Love Letters to Sophie's Mom

Please enjoy these sample poems from Love Letters to Sophie’s Mom, Rob Bignell’s debut collection of poetry.

Almuerzo in Ventura

Seated on the deck, the rhythmic waves beating
Against the shore in time with our hearts,
The whole sparkling ocean spreading infinitely
Into the horizon like our future.
Sun blazing over us like a spell, gulls
Riding air currents surrendering themselves to fate,
I tell you of the eternal surf and its salty mist.

Enchanting scent of lemon upon our plates.
We sharing, savoring bites of one
Another’s pescado, filling a deep hunger.
With a smile light as water, you say, “Tell
Me once more about the eternal surf.”
Your prevailing face bright as a magnolia bloom.
The marine wind tousles your hair. Our hearts sing the same song.

The Graces of Daybreak

I like to wake before you, to savor the graces of daybreak:

The gentle billow of the curtain in the warming breeze like the rise and fall of your bosom…

Apricot sunlight angling up the walls then down the bed, as if sheets drawing back so you may lift your lithe body from sleep…

A warbler’s soft trill on the magnolia branches outside our window, sweet as your first smile…

The grass’ moistness, glittering like your eyes as they first flutter open.

I am a cat burglar stealing his last jewels for the night.

Moon

Two lovers contemplating the moon we are.
My love, I sense the torment behind your eyes,
The dark water that you are forced to wade,
Then you rest your cold temple against my chest
As if reverently seeking salvation.

But my thoughts fail me now, my love, I feel you
Slipping from me like a wet fish in my hands.
I cannot trap what troubles you, can’t fathom
Those shadows of darkness growing in your mind,
So my palm presses your frame tighter to mine.

Our iridescent moon swims through the long night.
Nets of stars cannot entangle it. The black sea
Gleams as I grasp for that orb to pull it down.
Your raven hair glitters blue and coral; I
Sigh once more, for I want to drown in your glow.

You look up for a moment; I cup your chin.
Calm fills your eyes, a placid lake glittering
With lucidity. At last, you’ve returned.
We hold on tight, afraid if we let go, this
Moment will fade like a dream into nothingness.