Finding My Voice

At the gathering of rhymers - where first I did recite

Were other poets more worthy-polished; oh, so erudite

Metaphorically in pinafore-pigtails; I rattled-shook with fright

Standing meekly solo at center stage - in blinding beacon’s light

That day I did unveil my soul; its nakedness to expose

For I was still a tender babe in art of verse and prose

Much like the turkey carved - for Holiday's buffet

Fat, skin, gristle gone – the superfluous cut away

Leaving only the meat of me hanging from the bone

As I poured out my essence there; so profoundly alone
Laid bare as I was – ever fearful of rejection

I expected no less than my merciless dissection

For a rhyming verse of faux face - I knew I had not shown

But truest reflection of inner heart; which was my very own

As years progress, as I mature - my poet’s voice grows strong

Still, some days my voice will squeak or l get the meter wrong

I boldly now do add my cry to the turbulent, cacophonous song

Of poets, writers, rhymers, dreamers – noisy, wondrous throng!

The Same Question ... Repeated

"The unexamined life is not worth living." Socrates 


Unanswerable
The incessant question of
The why – why – why – why
Razing self; to clear new ground

I was created
To reason, ask, seek truth
For in asking “why”
I am my most human self

God knows the answers
To every question
I ask for faith – courage
To hear his reply

It is difficult
To listen with open mind
Sitting silent - still
Disclosure, so long delayed

Mortal element
By nature does not
Ever tire of asking, "Why?"
The pattern ever repeats

The ancients
These same inquiries made
No different were they ...
Than you or I
For 'tis only human to question, "Why?"

Dancing with Phantoms

You have begun to accept
That what you had wished for
Never really was
So agonzing, the weight of that reality
Even after all these years

I can see in your face
You've been dancing with phantoms
Indulging in the "What might have beens"
The "If onlys" can have gotten you down
Re-breaking your heart anew
To steal your joy away

Aren't you ready to move forward
To invite happiness into your life?
Embracing the possibility of a future real
The past is gone - it can't be changed
I pray you choose to let it go

You've been dancing with phantoms
Indulging in the "What might have beens"
The "If onlys" can have gotten you down
Re-breaking your heart anew
To steal your joy away

I ask you to reclaim your life
To take my hand and trust once more
To dare believe in the healing power of love
Won't you stop dancing with phantoms to

Come .... dance with me?

For Momma at Mother's Day

The first songs I ever sang
Were taught to me
At Momma's knee
Her clear soprano voice
Carried melodies
Oh, so sweet to me
No birdsong can compare to
Soft - low lullabies
That soothed away my baby cries
Lulling me to slumber's shores
In the arms of one adored
As Momma sang to me
Warmth of her love enfolded me

My first prayers offered
I knelt beside my toddler's bed
A tender child; the sleepyhead
Tiny hands folded together reverently
My eyes shut tight
As Momma prayed; with faith and might

In her job of raising me
Momma knew
That as I grew
To teach me to become a woman of integrity
Was God's calling for her mother's heart
I thank you, Momma
Your love has never failed me
With your help
I am the person God has created me to be
The race is won
Your part is done
Come, rest here in my love's warmth a while
I'll sing you close to slumber's shores
Lean on me
She whom I ... do so adore

Book of Proverbs - Chapter 31

¹⁰ A wife of noble character who can find?
   She is worth far more than rubies.

²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
   her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
   but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.  

The Empress of Jasmine

This tiny safe haven
Well shielded
From winged-whining vampires
Hovering close; hunger crazed buzzing
As they bump-bump-bump
Against the wall of mesh screening
Desperate to devour us

Crickets draw their bows
Rasping them against the strings
Serenading symphony
Pulsating harmony

Evening cool slowly slips into
An empty rocking chair
Settling in for a cozy sleep
Wrapping herself with
Thick blanket of heady fragrance
Issued by blossoming jasmine
Un-replicated yet by finest French perfumers
Each delicate flower's essence
So mulitudinously multiplied
Filling this small porch - my lungs - my head
Until I am intoxicated/besotted/giddy

Wordlessly
Tenderly, you take my hand
Raise it to your lips
Gently pressing there
Sweetest kiss full of meaning
As though holding close
Something sacred or rare

Tonight I have become ... The Empress of Jasmine
Surrounded by love
By song
By nature's spicy perfume most exquisite

I am, by far, the wealthiest woman
To ever draw breath
A fortune in treasure untold, I posses
For I have discovered a crown of joy complete
Here with you

Behold - I am she -
The Empress of Jasmine
Elevated to royalty by the
Power of your affectionate regard
Sovereign of this limitless realm of love
My kingdom, no larger than a postage stamp
Yet, my dominion far exceeds the bounds of
Infinite Universe

Storm Is A Brewin'

I can smell the rain
Well before other senses
Discern the coming
Of advancing storms

Odor of fresh earth
So pungent; it is tasted
Hangs heavily
Afterward, rain falls in sheets

Curtain of water
Fall here to shield me from view
Far from prying eyes
Privacy penetrators

I predict in you
A brewing storm of the kind
Most never witness
Nor should sane men wish to see

Tornado-Tempest
Spiraling cloud - Killing wind
Will destroy this house
Resurrected never more

I feel the increase
Breezes whipped up to strong gusts
The storm is upon us
Go now, run to safety ... hide

So I Blinked

Woman with Closed Eyes - Leonardo DaVinci

I've watched over you

Through your darkest hours

When unhappiness

Tore a wound so deep

I could see straight through you

It was too gruesome

To near observe - so I blinked

Turning my head

Just for a little while

To calm my anxiety

When I dared look back

I was stunned-shocked-stricken by
What I did not see

It was empty ...

The place where your heart

... Should have been