Naked In Wonderland

2012-01-03T07:33:00.000-05:00

New Year

In quiet moments

I find all these words

unclear,

as my Interpretations vary

and Dreams leave me confused;

Resolving to drive

with Fury Unleashed

through the middle,

with no extremes

with no dangers;

A flash of Lightning

illuminates The Tower;

briefly I see it,

the glory of destruction,

crushed and broken,

transformed,

only in my mind.

©ACG

01 January 2012

2011-12-23T08:21:00.000-05:00

The Long Hard Fall

With a gentle aire,

it comes,

seemingly sweet,

the breath of Fall;

deadly harsh,

a silent shove

over the precipice

of Spring.

Amidst a gale of falling leaves,

a tinge of Bitterness,

gray clouds wandering

swiftly across the Sky,

brightness dims

with each skirting swirl;

Winter is coming.

Darkness has descended,

I fall into the Void,

slowly at first,

then with the speed of Inevitability

forcing and pulling,

with nothing left

in my grasping hands,

simply

falling

slowly

down.

Or perhaps the Fall
is a Journey
through,
an unexpected Path
provided by
the Abyss:
downward
beyond the Darkness
to some perfect resting place
Unknown.

©ACG

23 December 2011

2011-11-30T12:32:00.000-05:00

In December

With red and green

and sparkling white,

Christmas comes around,

through Winter's chill

and darkest night,

a melody of sound;

bells a-ringing,

choirs singing,

yonder falls a star;

merrily meet

and happily greet,

loved ones from afar.

01 December 2011

2011-11-20T15:42:00.000-05:00

Today

Today I heard

a mournful bird

sing a song

so sad and sweet

of love and loss

and loneliness;

a broken heart’s beat.

Out rang she

a melody

as Dawn so

boldly rose

with chill of air

and frosts beware;

a melancholy pose.

Today I heard

a mournful bird

as Summer’s sunlight faded

to shine no more,

with Winter’s song

she sings along;

bravest Troubadour.

20 November 2011

2011-11-15T10:54:00.000-05:00

November Sun

November sun brightly shines,

echoing past warmth;

one yellow rose blooms.

15 November 2011

2011-10-29T10:43:00.000-04:00

Sweep Past

Sweep past, Delights of Autumn,

as the Witch's Broom doth pass

over Air and Earth

and through Fire intense,

sweeping asunder

with a laugh Merry and Evil

all you ever held dear.

29 October 2011

2011-10-01T08:35:00.000-04:00

First Frost

October falls with sudden force,

a swiftly swirling blast of dancing leaves,

taking every memory of Summer away

the last roses desperately blooming,

thick folds of velvets come out,

the first frost burns

with clear and cool fever,

a bite of Winter coming;

unavoidable.

01 October 2011

2011-08-30T08:27:00.000-04:00

Autumn Comes

Autumn comes in slowly

with the breath of love,

sweetness kindles

gentle passions, lingering

like a lover's first soft kiss;

tentative.

30 August 2011

2011-08-05T10:32:00.000-04:00

Coming Home

Within these walls of stillness,

sliding in and out of sleep,

through darkened rooms

of ancient nightmares,

my dreams carry me;

a gentle pressure deepens,

a mauve reverie,

with care enfolding me

in a slow caress,

softly calling my name.

Coming home.

Just a heartbeat away,

like a sigh of relief,

sinking into my own,

my paradise of you.

05 August 2011

2011-07-03T08:19:00.000-04:00

There and Here

Sighing softly there,

a sweet kiss of salt sea spray,

just a hint in the air

of what’s to come,

when later great crashes

roll and tumble,

driven,

no longer kiss so sweetly.

Growling thunder rolls overhead

as screams of lightning

pierce the black sky here;

dawn breaks wet and tired,

storm’s aftermath a gentle wisp,

a softly falling ruse

according to the darkening sky.

03 July 2011

2011-06-27T08:48:00.001-04:00

The Swamp

Endless reaches

with entangled pockets

a thickened soup,

The Swamp

endures;

even the air

is overcome

by dankness,

moisture conquers

with humid insistence,

levitating heavily

dully suspended

into what once was oxygen,

like a magician’s trick

without applause;

the hell of life within

this grotesque environ,

bizarre and malformed

hideous and foul,

with strength overwhelming,

a devastating army

with their special

horrid stench

they rupture up,

roiling

roaring,

upward they stretch

densely,

adding to the airlessness,

as if to choke any life,

their murderous intent

a thickened growl,

upward they rumble,

as if to reach the hidden stars.

Barely visible,

through overburdened branches

creaking downward

with a glopping stickiness

that mocks the beauty

of Spanish Moss,

the secrets of life linger

in distant diamond stars;

out of reach,

beyond hope,

yet still just there,

the frailest edge

of a dream

or memory;

O my Soul!
sinking back,

into The Swamp

of my lungs.

27 June 2011

2011-06-27T08:19:00.000-04:00

Solstice Moon

Indiana moon

shines through

Summer's midnight haze,

she brightly illumines

her fallen diamonds

suspended thickly,

tears for a lost dream

or memory,

a longing breath,

a weary gasp

of desire.

