Waste Land (haiku)

Waste Land

like ice-hard rain
slashing in swollen bellies
as our trash dumps fill

© ACG
14 July 2006

Locket (2-stanza tanka)

Locket

easy sunny days
when fearless youth reigned hopeful
echo icy storms
weather-worn the wild years fade
together we face the wind

heavy persuasion
ruled by the luring moon
time nor distance cuts
the ribbon tie that binds us
souls within a silver heart

© ACG
14 July 2006
For Lorraine,
my Sister of the Moon

4th of July (tanka)

4th of July

young mothers pointing

skyward sparkles exploding

thunderous booming

echoes into distant lands

POW mothers weep

© ACG

01 July 2006

America

America

1907 Greece; desitution.
"Go, son, go ~
This ship will take you to America."
The boy stows away.
"I love you, my son."
His mother weeps alone.

Her prayer was for his safety.

His mother's face fades
as waves wash away
his past;
the ship is bound for Argentina,
not America.

Hidden survival,
unimaginable
below decks.
"I love you," she had said.
But he's just a boy
and bad men find him.

Her prayer was for his safety.

He pleases the bad men,
and so he survives;
on the Argentine shore
a bad man says, "go, boy, go ~
this ship will take you to America."
This past, too,
will wash away.

Her prayer was for his safety.

The little boy finds America
waiting with open arms
like a mother's greeting,
and he is embraced;
no one has a past.
He hears her tears,
"I love you."

Her prayer was for his safety;
America, Land of the Free.

© ACG
30 June 2006
~ for my Mom and her Popche

July

July

Breezeless humid air
thick as water;
Standing in the sun
boiling, burning skin,
sweat merges;
One with Nature.

July descends
Like suffocation.

© ACG
29 June 2006

The Last Ribbon (haiku)

The Last Ribbon

weary heartbeat fades

helplessly farewell tears fall

Heaven's rainbow waits

© ACG

27 June 2006

for Lorraine

The Battle and Song

The Battle and Song

A birthday rolls in
like thunder rumbling,
heralding the ominous inevitable destruction,
the process of aging;

Mine's always happy
like a bright parade,
heralding the thundering echoing conquering of death,
a year's battle won;

My Captain led the fight,
my soul's troubadour,
he sang "calling calling calling come and get aboard the train,"
his voice a battle cry;

Alone ~ breathing raging,
his voice all around
became my North and South, East and West, my Compass Rose, my Song;
a lifelong love affair;

These two together
~ the Battle and Song ~
forged in fiery understanding so carefully wrought by Love,
now a birthday present;

"Just a CD," he says
as the gift is small,
yet I hear his love and comfort in the songs my Captain sings,
because he understands;

Most do not hear romance
in Johnny Cash's songs,
but my husband knows that Voice lives on within my heart and soul,
well-armed, I will fight on.

© ACG
23 June 2006

Summer Storm Approaching (Victorian haiku)

Summer Storm Approaching

perspiring men swear
softly as thunder rolls in
her parasol droops

© ACG
20 June 2006

Blue State Limerick

Blue State Limerick

There once was a woman named Alys,
Who looked upon some with great malice,
She read lots of books,
She knew they were crooks;
No surprise: they all came from Texas.

© ACG
20 June 2006

My Father

My Father

always treehouses
monster movies and kayaks
a grandchild’s first bath
Johnny’s smile and Aly’s laugh
a runner rare and renown

© ACG
18 June 2006
For Father’s Day

Peaceful Moments

Peaceful Moments

delicate night swoons
aching bones ease down softly
cricket’s lullaby

© ACG
17 June 2006

Summer Morning Coffee (tanka)

Summer Morning Coffee

willow branches wave
hot winds carry their whispers
a distant dog barks
muffled in rising thickness
warm coffee like summer’s air

© ACG
17 June 2006

The Mirror

The Mirror

Unavoidable,
shimmering mystery ~
it reveals all;

Shroud it ~
the Truth lies still
beneath the cloth;

Break it ~
its legacy lingers
seven long years;

Face it ~
bravely smile
at the crazy woman within.

