Mr. Orange

“Mr. Orange”

Starlight, and nothing rhymes with your name—
And the sky does not seem the same
Since the day you came.
I felt so much older yesterday, now I am young.
And there is a word on the tip of my tongue
I do not think has been spoken before.
But this word is my only stock and store.

A foreign call into a dream half-forgot
Is rising to the surface of what I know not:
Like a voice that burns through a song
Where only the sweetest of voices belong.
I never knew there were flowers in the snow
And the birdsong that I used to know
Has returned to my ears, as if they have flown
And I do not know if I am still alone,
I do not know if this voice is my own.

There are shadows on the walls of yesteryears,
There is still the wonder of the pain and the tears…
But there are budding and blooming branches,
And the starshine before the dawn light dances.
It’s a natural confession, a strange expression
Through the space between the light and the question
Beyond answers…what is this tale that unravels
From the memories of life and the death rattles
Of what used to be…and life of what can be again
In the pieces of the hopes that yet remain?

And when the sun comes up, I’ll be sad
To know that the night that we had
Is coming to a close…but I won’t be afraid
From the new stars that your eyes have made
In a sky that is new above me and you.
Its all I’ve ever known is to hold such a light
And I’m sorry that I could not bring you home tonight.

© 2022 Marten Hoyle