Transition

Transition

By day......

Princess Cinderella
has her dreams
duties to perform
ducks to feed
crowds to please.

Princess Cinderella
has her dreams
dances to dance
smiles to smile
waves to wave.

Princess Cinderella
has glass slippers
a pumpkin coach
four noble horsemen
and, of course, a handsome prince.

By night.....

when Cinderella's tasks are done
when she's too tired to dance
when her eyes are closing
when she lies down to sleep
she becomes Sleeping Beauty.


This is written for Sunday's Poets United Poetry Pantry #156.

It's Belle

My Granddaughter (as Snow White) with Sleeping Beauty

It's Belle

It isn't Cinderella

though I must confess

for a while I thought it was

because she got to live her dream

showing up her step-sisters in style

then leave her scrubbing clothes behind

when the shoe fit.

It isn't Ariel

who was willing to leave all familiar

her family and her home

and risk the wrath of Ursula

because she fell in love

with the prince who sang Kiss the Girl.

That was an easy choice.

It's Belle

who wasn't put off by a face

and fell in love with the heart

that belonged to Beast

and was willing to take him

just as he was without

knowing he was really a prince.

I admire Belle most of all.

This is written for my prompt at dVerse Poetics:  It All Started With a Mouse.  Choose a Disney character (or characters), write a poem, and join the fun!  The doors are open. 

As I was thinking about the Disney Princesses and what each of them signified, I decided that my heroine was Belle in Beauty and the Beast.  But there is something to be said for each of them.  I really do also love the music that I have included above.  Disney characters are not just for children.

The Missing

The Missing


It doesn't get easier
     the missing
It has been almost two years now
     the missing
others think I have moved on
      the missing.

I keep my thoughts to myself
      the missing
nothing to be gained by sharing
      the missing
nothing would really change
       the missing.

so I write about other things besides
       the missing
and I most often try to ignore
       the missing
but still I strongly feel
        the missing.


This was written for dVerse, where Victoria had us writing poems which contained Anaphora.  It has been almost 2 years since Diane passed away.  I miss her every day.

And There Is the Missing

And There is the Missing

She was someone I always knew
I could telephone if I needed to,
and even if it was unused
I always knew I could
but last Sunday she retired.

Her role is no longer pastor
though I am happy for her
and know how retirement can be
some things I don't want to change.

She was a good pastor,
an example for all,
someone who lived her faith;
so now there will be the missing
of someone I won't anymore know.

The Long Wait

Photo by Peggy Goetz
GUATEMALAN WOMAN

The Long Wait

Life is hard, but
I take all as it comes
go to market
cook for family
       everything fresh.

I care for grandchildren
wash clothes
       that I have sewed
sweep the floor
tend the animals.

I go to church each Sunday
wear my one fine dress and hat,
know heaven will be my reward
the priest in black robe tells me,
       so I will wait.

This was written for Peggy's prompt at Real Toads. She presented us with faces to write about.  I wrote about the Guatemalan woman.  I thought of her as wearing her "Sunday best" in the picture, and my poem went from there......

Cravings

Knickerbocker Glory

Cravings


In my mind I crave

a knickerbocker glory

my heart will not be still.

In my mind I ponder

memories of yesterday

even as my tears do spill.

In my mind I weave

the stories from my past

I smile as I see them still.

In my mind I crave

a knickerbocker glory

my dreams to fulfill.

This was written for Poetry Jam, where Alan challenged us to write about Knickerbocker Glory.  Wimbledon is taking place in England this week you know.  Check the prompt at Poetry Jam, and it will all become clear.  

Life

Arthur Rubenstein

Life

Arthur Rubinstein said,  Love life
and life will love you back. Love
people and they will love you back.

There are years I believed this.
Today I say instead humbug.
His words are platitudes that only
make sense to a certain number
of people I now call fools.

There are many who love life
who have been crapped on and
still they continue to love life
though life gives them nothing,
and I cry out it isn't fair.

There are others who have cared
about people deeply,  gone beyond,
given themselves away and then some,
who are taken for granted by others
with nary a word of thanks.

Arthur Rubenstein, you are wrong.
Your words are feel-good words
not based in reality, at least in mine.
You are a well-meaning man,
but you don't inhabit my world.

This is for Tuesday's dVerse Open Link.

Peace

Kona, Hawaii Sunset

Peace

Peace comes in waves

I clear my mind

      one thought, 

another

      another

another

      gone

until only light remains.