© ACG
15 June 2006

Amber Alert (6 Days Before Father's Day)

Amber Alert

vicious slashes done
undeniably alone
one small soul survives

© Alys Caviness-Gober
14 June 2006
for Monte, and Collin

Journey (tanka)

Journey

summer rainfall dampens
fragrant pine trees drip sweetly
fog shrouds the mountains
long long road winds on and on
enchanting brown eyes twinkle

© ACG
07 June 2006
for Jimmy

Ma Bête Noir

Ma Bête Noir

Like secret whispers just beyond,
Like voices through a wall,
I strain to hear their messages ~
The words too lightly fall;

Like madness, in a mirror seen,
An image almost free,
These whispers, hidden gems conceal,
Murmur insanity;

Caressingly a gentle song
Into my brain comes soft,
A balm of hope, a light of life ~
And Desolation’s lost;

My Muse allows a Melody
To tease my Soul alive;
My Muse denies me Words of Truth,
Yet on for Truth I strive.

© ACG
01 June 2006

Summer Fun (haiku)

Summer Fun

distant heat lightning
shocks my travel horizon
backseat babies sleep

© ACG
31 May 2006

Destiny (A Wish)

Destiny
(A Wish)

There once was a terrible bad man
Whose evil diarrhetically ran;
He lied once too often,
Now lies in his coffin ~
You could say the shit hit the fan.

© ACG
25 May 2006

Ode To Friendship

Ode To Friendship

Time dissolves us ~
a cloud departing
with shifting winds,
as Summer's whisper
so humid dims;

Seasons roll on ~
as petals open,
the Sun's eye sears
into the drying
Earth, 'ere our tears;

Force of Nature ~
yielding unto us,
so familiar,
a hurricane bursts ~
friendship endures.

© ACG
25 May 2006

Silhouette and Shadows

Silhouette

voices waft to earth
invisibly delightful
fast floating shadow
stratospheric air balloons
silhouette of summertime

© ACG
22 May 2006

Shadows

dawn awakes in gold
diamond dewdrops disappear
in the shadows, kittens purr

© ACG
22 May 2006

The Geranium

The Geranium

crayon-red banners
rise atop each furry lance
velvet shields profuse
thickly, hedgelike walls surround –
no scent, just fearless sentries . . .

© ACG

09 May 2006

Invisible

Invisible

Floors gleam at dawn,
and clear windows shine,
even ere the chirping birds
begin their morning dine;

Invisible,
these backs toiling ache,
these hands, scrubbed red and crack’d,
for Freedom to partake;

Not one of us
will see them clearly,
righteously we stand apart,
not one among us cares;

Selfsame, our blood
tasted Freedom here;
our immigrant ancestors
cry to us: “For shame!”

© ACG
01 May 2006

Spring Scent (tanka)

Spring Scent

heavy hanging scent

though open windows wafting

fat drunken bees buzz

drowsily droning about

purple wisteria blooms

© ACG

29 April 2006

“Parent” haiku

Parent

stinging word, "never"
weighted like humidity
but God said "okay"

© ACG
28 April 2006

Mystic Moon Magick

Mystic Moon Magick

With the waxing moon
comes spells and dreams,
the magick circle's cast,
I raise my arms and pray:
"Goddess, grant Your bounty
in plenty and peace;
So mote it be."

At the full moon,
again I stand alone
within the magick circle,
with raised arms, I pray:
"God, keep us safely bound
in Your loving light;
So mote it be."

When the moon wanes
darkness steals, evil reveals,
but the magick circle holds me
and my battle-prayer begins:
"Thou, with strength of warriors,
send Your sword aloft;
So mote it be."

Under the dark new moon
there burns a ring of fire,
within the magick circle
acrid prayers rise:
"All power unto Thee!
Rage with Your decree!
So mote it be."

