Happy New Year

Dear Friends,
Season's Greetings!
I am celebrating my holidays here in Grasmere, my grandmother's little picturesque  village in the Cumbria region of England. We are having great snow-fall and atmosphere is almost dreamlike!
I wish you all a very Happy New Year 2015! May God bless you with happiness and peace of mind which is more precious than mere prosperity!
I hope you will continue to indulge me by reading my poems.
Yours,
Portia Burton

I Am Restless....

I am Restless....
I am restless,
Sleep has forsaken me ,
And nightmares are knocking
On my weary eyes...
Though I am far away
From the place of bloodshed,
Where many young lives
Were extinguished
By the beastly fanatics,
The cries of those slain children,
And the futile wails of their mothers
Are ringing in my ears
Like the sound of nails
Being hammered in some coffin.
This ultra-sonic sound is so heavy
That I am unable to hear my own gasps,
Inspite of burying my head
In the plump pillow whose cover
Has beautiful  roses
Lovingly embroidered by my grandmother.
And then,
In that corner
I see three witches
Gleefully chanting:
'Fair is foul and foul is fair,
Hover through the fog and filthy air.'
© Portia Burton

Field Of Dreams

DECEMBER

A State Of Being

A state of Being

I don't know  what  came over me,
While holding a friend close to console her,
I started feeling boundless love for her,
And then I had a strange feeling
That if any other girl would had come
Into our hostel room  at that moment,
She too would have been included
Fully in this nameless love.
I suddenly realized love in its essence
Is deeper than the mere  personal level .

Now the reasoning 'I love you because . . '
Made no sense at all.
I had even ceased to be concerned about myself.
Nor any  longer anxious about my friend,
No more critical of her embarrassment,
Not ruminating about the past and future,
Or making any other gesture of thought
Or attention that separated me from her.

It was enough for me that we were together,
And our love,needing no definition,
Was actually a state of being.
© Portia Burton

Love Came To Us....

Waiting

Happiness

I hear your name

Evening- recital of my poem

                                                      Recital of my poem 'Evening'

When The Sun Rises

While taking your leave.....

Defeated

Defeated
Reading what I have just written,
I  stop as if almost on the brink,
On seeing  a kind of artificial mist
Spread over my blank paper.

Why did I stop? I wonder.
Perhaps this was not
What I wanted to say,
And adorned my thoughts
In garish colours, making them
Look like their clumsy cartoons. ....

Same thing happens
When I go to my easel.
But on the blank canvas before me
Chaos is all that what I see,
My brush freezes—I can not paint .....

Oh, what has happened to me?
I feel as if trapped in a tunnel,
Full of darkness and  deafening silence:
Whose door is shut so tightly
That  nothing will escape, nothing will enter.
There seems to be an endless blankness
All around me and spreading on.
Like a drowning person fighting  for a breath,
With great effort I pull myself back,
And with a sigh of resignation,
Close my notebook and turn the empty canvas
Inward against the wall.

© Portia Burton

TATTOO

Oh, Mother, mother....

My Mother- My Angel

My Mother-My Angel

I believe in angels, for me it is my mother,
There's no one like her,there'll never be another.
When I am distressed this angel  holds my hand,
And wiping away my fears  helps me understand,
That  in our mistakes  there are  lessons to be learned,
With each precious new day another page is turned,
Which is full of memories, moments of joy and tears,
Triumphs and defeats, through every passing year.
Her  love is unconditional, she's always by my side,
When no one else would listen, in her I can confide.
With gentle words of wisdom she leads me on my way,
Down the paths of righteousness if ever I would stray.
She is the most priceless of all worldly treasures,
O my Lord , please keep  her for me  here forever.
© Portia Burton

Your Eyes...

Each One Has Been Given His Own way

Each One Has Been Given His Own Way

It's morning and people are walking by,
They smile at me ,I too smile back ,
And wonder where they all are going,
what's their purpose and mooring?

