bereft
I never left
absurd
how the scene clings
even with eyes closed
shut tight
bright fireworks
behind my eyelids
shadows dancing beneath
my heart
beats
the music
climbs
reaching
not quite there
but not here
anymore
please
I can do this
wait
but a moment will not be wasted
you’re gone
already
I’m torn
between
shadows and flashes of light
hands clenched
bracing
for the blows
that never stop coming
even later
when it’s quiet
the music
the light
keeps me awake
Tempest
the tempest overflows the teacup
so much energy spills from you to me
on my own I thought I was full
but was empty except for the shell I could see
cruel the waves of passion
they crash, hurling you into rock
I can’t see for the tears streaming
scraped raw with secrets you’ve unlocked
winds swirling
dreams torn
feelings swept away
suspended in wonder
when the tide ebbs and my breathing slows
the sky’s dimmed to a greyish brown
I can feel my feet touch the ground again
but I’m too afraid to look down
down is up in this tempest
and I can’t get my bearings
tossed til there’s no more feeling
so I let go of what I learned
tempests can’t be contained
I can’t control my heart
seas and storms and memories
will calm when we’re finally apart
Faded, Haunted Ruins
Ruins
lit by dusty sunshine
it’s never been this good
walls whispering
oh please let me tell you my story
barely covered
such a lot has happened
but a very long time ago
centuries maybe days
Faded
curtain hides nothing
nothing is as honest
damaged lace
don’t let me go without a memory
dingy and dark
so much life in each fold
characters taking over
developing with age
Haunted
the room breathes and shifts
my mind is awake
cracked bleeding
memories are on display here
playfully painful
pretense still abounds
you just have to let it in
step carefully through the ruins
Looking Now
Shadows that came after
Hid discovery and laughter
It was all new once
Before views were dimmed by others
When imagination was shiny and new
When fun was fun and blue was blue
Before I knew the backstory
It was simple not labyrinthine
Now overgrown and hidden
Logic erupts unbidden
Ghosts of who we were emerge
Dreams we once thought were plenty
Tearing away vestiges of youth
We hope but come up empty
Returning each season
We suspend most reason
Look for magic
Ignore the naysayers
Those who look for patterns
Those who look for answers
They dwell too much it’s true
In the past or the future
We enjoy words, shapes and lines
Travelling in the now of time.
Not Alone
Please. Don’t go. Not yet. I don’t want to be alone. Not tonight. The air feels strange and the clouds are hiding the moon. I can’t get my bearings. Not by stars. I’m so warm, burning on the inside but my skin is cold.
You knew before you you saw me I was in trouble. Was it my tone or my choice of ideas to express? Did my eyes give me away or was it the too-big smile? Most are happy to be fooled into inaction. Most just keep walking by. But will you stop? Stay awhile?
There’s so much more I can do besides care about grammar or punctuation. I have so many songs to sing if only someone can help me with the words. My head hurts again. It’s so hard to think with the pounding. So I let go and let you take over while I try to stay upright.
I can almost feel the caress of your words. Your fingers gently gliding as the pen makes real the fantasy. Soothing and thoughtful, the dusky twilight comes alive with fireflies and poetry. My own thoughts jumbled, nothing to keep me company but for some far off dreamer.
The Word Rummager 