Poems about perceptions

Books & Poetry

For this week’s Poet’s Corner, South Australian writer Heather Sladdin has contributed three poems about perceptions.

Wednesday June 15, 2016 Comments

Comments Print article

The saffron kiss of the Christmas lily. Photo: Patarika/flickr

Cleopatra’s Dream

a reflection on Cleopatra’s legendary practice of crushing
pearls to drink in vinegar or wine after a feast

Are you Mark Antony
waiting to please me?
Sat at an ordinary feast
until I think to dissolve
the pearl of my wisdom
in your rough wine
and as you drink the gem
of pure aggravation
you are no longer rooted
into ancient knowing
but you are the translucent grape
in a cluster of fleshy stars
plucked to be admired
but crushed in the tasting.

The Saffron Kiss

peripheral observations over time
as evoked by the fragrance of lilies

The saffron kiss
of the Christmas lily
worn on her sleeve

the purple stain
of blackberries
on his lips

the dented web
of pine needles
on their soles

an intense dawn
opens expectations
of a heat wave.

Ever Present

reflection on a rural landscape
near Rockleigh, SA

What exchanges
slide in the grasses
lift into the clouds
climb down fence posts
corrode the wire

endless shifts in energy
rarely seen
ever present.

Another of Heather Sladdin’s poems was published in last week’s Poet’s Corner.

Sladdin, of Murray Bridge, was born in Adelaide. During a retail career in the US and Australia, she gained her BA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University and a Graduate Diploma in Women’s Studies from Adelaide University. She tutored and lectured at UniSA and SAIBT (Navitas) in Creative Writing, Editing and Publishing, Communication and the Media, and other associated subjects.

Currently, Sladdin edits and mentors for writers. Two collections of her published poetry, “rooms of discovery” and “the grammar of grapes”, and the verse novel “Patterns of Being”, are about to be brought out as e-books. You can read more about her here.

Readers’ original and unpublished poems of up to 40 lines can be emailed, with postal address, to poetscorner@solsticemedia.com.au. A poetry book will be awarded to each contributor.

Make a comment View comment guidelines

Jump to next article

Support local arts journalism

Your support will help us continue the important work of InReview in publishing free professional journalism that celebrates, interrogates and amplifies arts and culture in South Australia.

Donate Here

Comments

Show comments

Will my comment be published? Read the guidelines.

. You are free to republish the text and graphics contained in this article online and in print, on the condition that you follow our republishing guidelines.

You must attribute the author and note prominently that the article was originally published by InReview. You must also inlude a link to InReview. Please note that images are not generally included in this creative commons licence as in most cases we are not the copyright owner. However, if the image has an InReview photographer credit or is marked as “supplied”, you are free to republish it with the appropriate credits.

We recommend you set the canonical link of this content to https://inreview.com.au/inreview/books-and-poetry/2016/06/15/poems-about-perceptions/ to insure that your SEO is not penalised.

<h1>Poems about perceptions</h1>

<p><p>For this week’s Poet’s Corner, South Australian writer Heather Sladdin has contributed  three poems about perceptions.</p>
</p>
																		<address><a href="https://inreview.com.au/contributors/compiled-by-john-miles/" class="author">Compiled by John Miles</a></address>
											