20 June 2011

2011-06-15T10:12:00.001-04:00

One Word

Life

begins

with innocence and love,

yielding

later to a journey

fraught with joy, pain, and sorrow;

oftentimes with self-inflicted haunting

and regret.

Time

takes over;

behind

lie the ruins of yesterday,

burdens carried forward

~ the past stays with us ~

as obstacles flung ahead,

all scarring the path.

What chance have we to overcome?

We carry our pasts with heavy hearts,

we walk uncertainly forward;

as a delicate line

demarcates

old habits from new resolutions;

a fragile distinction,

an invisible thread

can hold you to it:

one word

for you,

one word

changes everything

~ “Daddy” ~

15 June 2011

for Charlie

1st Father’s Day

2011-06-04T13:04:00.000-04:00

June

Swirling dizziness,

heat thickening,

stickening

sickening,

diamond morning dew momentary,

vanishing into heavy humidity

looming

consuming

dooming;

roses blooming.

04 June 2011

2011-06-02T08:16:00.000-04:00

Embrace

With walls closing in and darkness

falling softly down upon me,

I hear

The End approaching,

I know he is near;

It becomes impossible

to breathe,

there seems nothing left

for me here,

but Dreaded Pain;

With everything that I am

or ever was or could be,

with every ounce of me,

I long for him

to hasten;

Take me into your Embrace,

let me succumb

and go under

forever into sweet Peace,

released;

Folded into the Embrace,

no longer will I struggle,

or battle for every breath,

O, how I long to lightly drift away

within the Embrace;

And yet some stubborn part

of my Gemini soul

says, “No”

~ not yet, not now, not ever ~

raggedly, I breathe in.

02 June 2011

2011-05-22T06:12:00.001-04:00

For Jamine

In our youth,

you stood before me,

stronger wiser better,

flashing eyes and

bouncing step,

the fearless tread

of a goddess;

In our youth,

you were a Tyger

fiercely burning bright,

the personification

of every heroine

in my books

fact or fiction;

You were Scarlet,

to my Melanie,

you were Jo to my Beth,

you were Elizabeth

and Joan of Arc,

Athena and Aphrodite

and I a mere mortal,

In our youth,

twins inseparable,

I tagged behind,

as you forged ahead,

always first,

always fastest,

always free;

Time takes away

so much,

age dampens

the spirit of youth,

with aches and pains

and the haunting

mistakes that linger;

Little girls

grown and aging,

yet my heart sees us

standing together

wearing our colors

of purple and red,

cloaked in memories,

Time and age

seem the enemy

yet for me,

you will always be:

fierce

first

fast

and free.

18 March 2011

2011-05-02T13:43:00.001-04:00

Unfurled

Velvet petals yawn,

stretching finally,

unfurled by May sunshine.

01 May 2011

2011-04-05T08:40:00.000-04:00

Storm

Lightning danced across the night sky

shocking the stars,

pulse-pounding thunder like a heartbeat

drummed deeply,

resounding,

pounding,

moving the Earth;

Once-in-a-lifetime such a Storm

comes rolling in,

slowly and gently building,

pressure rising,

electricity tensing,

until it crashes wildly into us,

lifting us in a whirlwind

that seems beyond our control;

Like eternal Salvation,

that elusive miracle

after trial by fire,

overwhelms with its grace,

the Storm rages along,

embracing us,

we rise

into the starlit sky,

riding the Storm forever.

05 April 2011

2011-04-02T08:50:00.000-04:00

The Quiet Man

Deliberately

and with care,

he stands,

watching us

or waiting,

usually with his hands

clasped behind his back,

a little smile

turning down his mouth;

As others seek the spotlight,

he stands back,

never putting himself forward,

although he deserves to shine

in the warming glow of

attention and praise,

he never seeks it,

never asks for acknowledgement

or even simple thanks;

He is a quiet man:

unlike the heroes of old,

his actions are not lauded,

his praises are not sung;

he does not see

that his day-to-day life

is an epic for the ages.

This quiet man

stands alone,

unparalleled,

incomparable;

an Atlas,

his shoulders bear the weight

of the world,

our world;

this quiet man

willingly stands

between us and despair,

he is our Great Wall,

ever protecting.

02 April 2011

2011-03-04T08:46:00.001-05:00

The March Sun

Just before Dawn comes a moment

as the frost yet crunches underfoot

and the breath freezes before you;

a moment disappearing

as the Sun rises in a purple and rose-colored second;

Daylight bathes you

in March's bitter swirl,

a strong wind from Winter's lungs fiercely expels

in the desperate roar of the Dying Lion;

No Winter can prevail:

beyond the brittle March Sun,

Spring is coming,

with a scent of thawed Earth

and delightful pinks and greens;

there is no resisting;

Despite the March Sun's cold stare,

in the sweet Spring air,

comes the taste of rosebuds.

