tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76946819929815061202024-03-12T17:42:27.856-07:00Michael's Musings, Poetry, and ProseMuch of what is written here is poetry, but there are prose pieces interspersed, all written by Michael Wayne Holland. Also, there are blog entries from further back about living with post traumatic stress disorder. Full range of topics are fleshed, much based on life experiences, and much observed and imagined. I believe there is an internal truth to the writings, fiction or non-fiction.T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.comBlogger159125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-58223447302886379842015-08-10T13:25:00.001-07:002015-08-20T04:14:26.215-07:00Retribution<br />
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Once</div>
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I thought I saw God</div>
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while driving through Omaha, Nebraska</div>
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prisms of light shining,</div>
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but it was just a halo</div>
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in my rear view mirror,</div>
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the sun gleaming through droplets of rain</div>
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after a fierce thunderstorm.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I sought God many times</div>
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especially when I lay down to sleep</div>
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praying different ways</div>
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like a sycophant’s attempt</div>
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to gain access through pearly gates,</div>
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winking at Saint Peter</div>
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and handing over cash.</div>
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Instead of answers</div>
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I would wake up the next morning</div>
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with a slight hangover</div>
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from too much red wine,</div>
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blood that dripped</div>
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from my hands and feet.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Now, I seek God</div>
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in the aroma of jasmine</div>
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in a kind old woman’s face</div>
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or in the liquid eyes</div>
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of a cocker spaniel.</div>
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As I slipped into yellow moods</div>
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reflected off glassy ponds,</div>
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I found disappointment</div>
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from lies I was told</div>
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when I was a wee boy.</div>
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<br /></div>
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A nun once declared</div>
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I was going to Hell</div>
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because I would not participate </div>
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in Communion.</div>
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The bread, the body of Christ</div>
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was a tablet</div>
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that tasted like paste</div>
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if you chewed it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And a minister remarked</div>
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that if I dare enter another church,</div>
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the cathedral would topple</div>
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and I would perish in the rubble.</div>
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It was this same man</div>
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whose hand got slapped</div>
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by Mother</div>
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when he fondled her behind.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So when I see brothers, sisters</div>
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felled mercilessly in their prime,</div>
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I simply ask why.</div>
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What lesson may I learn?</div>
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That life is fleeting?</div>
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To take advantage of the joyous journey?</div>
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I know these things.</div>
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Perhaps experiences are random</div>
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and luck plays a significant role</div>
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like losing that winning lottery ticket.</div>
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We manage to survive</div>
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trauma, technology terrorists,</div>
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even God herself</div>
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assuming she exists.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I jump on the carousel</div>
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spin round and round and round</div>
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afraid to jump off</div>
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for fear of landing in some inferno,</div>
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flames that reach the sky</div>
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burning me like a marshmallow</div>
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over a blaze that is too hot,</div>
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taking all of me</div>
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and my history with it</div>
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with questions that remain unaswered,</div>
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contemplation for survivors</div>
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in this mad, mad world.</div>
T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-79125448555282637272015-02-28T00:24:00.000-08:002015-03-01T04:56:48.394-08:00In Between Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1zlmT3M-B4/VPEcud51XBI/AAAAAAAABP8/qrziX60Pe2w/s1600/IMG_0420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1zlmT3M-B4/VPEcud51XBI/AAAAAAAABP8/qrziX60Pe2w/s1600/IMG_0420.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">i.</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">I fall from the sky</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">without deliberation,</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">plunge like a hawk with wings clipped.</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Assisted suicide has its benefits</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">when love dissolves</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">into everlasting slumber</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">afraid to wake up,</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">and face the day.</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">I feel` grey like billowy clouds</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">after a storm</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">clogging my senses</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"> so I cannot breathe.</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">ii.</span><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">I live in limbo</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">a place where nothing is tangible,</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">anxiety escaping steel ribs</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">like smoke from a cigarette -</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">toxic, manufactured to kill.</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Your love is elusive</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">one minute pure, plentiful</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">giving opulent impressions</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">that this time,</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">this time you’ll stay.</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Then like the wandering wind</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">you slip though cracks in the floorboard</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">stealing my heart</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">leaving a stone in its place.</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">I slip on ice.</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">smack my head on cold pavement.</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">All I see is white.