© ACG
21 April 2006

Lost In Passion's Gale (tanka)

Lost In Passion's Gale

distant thunder-growl

signals approaching menace

blanket fluttering

windswept plates overturning

passion's oblivious kiss

© ACG

19 April 2006

Rites of Passage (haiku)

Rites of Passage

whispers in a dark theater
a motor purrs, keys jangle
my children growing

© ACG
14 April 2006

Garden Moment (tanka)

Garden Moment

warm velvety skin
rolling caressing within
delighted cupped hands
sunkissed peach juices streaming
childhood sweetly remembered

© ACG
8 April 2006

2 Poems

Haiku
(version one, for Diana)

floating thoughts of you
respite moments envelope
a diamond glints

© ACG
4 April 2006

Tanka haiku
(version two)

floating thoughts of green
dreams from dampened dirt
blustering nights moan
respite moments envelope
a diamond glints through the dark

© ACG
04 April 2006

Life (haiku)

Life

dustbowl existence

voids ache in loneliness

starlight-rapture gleams

© ACG
04 April 2006

Ancient Northern Battle

Ancient Northern Battle

On the morrow, battle wages;

Death will ride and search among us,

Meeting equal youths and sages

Equal measure, equal treasure;

Ye Gods! Give us fair winds and life,

Make strong our hearts and limbs born true!

The Enemy in darkness comes,

O, hear their clashing armored troops?

O Gods, secure our victory;

Our children's children shall endure

A reigning peace wrought from our swords,

Our blood in sacrifice to You;

See! With wond'rous light speak our Gods --

Illumed, our fields and forests gleam:

They dance, our Gods, to victory,

See! Their sign: 'morrow's battle won;

Hear the fear from our Enemy,

Knowest they our Gods are dancing,

Swirling lights send a pending doom:

Northern Lights signal their defeat;

Battle raging on bloody Earth;

Hearts inspired, we shall take the day,

Our swords echo the Blaze of Light,

Our eternal Gods dance with us.

© ACG

25 March 2006

Spring Rain (haiku)

Spring Rain

Spring begins wildly

whirling swirling rain falling

puddle jumpers laugh

© ACG
24 March 2006

March Winds

March Winds

Precocious, arrogantly smiling,
By the Ides of March, they rule;

The fortress alone, sleepless, ready --
Battle-ragèd, battened down;

Eerily, jauntingly, dominant,
Dawn comes down with a whistle;

A 'vancing wave of slicing lances,
Like a call to arms, coming;

Destruction spares none, nothing remains,
Cutting through, into, among;

Soundlessly now, the end is nearing,
Walls shake, foundations whimper;

Rising to repell every charge,
Battered prayers, despairing;

For the month-long battle ceases not;
From whence does strength daily come?

With calming sunlight, caressing,
Sudden end, the dead depart;

Stands tall, the ravaged bleeding fortress,
Wounded, where whips of wind struck;

Jubilant Evil, the Victor laughs,
Whirling 'way, victorious;

Like sharp March Winds, he forever comes;
Battle's lost ~ I'll fight again.

© ACG
04 March 2006

Midsummer Victorian Garden Party (haiku)

Midsummer Victorian Garden Party

distant thunder warns
as insects and lace flutter
laughter greets the storm

© ACG
27 February 2006

A Woman's Lace (haiku)

A Woman's Lace

bridal veil billows
christening gown envelopes
widow's weeds weeping alone

© ACG
27 February 2006

Heat (tanka)

Heat

diamonds glint with heat
sparkling burning desiring
my fingers reaching
shall I sacrifice my skin?
Rice Krispie Treats beckoning . . .

© ACG
26 February 2006

Untitled Victorian haiku

Untitled

winter wind whistles

knifing sharply with each breath

steel and bone corset

© ACG
23 February 2006

Ode

weathered, beaten

weathered, beaten barn
~ agèd, rejected, chastised ~
woman, enduring

© ACG
19 February 2006

Sweet Heart (tanka)

Sweet Heart

her wild heart beating
seething sultry summer storms
desire’s tornado
stealing across his landscape
eternity’s destruction

© ACG
19 February 2006

Regret

Regret

The night comes in a moment
Of dimness echoing to stay,
Wandering thoughts meander
Restlessly echoing the day;

All is done and ne'er undone -
Time past, like Death's breath, lies final;
O Self! Discontented one -
Let go! In repose, lie peaceful.