04 March 2011

2011-02-01T10:44:00.000-05:00

Ice Storm

A midnight war rages

as it descends

without grace,

pinging with increasing abandon,

I hear it coming,

like the incessant ringing

in my ears,

an invisible barrage

against the walls and windows,

concentrated and cruel,

the ice comes

sharply slipping nearer

through the night,

sleekly coating winter’s landscape,

like a foul primeval shroud:

roads become death traps

as it lies sweetly with wicked intent,

a crushing weight snapping trees

as power lines succumb,

and every poor blade

of last summer’s grass

suffocates.

Thank God for the night,

for in the darkness,

no glorious diamond sparkle confuses

or distracts with the deadly beauty of Lucifer,

so hard to resist;

no, in the dark

the menace has no mask:

the smooth operator,

a slick knife’s edge,

exposed as malicious fury:

only in the darkness

where truth confounds lies,

where treacherous beauty is obscured

and nightmares become dreams,

can the malevolent revenge

of the Fallen One,

be withstood:

When the storm comes,

be silent,

“know that I am,”

and be free.

Turn away.

To defeat him, turn away.

01 February 2011

2011-01-30T09:00:00.000-05:00

Lured

From within a silent deadly tomb,

where echoes of life

ring hollow,

I hear it

calling;

so quietly

in the background,

a never-ending cry

becomes deafening,

irresistible;

as if some force

can overwhelm time,

as if his voice

overpowers everything;

I am lured.

30 January 2011

2011-01-20T13:09:00.000-05:00

Reflection

Snowfall rudely buries

everything

under its proverbial blanket,

it slants coldly down,

razors through icy air,

borne within an evil wind,

a steady drowning snowfall

deeply disguising my world,

transforming today,

like a Death-Mask

from another life:

There, alone, wandering lost,

seeking him

in a daze of frozen time,

stung relentlessly

as the snow harshly blows,

borne within an evil wind,

into my very soul,

snowlight blurs my vision

as tears freeze

upon my cheeks,

yet I cannot stop

weeping;

Searching, yet

never finding,

a quest unfulfilled,

a loss excruciating;

yesterday blends into today:

same snow

same wind

same tears.

20 January 2011

2011-01-03T11:40:00.002-05:00

Rising

Soaring first
aloft with Winter's Breath,
to then fall into Spring,

a dream of peaceful sweetness,
pulsing through Wings of Flame
that burn relentless.

03 January 2011

2010-12-16T08:26:00.000-05:00

Emptiness

Long ago whispers

taunt me,

their soft echoes

fall just beyond

my reach,

as if our past

exists

in the next room;

I dread silence

like death,

while humming

everyday life

holds back the whispers

and memories,

keeping my heart safe

from you;

day or night,

I languish

with emptiness

swirling within

like a tornado

raging,

eroding my landscape,

my windswept desert;

destitution reigns,

the ghostly whispers

feathering,

caressing

my sanity,

always in the past,

always just beyond,

as my path unfurls

always forward.

16 December 2010

2010-12-15T09:46:00.000-05:00

Midnight

Swirling chaos blending

dreams and mysteries,

echoes of lost moments

and forgotten memories;

twinkling stars glisten

like diamonds

in a midnight-blue

sapphire sky.

15 December 2010

2010-12-01T08:21:00.000-05:00

December First

Falling silently

through the gray dawn

like a child’s butterfly kisses,

the first snowfall comes

dancing snowflakes swirling

in twirling tango

softly sinking into the Earth

as if soothing the world’s woes;

an illusion of beauty

masking Winter’s caress.

01 December 2010

2010-11-28T07:48:00.002-05:00

Mixed Metaphors

The lead weight of love’s double-edged sword
make fast the ties that bind
tugging at my heartstrings
paralyzing a lifelong desire for solitude

as deadening as nails in a coffin
suffocating the impulse

to drive on

down the outstretched

intoxicating never-ending

ribbon of road

leading to the paradise of nothingness

extending like an unfurled magic carpet

always before me.

28 November 2010

2010-11-20T08:10:00.000-05:00

Sinking

The cold seeps in,

the gray dankness

of Winter’s first breath

fogs my world.

From within I feel

the same chill coming.

20 November 2010

2010-11-16T06:24:00.000-05:00

Pallas and Phoebus

Those two eternal siblings,

strong and bright

through the ages ~

complementing and conflicting;

one with stoic wisdom flashing,

leading ever forward,

her beauty disarms;

one with magnetism gleaming,

impetuosity tempered

by white-hot charms.

She sprang, fully-formed,

armed and absolute,

as if from me alone,

as if her shield read:

~ non requiritur pater ~

fiercely independent,

my green-eyed Aly,

a Palys golden-haired

goddess of wisdom and battle,

she glides with ease

and gentle step

~ her warrior’s heart ever alert ~

silently making her way

along her chosen path.

Sunlight bright, this boy

rises dynamic born,

righteous reflections

~ Just John ~

an undeniable enveloping,

irresistible grin

drawing you in,

with empathy renown,

he generously shines,

as Phoebus’ chariot

brought light and warmth

through the cold morning sky;

conquering darkness is his destiny.