A flock of herons flies overhead
They are so disciplined in their  flight,
They fly in the "V" pattern so precise
Not a bird out of line or lagging behind.

A boy rides swiftly by on a bicycle,
Just laughing and having a grand time,
And with not a care in the world,
He just hums and nods at the elders.

Then There's  a robin feeding her young ,
They hungrily take what she is giving them,
Away  she flies  and comes back with a twig,
Perhaps to strengthen her tiny nest.

As I walk leisurely  watching the world go by
I often wonder what is going on
In the great cosmos and here on earth,
Do I really know what its all about?

I smile to myself and shrug my shoulders,
Why, even the lilies bloom through the boulders!
Let it be me or a robin or a heron,
Each one has been given a way  to go on.

© Portia Burton
November 6, 2014
Cambridge

Friend Or Sister?

Friend or Sister?...
There she was, a girl  with long, blonde hair,
Standing in a corner like a frightened hare,
Unique in her way and not part of the crowd,
But looked  as if  she would just cry out loud .

She came Forward  and gingerly sat by me,
Mumbling gently,'O, perhaps this seat is free,
And I was looking for someone just like you,
Though we're strangers, it's true.'

She didn’t look up but I felt her heart leap,
Could she be a friend that I might keep?
Why has she reposed in me so much trust,
Should I offer my hand? Oh, I must!

I eagerly  took her tiny hand in my own,
And whispered,'O, please don't feel alone,
Now we are friends, so don't be sad,
Would you like to meet my mum and dad?'

And since that day that sweet girl named Emily
Has become a part of my family;
Are we friends or sisters? I don't know,
But true love doesn't need any outward show.


©Portia Burton

Let Me Sleep a Little More..

I Always Want...

YOU ARE THE MIRACLE

In The Clouds- my new painting

Homecoming

The Autumnal Scene

Slowly The Night Steals Upon....

Oh, These People!.....

TO:FIONA, MY BEST FRIEND.

 TO MY DEAREST 'FIONA'

Oh, my dear, you're the one who made me realize
That 'best friends' are for each other in any given moment,
In support for everything and to wipe the weeping eyes,
To stand together firmly even if not in agreement.

When I am in some need, you are always present,
To share my doubts,sighs , and fears and also merriment,
I can freely yell at you and you too can call me 'a mug',
Only to smile immediately at each other and tightly hug.

Oh, this friendship and this unconditional love,
Has the Divine blessed us both from up above?

-Portia Burton

LISTEN!

The Leaves Are Bidding a Good Bye....

MY MOM

MY MOM
The way she makes me feel is like no other.
The way she can make me smile,
Even when it is one of the gloomy day.
The way she touches me gently,
Releasing all tension  from my body.
The sweetness with which she bids me 'good night',
And the soft kisses she places on my forehead
While  waking me up in the morning.
The way her eyes light up when she's happy,
And her sweet humming of a old filmy song!
The way she looks deep into my eyes
When wordlessly she says, 'I love you,Babes!'
The many ways she makes it known that I'm her girl ,
And would remain her child  forever.
 She is the perfect woman, if not more.
She's all love to her very core.
She's my sunshine when all seem's dark and gray.
She makes me long to be a better person inside and out,
Oh, my mom is GREAT, there's no doubt!

-Portia Burton

HOME, SWEET HOME!

Home, Sweet Home!
This is my home where I feel
The Divine presence  every day!
It is  in the silent, subtle things:
The twinkle of my dad’s eye,
Which speaks volumes wordlessly
Of his love affair With my mother
Still stoked with love and passion.
Even after the silver jubilee
 Of their marriage celebrated recently.
It is in the gifts culled with loving hands
Which my mom gives me now and then
That nourish my spirit, flesh and soul.