							<h2><a href="#cleopatras-dream" aria-hidden="true" class="aal_anchor" id="cleopatras-dream"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="aal_svg" height="16" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 16 16" width="16"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M4 9h1v1H4c-1.5 0-3-1.69-3-3.5S2.55 3 4 3h4c1.45 0 3 1.69 3 3.5 0 1.41-.91 2.72-2 3.25V8.59c.58-.45 1-1.27 1-2.09C10 5.22 8.98 4 8 4H4c-.98 0-2 1.22-2 2.5S3 9 4 9zm9-3h-1v1h1c1 0 2 1.22 2 2.5S13.98 12 13 12H9c-.98 0-2-1.22-2-2.5 0-.83.42-1.64 1-2.09V6.25c-1.09.53-2 1.84-2 3.25C6 11.31 7.55 13 9 13h4c1.45 0 3-1.69 3-3.5S14.5 6 13 6z"></path></svg></a><strong>Cleopatra’s Dream</strong></h2>
<h6><a href="#a-reflection-on-cleopatras-legendary-practice-of-crushingpearls-to-drink-in-vinegar-or-wine-after-a-feast" aria-hidden="true" class="aal_anchor" id="a-reflection-on-cleopatras-legendary-practice-of-crushingpearls-to-drink-in-vinegar-or-wine-after-a-feast"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="aal_svg" height="16" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 16 16" width="16"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M4 9h1v1H4c-1.5 0-3-1.69-3-3.5S2.55 3 4 3h4c1.45 0 3 1.69 3 3.5 0 1.41-.91 2.72-2 3.25V8.59c.58-.45 1-1.27 1-2.09C10 5.22 8.98 4 8 4H4c-.98 0-2 1.22-2 2.5S3 9 4 9zm9-3h-1v1h1c1 0 2 1.22 2 2.5S13.98 12 13 12H9c-.98 0-2-1.22-2-2.5 0-.83.42-1.64 1-2.09V6.25c-1.09.53-2 1.84-2 3.25C6 11.31 7.55 13 9 13h4c1.45 0 3-1.69 3-3.5S14.5 6 13 6z"></path></svg></a><em>a reflection on Cleopatra’s legendary practice of crushing<br />
</em><em>pearls to drink in vinegar or wine after a feast</em></h6>
<p>Are you Mark Antony<br />
waiting to please me?<br />
Sat at an ordinary feast<br />
until I think to dissolve<br />
the pearl of my wisdom<br />
in your rough wine<br />
and as you drink the gem<br />
of pure aggravation<br />
you are no longer rooted<br />
into ancient knowing<br />
but you are the translucent grape<br />
in a cluster of fleshy stars<br />
plucked to be admired<br />
but crushed in the tasting.</p>
<h2><a href="#the-saffron-kiss" aria-hidden="true" class="aal_anchor" id="the-saffron-kiss"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="aal_svg" height="16" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 16 16" width="16"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M4 9h1v1H4c-1.5 0-3-1.69-3-3.5S2.55 3 4 3h4c1.45 0 3 1.69 3 3.5 0 1.41-.91 2.72-2 3.25V8.59c.58-.45 1-1.27 1-2.09C10 5.22 8.98 4 8 4H4c-.98 0-2 1.22-2 2.5S3 9 4 9zm9-3h-1v1h1c1 0 2 1.22 2 2.5S13.98 12 13 12H9c-.98 0-2-1.22-2-2.5 0-.83.42-1.64 1-2.09V6.25c-1.09.53-2 1.84-2 3.25C6 11.31 7.55 13 9 13h4c1.45 0 3-1.69 3-3.5S14.5 6 13 6z"></path></svg></a><strong>The Saffron Kiss</strong></h2>
<h6><a href="#peripheral-observations-over-timeas-evoked-by-the-fragrance-of-lilies" aria-hidden="true" class="aal_anchor" id="peripheral-observations-over-timeas-evoked-by-the-fragrance-of-lilies"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="aal_svg" height="16" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 16 16" width="16"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M4 9h1v1H4c-1.5 0-3-1.69-3-3.5S2.55 3 4 3h4c1.45 0 3 1.69 3 3.5 0 1.41-.91 2.72-2 3.25V8.59c.58-.45 1-1.27 1-2.09C10 5.22 8.98 4 8 4H4c-.98 0-2 1.22-2 2.5S3 9 4 9zm9-3h-1v1h1c1 0 2 1.22 2 2.5S13.98 12 13 12H9c-.98 0-2-1.22-2-2.5 0-.83.42-1.64 1-2.09V6.25c-1.09.53-2 1.84-2 3.25C6 11.31 7.55 13 9 13h4c1.45 0 3-1.69 3-3.5S14.5 6 13 6z"></path></svg></a><em>peripheral observations over time<br />
</em><em>as evoked by the fragrance of lilies</em></h6>
<p>The saffron kiss<br />
of the Christmas lily<br />
worn on her sleeve</p>
<p>the purple stain<br />
of blackberries<br />
on his lips</p>
<p>the dented web<br />
of pine needles<br />
on their soles</p>
<p>an intense dawn<br />
opens expectations<br />
of a heat wave.</p>
<h2><a href="#ever-present" aria-hidden="true" class="aal_anchor" id="ever-present"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="aal_svg" height="16" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 16 16" width="16"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M4 9h1v1H4c-1.5 0-3-1.69-3-3.5S2.55 3 4 3h4c1.45 0 3 1.69 3 3.5 0 1.41-.91 2.72-2 3.25V8.59c.58-.45 1-1.27 1-2.09C10 5.22 8.98 4 8 4H4c-.98 0-2 1.22-2 2.5S3 9 4 9zm9-3h-1v1h1c1 0 2 1.22 2 2.5S13.98 12 13 12H9c-.98 0-2-1.22-2-2.5 0-.83.42-1.64 1-2.09V6.25c-1.09.53-2 1.84-2 3.25C6 11.31 7.55 13 9 13h4c1.45 0 3-1.69 3-3.5S14.5 6 13 6z"></path></svg></a><strong>Ever Present</strong></h2>
