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Best Poems Written by Barb Black

Below are the all-time best Barb Black poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

Details | Barb Black Poem

The Juxtaposition of a Mending Heart Against a Sadder Time

if anyone were to ask
was there a time
when the black umbrellas
folded
and the reign ended;
the crows again flew, stark
against the Summer sun;
the scent of roses threw
their stain along the tendrils
of the wind;
and the quiet of a day
no longer stretched itself,
yawning like a wound -
if anyone were to ask
when was the moment
that gave beat to the measure;
what drove
the cloud from the lining;
which dog ate the marrow,
warm and quivering, from
the heart of the bone;
how gracefully the slumbering giant
rolled away from the dew
of morning -
if anyone were to ask
what changed it all
my response would be
it happened as he
listened to the unspoken;
honored an unshed tear;
gave loft to the gauze
of an airless dream;
held an empty hand until
it grasped everything -
if anyone were to ask
I’d have to say
these things became
fluid
as effortlessly
and unremarked
as the wink of an eye
that is
the color of the Aegean Sea

Details | Barb Black Poem

12 Days Before Christmas

shining moment
bright angel
light shimmering
a halo on your hair
I am forever
blessed by this 
visitation

baubles dance
on our tipsy tree
we sway too
on a Bing Crosby tune
slightly out of step
but never minding
your heartbeat
is all I hear

time pauses
holding my hand
you wonder
what gift you can give
so filled, voice
stopped by tears
this is the gift
this is all, Love,
that I could want

Details | Barb Black Poem

Driving Home From Bill's House

Part I
Driving from your house
My thoughts swirl like midnight fog
One more tune unsung

Part II
I would have played it
But I was deep in your thoughts
Didn't miss a thing

Part III
Already it's late
I don't feel much like sleeping
Words won't always hold

Details | Barb Black Poem

Driving Home From Bill's House Again

Part IV
you held me close and
in a circuitry of dreams
led me to morning

Part V
waking brought coffee
and a lazy afternoon
spent contemplating

Part VI
who knows what may come
a deepening of something
you are more than friend

Details | Barb Black Poem

Stuff From a Shelf Life

my life's collage is packed carefully
in crumpled newspaper and old towels
does love have given values?

some things -
a small, wooden, goofy-faced Vladimir;
an angelic cow, all wings and pleading eyes;
a dancing Hungarian girl;
things that seem silly to be so loved,
but these bits of who-I-am
wander with me
if you open the boxes
will the tears drown you 
or will they have dried to a salty crust

my heart is in separate pieces
cushioned by hope
perishables enclosed
contents fragile
some assembly required
handle with care

Details | Barb Black Poem

Gypsy

I have wandered
into your land -
its verdant cry
has pierced my soul.
Mine are
the dust-covered colors
of a violent sunset;
see my skirts swirl
ablaze in the summer wind.
My heart is
a magician’s cache
of tricks and turns –
invisible to the eye, 
startling with their vision.
My wit is
a dark night cast
with stars that shine
promise of other worlds.
My eyes are
a noon sky – 
have stared too long
at suns and moons,
have seen days
become years.
I am deeply ancient.
I am tabula rasa.
I knew you
when you were born, yet
discovered you only yesterday.
I will always 
be this curious and wise
gypsy woman –
dancing in the wind,
walking on fire,
wading the river,
listening
for the lush pine grove
that whispers in the evening,
that sings my soul’s music
in a voice that is yours.

Details | Barb Black Poem

Chimera

barkers hawk
shifting paradigms
change is good
and I've got a pocket full
drop a token
in the slot
and get
all the advice
any clown
made of nuts and bolts
can offer
a calliope jangles
the unsaid
a cacophony of slights
left with a sickly slick
(candy apple on a stick)
swirl and whirl
gone crazy
just another ride
just another chance
at the desperation 
and acceptance 
of the soul carnival

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Economy of Words

say much
saying little

speak volumes
in few words

keep quiet
silence roars

economy of words
whittling away
paring down
all I say

tenuous talking
baby steps
to arms
there all along

Details | Barb Black Poem

Another Sip

Vainglorious
for all to see
as the world 
washed itself new,
it wasn't as if
you ate the last pickle
from the jar,
or the first ripe peach
from the tree.

See, I am drinking
another cup of coffee
as I search
for meaning
in your tea leaves,
but comprehension,
much like your coat of armor,
fails.

Try walking another mile.
Try drowning in a thimble.
Try falling up
as stars surround.
This, then
is your duty,
your ever bound success.

I hate to tell you,
I'm no oracle.
Only, I talk rather
loudly, insisting 
that your feet be bare
and your head bowed
before you take another sip
of me.

Details | Barb Black Poem

To Taste

it might be
kids growing weed-like to manhood 
or my wanting to be with you 
time trickles elusively
I try to hold on 
it drips 
honey from my hands 
yawning to the ground 
washed away in the rain 
oh, to lick 
each precious bit 
from my fingers 
suck its sweetness 
until I am sick with it 
sticky with it 
greedy
wanting all of you at once 
not satisfied 
with delicious spoonfuls 
shining gems 
the jar tips again 
my days 
pour unremarked 
I reach 
to catch a taste
of lazy afternoon in your arms 
sweetness