Peace.

This is shared with Poets United Poetry Pantry #155.

White Lies Under the Proverbial Table

Granddaughter & Sleeping Beauty
in the Magic Kingdom

White Lies Under the Proverbial Table

She pranced about like she was  on cloud nine
as she batted her eyes, the apple of her man's eye,
not second fiddle to anyone.

She walked on air with her silver spoon,
and with her head in the clouds people said
she made love seem like a piece of cake.

But her actions were a red herring,
and not even her man could smell a rat;
he really was not her cup of tea

In her closet was a skeleton,
though the cat would be forever in the bag,
that the torch she carried was for another man.


This was written for dVerse where Kelvin is having us write with idioms.

I just returned from a week at Disney World (and am a bit tired from walking / standing / riding rides from dawn to dusk for five consecutive days in 90 degree humid heat).  However....there is indeed magic in the Magic Kingdom, and princesses and super heroes are real! (Not to mention the most well known Mouse, etc.) It will perhaps take me a while to get back into poetry!

Dream

My Granddaughter
and Best Friend

Dream

Please always dream

so you see a beautiful view.

Please always dream --

I hope that your dreams will come true,

know that I will believe in you.

I can't believe how fast you grew --

please always dream

Please always dream

and remember how much I love you.

Please always dream--

there is so much for you to do.

I am so saddened through and through

that routines will change for us two --

please always dream.

This is a rondelet written for dVerse Form for All.  Tony is at the helm. Today is the last day that I had my granddaughter with me for the day solo.  She has been with me daily for about 5 years.  In the summer I will have my grandson as well, and in fall granddaughter (and grandson) will be off to school.  I will miss my daily solo relationship with granddaughter.  It will be the empty nest all over again.  I am always amazed how fast time passes.

Life Among the Roses

Red Rose

Life Among the Roses

"Nobody sees a flower, really, it is so small. We haven't time - and to see takes time like to have a friend takes time. " --- Georgia O'Keefe

I am jubilant today
hidden here among the rose bushes.
Though the thorns pierce my skin
like sequential porcupine quills,
it is for absolute love that I bleed.
I remember when I planted these bushes
so small then, no flowers at all.
I cared for them as my children,
watered, nurtured, pruned, watched them thrive.
The red roses for love, white for loyalty,
yellow for warmth, lilac enchantment and desire.
Such a sultry summer day to be surrounded by roses.
Often I despise the intensity and heat of the sun
on Summer Solstice as it scorches skin and ground.
Georgia O’Keefe painted roses inside and out.
I am as loyal as White Rose with Larkspur
as I bask now in the summer sun I love
I have often dreamt about this sanctuary
surrounded by the beauty that I cherish.
Now I can almost feel the warm ocean waves
of Waikiki Beach soothe my mind and soul.

For Poetry Jam, where the theme this week is Flowers!

The Bridge

Capilano Suspension Bridge - Vancouver, Canada

The Bridge

(A Sestina)

I cross the high bridge
fulfill my own dream
seek to earn the praise
outside the gold window
receive all the love
I trust I deserve.

And what I deserve
creates a living bridge
connecting hope and love
a fantastic new dream
a transparent window
worthy of utmost praise.

I raise my eyes in praise
know that I don't deserve
but am joyful for the window
that gives me the bridge
the fantastic dream
of happiness and love.

There is nothing like love
to show me that praise
is less significant than a dream
but something I deserve
as I consider the living bridge
that leads to the gold window.

Thinking of the gold window
I ponder all the love
that passes across the bridge
contemplate the high praise
that we all do deserve
whether or not in a dream.

I think about the dream
look out the gold window
don't know what I deserve
or what I should love
I wonder how can I praise
so much that I cannot bridge.

I try to bridge, to dream
to all I give praise, open the window
With much love, I hope I deserve.

I am sharing this sestina for dVerse Open Link.  This is the link to the sestina form.

Gemini

Constellation Gemini (where Caster and Pollux 'live')

Gemini

Twin children of Leda
had two different fathers:
Immortal Pollux fathered by Zeus,
mortal Caster child of a mere man.

Whose fate would you choose
if you had to become one or the other?

To be immortal
and know your twin would die
or to be mortal
and know your twin would live forever?

My choice would be mortality,
to live in the shadow of death myself
rather than throughout life preparing for
the death of my twin, my soul brother,
while I remained young and strong.