</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">iii.</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">This in between place:</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">it preys on insecurity</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">descends into madness</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">leaving me in a state of vertigo.</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">I spin around the sun,</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">outrun the moon</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">your love illusory</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">as I swirl out of control</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">a meteor creating disaster.</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Release me from your grip,</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">please...</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Allow me to press on.</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">even as Hell descends onto me;</span><br style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">jackals nipping at my heels.</span></span>T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-58850755215119695562014-10-04T21:38:00.001-07:002014-10-04T21:38:46.251-07:00The Well<i>* For this challenge. I was asked to write a poem about what depression feels like. These were the words penned!! This is not necessarily a reflection of how I feel personally, but I have felt this way in the PAST!</i><br />
<br />
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<br /><br />
The Well<br />
<br />
<br />
It’s like falling into a deep well<br />
the sides coated with mud, excrement<br />
unable to climb the surfaces<br />
to find a way out.<br />
<br />
In its own peculiar way<br />
it becomes comfortable,<br />
but not necessarily soothing –<br />
it’s what is known,<br />
a sensation experienced<br />
time and time again.<br />
I can spend hours, days<br />
not seeing a soul,<br />
locked behind bedroom doors.<br />
a prison I have created for myself<br />
like falling down an empty elevator shaft.<br />
I know this state of mind,<br />
a blackening of greys<br />
where what was crisp and clear<br />
is now clouded,<br />
a muddling of the senses<br />
or an acuteness<br />
of internal worlds gone awry.<br />
<br />
Shadows speak in tongues<br />
their message I believe to be true<br />
and ultimately in languages<br />
only I understand.<br />
The voices pull me south<br />
to nether regions<br />
emblazoned in crimson fire,<br />
the heat scalding my self-esteem.<br />
Scar tissue mends overt wounds,<br />
the damage permanent<br />
no matter how I manage<br />
to find my way out of this jungle.<br />
<br />
I welcome rescue<br />
but the longer I lunge<br />
into acid pools,<br />
the closer I am one<br />
with my melancholy<br />
conjoined like two sides<br />
of the same coin,<br />
burnt, blistered skin palpable.<br />
<br />
Autumn weeps plum and tangerine<br />
but I am lost in a deep freeze;<br />
winter lives in my heart.<br />
Can you please<br />
help me out of this mess<br />
before I lose control of self<br />
and become an array<br />
of molecules lost<br />
to time and space?<br />
<br />
I know there is an exit ram; <br />
it requires work I resist,<br />
but completed tasks are necessary<br />
to become whole. <br />
<br />
For now, at least<br />
hope seems elusive.<br />
seeking comfort in an oncoming train<br />
that will flatten my mood,<br />
pulverize my body<br />
make me feel nothing<br />
but freedom...T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-90798970237930383982014-09-19T15:14:00.001-07:002014-09-19T15:14:30.989-07:00Fall Migration' I know it is not Fall yet, but this is a piece about that time of year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-seEg6kDHNnM/VByqtR7sIVI/AAAAAAAABA4/6YlW4aHkFOM/s1600/MigratingBirds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-seEg6kDHNnM/VByqtR7sIVI/AAAAAAAABA4/6YlW4aHkFOM/s1600/MigratingBirds.jpg" height="176" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Skies illuminate in amber<br />
the crisp air shimmering<br />
over frosted skin,<br />
leaves moving from green<br />
to gold to crimson to plum.<br />
<br />
Foliage descends from trees<br />
burying the cold ground<br />
the sunlight streaming<br />
through tree branches,<br />
its warmth hinted at by bright rays.<br />
<br />
Flocks of geese<br />
litter blue horizons<br />
dusted with ivory clouds,<br />
as they migrate to tropical places -<br />
the continents of Africa and Europe.<br />
<br />
And I am getting older,<br />
once a silly man<br />
who espoused what appeared<br />
to be smart revelations,<br />
but wisdom came with age, experience<br />
and not ideological youth.<br />
<br />
Warm blanket on my lap<br />
I am content for the moment<br />
knowing that change is inevitable<br />
that when the world overwhelms<br />
it is best to go limp<br />
when falling out of the lofty air.T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-25973829470535273772014-09-18T20:27:00.001-07:002014-09-18T20:27:51.734-07:00What Was<i>Note - It has been quite a while since I last posted my work in my blog. There have been a variety of reasons for this, but I am determined to keep this blog going, Sorry for being remiss I shall correct it!</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vB3QUO3mMYg/VBuilCtJnXI/AAAAAAAABAo/aHZlRa-nXDQ/s1600/lovers_holding_hands.jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vB3QUO3mMYg/VBuilCtJnXI/AAAAAAAABAo/aHZlRa-nXDQ/s1600/lovers_holding_hands.jpeg.jpg" height="132" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
What Was<br />
<br />
<div class="content richp" role="main" style="overflow: hidden;">
I would watch him<br />
in tender moments<br />
somewhere between blue skies and inky sea<br />
while he slept beside me,<br />
head on my shoulder<br />
fully unaware that I observed him.<br />
<br />
I would trace his hips<br />
with one finger<br />
and he would grasp my hand<br />
like the child he has always been.<br />
</div>
T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-22650013125341320582014-03-24T02:40:00.001-07:002014-03-24T02:40:46.666-07:00thorns
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K0nCawqHh30/Uy_9SQddPgI/AAAAAAAAA_c/PcvNVL5BmWs/s1600/barbwire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K0nCawqHh30/Uy_9SQddPgI/AAAAAAAAA_c/PcvNVL5BmWs/s1600/barbwire.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tkFvpTu7zg0/Uy_8mjpAwrI/AAAAAAAAA_U/homyMzyap8g/s1600/barbwire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
sometimes judgment obscures -<br />
significant truths<br />
plunge into battles of woes<br />
<br />
thorny bushes scrape<br />
foolish pride<br />
who is right, wrong<br />
mere projections<br />
that hurt aimlessly<br />
like hitting the bullseye<br />
blindfolded<br />
wreckage of pride senseless<br />
<br />
all I acquire<br />
are bragging rights<br />
for precision<br />
<br />
ultimately, the war is lost<br />
though the skirmish won<br />
alienation the price paid<br />
for defensive darts flung<br />
in efforts to be understood -<br />
why do my words plummet<br />
like an anchored ship?<br />
<br />
barbed wire hands<br />
cling to shredded hearts<br />
mountains of baggage slip<br />
expose valleys of vulnerability -<br />
pick, pick, pick<br />
<br />
sinkhole of thoughts swirl<br />
questions, answers intertwine<br />
pull me underneath<br />
where I breathe mulch<br />
<br />
alone again<br />
I shake my weary head<br />
submerged in confusion<br />
I ask -<br />
was it worth it?<br />
was it worth it?T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-508120541956007572013-12-24T17:31:00.001-08:002013-12-24T17:36:16.688-08:00now and then<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This was written for a competition where we were required to write vignettes in response to a current popular song based on a sonnet written. The song selected was "Born To Die" by Lana Del Ray</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VkG1SCHjNNM/Uro1VBArCmI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/cR4dFFSNwKo/s1600/born-to-die.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VkG1SCHjNNM/Uro1VBArCmI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/cR4dFFSNwKo/s320/born-to-die.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">i.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">through opaque crystal</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I sift through dreams, what was</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">what now is</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">what seemed forever a mix</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">of dreams embraced,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">free of inhibition</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">rests a life forgotten</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">put on hold,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">bound with yesteryear’s spirit</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">that hummed sweet nectar</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">when hopes were at once eternal</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">now expunged</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">ii.