Claude Monet

A new day for a new impression, each sunrise

Takes me aback, no matter the frequency

The waves meet me gracefully, sometimes

Other moments, they don’t hesitate to ignore leniency


With seasoned ease, my partner guides us

Into the starlight shimmering upon the harbor

The tall-ships, giants shrouded in fog, redefine love

Redefine something more, life beyond a self-imposed martyr


Our boats still farther, but we maintain a healthy clip

Our beacon of light finds us lingering in the mists

As she rises higher, her love expands accordingly

Leaving us to join her and begin anew earnestly

Fervently, the mouth of the Seine shouts obscenities

Expanded upon from the whispers of morning’s serenity

Seagulls flock, as if to join in the offensive melody

But what previously startled me, is remedied by our camaraderie


A scene in Budapest, with the crew at rest, comes to mind

Our vessels held firm on the wind’s hand softly

Off the river banks, two onlookers measured our outlines

Our distance encouraged peace, although I invite conflict


Au revoir to all, my partner and I explore inward

Eyeing shadows, and other forces of nondescript beauty

Such a ragged pace, slows to a stroll in the vineyard

Hours spent arguing feel antiquated, no need for refuting

Red poppies surround the vaulted trees

A fortress of bloodless protection

The other trees don’t stand so aristocratically

Yet under the sun, all shadows are the same after close inspection


But the sun is no arbiter of equality!

Nor harbinger of anything, save life on Earth

Take out your parasol; search the world in its totality

Cast off the sun from its pedestal, leave nothing upon its perch.

Michael Carney