February 2023
Emily Black
eblack@asrsystems.ws
Bio Note: I was the second woman to acquire a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida and went on to have a long career as the only woman in a sea of men. I began writing poetry recently, and in addition to being published in numerous journals, my first book of poetry, The Lemon Light of Morning, came out a year ago and a second book is nearing completion for publication in the coming months. I wear Fire Engine Red lipstick, and I love travel and cooking.

Opposition

     is like gravity or some force
that holds bodies in place relative

to each other, like day is opposed 
to night, like yin and yang. 

I love the opposite of me, the mystery 
of male and female, the magic 

of that glorious orb in the night sky,
a body of reflected light, 

a mirror of majestic, flaming sunlight.
I look in awe at flocks of birds in flight 

and watch them roost in lofty trees
whose roots hold tight to earth. 

Souls soar in darkness while bodies take
their rest. I believe souls meet at night 

and confer, swap knowledge unavailable
in the light of day, wisdom powered by 

ethereal moon dust, the yin that harnesses 
wildly burning flames of yang.

Ticking Eternity

Like a clock in my hall, eternity ticks,
but I know it won’t run down. 

That is the nature of foreverness. 
It doesn’t end, it doesn’t need to be 

rewound. I will always be here. Call 
on me anytime. 

I’m available, I’ll listen, I will love, 
though it may be from another realm,

a realm of heavenly light, a realm 
of devotion, a domain of forever love.
©2023 Emily Black
Editor's Note: If this poem(s) moves you please consider writing to the author (email address above) to say what it is about the poem you like. Writing to the author is what builds the community at Verse Virtual. It is very important. -JL