Through taunting silence seeping,
Like silken ghosts unbidden come,
With hunted haunted weeping -
Memories floggingly fearsome;

O Deep Sleep, thou far-off fiend -
Battled night with no respite,
E'er constant struggle, in vain;
My soul surrenders the fight.

 

© ACG
11 February 2006

Inevitable (haiku)

Inevitable

in the darkness then
night whispering winds disguise
the Grim Reaper's steps

© ACG
08 February 2006

For Carole's Birthday

Carole

self-same winds blow on
through frosted air and bare trees
your beauty warms me

© ACG
05 February 2006

Daytime Moon (haiku)

Daytime Moon

sunlight streams freely
bouncing between shadow and light
moon sailing overhead

© Alys
12 January 2006

Birds in Winter

Birds In Winter

A flash of blue in a dim brown tree,

Or a redwing against the snow,

Brings a moment's pleasure

So rare in Winter's flow.

Driven south by mighty winds,

Only a few remain

To greet the dismal mornings,

Or sing a bright refrain.

Bird feeders full and ready,

I watch them every day;

They come and eat and trill

And in thanks for them I pray.

© Alys

08 January 2006

Wings (haiku)

Wings

wind lifting lightly

sunlit jewel-wings flashing

a butterfly kiss

© Alys

06 January 2006

for Andrea

Demeter's Run (haiku)

Demeter's Run

her frozen tears drop
frantic runs the icy wind
wind chimes sing of hope

© Alys
27 December 2005

Christmas Wish

Christmas Wish

Icy heartbeat stops
Evil stilled ‘ere Christmas dawns
Baby Jesus smiles.

© Alys
22 December 2005

Scents of Christmas

Scents of Christmas

A wondrous wafting
Lingering,
Like pie freshly baked or
Steaming cider;
Perfection:
Icy outside,
Cuddling within;
Everyone laughs.

© Alys
22 December 2005

Winter (haiku)

Winter

dense winter snowfall
blanketed over my dreams
roses sleep again

© ACG
23 November 2005

In The Morning Fog

In The Morning Fog

Ghosts linger until dawn,

Loathe to say goodbye;

Desire drifts closer still,

Will fade into day.

Before Apollo rides,

They wander through mist;

Silent moans echo,

Sighs of time long passed.

"Hello?!" I cry out,

"Is it you?" I strain;

There is naught but fog,

Rolling back, again.

© Alys

20 November 2005

Untitled (haiku)

Untitled

waxy brown wrappers
stuck in Christmas stocking-toes
peanut butter chews

© Alys
20 November 2005

Birthday (haiku)

Birthday

dead leaves swirl and fly
up within November's chill
old lyrics scatter

© ACG
11/17/05

Sky (haiku)

Sky

darkness swirling low
impending doom rides the wind
an old man's joints ache

© Alys

10/11/05

Garden (haiku)

Garden

glorious roses
lush from a hazy distance
close up, beetles win

© Alys
27 September 2005

Hurricane

Hurricane

here, drips and drizzles
falling into summer's heat
there, destruction reigns

© Alys

31 August 2005

Candlelight (haiku)

Candlelight

candlelight ablaze

like oceans of loving light

an altar's comfort

© Alys

15 August 2005

Some Days

Some Days

Some days I can't crack a smile:
Life's too tough, it's been a while
Since I felt my face reveal a smile.

Some days I'm too tired to think:
I almost wish I took to drink,
Some drunks smile, though some just stink.

When smiles won't come I close my eyes:
I picture eyes as blue as skies,
Their laughter and hugs - no compromise.

Before I know it, I feel a grin
Stretching from my hair to chin
As a smile comes: I begin again.

© Alys
13 August 2005

Lightning (haiku)

Lightning

a silent crash falls
down from humid dark clouds
slash of tomorrow

© Alys
05 August 2005

Queen Mystery

Queen Mystery

Deep in her Heart, her Mystery,
ever Strong and True,
unbending Oak, a Lionheart,
like a Phantom's Muse;

Deep in her Heart, her Mystery
has forged an Iron Will:
that Beauty's Grace cannot erase
nor Evil ever still.

