~ a quiet space I’ll share a secret
There is magic in fairy tales
Cinderella, Merida, Belle and their sisters were not perfect in the beginning
They had to wander dark forests
Perfection does not make a story
It’s only a happy ending when you turn the last page.
~ Once Upon A Time
Category: free verse
Fathers and Daughters
I’ll cradle you in my arms like a small child sleeping
Holding fast to your lost flesh
Your once muscular body, feather- weight, gone
Your heart beat, silent
As I carry your ashes home
Where is home?
An island, Vancouver, Toronto, Australia?
It is anywhere we were, anywhere we are.
It is time to set you free
To know with certainty, you’ll return
In a child’s gentle touch or a stranger’s crooked smile
In a fairy tale mention of an ever- after land
In a scotch and water moment.
I am resolute; I’ll find the perfect spot
To lay you down to rest
A place where first light surprises darkness
On the razor edge of time
When Moon kissed Sun.
A sturdy tree your marker, a shelter from the wind
Yes, I remember. You sailed through storms.
A tree trunk to support me
As I collapse into the folds
The strength I seek, not found
I loved this man who died.
My charm, a ruthless hunter
I wish you back to life
My arms an anchor hitch to hold your heart
I beg you, “Say it.”
Speak the words you kept from me
In turn I’ll share a moment
Of a time you slept unaware
I whispered in your ear,”You are a good man.”
I kissed your forehead
Walked into our good-bye.
You say, “Hush.”
Rain mixes with our tears; I bow my head and crumble
And tell you, the years have been long
That I miss us; I’m sorry and know that you are, too
I speak love over and over
Love. Love. Love.
Until we believe it
Until you show it
You’re not here.
My fingers claw the earth
To find each broken bit that was once you
I’ll assemble you from pieces, return you to the day
Hold on closer than before
I ask you, wait for me.
Time has made me wiser
Aware of all I’ve lost
So I’ll tuck you in a pocket
Make you of myself.
And when it’s hard to sleep
I’ll offer you back to the night
Toss you to the sky
Sing a lullaby to the stars: this man with the gentle soul,
bless his broken heart.
My words form our story
Tender lyrics soothe your soul
A song of mercy
Sung from the book of grace
And I won’t forget to finish that which you could not:
to remember to hold each other up.
You must leave
I hear the rustle of wings, marvel at your strength
You glance back, see me wave
Soar heavenward.
The eyes of the deer watch me
I close my eyes to pray
Lift my palms skyward and whisper,
“This is the holding of a father and his daughter.”
It is time to leave you
See. I am walking away with all of my strength
I am almost there.
I am singing. If you listen you will hear me.
x
~ Family
Hush
Sunday
Beyond her window, the world rests
Stone still
Hushed
As snowflakes tumble
It’s quiet out there
Her eyes look up
For a moment
Imagines herself a child again
Hands raised
Twirling, wondering
beneath a halo of white
While the world stands
Stone still
Hushed
And it is achingly beautiful there.
Autumn Light
Kissed by autumn’s softened light
I sit at my desk
Writing, wondering
The moment simple, quiet
Surrounded by words and thoughts
Tucked away memories
A gentle sadness, softened by time
Rustles
As I cast a spell of silence and peace
The wind whispers your name
Rock a bye, rock a bye
Siren’s sing you home
Rock a bye, rock a bye
To a land suspended in time
Rock a bye, rock a bye
Hush your weary mind
Rock a bye, rock a bye
Do not fear the journey
The stars, your compass
Memories flutter like cranes
Lifted higher upon the wind
Your love is true
Rock a bye, rock a bye
Our souls shall meet again
On the other side of time
Rock a bye, rock a bye
❤
beautiful words
i want to write beautiful words
of moonbeams mingling with starlight
inky skies awash in an infinite universe
of glistening raindrops slipping
a baby’s nuzzle
of gentle hugs for fractured hearts
only speak beguiling words
of enduring promise
for a collective world
of empathy and oneness
sing lilting cradlesongs
of an endless lullaby
I want to write beautiful words
But my heart is weary
Cygnus Aratus
Cygnus Aratus
I stepped through the forest and stood at the edge of a pond
The surface rippled forth to kiss my feet
Unexpected, a flash of red
A black swan glided, weightless upon opaque waters
Slowly it circled
Majestic, proud, head held high
Enchanted, I stood.
As if illustrated on the pages of a fairy tale.
I Remember
I remember you.
A father and my rock
“Let’s go,” you said.
Long car rides, the songs we sang off-key.
Rebels in the wind
I remember.
I remember you.
Reaching for the dial
Slam up the volume
Me. Switching the station to Jim Morrison’s lyrics
Rebels in the wind
I remember.
I remember you.
The rock candy laughter Saturdays
The ocean we sailed
The campfires and crab shucks on the beach.
Rebels in the wind
I remember.
I remember you.
Once lost, then found anew
Your lowered mortal head
The words you spoke, wary, shielded, and broken
Rebels in the wind
I remember.
I remember you.
Late- nights under glittering stars
The biting scent of cigar
“Sit awhile,” you said. Together wrapped in silence.
Rebels in the wind
I remember.
I remember you.
Your compassion and your wit
Where have you disappeared?
A presence sensed; hidden, you pace alongside me.
Rebels in the wind
I remember.
