LESSON IN STARS by Joy Sheridan

Lesson in Stars 

by Joy Sheridan

The moon, as I observed, 

Was of that peculiar hazed definition – 

Like a palm swollen from the twilight gauze 

Of that September night.  

Veils and scarves in clouds, and my own faint sighs 

Moved about her.  

That rectangle of earth 

Was busy with the stillness of all who paused 

Before entering such an edifice – as though 

There was a tuck needed here, a straightening there 

As though deep breaths were taken. 

I knew the feeling only too well, 

A beating heart which echoed like a moth 

Inside the tenting of my frame. 

This same body moved, and with precise soundings 

Carried me more courageously 

Than I would have considered possible. 

I rose up the stairs, passing the flights 

Where my fancy had erstwhile 

Gone ahead of me – continuing up, 

Nearer to the stars. 

My introduction was of some classical denomination, 

My meantime partways looked down 

Through the roof which over your head 

Separated you from me – I know that you felt me 

As surely as I felt you. 

No need the double reassurance, 

Your evidence was guarded groundwise, 

You felt me – as I felt the tremors raising 

Like a finger pointing to the Mercurial passage 

Of thoughts and stars.  

Bidden by the incense and ethers  

Of my own listenings, my own preoccupations, 

My own concentration 

To the shrine of the Immortals, 

I was distracted merely for so long 

As a song may sweep across the Milky Way.  

The moon, on later looking,  

Had pulled herself into that pearl shape, 

More perfect to the setting for the fount 

And frontispiece of mystical elation.  

That station which below,  

Booked to be a trysting place, 

Saw not your face. 

Though those other acolytes of starry wonder 

Eased and flowed about the shrine 

We four had moved from Heavens’ high, 

I saw not your eye – which, as I later reflected, 

Doubtless saw me, and bade you keep 

From out my atmosphere. 

And I – I was so bold as to have all but 

Vested in you such dimensions: 

Even the Gods then came become bashful – 

Unsure – on occasion: 

Such the flickering temperature. 

My veins pulsed with the shading glow 

Of your incandescence: I could feel 

The suggestion of your heat. 

Even though your quivered arrow  

Had partways removed, then let fall again – 

Into the pouch of other times. 

Into the hand and palm – 

Your fisted passion cooling,  

You kept it, and yourself, at bay.  

I felt you through the lesson in stars! 

You departed, like God Mars 

Before the service here ended. 

Such the thought which carried me, 

Enticed eroticism – bliss in the 

Echo-laden wrist-beat of heartbeat 

Which – intangible, tangibly disturbed my air. 

Later, that precinct showed evidence 

Of your departure; though the heart 

Became huntress and alerted,  

My senses quivered through the leaves, 

Shaken of your leaving, 

Without saying “Hello” or “Goodbye”. 

(September 26, 1985)

'Two Presences' original artwork by Joy Sheridan

Joy Sheridan: Born in Plymouth in 1947, Joy has been writing poetry since the late 1960s. Her first published poem Witch Song appeared in Issue #2 of Aquarius magazine (1970), edited by the late Eddie Linden. Since then, Joy’s work has appeared in many anthologies, such as Creature Features – a magazine for animal lovers, produced in Cyprus. In 1991 Joy won a prize from the London Newspaper Group for her poem Christina Rossetti's Canary. In 2000, The Sun published her work A Millennium Poem. Joy has been a substantial contributor to Rubies in the Darkness for many years, and in July 2013 (Issue #21) was awarded First Prize for the passionate poem Aphroditian Deluge. The frame of reference of her poetry ranges throughout history, often embracing classical antiquity, often honing in on the finer subtleties of the Victorian era. 19th Century Russia has always been a focus of fascination for Joy; such as Through Russian Eyes. Supremely, her eloquent, visionary poetry breaks down barriers between the spiritual and the sensual. Her writing, however, is not confined to poetry. Joy gained distinction for her acumen in literary criticism in a Diploma in Higher Education at the University of Westminster. Some of her academic work has been embellished by exciting experimental collages. In addition to this, she has written a mass of short stories, three romantic novels and an illustrated diary of a voyage she made across the Atlantic Ocean. Visual Art has also been one of Joy's major preoccupations. She graduated from Hammersmith Art College, where she was tutored by Jane Percival. Some of her artwork is exhibited online in the ‘Outside In’ exhibition organized by the Disability Arts Foundation, based in Pallant House, Chichester, and on the site of the bohemi project, organized by Thanet arts activist Roxana Riaz. To explore her work, click here. 

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