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I trek down many paths</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">particularly ones emblazoned</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">with your curse</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I tried to reform</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">taste the feral journey,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">though it screams so</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">in all appearances</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">boys like me don’t hatch</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">from the typical nest-egg</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">we trade souls</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">hiss secrets to be liked, craved</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">so that in the night air’s bustle,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">you desire more</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">only the high of you</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">gets me off</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">satiates heroin hearts</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">does not hesitate</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">to transform and become</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">what you spell out</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">in amour’s curse</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I sing hoarsely</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">“it’s not the end,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">but I perish in Autumn’s amber”</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">iii.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">the outcome is always the same</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I always dreamed it would be me</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">that Heaven would embrace those</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">that fought through trenches</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">living out the now in future’s folly</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">but you can never return</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">to an innocent past</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">where hard work, determination</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">paid dues for those who rasterized</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">internal worlds now guilty</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">in slackened acceptance</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">your body listless</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">at the foot of the bed</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">a slash of crimson</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">where there ought to be a bow</span></div>
T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-62337469050932747432013-12-09T11:40:00.002-08:002013-12-09T11:40:17.918-08:00I Loved You Then As I Do Now<div class="_586i" contenteditable="true" role="textbox" spellcheck="false" tabindex="0">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rhek5lzT5E4/UqYcfQ-Ob1I/AAAAAAAAA9w/N8AAmST_lR8/s1600/10865-dandelion-1920x1080-flower-wallpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rhek5lzT5E4/UqYcfQ-Ob1I/AAAAAAAAA9w/N8AAmST_lR8/s1600/10865-dandelion-1920x1080-flower-wallpaper.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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*
This piece was created for a contest. Most people know I do not write
rhyme, unless it is eternal, because I suck at it, but somehow in this
challenge, I was given specific meter requirements, and was told how the
syllables should sound in the sonnet itself, and something clicked. I
am getting a warm reception writing out of my comfort zone, so I was
just excited to share!<br />
<br />
** Rhyme scheme: abbaabba cdcdcd (iambic pentameter)<br />
<br />
I Loved You Then As I Do Now<br />
<br />
<div>
Though life’s travails can break a turtle dove<br /> Kaleidoscopes deny the trickster’s verse<br /> We stay together through the journey's curse,<br /> And rise to hold each other’s heart in love<br /> We recognize the lessons taught above<br /> Connection sealed in passion’s wealthy purse<br /> Concealed embraces we reserve, rehearse<br /> Like hands that snugly fit in leather gloves<br />
<br />
Our Heaven dwells on Earth not in the sky<br />
The miracle of blooming buds in May<br />
And pleasures shared when hopes learn how to fly<br />
Sweet tenderness defies the need to stray<br />
You changed my tears of pain from wet to dry<br />
Illumination clears our paths each day</div>
T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-78672680453602143062013-10-23T01:19:00.001-07:002013-10-23T01:19:48.550-07:00Citrus
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hcISMSnsZ7Q/UmeGgPvvVzI/AAAAAAAAA9g/uhqoEKSQcGc/s1600/lemonandbutter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hcISMSnsZ7Q/UmeGgPvvVzI/AAAAAAAAA9g/uhqoEKSQcGc/s320/lemonandbutter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
* This poem was written for a contest. The requirement was to use color in 75 words or less. I loved this challenge, because color is a device I use in general for my poetry. In fact, I had to cut back on the use of color, not because I needed to so much as to try other poetic devices. In other words, I have been trying to grow, so I hope you all appreciate my efforts.<br />
<br />
<br />
Citrus<br />
<br />
My mind dwells in yellow;<br />
blues dissolved green<br />
until what lingered<br />
was a sour lemon<br />
stuck in butter.<br />
<br />
Abandonment isn’t as awful<br />
as the remains<br />
of a tepid relationship<br />
picked over by crows,<br />
bones buried<br />
in fermented compost.<br />
<br />
Words spit nails into hands,<br />
pressed against stucco walls<br />
knives thrown at cranberry heart<br />
missing by inches<br />
but you wear plum battle scars.<br />
<br />
Yet, I miss the idea of you -<br />
only the thought.<br />
<h2>
<br /></h2>
T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-18919351163963244562013-09-24T18:21:00.002-07:002013-09-25T22:14:08.500-07:00Unpretty<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>* This is a piece of fiction written first person through the eyes of a child. This is a collected amalgamation of experiences I have heard over the years, and it is not meant to reflect any aspect or piece of my life. I have no Aunt Desiree, nor do I know the James in this poem.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Prompt for contest: <i>Quote: The demons that dwell within. ~ Gerald W. Locke, Jr. </i>
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Take this prompt where you may. There can and will be many various interpretations of this quote. No more than twenty lines and no more than six words per line.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h888KE6QerA/UkI6jmM4J9I/AAAAAAAAA9A/larRwJcIZiA/s1600/cemetery-oneway-600x398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h888KE6QerA/UkI6jmM4J9I/AAAAAAAAA9A/larRwJcIZiA/s320/cemetery-oneway-600x398.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Unpretty</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="content richp" role="main" style="overflow: hidden;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Masticated sobs cut the sky</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">sight of mailman’s letter.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aunt Desiree faints</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">before grey envelope is opened</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">divulges grave knowledge.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>He’s dead!</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> <i>It's my fault!</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mama shrieks, sisters bracing her fall -</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">James officially confirmed dead.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Before Darfur, Palestine,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Korea,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">where Father escaped cognizant,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">lives eternally shattered</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">like herbs ground by marble pestles.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Families faced military papers</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">casualties of war’s glitter.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some only culled white noise.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">People pontificate personal tribulations.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vietnam was commensurate:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">global colossal waste, scars imbedded</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">in defiled gunshot wounds.</span></span></div>
