a tune called "Tilting Summer In" that fits this poem pretty well.

She's Really Let Her Self Go

“She’s really let herself go”, they laughed-whispered, 

Delight fighting revulsion,

Fingers crossed against misfortune.

“Why yes I have,” I think,

Admiring my rounded belly

Cross-hatched with scars

My double chins wobbling beneath a crooked grin.

I let myself go the moment I became a mother,

Making room in this body for squirming new life full of need and hunger.

Breasts swelling with milk,

Arms thick with a fierce love that could work all day

and hug, and reluctantly open wide to let those babies go

To a life no longer my own.

I let myself go

To swallow your secrets,

Tucking them next to my heart

To keep them safe,

To keep you safe,

Making room for the pain

And joy

Of loving you

Giggling at the wobbly bits

I let my Self go

To become bigger, wilder, fiercer,

And more loving

Than I ever imagined this fragile bit of flesh, this wisp of spirit, could be.

--Sarah Gowan 9/2/17