It rises in the scent of delicious dishes
 Prepared by her, And also
In that extra slab of cheese
Which my dad puts on my plate.
It’s in the knowledge that each word  spoken here
 Is from the heart,honest and true ,
Oh, this is the love that is enduring,
Without any bounds or reservation,
And never an act of show.
It’s giving for the sake of giving
With no expectation but the joy of sharing,
And the delight of the imparting.
In all things, both big and small
Mutual love abounds all!

-Portia Burton

The Only True Poem

the sweet Beginning

Come, My angel!

Come, My Angel!
(this poem was written in a very gloomy mood some time back)

Daffodils

On Looking Out Of The Window

On Looking Out Of The Window

How I relish the leisurely walks taken
Around my granny's Grasmere village
On the misty mornings of the summer
Since they bring a smile to my lips
 And also fill me with  serious  thoughts.
I don't know why such thoughts come ,
Perhaps it's that solemn old cathedral
And the  grave of  poet Wordsworth  there,
Along with the memories of his poems
That lead me to muse about the Time's fell hand.
But when I return home in pensive mood
And wistfully look out of the  window
On these mysterious grey  mornings,
I suddenly find it to be an enchanting view..
The  inky black trees clothed in misty dew,
And suddenly two doves newly woke up
Perch on the window and look at me,
As if to beckon me to venture outside
And shake away that depressing gloom
By inhaling the fragrance of flowers in bloom.

-Portia Burton

My Angel

MY PRINCE

MY PRINCE
 I feel spell-bound and dizzy
When you smile at me.
You only made me realize
That it is quite possible
To have your breath taken away
Quickly and  suddenly,
Making your throat go dry
Without knowing why.
Now all my heart wants
Is to be with you,
In your arms, resting on your chest,
Your fingers caressing my tresses,
Wiping my tears,fondling my cheeks,
And you gently kissing my lips,
Assuring me and guiding me through
Life's tangles and harsh battles.
Helping me to understand
That you can't change the past,
Only focus on the future,
And now I know my future is:
You by my side forever,
Keeping me whole, keeping me safe.
O my love, I need you most
Because without you
My life would be dark,
Incomplete and empty
And I thank God everyday
For bringing you to me.
I tell you this now
That You will always be
My heart, my soul, my prince!

-Portia Burton

You Occupy Every Corner Of My Mind

You occupy every corner of my mind ..

You occupy every corner of my mind
I’ve never known desire of this magnitude,
Nor a love of this nature .
You’re the embodiment of everything
That I’ve ever wanted !
Your eyes pierce my soul ,
Mesmerizing in their intensity,
So richly passionate in their intent .
I just  stare into them
In speechless wonderment .
Your voice captivates my mind ,
I want to listen to you forever .
When your trembling fingers touch my body ,
I too tremble under the impact of your desire,
Oh, how they emanate a strange and fiery heat ,
Which as if melts me to merge into you
Until we become just one being !
I feel safe  and  protected now,
You grant me a loving safety I've never known.
And nothing can harm me when we are one.
Not in my wildest fantasies did I ever believe
That angels in human forms do really live,
That a love like this was even possible
That will gently remove  every nagging trouble.
But then you happened to me in the form of love,
Oh, take me to your heart as your  dove!

-Portia Burton

The Evening Scene...

The Evening Scene

Evening Scene...
As if a huge ant-hill has been broken,
A huge crowd spills onto the streets.
The faces of the men returning home
From work, some still seem  to be alive 
With the last pulse of hope or courage,  
Some sly and bitter, some smart and  silly,
But most of them already  broken and empty ,
Listless, devoid any warmth of life,  
Only blinding tiredness is goading them on,  
Like any tired animal with drooping tail
Sauntering disinterestedly to some safe corner.
-Portia Burton

An Old Photo

An Old Photo

Granny is sitting on her rocking chair
And showing me an album...
"Look", she says,
"This pouting baby is you,
 And this man smiling through
 The happy, crinkled eyes
 Is your grandfather..."
.....
She then turns some more pages,
And on coming across another photo
Of her resting her head on the chest
Of her loving husband,
She gently moves her trembling fingers
Over that photo as if caressing him,
Then gently closes that album
And smiles to herself bemusedly,
And looking out of the window,
Starts rocking her chair once again,
Silently fondling its arms.....