15 November 2010

2010-11-13T07:40:00.000-05:00

River

The force that endured,

that raged,

that cut through

and created

the Grand Canyon

is hard to visualize.

Her eyes were a river’s ribbon

of steely blue

raging

and cutting through

five hundred years

of brown-eyed Turkish domination,

somehow enduring

to flow into my veins.

“Luba” ~

the Macedonian word

for love ~

in any language:

complicated.

I loved her sweet smile,

her crocheted treasures,

Christmas cookies

like no others,

the twinkle in her eye;

yet never did she let me in,

her magic and her mystery

were her own,

I could see

that all her love and loyalty

rested only with her son

not her daughters

(one, my mother):

I did not like him.

Strange accent and strange beliefs;

her past distorted

and unknown to me,

her perspective

from another time and place,

my love was tinged by distance

that I could not cross;

never as close to her

as to my other grandmother,

whose sweet sad elegance

seemed more familiar.

Her complications conspired

to preserve the reserve

from which she saw the world;

it rarely cracked.

I could not see

her protective wall

for what it was;

her strength escaped me,

only later would I see it,

could I know it,

long after she was gone,

and my own steely-eyed children

chose their middle names

Luba and Alexander ~

their homage

to a Macedonian past,

and her.

I can see her reserve

in their eyes;

I know now,

finally

what she saw,

understanding

what lay behind

her laughter ~

it had its own accent,

an echo down through time,

that mirrored the twinkle

in her ice-blue eyes ~

like a river,

raging,

cutting,

like a secret flash,

enduring wisdom,

a knowing unshared

like the never-revealed

ingredient in a recipe ~

her secret,

she alone

knew the punchline.

“I survived.”

13 November 2010

2010-11-09T06:56:00.000-05:00

The Wall

She stands alone;

she feels weak,

a coward with her back

against a wall;

pushed there time and again

by the demands of others

and her own fierce loyalty

to those she loves.

What she cannot see

is that the wall

shelters and protects

all of us,

and without her,

we crumble:

her back

holds up

the wall.

08 November 2010

~ for my mother

2010-10-31T06:23:00.001-04:00

Bitterness

Coming Winter bites

and I recall your kiss;

A searing chill

envelopes memory;

With Winter comes your grasp

tighter still, gripping;

As much as I resist,

Still I call to you.

30 October 2010

2010-10-28T07:49:00.003-04:00

When the Night Winds Wail

Through the darkest nights

and beyond the brightest days,

there is one constant light

shining oh so far away;

It calls me as I sleep,

it moans across my soul,

it lingers buried deep,

my Love its only goal;

No matter where I turn

I feel your icy breath,

a searing frozen burn

seducing me to death;

The light within your eyes

I never can forsake,

No matter what your lies

my heart is yours to take;

The distant dance of Time

teases our embrace,

like a window sublime

with a wafting veil of lace;

Gazing from my dreams

through that eternal glass,

your drifting Shadow seems

just beyond my grasp;

Forever I am doomed,

nowhere is escape,

each horizon looms,

a darkly crushing weight.

29 October 2010

2010-09-01T08:41:00.005-04:00

September Sea

My escape is blocked by the waves' icy thrust,

the cold hard sand stiffens underfoot,

and the morning mist freezes in my throat;

My boat rocks gently first then rolls with wicked intent,

navigating amidst darting rocks is beyond my skill

when the Sea is dark and coldly crashing;

My escape is blocked, so his chokehold lingers,

and I am weary from the fight;

weary with knowing.

01 September 2010

2010-08-01T07:05:00.002-04:00

August

After the short bright days of Spring,
Midwestern Summer comes on quickly,
with a heavy hand pressing,
determined to prevail, lasting,
beating down, extending;

Hammering thunder grumbles overhead,
lightning skitters downward
in thinly slicing deadly lines,
late Midwestern Summer weather
stifles hauntingly with cruel rapture;

Sun-bright skies reflecting white heat,
blinding, whilst never-ending airless air
drips with moisture unrelieving,
like a solid wall, the last of Summer slams
with its own mystery of possibility;

An impossible reality of misery,
crashing rain pours furiously,
more unwelcome wetness,
sticky, with no refreshment,
simply even less air left behind;

Cycling along, its marathon event,
weeks passing with no remorse,
thundering nights roll into rumbling days,
or stark sun-hot days and still clear nights,
Midwestern Summer’s constant torment;

Into this Hell,
like a Star in the Blackened Night,
like a Light in The Abyss,
like the first Breath of Fall,
like Love in a hate-filled world,
you came.

~ for Aly

2010-06-30T08:30:00.003-04:00

Salt

Salty spray misting

breaking across the ship's bow

America looms

30 June 2010

~ for Mom

Happy 4th of July

2010-05-11T09:34:00.002-04:00

Untitled

flowing into me
oceans of grave disaster
like beautiful Death

11 May 2010

2010-04-01T08:16:00.004-04:00

April Morning Moon

Full gleaming orb
hangs o'er head;
Moonlight gleaming
drifts o'er head;

E'er Dawn rises
E'er the World stirs,
April Morning Moon
shines o'er head.