© Alysfor Aly29 January 2005

Peace (haiku)

Peace haiku

war ever raging
conflicts crashing like old storms
a feather dances

© Alys
30 July 2005

Hope

Hope

Through the dark and cloudy sky
A single shaft comes lit;
In the tempest of the sea
Blows a moment of respite;

In a crowded throng of strangers,
She hears a gay “hello!”
A familiar face so dear comes near;
She walks no more alone;

When the sun has parched and hurt him,
He cannot go the other miles,
Somehow his feet keep moving,
He crosses the Finish Line and smiles;

I feel alone, Life's burdens,
With stress and worry weighing,
Ends to meet, kids to raise ~
“Let me help,” his voice is saying;

Far away, the soldiers lie
Within a battle-raging hell,
Through the haze of bullets fired
Comes a vision loved so well;

When pain and fear are winning,
No matter when or where,
Into each moment can descend
The Hope of answered prayer.

© Alys
26 July 2005

A Mother's Kiss

A Mother's Kiss

She held him, just a baby,
As all good mothers will,
Reveling in his tiny self,
Sleeping soft and still;

She watched him, just a child,
Toddling 'round the yard,
Laughing at his early falls,
Her joy, tho' life was hard;

She heard him, just a simple man,
Preaching his vision true,
She saw the others mark him,
And she knew what he would do;

She saw him, smiling down to her,
While crucified and crushed,
For all mankind he sacrificed
To feed their angry lust;

She held him, just her baby,
When him at last they lowered,
A single tear fell from her eye,
Its crashing echo heard;

She kissed him, on his bloody brow,
In this moment, grief was lost,
A mother's love understood,
His gift and its fated cost.

She placed him, just a broken shell,
Into his tomb so dark,
There she left her heart with his,
Forever one, to never part.

© Alys
19 July 2005

Rainstorm

Rainstorm

icy stings piercing

sheets of sleet whipping, whirling

soaking tempest, falls

whispering wildly

a flood of drenching madness

raining memories . . .

© Alys

19 July 2005

Sweet Music

Sweet Music

He sings a little sing-song tune
As he plays with favored toy,
A little hum, sometimes words,
This sweetheart little boy;

With happy heart, 'tis written,
His tune, so softly sung,
Like a gentle flowing river,
Life's melody begun;

Imagine as the years pass on,
The sing-song tune will grow,

Throughout his life, with love,

May his happiness ever flow.

© Alys

11 July 2005

First Love (haiku)

First Love

electricity ~
like lightning strikes an old oak ~
hearts cracking open

© Alys
09 July 2005

Paradise (haiku)

Paradise

warm rain sparkalling
diamonds brightly cutting through
~ walls of worry fall ~

© Alys
24 June 2005

Parted Ways

Parted Ways

I see her, standing strong,
Always laughing, filled with song,
Long before her world went wrong . . .

I see her, battling life,
Embracing choices bringing strife,
With heartache, her years were rife . . .

I see her, hanging on,
Singing now a different song,
Between us, a road too long . . .

With mixed emotions
I cry out “Farewell ~
May you end where Angels dwell.”

© Alys
24 June 2005
for my sister

Actualization (haiku)

Actualization

summer storm sketches
blossoms past and yet to come
life ~ nature's portrait

© Alys
14 June 2005

The Universe of Man

The Universe of Man

This bloodstained Earth cries out the tale
Of War and Strife where naught prevail;

Neither sky nor land nor stormy seas
Will e're reveal Life's mysteries;

Why then fly or march or sail?
Boundaries of Man; beyond the pale;

Why need to conquer, rule, or lead?
All mankind the same will bleed;

Within the wind's wails and moans
The Weight of Sorrow e'er groans,

Its mantle dark descends like ash,
Volcanic destruction, ne'er to pass;

What will be left of the Galaxy great?
What will be its eventual fate?