T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-9630269282663842852013-08-25T01:58:00.001-07:002013-08-25T02:05:31.303-07:00when spring arrives<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8UONAzo27Q/UhnHBISbwNI/AAAAAAAAA8k/4kySRvNT8K0/s1600/primrose-flower-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8UONAzo27Q/UhnHBISbwNI/AAAAAAAAA8k/4kySRvNT8K0/s320/primrose-flower-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">when spring arrives </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">i. primrose</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">salmon rosettes bloom</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Spring’s first breath</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Winter defeated</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">you tickles spots within</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">warms chills</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">first kiss from pink lips</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">makes knees wobble</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">sweet aroma remains</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">silk scarf left behind</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">stuffed in pillowcase</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I dream of you</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">ii. daisy</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">love me or not</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">plucked until</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">one leaflet remains</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times new roman italic; font-size: large;"><i>you are the one</i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">nerves overwhelm</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I ask if you will journey</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">into uncharted paths</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">yellow centers with white asterales</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">descend from Heaven</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">when you say</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>yes</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">iii. snapdragons</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">we cultivate gardens</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">till soil</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">plant trees, blossoms</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">your favorite</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">pink clusters with angry faces</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">the following April</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">cough persists</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">blood drains from mouth</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">doctor’s diagnosis</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">bequeaths news</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">words dreaded most</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times new roman italic; font-size: large;"><i>how long</i></span><span style="font-size: large;">? I inquire</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">doom fills bloated silence</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">iv. tulip</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">waxen stance</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">as coffin passes</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">tears suppressed</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">eyes sore</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">disconsolate grief</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">dazed disbelief</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">faded crimson petals</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">tinges with yellow fold</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">on once vibrant chest</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">perfect yet fragile</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">cursed by nature’s storms</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">v. hydrangea</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">we play peek-a-boo</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">smiles glow iridescent</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">still on all-fours</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">one day you will inquire</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">where she disappeared</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">you possess her eyes</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">pale baby blues</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">bushy florets of hair</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">tied in satin ribbons</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">bitter truth lodges in pharynx</span>T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-81203541906667728072013-08-22T23:50:00.001-07:002013-08-22T23:50:58.222-07:00Teeter Totter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j60KPVyOUYc/UhcGQpM_EgI/AAAAAAAAA8U/oDmgRm3l6js/s1600/teetertotter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j60KPVyOUYc/UhcGQpM_EgI/AAAAAAAAA8U/oDmgRm3l6js/s320/teetertotter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i><b>* I originally wrote this poem back in November 2012 from a prompt my
friend Karen gave to me, and it now seems appropriate to post.</b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
Teeter Totter<br />
<br />
The sea engulfs, waves that roar<br />
their voices heard<br />
from where I perch<br />
afraid to inch forward, this tightrope<br />
a slick balancing act<br />
between the past<br />
and present,<br />
as jealous sky spins on my right.<br />
<br />
I feel the trickle of tears<br />
beads of sweat<br />
that trigger paralysis;<br />
I must move forward,<br />
confront hostile realities<br />
honestly,<br />
accept their approval or criticism<br />
without hindrance of my progress.<br />
<br />
Life sways in the balance; <br />
I press on despite<br />
this notion of teetering<br />
on the edge<br />
of life, death, flying, falling,<br />
decisions that affect<br />
my ultimate success, derision.<br />
Whoever declared existence<br />
would be paved<br />
with pearly rose-beds<br />
forgot to announce the thorny truths.<br />
The true reality? We create paths<br />
to follow or not without wisdom<br />
of how fate will play her last ace.<br />
<br />
I slip, catch the rope,<br />
hang on by a hair<br />
scream for some kind soul<br />
to bail me out of bitter lies,<br />
contradictory facts,<br />
to pave the way<br />
so I may see in obscured light<br />
- climb mountains not foraged,<br />
as wails reverberate into an abyss.<br />
<br />
I pull myself up by tethered bootstraps,<br />
while anger turns to hurt<br />
then to resentment,<br />
but fury awakens courage instilled<br />
in crevices of tissue<br />
hidden from consciousness,<br />
as I grasp the platform<br />
on the other side panting for air.<br />
<br />
What I gleaned is this:<br />
memories hold us hostage, encircle faith<br />
like a vulture that feeds<br />
on cadaverous cattle.<br />
They obliterate futures of hope and faith<br />
terrified we can achieve the spectacular<br />
while the present<br />
stuns us into submission.<br />
<br />
Time for an oil change, lubricate ideas,<br />
tighten loose screws,<br />
exfoliate crisp falsehoods <br />
embrace a new way of existence,<br />
and relish in satisfaction. T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-34907815028462165782013-08-13T21:47:00.001-07:002013-08-13T21:47:32.887-07:00No More Sun
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wen2v_TMsvM/UgsLzececwI/AAAAAAAAA8E/PvbU7S2YcXI/s1600/redsun3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wen2v_TMsvM/UgsLzececwI/AAAAAAAAA8E/PvbU7S2YcXI/s320/redsun3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Poetry spills from painted hands<br />
tumbles, rolls to storm drains<br />
where they lay<br />
amidst cluttered leaves,<br />
fermented mulch.<br />
<br />
Why do words of jubilation<br />
wither from consciousness?<br />
The internal world marinates<br />
in soft tissue, blood;<br />
even the sun can cry,<br />
shed noxious tears<br />
like sheared wool from a ram.<br />
<br />
My phrases drip in melancholy<br />
liquidate into greens and yellows,<br />
joy squelched by anxiety, fear<br />
places familiar, comfortable<br />
like swaddled in a lined mink coat.<br />
<br />
On the surface<br />
smiles light in cerulean seas<br />
filled with optimism, potential;<br />
underneath, the earth quakes,<br />
fissures appear in tectonic plates<br />
foundation clamors,<br />
sucks in the land, atmosphere<br />
dwells in doldrums.<br />
<br />
Yes, I feel beatitude,<br />
but what I know is change occurs<br />
in a wispy blink<br />
as the past incubates demons<br />
who plan to haunt my currency.<br />
It is Fool’s Paradise,<br />
but I stick with what is understood.T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-1794555713521055132013-08-03T21:41:00.001-07:002013-08-03T21:41:09.908-07:00Dreams of Pericles<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VqK_a_Ea8ck/Uf3bUAoUK_I/AAAAAAAAA70/eGvedAEuPm0/s1600/Parthenon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VqK_a_Ea8ck/Uf3bUAoUK_I/AAAAAAAAA70/eGvedAEuPm0/s320/Parthenon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7694681992981506120" name="content"></a>
<div class="content richp" role="main" style="overflow: hidden;">
<span style="font-size: 16px;">Yesterday retreated into night<br />
bringing a new morn<br />
with possibilities abound -<br />
but where to begin?<br /><br />
I stayed home the previous,<br />
opportunities for interaction deserted<br />
for a day to myself,<br />
hidden under comforter<br />
three pillows, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">modus operandi<br />
for sufficient rest:<br />
lazy day where no metaphor<br />
alliteration, onomatopoeia<br />
struggled for expression<br />
though countless efforts<br />
spilled onto parchment<br />