2010-03-24T14:42:00.003-04:00

Elephants

From childhood’s Dumbo

and the baby elephant

in The Jungle Book,

then collectibles in

various woods, stones, metals;

carvings with trunks upraised

for Good Luck;

these have comforted me.

Metaphorically,

they’ve crushed me

at times when my chest

feels a pressure,

a crushing wieght

oppressing heart and lungs;

“feels like an elephant sitting on my chest,”

but really now,

poor elephant;

I don’t know how that would feel.

People say,

“the elephant in the room”

referring to that which

cannot be spoken;

when social convention

dictates silence:

awkwardness and discomfort,

don’t confront it,

don’t talk about it;

as if the elephant can be ignored.

I love my little statues,

and my Disney memories;

I dread the pressure of illness,

when breath comes gasping;

these comforts and pains

I have learned to live with;

they are expected.

I loathe the one who lumbered

into our room,

unwelcome and ridiculous,

is he to be supreme?

perhaps

he will prevail

with his destructive rampage,

and I shall leave the room.

2010-02-17T21:16:00.004-05:00

Weakness

Loneliness overwhelms

with the pain of gnawing creatures

within;

darkness is everywhere

and a false light beckons

sweetly;

helpless against the tide

of my lonely nights

extending,

that light feels warm

and strong and lovingly

caressing.

No where can I turn,

except into disaster;

I feel my soul surrender

to Evil.

17 February 2010

5:00 Blues

Inevitable Time, you Bastard,

my dreadful reality,

approaching,

encroaching,

killing me inside;

Inevitable Time, you Bastard,

the last call made,

then I surrender

as you head home,

to her;

Inevitable Time, you Bastard,

every day at 5,

suffocating my heart

with your dark hours,

long into my sleepless night.

Inevitable Time, you Bastard,

unavoidable,

irrevocable

reminder:

he’s forever hers.

Not mine.

You Bastard.

Mardi Gras

2010-01-25T10:42:00.005-05:00

Mardi Gras

icy silver rain

Winter’s needles harshly sting

joyous revelry

25 January 2010

Blue Moon

2009-12-31T14:04:00.002-05:00

Blue Moon

Above the dark sky

looms with sparkling stars,

the earth still damp

with blood, rain, and tears,

while his body lies cold before me.

Dawn will bring the New Year,

but tonight takes my life,

my heart, my soul

with him into Death;

I pray for a miracle.

“One small drop of blood,

one little swift kiss.”

A soft whisper from behind

comes like a caress,

a promise to resurrect,

a small price to pay,

a brief embrace.

“One small drop of blood,

one little swift kiss.”

Under the Blue Moon,

I consent.

31 December 2009

2009-12-31T14:01:00.004-05:00

To A Young Artist

A painting
Or a poem
Can be as bad as Winter’s icy cutting breath
Or as good as Summer’s first perfect rose,
But always
It is yours.

17 December 2009

Enveloped

2009-12-01T08:27:00.002-05:00

Enveloped

Frozen breath brushes
against my cheek,
his kiss comes like Winter,
lips as cold as icicles
caress mine
gently at first then
with passion;

suddenly enveloped
within his arms,
I am cold as snow,
the Wind cuts through me,
I feel his frozen breath lips skin
melt into mine.

Indiana Moon

2009-11-12T06:57:00.001-05:00

Indiana Moon

Running free through cornfields,
escaping everything,
darkness and laughter
under the Indiana Moon;

I know these fields
like the back of my hand
and I find you
every time;

Kisses in the moonlight,
our breath echoes the whisper
of the cornstalks
rustling;

Time disappears for us,
years mean nothing,
decades erase our path
yet always I find you

under the Indiana Moon.

Blood Moon

2009-10-31T07:30:00.001-04:00

Blood Moon

Nightfall comes
and I awake,

Confusion
and secrets stir;

I almost hear
your voice calling,

From my window,
I see the cornfield;

Bathed in moonlight
drawing me.

Blood Moon rising,
October falls.

Across the veil
spellbound,

Into the field
beyond myself,

Silken stalks cutting
whispering your name,

Running blindly
through the moonlight,

Only the moon and I
remain, waiting

For you.

Unbidden

2009-10-03T11:10:00.001-04:00

Unbidden

Without warning
his voice comes;
calling through the Wind;

Escape
is a distant dream
of possibilities and chains;

Pain
becomes all within,
piercing my soul;

Unbidden
I call to him:
Enter.

03 October 2009

Looming

2009-09-01T10:27:00.001-04:00

Looming

As the thick hot Summer
suffocates itself, Autumn breathes,
daylight like a smile warms the skin,
a sigh of deception at night
Autumn sneaks in thinly;

At dawn, a hardworking Sun gasps
with determined vigor
whittled away
whilst Winter's fingers laugh
knowingly;

At dusk, a hint of Winter's breath
descends with the blanketing nightfall,
coolly interrupting,
a bark of comeuppance
harshly warning;

Unsheathed slowly
in Autumn’s trembling hand,
the cut of Winter comes
at once a sharp killing blade
with no remorse.

