A Little Moment That Loved Me Back
Late again; tote in one hand, lunchbox in the other,
the morning ticking louder than my hurried steps.
The street knows this version of me, the rushing one:
half-breath, half-thought, already at work
before I’ve even arrived.
As today, the breezy days continue unexpectedly.
A gentle wind moves through the trees,
and with it, a shower of golden leaves
falls around me, over me—like confetti no one announced.
For a second—just one small, stolen second—I stop.
The world keeps running, but I don’t.
Some unheard music plays in my mind,
and the street turns cinematic.
I am not behind. I am not ahead. I simply am.
Leaves brush past my shoulders, as if the universe
decided to tap me softly and say, “I see you.”
And just like that, a shy little smile escapes me,
in the middle of honking horns and hurried footsteps.
My breath slows down, my rush loosens its grip,
as if even time has decided to wait for a second.
In that little pause, away from the endless race, I feel held;
no less than anyone; no more, either—
just perfectly placed under a raining sky of gold.
And I walk again, lighter somehow,
carrying more than my tote and lunch;
carrying a tiny, shining moment that fills my soul enough
for the rest of the day.
Lost in the Crowd
Lost in the crowd, the tinkling sound of bells,
in the world where more auto-motors sell.
Lost in the crowd, the days of fresh air—
in the world, for trees, there is less care.
Lost in the crowd, the roads clean for a while,
in the world of humans running in ties.
Lost in the crowd, are birds and animals,
in the world full of carnivals.
Lost in the crowd, the tinkling sound of bells,
in the world where more auto-motors sell.
The Winter Breeze
Feel the winter breeze upon the face
that brings a chill with gentle grace.
The Moringa leaves sway calm and free,
in harmony like a pretty melody.
The sun is calm and glowing Gold,
just the right warmth for the Cold.
A season to pause, breathe and renew,
a brief calm before summer breaks through.
A city known for heat and sun
finds peace now as the cool days run.
As kids bundle in woollens tight,
they laugh and play—a cheerful sight.
A reminder here, as seasons change,
that life has phases, soft and strange.
As roads fill up with gold and brown,
it’s time for the year to go around.
Feel the winter breeze upon the face
that brings a chill with gentle grace.
The Moringa leaves sway calm and free,
in harmony like a pretty melody.
By the Riverside
By the Riverside, seeking solitude,
with a sense of gratitude.
To breathe in the fragrance of Nature
that becomes a complete rejuvenator.
To hear the tweet of birds
and pen down some pretty words.
To see them fly hither-thither,
all happy around their mother.
To admire the sky, clear-hued,
lying in the arms of greens and wood.
While the stream is flowing by,
the energy is eternally high.
Happiness is in the air
and this life looks so very fair.
By the Riverside, seeking solitude,
filled with the sense of gratitude.
Creepy Creatures of Winter
It’s time for them to creep out,
as the cold wind begins to shout.
The only time of year, in the world outside they live,
’cause that is what they believe.
Moving amid the busy us,
we never know how far they’ll go, their bus.
It’s time for them to creep out,
as the cold wind begins to shout.
Strong to hold the bleak sunlight,
out to relish the greens and hold on to them tight.
Spare them as much as you can—
they help us with what people can’t.
It’s time for them to creep out,
as the cold wind begins to shout.
«RELATED READ» POEMS BY GEORGE PAYNE: Sturgeon Moon, That Morning In Athens and more»
image 1: RonPorter; image 2: jcrawford446