the ink still wet with abandonment..<br /><br />
I wonder why the muse </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">did not spark her grace </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">failing to inspire ambition to produce<br />
even witty haiku of some sort.<br />
She is so fickle, so full of mischief</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">like an imp who pinches</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">your toes unseen..<br /><br />
As I write this, I am aware<br />
of drab imperfections -<br />
filler words, certain tightening of phrase<br />
here, there, everywhere -<br />
but this is today’s condition<br />
and to scribe anything,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">something magnificent</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">,<br />
is painful, fatigue mixed with anxiety<br />
another chance to unveil</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">Aphrodite's robe -<br />
as I drown in yellows and blues<br />
settle for celadons.<br /><br />
It is what it is,<br />
time for me to take a nap<br />
dream of Pericles<br />
see if he will build the Acropolis,<br />
possibly bequeath me<br />
some of his golden treasures.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-14480746900502420202013-07-30T22:37:00.001-07:002013-07-30T22:50:55.149-07:00If Not For You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iafJ3WWXMig/UfiiIRu1dHI/AAAAAAAAA7g/iiuFy8IVzrE/s1600/dandy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iafJ3WWXMig/UfiiIRu1dHI/AAAAAAAAA7g/iiuFy8IVzrE/s1600/dandy.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">* Originally written March, 2013, I thought I would post this and see what you all think. The style and tone are different for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">If Not For You</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">If not for you, who would complete me?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> When winter blows glacial winds</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> you warm me with your smile</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> your arms a shelter against storms</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> that graze my delicate soul.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">If not for you, how would I cope?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Lend me your strength to combat</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> apparitions that visit me at night</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> when darkness shrouds reality;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Pull me to the light, extend</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> your hands so that your caress</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> soothes a pliable heart..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">If not for you, where would I be?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> I cannot fathom a forest with trees</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> that block citrus sunlight,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> that chafes my face,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> deters me from victory;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> I would wither in shadows, cower</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> underneath the heather that supplies</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> pillows for this weary head.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thanks my love for your tenderness</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> for the acceptance that comforts me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> in vulnerable glass houses</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> susceptible to pebbles concealed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> in lace ups that pinch my toes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> when I walk towards luminosity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">If not for you, I would sleep</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> a thousand days, never to return</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> to this realm, under turquoise skies. </span>T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-75375889905072235642013-07-16T21:05:00.001-07:002013-07-16T21:13:44.796-07:00Sandpipers and Terns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jv6EUzYFqGA/UeYYAD-ocjI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/kj_APBlYrJk/s1600/Terns-in-Flight-July-2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jv6EUzYFqGA/UeYYAD-ocjI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/kj_APBlYrJk/s320/Terns-in-Flight-July-2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">* This was written for a competition. It was a word bank where we had to create a poem using the ten words supplied in the prompt given. This is what I wrote in response. The highlighted words were the words required to write the poem.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="content richp" role="main" style="overflow: hidden;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Purple sandpipers</b> and White-winged terns</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">litter beaches where their <b>portraits</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">cast shadows upon ocean shores</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">in <b>August</b> before they <b>leave</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">to migrate<b>, wipe</b> coastlines clean</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">innate <b>lessons</b> that drive instinct.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I always had <b>envy </b>for their ability to fly</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">to <b>fantastic </b>lands when in truth,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">their journeys are often <b>sour</b>, perilous</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">to weather <b>nature</b>’s truth</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">that these creatures may never reach</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">their final destination intact.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But it was their gift to fly, push up</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">from the ground and soar to new heights</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">surveying all that I see:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the elements of rain in dying seas,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">changes of clouds that cast</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">misty dyes into the atmosphere</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">or feel free from constraints</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">that entraps us, life’s consequences.</span></span></div>
T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-13446075355731032462013-06-22T13:35:00.002-07:002013-06-22T13:35:53.116-07:00Kismet<div class="content richp" role="main" style="overflow: hidden;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CYdc55mUtvE/UcYKlxjVTKI/AAAAAAAAA7A/_xNu6bvGtbI/s1600/492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CYdc55mUtvE/UcYKlxjVTKI/AAAAAAAAA7A/_xNu6bvGtbI/s320/492.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Love buried, an artifact </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> - <em>so I thought</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">but hearts cannot lie.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">You stand opposite</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">promise to stay present</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">never abuse faith.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I slip into infatuation</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">pinch flesh to awaken spirit</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">rapt in pinks, lavenders.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">What’s erstwhile, now unsullied;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">hope replaces cynicism</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">with reality’s pull.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Fresh daisies bloom.</span><br />
</div>