From Age to Age, from dark to light,
Then back again with blackest strife,

The Universe stares with Unblinking Eye
Stoically watching as Time goes by;

In the end, no one will win ~
War and Strife again begin.

© Alys
14 June 2005

Midsummer (haiku)

Midsummer

reigning sunlight ebbs
unequal hours and dreams
moon power rises

© Alys
04 June 2005

The Clootie Tree

The Clootie Tree

An ancient path still beckons,
A weary soul moves on,
Each step destiny reckons,
Priced in prayer and song;

In the mist atop the hill,
A shrub-tree stands forlorn,
Ragged ribbons for the ill
Weigh each thin branch way down;

Sliabh na nDée Dána, this mound
Of three ancient Eire gods ~
Cermait Ogma, honey-mouthed;
Of a Hundred Battles: Conn;

Last, the Dagda, god of good,
His daughter’s worshipped still ~
Noble Brigit’s stone head stood
Upon the misted hill;

Here she mourned a grievous loss,
Ruádán, her own best son,
With wailing cry, her anguish ~
Eire’s first keening echoes on;

Prayers hang upon the tree,
Offered with heartfelt song
To Brigit and the ancient Three,
For relief from ills and wrong;

The breeze blows the Clootie Tree
And tattered prayers wave ~
She sends us ease, in memory
For a son she could not save.

© Alys

28 May 2005

R.I.P.

R.I.P.

Long our battle raged,

Through your icy grasp

Many times, I slipped;

Magnificent Death -

Thou hast me, at last.

© Alys

27 May 2005

My Friend

My Friend

When sadness comes, I call;

Our tears fall down like rain,

A flowing river, healing all

While gently easing pain.

When laughter comes, I call;

Our stomaches ache with joy,

Down our happy tears fall,

Life's jester, our employ.

When anger comes, I call;

Too many times of late,

Our tears of rage a pall,

Blanketing all, our hate.

When Death comes to call,

With sorrow'd souls we'll part,

As our tears remember all,

Yet always, with one heart.

© Alys

10 May 2005

for Lorraine

Childhood Memory (haiku)

Childhood Memory

Still as death I lie
Through torrid fever'd nights
Cool hands ease my brow

© Alys
10 May 2005

Cotton

Cotton

Comes like silk a memory
Of lightning and of storm,
Thunder seals solemnity;
Two hearts beat as one ~
Our love an echoed promise
New, ’tho old as time . . .

© Alys
04 May 2005
~ for Cris

Star (haiku)

Star

twinkling sweet sparkles
like summer night stars glowing
baby eyes shining

© Alys
29 April 2005
~ for my baby nephew, Jimmy

Render Red

Render Red

Ruby roses reluctant rest,
Retched thorns rip and rend,
Rubbing 'round and 'round,
Relentless, repugning recline;

Render red the roses,
Render red the right,
Render red reposes,
Render red respite.

© Alys
27 April 2005

The Infidel

The Infidel

Years ago, I met a man

I thought was strong and true,

Trusting what I thought I saw

In his eyes of blue;

Years ago, I married him,

And thought that all was well,

Two babies came and then he left,

And we were left in hell;

Years ago, in hell I burned

Unsure of where to turn,

Betrayed and hurt, tired to death,

Feeling ever so alone;

Years ago, far from him

Peace came to us at last,

Better off, with happiness,

Glad the past is past;

Years from now, we'll look back

And remember days of hell,

When once we were subjected to

The hideous Infidel.

© Alys

20 April 2005

Dreaming (haiku)

Dreaming

thunder comes stealing
crashing into fevered dreams
elsewhere kittens mew

© Alys

20 April 2005

Running

Running

simmering ahead

straining eyes rove the distance

finish line in sight

© Alys

06 April 2005

The Knight

The Knight

Like a Knight of old, he stands,
Like a fortress battle-ready,
No gauntlets grace his hands,
No sword nor weapon steady;
Just he, alone, to ne'er yield:
A dragon's heart, his shield.

© Alys

29 January 2005

~ for Johnny

Road (haiku)

Road

simmering ahead

unknown stretching road beckons

my fever burns on

© Alys
24 March 2005

Commemorating my 46-hour drive

from San Diego, CA to Noblesville, IN

made July 2002.

