Four contemporary poems with a unifying theme of peace, nature, and beauty whose repetitive lines form a dreamy landscape.
“Spoken,” “Beauty,” “Singing,” and “Singing Too” from Northern Virginia poet Cliff Bernier, publication expected 2024. Used by permission of the author.
Sung here by The Voices of Audio Artisan.
Four Poems by Cliff Bernier
Singing Too
Singing like the mallard to the swinging of the moon.
Singing like the sea foam to the dancing of the dune grass.
Singing like the shore pine to the croaking of the treefrog.
Singing like the spinning, sparkling wind.
Singing like the cockle to the cackle of the clam.
Singing like the swallow to the swishing of the brant.
Singing like the condor to the complaining coot.
Singing like the swirling, swelling sea.
Spoken
Spoken in being like the silver bay.
Spoken in being like the ferry crossing.
Spoken in being like the sheltering cedars.
Spoken in being like the frosty wake.
Spoken in being like the guiding stars.
Spoken in being like the gliding moon.
Spoken in being like the shorebird call.
Spoken in being like the sea.
Beauty
Beauty like the clatter of disaffected gulls.
Beauty like the glitter of freckled sand.
Beauty like the slender leaning huddled firs.
Beauty like the nourishing rain.
Beauty like the sea grass tossing in the breeze.
Beauty like the driftwood tumbling to the shore.
Beauty like the calls of colluding cormorants.
Beauty like the stepping, stumbling surf.
Singing
Singing like the sea grass to the heron in the marsh.
Singing like the egret to the swallow in the pine.
Singing like the plover to the otter in the reeds.
Singing like the guitars of Spanish moss.
Singing like the ibis to the strumming of the flounder.
Singing like the kingfish to the drumming of the swan.
Singing like the osprey to the chuckle of the oyster.
Singing like the loony, snagging sun.