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