Spring (haiku)

Spring

sleepy raindrops fall
like snowflakes float in winter
spring lightning crashes

© ACG
19 March 2005

Loss

Loss

Moonlight sheds -

like a blanket falls -

Light descending;

Secret dwells -

like a corner hides -

Sorrow crouching;

Darkness yearns -

like blindness grasps -

Ever missing;

Moonlight sheds -

like a blanket falls -

Light is failing.

© Alys

11 March 2005

Untitled haiku

Untitled haiku

heat lightning slashes
swashbuckling silver daggers
his torrid smile cuts

© Alys

26 February 2005

Untitled

Untitled

wintry echoes ring
softly as a cat’s meow
happy birthday, john

© Alys
26 February 2005
in memory of Johnny Cash

Persephone's Return

Persephone's Return

Through winter's white, she waits alone
For Persephone's returning,
The wailing wind, a softened moan;
A mother’s yearly yearning.

© Alys

29 January 2005

haiku for Organ Donation

(haiku for Organ Donation)

Tragedy visits;

One mother releases:

Miracles arrive.

© Alys

23 February 2005

The Vampyre

The Vampyre

The Vampyre's dangerous darkness
A sweet seduction seems;
A stillness burning passion,
Delicious draught of dreams;

His power overwhelms us,
His glittering eye consumes,
We hear his sweet enchantments,
And eagerly embrace our doom;

The danger doesn't find us
Until it is far too late,
We fall into his sinful spell
And then must live our fate;

Sweet seduction ends, like death,
Yet on we live in pain,
With a burning yearn for blood,
We, shadow'd undead, remain;

Too late, we see the evil,
Too late we taste his lies,
Too late we ceaseless dream,
As Eternity slowly dies;

The Vampyre's dangerous darkness
Seduced us with his charms,
Glory fades with each dawn;
Forever trapped in his arms.

© Alys
17 February 2005

If I Could Travel

If I Could Travel

I'd take a ship across the Sea,
To the place my mother was born,
Beyond the borders of other lands,
To see the sunset, and then the morn;

I'd see the rocks and dirt and trees,
I'd see a small house, and town;
I’d trace her mother's braveries,
Echoes of Alexander's renown;

To see the Church, to see the Lake ~
My vision blurs with tears;
To think they trod upon this ground ~
My journey’d erase the years;

In my hand, I'd hold some earth,
And like an ancient priestess pray,
Whispering words of time and magic ~
Our mitochondrial DNA;

In my dreams, I take that trip
With ease and never a care;
In my dreams, I linger still,
Part of me lives ever there.

© Alys

14 February 2005

Friendship (haiku)

Friendship

arm in arm they stand
like stones in Hadrian’s Wall
keeping secrets shared

© Alys
14 February 2005

Summer Days of Old

Summer Days of Old

 The dew dried up at daybreak,
The plowing raised a cloud,
The air was still and heavy,
No breath of peace allowed;

Into the forest gladly ran
The children after chores,
Chasing after shady spots
And fairy rings and mounds;

Through the trees, the summer dimmed,
Sparkling sky-specks flickered,
’Mid humming wings and trills of birds,
Upon the moss they rested;

Who knows what dreams those dreamers dreamed?
Who knows what happened to them?
Who knows if e’er their dreams came true,
Or vanished without requiem?

~ Alys
30 January 2005

Grandmommy's Robe

Grandmommy's Robe

 

A silken robe of palest blue,

Wound 'round its hem was creamy lace,

It wrapped me like a kiss of dew,

Like love reflected in her face;

I trailed around, a child too small,

Pretentiously properly grand,

A Cinderella at the ball,

Waltzing with no visible band;

I postured up and down the halls,

As melodies rose from below -

My arias with La Callas -

Deafening off-key crescendo;

Indulgent accolades followed

My dramatic operatics,

Her sweet embrace – ah, Emeraude –

In that robe, love’s lingered fabric.

