Poems by Liam Manning

Beautiful New Day

Each dew-kissed strand of floating web, in chill of morning sun.

And now as lovely as the rest, the day has just begun.

Each warming ray upon the face, pass away the while

Smiling up at golden orb, in sunflower style.

A blade of grass, camphor fresh, bends beneath the weight,

Of ladybird, with tired wings, searching for a mate.

And as the dew evaporates with creeping summer glow,

The shadows, they are banished, for they have nowhere to go.

Excited children run and play, they squeal and laugh and call.

A melody of season’s song, music to us all.

The harmony of nature brings to close the afternoon.

The laughter turns to tired tears, it’s over far too soon.

With children tucked away to sleep, the grownups gather round,

And sip their wine in calm repose to watch the sun go down.

A clink of glasses, crystal kisses, smiles of friendship all.

The day is done, so beautiful, as twilight starts to fall.

And as the day turns into night, the light begins to fade.

A gentle hush falls o’er the land as fond goodnights are bade.

In sunshine dreams, the world it sleeps, the hours they pass away

And welcome in, as oft before, a beautiful new day.

The Russian Doll

Nostalgia, they say, is a thing of the past.

Recalling the times that never could last.

Revived with a sound, a sight or a smell.

When everyone seemed so much younger and well.

I encourage you so, let right now be your past.

For these days will be gone, in the shadows they cast.

And some time in the future, with nostalgic bent

Don’t have taken for granted, ways they were spent.

Like old Russian dolls, we change as we grow.

Each layer of experience, through which we go.

Whichever doll, you are right now,

Embrace all you have, it keeps changing somehow.

And in time, with nostalgia, you’ll recall who you’ve been

When skies, they were bluer and grass was more green.

You’ll look back on these times and fondly recall,

Each phase that you passed, as your own Russian doll.

Liam Manning is a member of Inklings Writing Group, who meet on Tuesdays 11am and Wednesdays at 7.30pm in e thAnnebrook House Hotel. All lovers of writers are welcome.