Though I know nothing much
About my grandfather,
Except for his grave, which by now
Is almost lost in the tall grass,
Yet I can see him in  granny's eyes,
Who is now perhaps feeling his touch
Through the arms of her chair.

-Portia Burton

When I see The Half Moon....

Norwich

Norwich is my mother's hometown and perhaps she has inherited her beauty from it!
Now on a visit to this beautiful place with her, I cannot but write a prose 'ode' to this wonderful town. So, here it goes....

Norwich is about 118 miles North-east of London and it takes about 2 hours by train or 3 hours by motorway to reach there. Norwich is one of England's most beautiful cities, it is a rich tapestry of modern style mixed with plenty of echoes of the past, all preserved for future generations to come. It is situated on the river Wensum which has made it more beautiful. Its population is about 2,50,000 and the people are very friendly.
Norwich was voted as the greenest city in England in 2006. The city has an enviable blend as an alluring cathedral city and a bustling metropolis.

               (Norwich union Clock)                                                                    
The city is typified by a humid climate with warm, wet summers and cool, moist winters. Cool winds are a dominant factor which helps moderate the temperatures. Abundant rainfall is received in the city.
Dating back to the Saxon times,today it is one of the major retail centres in England with agriculture, manufacturing and transport being the main industries.

                   ( the beautiful river Wensum,)                                                 

                      ( the Bishop Bridge on the river Wensum)                                  

 

                         (  Daffodils on the banks of the Bishop Bridge)                            

                                                                              ( riverside apartments, Norwich)

                                                                      (City Hall, Norwich)

     )

                                                                        ( the cobbled Elm Hill, Norwich)



                                

It has culture and sophistication coupled with an old world charm defined by the colourful buildings of cobbled Elm Hill where shadows are cast by quaint Victorian hanging lamps.Exceptional countryside surrounds the city, the Norfolk Broads National Park lies at its edge and the River Wensum, part of the Norfolk Broads, flows through the city, opening up pleasant river-scapes with wildlife, pleasure boats and pretty flower-decked riverside pubs.

                                                                                      (Norwich Cathedral)


Overseeing all that goes on in this fine city is one of the countries most stunning cathedral buildings which was begun between 1094-96, this is a major historical treasure chest with much to amaze and delight visitors.

                                                               (Norwich Castle)



Norwich Castle standing proudly above the town is of equal merit, this dates back to Norman times and has dungeons and death masks belonging to executed prisoners. Grandeur is all around, streets have clutches of medieval buildings, some typical of the Norfolk region with lovely over-hanging bays. There is much Victorian architecture to be seen, and the beautiful Town Hall is a triumph of Art Deco design.

In stark contrast to all of this is the cities modern facilities, Castle Mall for shopping, and there is not much in any town to beat the modernity of Norwich's 21st century landmark - The Forum. The youthful atmosphere of the city is perhaps largely due to its thriving University which attracts students from many parts of the world.

                                                               (Chapelfield Garden ,)

                                                               (Cow Tower)

                                                              (The Forum )

                                                             (Norwich art Centre)

                                                             (Pull's Ferry, Norwich)

Norwich has everything to entice the visitor, a colourful street market adds to the pleasure of shopping, an abundance of cafe's, restaurants, gardens to rest in, galleries to tour, nightclubs for entertainment, along with cinema and theatre. It is also believed to have more medieval churches than any other place.

Whatever your taste there will always be something in Norwich to please. It is an ideal destination to experience a fascinating weekend of culture, or a magical place to visit whilst boating on the Norfolk Broads.
Happy thoughts!

-Portia Burton