© Alys

25 January 2005

Red Rose (haiku)

a red rose budding
petals offer velvet love
sacrificial life

© Alys
15 January 2005

Winter Moon

Winter Moon

Yellow moon mellows

Like a fine filter smudges

Harsh midnight shadows . . .

© Alys

12 January 2005

In My Solitude

In My Solitude

“You haunt me . . .”
An old refrain
Plays;
Starlit darkness
Falls.

Half of my soul
Drifts;
Eternity
Ends.

I am alone,
With echoes.
Another life
Calls;
As if the sea
Knows.

Waves caress and
Kiss;
Embracing me
Less.

I am alone,
With echoes.
My solitude
Sings;
As our heartbeat
Slows.

© Alys

22 June 2004

Tempest Tossed

Tempest Tossed

Tempest tossed, through stormy seas,
Wind and rain abound,
Like a sailor out upon the waves,
With no peace ever found;

Driven on through day and night,
By fierce compelling fire ~
Create! Burning passionate,
Crashing with desire;

My ship, a-battered to and fro,
My helmsman's the devil's own;
My fevered-brain first high then low ~
Create! Ah, had I but known . . .

Tempest tossed, battered down,
Suddenly skies shine clear,
Land ho! My work is done ~
I drift - the shore is near;

Gently rolls the tide,
Gently sails my ship,
A respite, like cool water,
Upon my parched lips.

A cry from my devil-helmsman -
"Aloft!" - the sails snap;
Driven out to sea again,
My creativity a trap.

~ © Alys
22 February 2004

haiku For My Sister

haiku For My Sister

She was a goddess,

Always taller and faster;

There goes my sister.

© Alys

05/22/03

Naked In Wonderland (haiku) and As Breathing

Naked In Wonderland

Naked, I pass through,

Like Alice in Wonderland;

A mirror of life.

© Alys

01 January 2005

As Breathing

Sometimes I inhale;

an intoxication of sensation

lifts me lightly

as a boat is lifted

by sweet swelling sails aloft. . .

filled with perfumes of spring

and summer, fall

and winter, past

and future. . .

crushed and broken grasses,

berries swollen-ripe and oozing

flavored scent. . .

chewing the thickness of fragrant flowers,

then suffocating humidity

until

rain coming

and then rain gone. . .

sneezing in the dust of fall and the first

scent of burning turning

into cold-penetrating stabbing

thieving furious icy air. . .

Sometimes I inhale;

an intoxication of sensation

choking in the smell of death

decaying drunkenly in darkness,

gasping, grasping

no hope

just a searing

that suddenly subsides,

leaving me shaking. . .

then ethereal eucalyptus –

not a cure

just a comfort. . .

Sometimes I inhale;

without thinking, without smelling

any particular particle;

automatic breath of life,

the pedestrian transformed

into being,

existing mindless

thoughtless effortless

yet crucial

to bring into me those

intoxications of sensation. . .

I have begun to think of you as breathing.

© Alys

1996

~ for Cris

My Heart As One

My Heart As One

A world of pain and darkness
has now imprisoned me
but your peaceful world beckons
with the light to set me free . . .

Across my world and into yours
you have made the bridge appear,
no prison’s pain can hold me back
when I know your heart is near . . .

Your voice is crashing thunder,
and gentle falling rain,
it is a quiet lullaby at dawn,
and the rolling of the waves
I hear you in the whistle-blow,
I feel you in the sun –
and the softest stirring breeze that blows –
isn’t that the echo of your soul –
a caress of love forever mine
that mends my heart as one

I will run into tomorrow
a smile upon my face,
I will find the stars in heaven
and at last will know my place . . .

Your voice will always find me
and guide me on my way
as I cross the bridge divine
till we meet again, one day . . .

Your voice is crashing thunder,
and gentle falling rain,
it is a quiet lullaby at dawn,
and the rolling of the waves
I hear you in the whistle-blow,
I feel you in the sun –
and the softest stirring breeze that blows –
isn’t that the echo of your soul –
a caress of love forever mine
that mends my heart as one.

~ © Alys
23 December 2003
in memory of Johnny Cash