01 September 2009

Under The August Moon

2009-07-31T09:19:00.001-04:00

Under the August Moon

Every moment lingers
like a butterfly flitting
at the edge of my sight;

in the stillness of a hot day
I remember a breeze
that kissed my cheek;

a bird softly singing
in the distance
soothes my soul;

sunset sends a wash of color
turning into darkness;

I lie awake.

Somewhere under the August moon,
you sleep.

~ for Aly

July

2009-07-08T10:07:00.002-04:00

July

languid moon mirrors
waves melting time together
feral eyes glaring

03 July 2009

Outside My Window

2009-05-30T10:24:00.001-04:00

Outside My Window

Summer comes in waves
of scented roses
and hot wind, blowing
Spring away

car engines fading,
neighbors off to work;
children running,
riding bikes carefree

midmorning breezes stir
willow leaves and blades of grass,
dancing roses call to me
like a child:

“Come out, come out, wherever you are”

afternoon birds calling,
not to me, yet
my heart answers
through the glass

I watch them flit
from branch to bush,
sweet songs soar;
let freedom ring.

30 May 2009

Dreaming

2009-05-01T07:31:00.002-04:00

Dreaming

landlocked midwest life
heavy continental air
dream of sea breezes

01 May 2009

Memory

2009-03-31T07:17:00.001-04:00

Memory

sweet chords echoing
gently brushing timelessness
Susan Fitzsimmons

Adoption

2009-03-17T15:21:00.001-04:00

Adoption

sunlight streams coldly
through late Winter’s chilly days
names change forever

01 March 2009

"Arrival" haiku

2009-03-01T08:09:00.001-05:00

Arrival

cold sunshine teasing
February winds wailing
Miss Charlotte arrives

For Judy's Birthday

2009-02-23T14:47:00.001-05:00

For Judy’s Birthday

sunset gleams softly
gold highlights on the water
may peace be your gift

For Carole

2009-02-04T19:22:00.002-05:00

For Carole

rainbowed glistening
diamond birthday sun sparkles
an icicle drips

05 February 2009

Fallen

2009-01-01T09:40:00.002-05:00

Fallen

Forgotten in Winter's onslaught
deeply drowned and dimmed
a single branch lies broken;

frozen Time her blanket
brushing crushing lightly
covering and smothering;

the dismal sky of January
looms and glooms above
a tonnage weight of gray;

nevertheless a Promise
the broken branch emits
in her tired dried old berries;

a Mirror of the edged sky
a fiery pink, aglow
a Promise yet fulfilled.

01 January 2009

Dreaming

2008-11-28T06:07:00.001-05:00

Dreaming

If Snow should fall throughout the night,
My eyes shall be open;
Let snowflake edges sting me ~

If Stars should shine across the sky,
My eyes shall be open;
Let their brilliance blind me ~

If Winter’s winds should blow like knives,
My eyes shall be open:
Let the winds tear tears from me ~

If in the darkness Death should come,
My eyes shall be open;
Let Death turn away this night ~

My babies sleep free at last.

26 November 2008

For All You’ve Meant To Me

2008-11-24T10:54:00.000-05:00

For All You’ve Meant To Me

For your friendship ~
through the years,
For your acceptance ~
no matter what,
For your encouragement ~
to venture anew,
For your support ~
that lit the dark,
For your strength ~
that I often borrowed;

For Johnny’s “Pat-Pat-Tap-Tap”
and a safe place for my Aly,
For letting me have Cris
With love in your heart;

For all you’ve meant to me ~
I wish you love and peace
and the happiest of days.

for Miss Patricia, on her 70th birthday

Bendición

2008-11-22T11:46:00.001-05:00

Bendición

Por Nidia, mi Amiga

Que el calor del sol te acaricie,
Que su luz te muestre la senda;
Que la paz de viva eternamente en tu corazón,
Que el Amor Verdadero siempre te guarde.

Que tus días en la tierra sean ligeros;
Mientras Dios guie tu viaje.

Blessing
Por Nidia, mi amiga

May the warmth of the sun caress you,
May its light show you the path;
May peace be ever in your heart,
May True Love always hold you;

May your days on Earth be gentle;
As God guides your journey.

2008-10-23T06:34:00.004-04:00

Untitled

softly drifting mist
under a purple velvet moon
~ together we dance ~

Dreaming

2008-09-07T12:02:00.001-04:00

Dreaming

Far away through time and space,
our dreams echoing her pensive gaze
ever out across the Sea ~
“Someday”

When You Were Born . . .

2008-08-03T06:16:00.001-04:00

When You Were Born . . .

I drove through the night
And half the next day
To be by your side
On that happy day.

I held you and rocked you
And hummed you a song,
I whispered, “I love you
forever ~ yes, that long!”

Now here we are, on this special day,
Just sitting around, so happy to see
Your brother and you ~
We're your Indiana family!

