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Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash. Leonard Cohen
Showing posts with label Gooseberry Garden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gooseberry Garden. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Dreams

image from rubyblossom
Reaching back in memory
to when I was a child
the border between wakefulness and dreams
was a gauzy curtain
and I often peeked through
spying on one side
from the other.
I could conjure my favorite dream world
and leave when it threatened to turn nightmarish
but I could never bring back
my dream treasures.
Vague and hazy now
I remember brightly colored toys
cuddly stuffed animals
a sweet, delicate music
and a profound happiness
that I yearned to bring with me
to wakefulness
yet
I always awakened
with empty fists
and arms hugged around nothing
but myself.
When I cried
my mother would ask if I'd had a nightmare
I could never explain
that I was crying
for a happy dream
that I had to leave behind.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Phoenix

from a long day of
nothing
but mental masturbation
and self-flagellation
Brain packed with eider down
fuzzed filled
forgetful
The clock
the enemy
ticking away the day
time to rally 
move the leaden limbs
accomplish something
anything
maybe tomorrow
I've been shot down
in flames
and I want to believe
in rebirth
but I'm still waiting
burnt feathers

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Spider and Moth

The web has done its job
sticky strings trap
fragile wings in
threads of oblivion
The spider
eight legs furiously winding
she's an old grandma
with her ball of yarn
The moth
little mummy
silky death dress
Such a tiny
perfect
demise.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Snake In the Grass

The Snake Charmer, Henri Rousseau, 1907
Don't know much about charmin'
but I caught myself a snake
Seems the man I've been lovin'
has been out on the make
Thought he was so harmless
but he finally shed his skin
I see his scales too clearly
now I know where he has been
Snake in the grass
better get outta my bed
Cause snake who try to bite me
get handed his head, oh yeah

Thought he was just flirtin
Just having some fun
Now I'm really hurtin'
from the damage he done
Snake in the grass
Forked tongue keeps on tellin' lies
Your love is like venom
You hypnotize with your eyes
Snake in the grass
better get outta my bed
Cause snake who try to bite me
get handed his head, oh yeah

I was once bitten
Believed that I was real cool
but you got yourself smitten
tried to make me the fool
Thought you could betray me
but her treasure fool's gold
who you missin' now, boy?
Your blood can just stay cold
Snake in the grass
better get outta my bed
Cause snake who try to bite me
get handed his head

Snake in the grass
better get outta my bed
Cause snake who try to bite me
just might end up dead, oh yes.

submitted for Magpie Tales, 83
and One Single Impression, 186, Betrayal

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

The Kiss

image source
Practicing with her reflection
in the bedroom mirror
What if the lips don't align or the
head tilt is incorrect?
She studies the angles, features, dimensions
Such easy nonchalance takes much rehearsal
A flip of chestnut hair
a carefree laugh
and then
hold the gaze just long enough to let him
know
She leans in with lips
slightly parted
slightly quivering
Crashes into reality and
herself
in the hard, cold glass.