T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-84298736689752249372013-05-30T23:18:00.002-07:002013-05-30T23:18:30.227-07:00Bottled Up<div class="content richp" role="main" style="overflow: hidden;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nn9Kc5DHXCg/UahAlDNQf-I/AAAAAAAAA6s/sRZVhDgW_OU/s1600/bottled_love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nn9Kc5DHXCg/UahAlDNQf-I/AAAAAAAAA6s/sRZVhDgW_OU/s1600/bottled_love.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">* Based on a Billy Collins poem at the bottom of the page!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Bottled Up </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">If I could capture</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">twilight in mason jars,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">wear you around my neck</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">in a silver locket -</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I would, you know.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">But yearning and anxiety,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">butterflies encapsulated</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">in a beach ball,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">run recklessly awry</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">and the thirst</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I seek for completion</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">is magnified tenfold.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">You desire chemistry</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">value the rhythm</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">while I prefer kisses </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">filled with empty promises.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">You bequeath me roses</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">with thorny outcomes.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">You pull me close,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">chase away the tapes</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">that run rampant in a blistered mind.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I just feel hollow</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">in the knowledge </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">that you won’t change</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">and I won’t reveal feelings aborted</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">because it is lies I covet,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> while you shun truth.</span></span><br />
</div>
<h2>
Author notes</h2>
In response to Billy Collins:<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: bookmark old style,arial;">Just as in the horror movies</span></span>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: bookmark old style,arial;">when someone discovers that the phone calls</span></span>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: bookmark old style,arial;">are coming from inside the house</span></span>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: bookmark old style,arial;">so, too, I realized</span></span>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: bookmark old style,arial;">that our tender overlapping</span></span>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: bookmark old style,arial;">has been taking place only inside me.</span></span>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: bookmark old style,arial;">All that sweetness, the love and desire--</span></span>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: bookmark old style,arial;">it's just been me dialing myself</span></span>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: bookmark old style,arial;">then following the ringing to another room</span></span>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: bookmark old style,arial;">to find no one on the line,</span></span>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: bookmark old style,arial;">well, sometimes a little breathing</span></span>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: bookmark old style,arial;">but more often than not, nothing.</span></span>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: bookmark old style,arial;">To think that all this time--</span></span>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: bookmark old style,arial;">which would include the boat rides,</span></span>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: bookmark old style,arial;">the airport embraces, and all the drinks--</span></span>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: bookmark old style,arial;">it's been only me and the two telephones,</span></span>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: bookmark old style,arial;">the one on the wall in the kitchen </span></span>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: bookmark old style,arial;">and the extension in the darkened guestroom upstairs. </span></span>
</div>
T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-56565819577142024802013-05-15T20:01:00.001-07:002013-05-15T20:01:58.347-07:00Ripper<div class="content richp" role="main" style="overflow: hidden;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z9q3TbbnRbw/UZRLvuK78kI/AAAAAAAAA6M/rvQ4VmVmisw/s1600/She.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gR4zuepKGng/UZRMDLlEooI/AAAAAAAAA6U/D4gn55wG8HY/s1600/selfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gR4zuepKGng/UZRMDLlEooI/AAAAAAAAA6U/D4gn55wG8HY/s320/selfish.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>i.<br /><br />
Acuity extends to azure vessels<br />
where wilted lilies aschew<br />
prodigious perfume<br />
on your savory breath.<br /><br />
I inhabit your touch.<br /><br />
ii.<br /><br />
The scandalous shrieks stupify<br />
an anxious jury of patricians,<br />
who scrutinize while churlish imputations<br />
abscond like barren blackbirds<br />
courting kernels of corn.<br /><br />
My life flashes cold, white noise.<br /><br />
iii.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><span>I amble through nocturnal currents<br />
eclipsed by the hanging moon.<br />
You hover beneath as I penetrate Atlantis<br />
craving to be apprehended in your ambush<br />
beckoning me to assay the curve of your nape.<br /><br />
Envelop me with sugar espousals you will abase;<br />
I will not abdicate.<br /><br />
iv.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><span>She slumbers in tainted bile, disembodied,<br />
her hand still clutching<br />
the key to her piazza<br />
knees chafed, neck severed:<br />
butcher spurious.<br /><br />
I rouse from charcoal sleep<br />
cowering in the brumal air,<br />
sobs betraying my foresaken heart.<br /><br />
v.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><span>Orange, like the mystic orb<br />
that emanates tenacious heat,<br />
scours your satin skin,<br />
as I embrace you through iron bars -<br /><em>the choice was not mine</em> -</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>your whispers heavy,<br />
as I dance the devil's tango<br />
with fickle fate.<br /><br />
I asphyxiate, my chest convulsing,<br />
shame flooding pearly cheeks,<br />
my nails digging deep,deeper, slicing flesh<br />
drawing droplets of blood.<br /><br />
I recoil as you beckon -<br /><em>remember, I was ordained; </em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><em>it was a crime of convenience</em>.<br /><br />
I tumble into your curved eyelash,<br />
the punch crushing your luscious lips:<br />
shattering translucent cheekbones,<br />
but all I see is crimson.<br /><br />
vi.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><span>The nightmare taunts<br />
as I arise, the belt from my robe<br />
lacerating my knees<br />
through opaque windows.<br /><br />
I peer with swollen eyes,<br />
perform a swan dive,<br />
clashing with cement pavement,<br />
dissembling languid limbs.<br />
and blistered bones,<br />
the ground painted gossamer<br />
on a blank canvas waiting<br />
for another brush stroke<br />
to color me blue.</span></span><br />
</div>
T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-68106537899970375242013-04-30T23:04:00.001-07:002013-04-30T23:04:35.829-07:00A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That<div class="content richp" role="main" style="overflow: hidden;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">* Don't worry folks. I am not perennially tortured. But I do have a tendency to see the serious sides of things in my writings. In real life, I am kind of a goofball dork! LOL</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IaQfq91o99E/UYCwY9Jj4MI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/x2bGq_G8z94/s1600/jigsaw_puzzle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IaQfq91o99E/UYCwY9Jj4MI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/x2bGq_G8z94/s320/jigsaw_puzzle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I teeter totter like a child</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">as he learns first steps</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">deliberate, off kilter</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Humpty Dumpty toppled</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">from Jericho’s Wall</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">shell broken into shards</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">glued back together</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">There are fissures in my exterior</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">slight imperfections</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">sometimes masked</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">other times flagrant</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">like a sunburn on alabaster skin</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">My mood reflects battles</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">of complexities </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">remnants spilled onto </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">starched white shirts,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">or effervescence sprayed</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">on to blank canvas</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">watercolors that paint mosaics</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">run together like melted crayons</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">that color outside the lines</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I am a jigsaw </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">with stolen pieces</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">a