So now that you're bigger
And oh so much fun,
Happy Birthday to you ~
Now you've got the thumb!

"Yearning" katuata

2008-07-20T10:20:00.002-04:00

Yearning

turning into summer's breeze
eyes closed breathing in deeply
stirring memories within

remnant from a distant sea
illusion brushes her skin
will her ocean ever rest?

"Curiosity" katuata

2008-07-14T08:04:00.003-04:00

Curiosity

as blowing winds sear
memory's tricks come alive
a year passing slowly by

clouds roll overhead
shadows across the sunlight
can Phillip's smile be the same?

14 July 2008
~ for my nephew

Onward, Ever Onward

2008-07-06T09:55:00.001-04:00

Onward, Ever Onward

The Path is set before you,
Destiny laid it down,
Missteps ere will haunt you,
In Fate’s embrace to drown;

Through Darkness as you wander,
Thinking you are alone,
Shadows gliding yonder,
Close in with gentle moan;

Illumination escapes you,
As Darkness all surrounds,
Each step presents anew
The Path that still confounds;

In spite of Darkness’ fervor,
In spite of the Path predestined,
Each step another measure,
Of what Blindness yet will find;

Sweet Breath guides you forward,
Soft as a mother’s hand,
Pressing you ever onward,
The Breath of Heaven’s Band.

"Shy" couplet

2008-06-25T07:09:00.001-04:00

Shy

shyly shaded underneath soft leaves green
with sigh unfurled the rosebud's heart serene

Thirsty

2008-06-25T06:53:00.001-04:00

Thirsty

dust granules scraping
each breath a sandpaper scourge
elsewhere levees break

Midsummer's Eve

2008-06-20T12:34:00.002-04:00

Midsummer's Eve

stillness beginning
as fresh breezy Spring recedes
thick white-hot heat waves
descending ere midnight falls
my birthday ~ Summer begins

Escape

2008-06-14T11:55:00.001-04:00

Escape

Bittersweet

my longings turning

with ever-aching yearning;

Constantly

my longings dunning

my battered soul to running;

My heartbeat's

pounding echo:

go (now)

Relentless.

14 June 2008

Age (haiku)

2008-05-12T19:53:00.001-04:00

Age

youth cannot see it
blinded by today's passions
horizon shimmers

"Spring Pollen" tanka

2008-05-12T19:14:00.001-04:00

Spring Pollen

as goldenrod drifts

flowering trees shed petals

all softly floating

a sweet-scented Spring blanket ~

like you, suffocating me

12 May 2008

2008-05-07T06:02:00.002-04:00

burdens like baggage so heavily weigh ~
she sighs ~ with each forward step, through each day.

2008-05-06T17:09:00.004-04:00

Memories of You

Like gray raindrops
falling softly through my willow leaves
your memory
slips through my secret soul's fortressed walls.

Like a rosebud
blooming in May's breezy sunshine
your memory
so sweetly lingers in my heart.

2007-12-26T10:02:00.003-05:00

Winter

soft snowy wishes
like comfort blanketing me
'til my next ragg'd breath

Autumn (haiku)

2007-09-25T08:28:00.001-04:00

Autumn

fall foliage falls
dancing around and around

party dresses swirl

Autumn Morning (tanka)

2007-09-22T08:55:00.001-04:00

Autumn Morning

cold morning tickles
wakening sleepy muscles
invigorating
now pulsing and pumping blood
as the outstretched road beckons

2007-09-05T18:12:00.003-04:00

Time

"Time! Who's got the Time?" said the White Rabbit;
Now I scurry, looking for long-lost Time . . .

2007-08-26T11:37:00.005-04:00

Love

Love's bittersweet flavor never complete

Lest two hearts entwined as one ever beat.

26 August 2007

Sunrise (haiku)

2007-08-18T13:23:00.001-04:00

Sunrise

stealthily rising
Apollo’s secret agent
golden Aurora

"Summer Storms" tanka

2007-08-18T13:16:00.001-04:00

Summer Storms

ominously still
like an old person’s wheezing
the world holds its breath
then with an explosive crash
expells wind, rain, and thunder

A Poet's Heart

2007-08-18T13:09:00.001-04:00

A Poet’s Heart

In gray winter, they march to battle
as thunder beats and drums roll;
so does a poet’s heart keep time.

"Relationship" katuata

2007-08-12T10:12:00.002-04:00

Relationship

tumultuous storms
hurling vessels far off course
navigational turmoil

progress seems stopped
sea-spray hides the horizon
will smooth sailing e’re be ours?

12 August 2007

Romantic Date

2007-08-09T07:30:00.002-04:00

Romantic Date

Laughter rings with rolling dice and red wine,

'Ere friendship evolves as our hearts entwine.

09 August 2007

~ for Cris

"Honey" haiku

2007-08-02T08:05:00.001-04:00

Honey

spun gold softly falls
sometimes hiding blue-gray eyes
treasure of the gods

"Summer Sounds" tanka

2007-08-02T08:04:00.001-04:00

Summer Sounds

resonating free
blasts resounding through the air
summer marching band
exploding with energy
God’s feet are tapping along

Memories

2007-08-02T08:02:00.001-04:00

Memories

Long nights,
longer days;
remembering youth’s vigor.

