Sustenance

I need to read great poetry
to keep the loathsome cares at bay
I find it soothes my soul somehow
and heals my mind along the way

There have been times I was adrift
when time or task kept me away
Yet far too soon dark feelings haunt
shutting out the light of day

Confusion then takes hold of me
direction lost, I go astray
The separation such great cost
no guiding light to show the way

And then, as if by random chance
I'm drawn to page of metered word
The sun begins to shine again
and joyful laughter can be heard

I need to read great poetry
to keep the loathsome cares at bay
It calls to me at darkest hour
And helps me face another day

Eye of the beholder

For this, this is beauty
the image that brings tears
stinging and coursing
down smiling cheeks

the type of beauty
that transcends words
or standard expectations
with quiet symmetry

inexplicable
yet easily discernible
it speaks to the heart
fills it to near bursting

to each his own
for me, it is the
random act of kindness
humanity speaking

Full Tilt

I do not need a day to think about
my mangled heart
I cannot take the time to go over
it again
If I'm to get through this sad mess
my life has now become
I must look beyond the pain
and take the courage as it comes

For I gave it all to you
I won't be bitter about that
No regrets I gave it all
Who would love with half a heart
Who would breathe with half a lung
I live my life full tilt
I won't apologize
I cannot do it any other way
I will not compromise

So forward I will go
and I'll heal along the way
For life shall bring me new loves
to fill my life
All in and full tilt
Come what may

Slippage

Can anyone find me
I was here just a minute ago
sitting alone, wondering why
this life seems so confusing

I know I was a mother, once
I remember holding a small child
and singing softly
as I stroked his hair

I used to go out with friends
a long time ago
before time began unraveling
unraveling

Can anyone hear me
I was talking, just a bit ago
or a lifetime ago
Where did I go

Resonate

I wanted something that would 

Capture my heart
Causing my breath to catch in my throat
And bring stinging tears to my eyes

I wanted something that would 

Startle laughter 

From my very center

Pulling it upward in billows of joy

I wanted something to pull at

My heartstrings

Leaving a melancholy mood
Both familiar and new

I wanted something that would 

Echo this longing
This tremendous enveloping yearning
To be heard, to be loved

I wanted words that would 

Resonate
To fill the empty spaces
In my heart and my soul
I wanted poetry

Hollow

I thought I was dreaming
I was sure I was sleeping
when I heard you so softly
your whisper a breath
surrounding my ear
enveloping my being
with whispers caressing
my soul into waking

As I began stirring
your arms pulled me closer
your touch softly soothing
my innermost questions
until I lay quiet
no longer resisting
my breathing now even
limbs no longer quaking

I must have been dreaming
I was sure I was sleeping
for I thought that I felt you
and heard your soft breathing
it was ever so soothing
this gentle caressing
with words soft and loving
my heart was not breaking

Please let me keep dreaming
don't let me be waking
to memories past viewing
of love beyond loving
of caring, sweet caring
For life with you absent
brings tears upon waking
a heart that is breaking
soul broken and aching

Dissolution

I was talking
did you hear me
were you listening

time was racing
I was losing
were you listening

I was screaming
did you hear me
were you listening
where were you

I was screaming
did you hear me
I'm an echo
echo of you

Here I Am

Here I am
No longer hiding
Standing tall
Feeling strong

Here I am
Moments gathering
Precious cargo
Memories strong

Here am I
Shouting loudly
I am here
I am strong

Here I am
Living proudly
I am here
I belong

Shivers

I sat
so quietly
observing those around me

They shared
such tender times
collecting joy like payment

The time
The thoughts
of distant acreage floundering

The wealth
spent silently
observing those around me

Outsider
looking inward
shivers rack my body

shivers rack my body

shivers rack my soul

Uncounted Wealth

Oh, the moments I have spent
the laughter I have witnessed
the joy of momentous ramblings
the pleasure of simple travelings
the craziness I've found
in spending time with you

The commitments I have made
to simple joys and wanderings
to random times well spent
in sharing memories fleetingly
What are these moments worth
what price be paid by slumbering

I cannot feel the rain
but that I feel the cleansing
I cannot feel the rain
but that I know the sunshine
I cannot mourn the loss
of things that have no meaning
I live a life overflowing
with limits unacknowledged
I own my heart and soul

Release your pent up longings
no longer hold your heart in
Dance alone the colors
ride the wave of love
Live life no longer wondering
which path you should have taken
Your road is there to travel
let life's journey now begin

Hidden Truths

Secrets are truths too frightening to share
Held close and hidden from view
and though they have no more
substance than air
The weight of their burden will bury
your dreams
and become much too heavy to bear

And what of the secrets too private
to speak
for fear of what others may say
What happens inside us when life
brings such change
Our worries and fears we must rearrange
We find ourselves saddened
by all the time wasted
Yet hopeful for each coming day

This isn't the life she signed up for
Never hoped that she'd someday
be free
But now the truth has been spoken
Though this outcome was never the goal
She finds herself feeling less broken
A lightness begins in her soul