Scrabble game with vowels</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">indecipherable </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">synapses that connect</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">invisible dots</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">only I decipher</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">My mind shuts down</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">like a locomotive without steam</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">sensitive, tortured;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I sleep with vampires</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">feed off negative ions</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">that combust </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">temporarily my life force</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">until the reset button</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">is pressed and I am reborn</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">But I am kind, perceptive</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">unable to accept compliments</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">even when warranted -</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">my face flushes pink</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">like a broiled shrimp;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I am brilliant </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">even if I cannot recite</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Einstein’s Theory of Relativity</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I am ever-changing</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">like Autumn leaves</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">that burn red, plum,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">a work in progress</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">emotions displayed </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">on stained glass windows</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">in crystal prisms</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">splayed against white walls</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">finding the shadows</span><br />
</div>
T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-62605099644720717692013-04-29T17:07:00.002-07:002013-04-29T17:07:26.488-07:00Purging<span></span><br />
* This was an exercise where it was required to use the following phrase as my opening line which I doctored a bit: "My
emotions pulled and tore strips from my heart, I placed them down on
the hot summer sidewalk of my life and left them to burn."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YOfjV6fee6M/UX8LMSgSGxI/AAAAAAAAA5I/papMAUZ6G9A/s1600/Eye_of_the_Storm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YOfjV6fee6M/UX8LMSgSGxI/AAAAAAAAA5I/papMAUZ6G9A/s320/Eye_of_the_Storm.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><br />Purging<br /><br />
<div>
My emotions pulled <br />
tore strips from maligned heart; <br />
I placed them on hot summer sidewalks<br />
of life, left them to burn.<br />
<br />
I am an onion peeked<br />
a naked soldier on boiled battlefields<br />
where searing scars form<br />
over coagulated flesh.<br />
<br />
I withdraw, taste bitter melon<br />
spit shards of steel from pouty lips<br />
my way of coping with<br />
broken promises,<br />
foolish journeys across rivers <br />
overflowing with crocodiles<br />
that hope I lose my balance<br />
the rocks slippery, menacing.<br />
<br />
Anxiety compounds complex sentiments –<br />
<em>hurt, shame, anger, bewilderment -</em><br />
form funnel clouds, devastate<br />
internal organs which shut down;<br />
they await for my spiritual demise,<br />
prey on hopelessness embedded<br />
in unprotected nucleus vulnerable,<br />
quickly chewed up, spit out.<br />
<br />
I am an embryo fighting for sustenance<br />
those first six weeks perilous<br />
a challenge to survive<br />
develop a stealthy life force.<br />
<br />
For now, my heart is beating<br />
sizzling in blistering heat<br />
two eggs sunny-side up<br />
a meal for pigeons.</div>
T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-65206383017913603142013-04-24T02:51:00.001-07:002013-04-24T02:51:45.969-07:00Awakenings<span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1yeYYiokrHg/UXerJFGIlLI/AAAAAAAAA3E/aEl-fRacf3k/s1600/moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1yeYYiokrHg/UXerJFGIlLI/AAAAAAAAA3E/aEl-fRacf3k/s320/moon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Awakened<br />
<br />
by the bellow of a drunk<br />
as he relentlessly pleads,<br />
<br />
<em>Sheila. Come home</em><br />
<em>Please Sheila.</em><br />
<br />
I can feel you<br />
in shadowed walls<br />
in empty basins,<br />
and naked sheets<br />
where your head used to dwell.<br />
<br />
Your scent hovers<br />
trapped in flannel shirts<br />
old cologne bottles;<br />
I see you in double vision<br />
but when I blink, you’re gone.<br />
<br />
I spot you in mirrors<br />
where yesterday you shared <br />
coveted smiles,<br />
spoke witty non sequiturs <br />
blanched in ivory light,<br />
but the truth tells me<br />
you were never there.<br />
<br />
Some things you never get used to<br />
<br />
I am afraid slumber provides<br />
restless dreams<br />
where I am haunted<br />
by intangible caresses<br />
kisses from hummingbird wings<br />
gentle mist after<br />
silver Spring showers<br />
<br />
I remind myself<br />
that now I can repair<br />
my shattered heart<br />
splintered by wooden crates<br />
broken alarm clocks<br />
<br />
But it’s you, always<br />
and although I trick myself <br />
into the belief that ultimately <br />
I am better off<br />
the heart shakes its head<br />
embarrassed by my self-pity<br />
<br />
Until then, I wait<br />
like a cat on the prowl<br />
when I can rest<br />
dreamless<br />
without injury<br />
T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-51958836345764181502013-04-04T13:31:00.000-07:002013-04-04T13:33:52.903-07:00A Lifetime Ago<br />
<i></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iVxLBH9EfDA/UV3hnV5q31I/AAAAAAAAAjM/oEhUlURt0OU/s1600/meohmy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iVxLBH9EfDA/UV3hnV5q31I/AAAAAAAAAjM/oEhUlURt0OU/s320/meohmy2.jpg" width="211" /></a></i></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pyvq6iBi8Zo/UV3h7V5gvqI/AAAAAAAAAjU/Zkj1JwRnNa8/s1600/Metan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pyvq6iBi8Zo/UV3h7V5gvqI/AAAAAAAAAjU/Zkj1JwRnNa8/s320/Metan.jpg" width="259" /></a></i></div>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iCnH4R3oCh8/UV3iwyKO55I/AAAAAAAAAjc/eQhjw2XhHiI/s1600/Menow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iCnH4R3oCh8/UV3iwyKO55I/AAAAAAAAAjc/eQhjw2XhHiI/s320/Menow.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i>You used to be so cute </i>(used to be)<br />
he declared with too much enthusiasm<br />
<i>a real looker, a total babe! -</i><br />
as if chopped liver appeared more savory<br />
than me in this moment:<br />
a reminder of what was,<br />
of skinnier jeans, chiseled torso<br />
healthy tan, and a smile<br />
any orthodontist would admire<br />
<br />
The years take their toll<br />
as my once narrow frame<br />
buckles under sore knees,<br />
my eyesight falters under duress<br />
the computer screen’s twelve font display<br />
dwindles in real time<br />
barely able to peer letters<br />
when I squint<br />
<br />
Glory days of yesteryear<br />
pass like a freight train<br />
bolting at one hundred miles per hour,<br />
visions of my tight 501s<br />
flannel shirt, steel toe boots<br />
rugged, intimidating;<br />
underneath was the child<br />
who escaped the conservative shackles<br />
of Midwestern strife <br />
a great place to grow up<br />
a better one to leave<br />
<br />
I played the reindeer games<br />
dated pretty girls with red bows<br />
pink lipstick, afraid<br />
they would kiss me under the elm<br />
in front of my house,<br />
scared that I wouldn’t smack lips<br />
and show the boys I fit in<br />
<br />
I pecked my first man<br />
at the age of seventeen;<br />
he was all of twenty-three<br />
blond bangs that covered<br />
his baby-greens,<br />
a smooth talker who liked to drink<br />
smoke too many cigarettes<br />
until I became weary<br />
and passed him by<br />
his heart a molten mess<br />
<br />
The world was my playground<br />
but insecurities, naiveté<br />
plagued me so that I did not comprehend<br />
that I was coveted;<br />
all I wanted were stealthy arms<br />
to hold me tight, whisper<br />
intimate secrets under linens<br />
our knees locked in a lover’s embrace<br />
<br />
<i>You really were beautiful </i>(were)<br />
he says deliberately<br />
as if what I have to offer<br />
now that experience has taught<br />
is not enough to reflect<br />
on yesterday’s promise<br />
that I can brave the world alone<br />
.<br />
<i>I am worthy,</i> I self-soothe<br />
frayed nerves that challenge<br />
my resolve, self-esteem,<br />
that I am not being admonished<br />
so much as being sought<br />
in the orbs of a pouty queen<br />
with the sensitivity of a nagging gnat.<br />
Survivor when brothers perished,<br />
educator to ignorant ears<br />
overachiever in self-growth, awareness –<br />
I am all these things and yet…<br />
<br />
I do not question what I won;<br />
I just wish I had more time to love, <br />
to appreciate the journey, <br />
had the ability to turn clocks back<br />
begin again, strive<br />
to know then what I know now<br />
<br />