<h6><a href="#reflection-on-a-rural-landscapenear-rockleigh-sa" aria-hidden="true" class="aal_anchor" id="reflection-on-a-rural-landscapenear-rockleigh-sa"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="aal_svg" height="16" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 16 16" width="16"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M4 9h1v1H4c-1.5 0-3-1.69-3-3.5S2.55 3 4 3h4c1.45 0 3 1.69 3 3.5 0 1.41-.91 2.72-2 3.25V8.59c.58-.45 1-1.27 1-2.09C10 5.22 8.98 4 8 4H4c-.98 0-2 1.22-2 2.5S3 9 4 9zm9-3h-1v1h1c1 0 2 1.22 2 2.5S13.98 12 13 12H9c-.98 0-2-1.22-2-2.5 0-.83.42-1.64 1-2.09V6.25c-1.09.53-2 1.84-2 3.25C6 11.31 7.55 13 9 13h4c1.45 0 3-1.69 3-3.5S14.5 6 13 6z"></path></svg></a><em>reflection on a rural landscape<br />
</em><em>near Rockleigh, SA</em></h6>
<p>What exchanges<br />
slide in the grasses<br />
lift into the clouds<br />
climb down fence posts<br />
corrode the wire</p>
<p>endless shifts in energy<br />
rarely seen<br />
ever present.</p>
<p><em>Another of Heather Sladdin’s poems was published in <a href="http://indaily.com.au/arts-and-culture/books-and-poetry/2016/06/08/poem-the-work/">last week’s Poet’s Corner</a>.</em></p>
<p><em>Sladdin, of Murray Bridge, was born in Adelaide. During a retail career in the US and Australia, she gained her BA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University and a Graduate Diploma in Women’s Studies from Adelaide University. She tutored and lectured at UniSA and SAIBT (Navitas) in Creative Writing, Editing and Publishing, Communication and the Media, and other associated subjects.</em></p>
<p><em>Currently, Sladdin edits and mentors for writers. Two collections of her published poetry, “rooms of discovery” and “the grammar of grapes”, and the verse novel “Patterns of Being”, are about to be brought out as e-books. You can read more about her <a href="http://www.heathersladdin.com.au/">here</a>.</em></p>
<h5><a href="#readers-original-and-unpublished-poems-of-up-to-40-lines-can-be-emailed-with-postal-address-to-poetscornersolsticemedia-com-au-a-poetry-book-will-be-awarded-to-each-contributor" aria-hidden="true" class="aal_anchor" id="readers-original-and-unpublished-poems-of-up-to-40-lines-can-be-emailed-with-postal-address-to-poetscornersolsticemedia-com-au-a-poetry-book-will-be-awarded-to-each-contributor"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="aal_svg" height="16" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 16 16" width="16"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M4 9h1v1H4c-1.5 0-3-1.69-3-3.5S2.55 3 4 3h4c1.45 0 3 1.69 3 3.5 0 1.41-.91 2.72-2 3.25V8.59c.58-.45 1-1.27 1-2.09C10 5.22 8.98 4 8 4H4c-.98 0-2 1.22-2 2.5S3 9 4 9zm9-3h-1v1h1c1 0 2 1.22 2 2.5S13.98 12 13 12H9c-.98 0-2-1.22-2-2.5 0-.83.42-1.64 1-2.09V6.25c-1.09.53-2 1.84-2 3.25C6 11.31 7.55 13 9 13h4c1.45 0 3-1.69 3-3.5S14.5 6 13 6z"></path></svg></a>Readers’ original and unpublished poems of up to 40 lines can be emailed, with postal address, to poetscorner@solsticemedia.com.au. A poetry book will be awarded to each contributor.</h5>
							<p>This article is republished from <a href="https://inreview.com.au" target=_blank  rel="canonical">InReview</a> under a Creative Commons licence. Read the <a href="https://inreview.com.au/inreview/books-and-poetry/2016/06/15/poems-about-perceptions/" target=_blank  rel="canonical">original article</a>.</p>
							<link href="https://inreview.com.au/inreview/books-and-poetry/2016/06/15/poems-about-perceptions/" rel="canonical">

<p><a href="https://inreview.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">InReview</a> is an open access, non-profit arts and culture journalism project. Readers can <a href="https://artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2E9q0000008PVN/inreview-sa-20222023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">support our work with a donation</a>. Subscribe to InReview’s free weekly newsletter <a href="https://inreview.com.au/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p>
							<img src="https://inreview.com.au/pixel2.png?cc_article=poems-about-perceptions" width="1" height="1">

Copied to Clipboard