Written for  dVerse Poetics.             

"Although the twins Castor and Pollux shared the same mother, Leda, the Queen of Sparta, they had different fathers. Castor's father was Leda’s husband, Tyndarus, the King of Sparta. Pollux's father was the god Zeus, making Pollux immortal while his twin brother Castor was mortal.

The twins, whose sister was Helen of Troy, fought together in the Trojan War. When the mortal Castor eventually died, Pollux was distraught. Pollux’s father, Zeus, decided to make Castor immortal as well and the two of them are together forever as the constellation Gemini."   Reference: Constellation Gemini

Nocturne

Owl

Nocturne

Evening brings truth
no hiding from owl
owl sees all
blessing or curse
looks with piercing eyes
right through you
right through me
no deceit possible
nothing hidden
by the night
owl thrives in darkness
exposes truth as is.

This poem was written for Imaginary Gardens With Real Toads where we were challenged to write a 'nocturne.'

True Love

True Love

The mist leaves
the dark green hill;
my body never will.

True love leaves traces;
you and I are one,
stars against sun.

A falling leaf:
a moment in the air
upon your hair.

Without a moon
we endure,
gone and far.

True love leaves traces;
you and I are one
stars against sun.

This is written for dVerse.  We are writing Dadaist method poems where you take snippets from writing and put them together in a new way.   I used the Leonard Cohen poem / song  " True Love Leaves No Traces." I wanted something that made some kind of sense..so the above was what I came up with.  I used the words IN the order they appeared, but eliminated many.  I think the meaning is somewhat different.  The Cohen song IS beautiful.  You can find some versions on You-Tube if interested.  I have copied the poem below for any who wish to read the original.


True Love Leaves No Traces
     by Leonard Cohen

As the mist leaves no scar
On the dark green hill
So my body leaves no scar
On you and never will

Through windows in the dark
The children come, the children go
Like arrows with no targets
Like shackles made of snow

True love leaves no traces
If you and I are one
It's lost in our embraces
Like stars against the sun

As a falling leaf may rest
A moment on the air
So your head upon my breast
So my hand upon your hair

And many nights endure
Without a moon or star
So we will endure
When one is gone and far

True love leaves no traces
If you and I are one
It's lost in our embraces
Like stars against the sun

I Remember

Old Man

I Remember

I remember the days
long ago before the home
days filled with laughter
of family and visitors
children playing loud games
asking me to throw a baseball
teach them to whittle
or to help them ride.....

I remember the days
with never a dull moment
and I used to yearn sometime
for a day of quiet
just one day for me alone
and now I have silence
day after day after day
after day after day.......

The prompt at Poets United Verse First was "I Remember......"

Postcard from Hawaii

Postcard from Hawaii

Weather is warm
ocean is blue
water is clear
surfboard new

Papayas are ripe
mango a treat
guava is fine
pineapple sweet

Hibiscus is fragrant
lei commonplace
luau is tasty
hula full of grace.

Wish you were here
wish I were too!
It would be paradise
just me and you.

This is written for Poetry Jam, where the theme is "It's Vacation Time."  If you have time, listen to Iz sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."  Iz really is the singer who most represents Hawaii.  He was of Samoan descent, had the voice of an angel, and died a few years ago.  His funeral was held in the rotunda of the state capitol of Hawaii because of his fame and renown; and he still is greatly mourned. I have never heard a more beautiful voice.  Watch a few more of his videos on You-Tube for a real treat.

Broken

Broken

Sitting hunched and broken
on the side of the road
next to her overturned car
she wonders where it was
she made the wrong turn,

didn't brake, didn't steer
to avoid something,
but she didn't know, she
couldn't think, it happened
so fast, it doesn't matter,

her body hurts, she is cold,
she tries to get up, her limbs
do not work, it is dark,
cold, deserted, her car
too far off the road

for others to see, and day
will break too late. If only
she could move. If only
she knew where life went wrong.

Shared with dVerse Open Link.  (Picture has nothing to do with the poem.  It is one I took.)  Also shared with Poets United Poetry Pantry.

Shower

Shower

A warm shower
invigorates the body
purifies the spirit
clears the mind

refreshes
rejuvenates
sanitizes

eliminates extraneous
provides a clean slate
new beginning:

Baptism.


This is written for dVerse Poetics, where Claudia is having us write 'bathroom poetry.'