Oh Who Can Paint the Skies? - by Vicente Reyes

Oh Who Can Paint the Skies?

In tandem calls I’ve seen paintings on walls of beauties captured by the brush,

As if sketched in confidence by passionate artists for us to watch and say

Yes she was beautiful in her day and so I wish she was here now for me.

Their eyes follow though they are stiff and hollow and not like yours,

Sweet silky skinned Princess of Midnight Joy, Madonna of Magical Kisses,

Your twin windows are so clear when I hold you near that I see heaven

And feel the touch of angel wings if my eyes I close and you express

By your tender caress a love that has melted the ice of a loneliness

I traveled so far to flee from. In my rapid flutter and city flight,

Pursuing gold at dawn and sometimes digging in the dark, I see

That the paintings by the greats of old silently call to me.

Oh I know that one; and I know the other; and her kiss must also

Have been sweet when met in her blooming rosy-cheeked hour.

But the only reason such beauties taunt and haunt is because they

Were there when I was alone in my travels and in quiet hotels when

Alone by the windows I sat with tea and poet’s pen.

They followed me and looked in when I was with her and her and then

They saw my tears when through the years I saw the river bend

At the time when I wanted a bridge to tomorrow that God did not send.

There were others who later lived and they too had a moment like you.

They read my love letters and shared the golden coin of the realm,

For as you know it is the laughter and the joy that I cherish so,

And it is such a feeling of timeless, almost eternal, joy you give

As we share the wine and little things like when in a gallery we speak

Or argue about what the artist meant by that color or the shape

Of the woman’s profile and the innuendos in that frozen smile.

So when your warm hand in mine makes me remember we are one,

As your voice in my mind fills the carriage when we or I go for miles,

As passersby look at me and I beam on them for you light up my heart,

I forget what its like to be far from all and you whom I so love.

Give me the cities with the buildings made of cookies and clear candy,

Take my many joys. They come in little boxes and they come like flowers

Will return in Spring and when with the sudden word to you I bring

News from a foreign country because once shared I think we will recall

Beyond Summer and Fall that which in cold or heat we can truly call ours.

Oh I with wonder seek the melody of eternity’s sparkling waters and before

We say good-bye for the night or for a fortnight shut the door, come close.

Know there is space on time’s moving wall you fill for your lovely colors thrill

And your scent makes the night sweeter yet than the finest incense as it glows.

I love to caress your hair and hold your face as we draw the dew of Paradise,

Whispering secrets and songs until the liquid fingers of dawn paint the skies.

Vicente Reyes

April 12, 2000

Internet source: http://www.thepoetsdiary.com/

First North American Serial Rights Available

May be reprinted freely for personal review or academic discussion