<i>You really were something</i><br />
and I have to smile<br />
because I have invested in my core.<br />
Besides, to still be wistful<br />
is to feel at all –<br />
I don’t pretend to be anyone<br />
other than who I am<br />
and it took a lifetime perhaps<br />
but it was worth the wait after all.<br />
<br />T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-21677235911098116872013-01-09T08:39:00.001-08:002013-01-09T08:40:44.790-08:00Exercises in Brevity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7jmc_yAGUPw/UO2dAQXdebI/AAAAAAAAAiU/5BNilqZBnTg/s1600/abandonedlove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7jmc_yAGUPw/UO2dAQXdebI/AAAAAAAAAiU/5BNilqZBnTg/s320/abandonedlove.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>* The purpose of brevity in poetry is to create a poem where each word counts, removing all superfluous words that do not add to the overall experience. Here are some examples of some brevity that I have written. Thank you all for reading!</b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Exercise one: Create a piece of brevity in response to "This is just a dream" in exactly 25 words. (Gold Trophy on AllPoetry.com)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Karmic Violation </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="content richp" role="main" style="overflow: hidden;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He climbed off her, stench</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
from cigars, bourbon, Old Spice</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
branding her like a Holstein</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
forever tainted by his mark.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">She vigorously plunged the knife.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Exercise two: In 20 words, write a poem with the theme "reality shifts". (Gold Trophy at AllPoetry.com)</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Impatiens</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The miracle of a birth,<br />
a baby bor to an unassuming<br />
mother. Pink petals<br />
of impatiens<br />
flutter by in celebration.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Exercise three: In 20 words, create a poem using the theme "sleep study" (Gold)</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hush Now</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Dreams rankle blistered bones<br />
taut nerves.<br /><br />
The science of wakefulness<br />
interpret raw data<br />
transform the ever-alert<br />
into a napping baby.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Exercise four: In 101 words, create a piece that is emotionally packed on any theme of your choice. (Honorable Mention)</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">One Hundred And One Reasons To Forget</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="content richp" role="main" style="overflow: hidden;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I wade into gentle currents,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">allow waves to cleanse dour anxieties</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and brittle sentiments.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Relief engorges tense muscles,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">yet your absence leaves</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">a cavernous chasm</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">where my heart once was affixed.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Picking up piercing shards</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">organizing them into an accordion file</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">do not diminish the anguish</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">that haunts dreamless sleep,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">afraid to recall nightmares</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">slathered in baby oil.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It’s best that black reveries</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">remain in seamless darkness.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My fragmented mind blisters</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">into atoms and molecules, naked</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">to zealous eyes; I hear</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">gossamer accusations emanating </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">from blind lips, and I am paralyzed,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">dumbstruck into submission</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">cowering behind dampened sheets</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">of silver satin.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Exercise five: In 50 words, create a piece about the word winter. (Gold)</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Winter Heart</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="content richp" role="main" style="overflow: hidden;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">How is it I can lay adjacent to you</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
yet feel so distant,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
as if I can touch the moon</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
cascading over canopies</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
of pine trees where crystal shards</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
dangle, spearing my sallow heart?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The truth is you abandoned me</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
before the first snowfall</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
turning the cobalt night into amber.</span></span></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7694681992981506120.post-75953281613643316992012-12-03T14:57:00.001-08:002012-12-03T14:57:22.842-08:00San Miniato, by Barbara Tomash<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">* I decided this week to feature a poet this week. The poet who wrote this piece was born in Washington D.C. and found her way to San Francisco where she teaches at San Francisco State University. Her poetry has been featured in many literary journals and publications including New American Writing, Colorado Review, and ZYZZYVA.. Here is one of my favorites by her.</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SpRzuOH384w/UL0uRMyiRZI/AAAAAAAAAhc/2yUFrbze5CI/s1600/SanMiniato.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SpRzuOH384w/UL0uRMyiRZI/AAAAAAAAAhc/2yUFrbze5CI/s320/SanMiniato.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">San Miniato</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">what is the difference between a shopping bag</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">as a twelth-centruy church? what is the difference between</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hank Aaron's rookie card</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and apple slices on a plate?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">apples and oranges - one of those lies</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">is the twelth-century church as pretty</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">as the shopping bag? the bag has</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">daisies all over - what does the church have?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">arches and false openings</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">which, then, should be the orange?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">peel open an orange, tiny crescent-shaped sacs nesting</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">peel open the church, interlocking diamonds when linked</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">triangles, squares with triangles, squares</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">within squares -</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I can't get inside -</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">what's the difference between the mask on the wall and my face?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">the mask won't die</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">our fence tied up by ropes, slipshod -</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">the church's frescoes peeled almost completely away</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">sandwiched in plexiglass Hank Aaron's card</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">still faintly breathing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"here Mr. Aaron, you can have</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">the spare bedroom!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">the sea, you say, is not different from the grasshopper?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">a grasshopper no different from a green</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">fish?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">each - both -</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">the shopping bag is the orange</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">of this were a story it</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">would be the apple</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- from <i>The Secret of White</i></span>T*I*G*E*Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17646093615167761751noreply@blogger.com0