Pick a Daisy

If I could hold my little ones,
The children in my care,
I’d scold them less, and love them more,
With so much joy to share.

If I should pass this way again,
Though folks might think I’m crazy,
I’d work…
and worry less,
And stop to pick a daisy.

Gladly

The ocean and sky are favorites so I started this poem with them. The third line just poured out, and I had my theme. The art depicts my process, where the moon is my muse.

Gladly

blues and greens in the ocean
blues and reds in the sky
what canvas do i paint you on?
and how do i make you fly?

the ocean, she is mighty
the sky, so easy to adore
shall i write a verse to make your heart stop?
and how do i make you soar?

to find the person who cannot live without me
to find the person i cannot live without
to surrender (gladly) to one’s feelings
to find passion (madly) without a shadow of a doubt

indigo and turquoise in the ocean
cerulean and fuchsia in the sky
what melody do i sing to you?

all i want
is to try.

and i wait
with breath (so) still
your fancy

while fairies dance
unhurried
on the Lilly in the wood

Be With Me

This is first poem I wrote in 30 years – since my journal in college. I was two months into an intense relationship, The concept was the first stanza: the marbled sky. The next two stanzas continued on the theme of idealized, amazing moments. After writing the third stanza I happened on the unexpected ending. Her reaction I will never forget.

Be With Me

Be with me
When the sun sets in the glowing marbled sky

Sit with me
Through the improbable peace of the hurricane’s eye

Walk with me
As the glistening flakes swirl when the snow begins to fall

Be with me
When anything or nothing happens at all

Key of Black

I started this poem knowing its topic and mood. A very low point. Then I began with a Harlan Ellison short story title: ‘I Have no Mouth but I Must Scream’. I have a strong affinity with the second line. I could have written: ‘i have no mind but i must dream’. However, I like the extra meter (nearly double) – not only in what it says, but also the cadence.

Key of Black

i have no heart but i must scream
i have no mind but i must once again learn how to dream

black crows surround me evermore
black cockroaches abound about my floor
surely this is fantasy
but my steps crunch when I answer the knock
of the orphan at my door

eyes of deep circles
hair a muss
drooping head
and lifeless limbs.
It’s me
the orphan of my hopes

i have no eyes but i must weep
though hard I try, i cannot sleep

black dogs snarl at this empty shell
black cats hiss and abhor my smell
surely this is madness
but animals sense this wretched corpse
and abandon me where i fell

the jagged knife will not come out
the emptiness will not abate
my eyeless sockets rain a never-ending
torrent of my tears

my love has left her taste upon my lips
so cruel to be reminded
my love has left desolation in my bed
so cruel to leave my spirit blinded
my love has been ripped mercilessly from my breast
barren despair is left behind
my love has left me shivering and alone
fear and loathing fill my mind

i have no heart but i must scream
i have no love and so i wither
and so i surely die

Secret Pages

tear out the secret pages from your heart
forget the days you think you knew
the nights you’ve known thus far will have no meaning

tear out the secret pages from your dreams
spread flower petals in your hair
put on your silver slippers
dance with me
dance with me Today, dance with me until the end of time

tell me that you love me
i will catch for you the golden sunrise

ask me for the golden sunrise
i will catch its glow forever there upon your gentle face