Jello echoes cocktail moments;
shuffling feet now a poor mimic
of the Charleston’s swing;
hospital murmurings suffocate
the echo of jazzy nightclub music.

Sparkling eyes still dancing inside.

Summertime Rain (tanka)

2007-07-20T07:20:00.002-04:00

Summertime Rain

leaves turn inside out
as dark clouds roll and winds whip
temperature drops
a July day feels like Fall
summer rain soaking the earth

20 July 2007

2007-07-20T06:58:00.002-04:00

Accomplishments Measured

long hours working
her latchkey children waiting
secondhand clothes wearing thin

disdain of others
but they never saw bruises
is her achievement enough?

~ for all the children who live in safety
because their mothers survived Domestic Abuse.
May Society one day see their heroism,
instead of their poverty.

"Beauty" Couplet

2007-07-18T16:09:00.000-04:00

Beauty

Strolling past blossoms on a garden path,
her beauty evokes Nature's jealous wrath.

"Shadows" tanka

2007-07-06T06:27:00.001-04:00

Shadows

like gray-clad clouds roll

relentlessly approaching

all shelter denied

no cavalry advances ~

alone, as shadows descend

01 July 2007

"Summer" haiku

2007-07-06T06:25:00.001-04:00

Summer

sweltering onward
waves of humid air conquer ~
victorious march!

Untitled (katuata)

2007-07-06T06:23:00.003-04:00

Untitled

hearts pumping boldly

blood runs on the battlefields

prayers rise on the homefront

patriotic songs

marching bands and flying flags

is our Independence free?

27 June 2007

Fireworks (couplet)

2007-07-06T06:21:00.001-04:00

Fireworks

pyrotechnic exhibit soaring high;
deafening explosions delayed; Science rules.

2007-06-28T16:37:00.006-04:00

Spring Loaded

(dedicated to my son, Johnny)

They say April Showers Bring May Flowers;
April’s rain brought Johnny to me,
Spring Loaded.

They say Three Time’s A Charm;

Two times: hospital, tubes, and wires ~
Third time will bring ~ what?

~ Aly’s smile comforts my heart,

and there is, as always, only us ~

They say 13 Is An Unlucky Number;
April Thirteenth dawned in silence.
Third time, came Johnny.

Alone, they say God Is Always With You;

But I could not see Him ~
as a husband’s lies became a father’s rejection.

~ and then only hours old, more tubes and wires,

whisked away for a day ~

They say Marry In Haste Repent At Leisure;

Deus meus, ex toto corde poenitet ~
Strangely another blessing.

They say You’re Better Off Without Him;

And his leaving is my Absolution ~
But Penance may be eternal.

~ they are golden-haired little sweethearts,

baby treasures ~

They say Like Two Peas In A Pod;

Little face mirrors his sister's,
His eyes ever follow her.

They say Snips And Snails And Puppy Dog Tails;

But he is Sugar And Spice And Everything Nice.
Simply made, all smiles and love.

~ boundless energy, with winning ways,

our 3rd Musketeer ~

They say The Eyes Are The Window To The Soul;

Those blue eyes expose eternity ~
He's just wide open.

Always happy Walking On Sunshine;
On The Sunny Side Of The Street,
Joyful is his world.

~ his heartbeat is Hap-py, Hap-py, Hap-py,
Spring Loaded ~

They say Don’t Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth;
I did not, but just two months old,
Another hospital, tubes, and wires.

They say All’s Well That Ends Well;

And sometimes it does,
But that small blue face cut my soul.

~ fear burrows in deeply,
lying dormant all these years ~

They say A Child Shall Lead;

Not yet two, he tells me he’s happy God said Okay.
I ask, About What?

(We don’t go to church. How does he know about God?)

He tells me he was sitting with God

When God asked him Who Shall Be Your Mommy?
he pointed to me and said That One.

~ he was not yet two,
so I believe in You ~

They say Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall;

Our storm loomed fourteen years ~
O that hap-py hap-py heartbeat.

Thumping too-fast too-fast;
Too many times for too many years ~
There will be yet another hospital, tubes, and wires.

Not yet two, he told me You said Okay.
You gave him to me
~ Spring Loaded ~

Don’t renege.

Fields (tanka)

2007-06-14T06:53:00.001-04:00

Fields

waves of grass beckon

happy butterflies flitter

hiding in the grass

they wait for innocent flesh

and our paradise is lost

14 June 2007

"Home" haiku

2007-06-14T06:46:00.001-04:00

Home

silent midnight enters
surroundings stolen from view
yet still the heart knows

"The Emptiness of Parkinson's Disease" katuata

2007-06-07T08:51:00.001-04:00

The Emptiness of Parkinson’s Disease

blank stare, vacant eye

black hole of endless despair ~

Emptiness pirates the throne.

the spark lies dormant

none can fan the flame within ~

Can the end be far away?

07 June 2007