Best Quiets Poems
Through frayed seams a rosy dream bleeds
needled and re-stitched
with threads of time and love and hope..
and still — a rosy dream bleeds
the miscarriage of a promised rose garden
leaving me bereft but for entwined bands of gold –
contemplative thorns tempt my angst
moony moody barbs bristle twigs of tenderness
sigh— it’s not a laurel wreath worn atop my brow
as I sit alone with a squeamish friend
my blue-sky-to-storm-cloud introspection —
as your distant eyes deserted mine long ago
Winter's beast laid bare a cerebral graveyard
lost you wander amongst laid-to-rest neurons
worn headstones of thoughts and laughter and memories…
you wonder why they hide — why they died
the crackle of cognitive circuitry quiets
branched-lightning fades from unwitting clouds
and aged roots of reality perish
our red rose finished fallen to pieces
you-and-me-petals a messy heap like old potpourri —
yet in dark’s hush love’s scent lingers on our dream pillow
Oh nostalgic sepals embrace me!
my heart yearns to return to the bud
to the fullness of our June bloom —
instead, I bury desires beneath life’s litterfall;
amid pollenless stamens and leaves of one-sided reveries
and cage my fear my despair behind purple thistle facing the light
as I free a smile for you, my love —
you my sun that still parts the rain-bearing nimbus
[Verse 1]
Been walkin’ through a year of Sundays
Sky don’t talk, just sits and stares
Then her scented note came down like summer rain
Didn’t say much, but it caught me unprepared
I wasn’t askin’ for a reason
Wasn’t lookin’ to be saved
Just closed my eyes ‘cause I was tired
And there she was—sayin’ my name
[Pre-Chorus]
It was barely even written
Just a few lines and then her name
But it landed like a whisper
After weeks of nothin’ but blame
[Chorus]
When she says my name
It don’t fix the cracks
But it quiets the room
And the weight pulls back
Like the night she called me
When the heat wave finally broke
Her voice—low and real
Made me think there might be hope
[Verse 2]
I don’t know if she’s the real thing
Or just someone who saw through
But she talks like she’s been wounded
Like she’s got old battles too
I wanna tell her I believe her
But most days I don’t trust sound
Still… her name comes in like morning
When the dark’s still hangin’ ‘round
[Pre-Chorus 2]
And I ain’t tryin’ to be rescued
Not sure I even could be
But if she’s still reachin’
Maybe there’s still some of me
[Chorus]
When she says my name
It don’t make me whole
But I swear it slows
This outta-control
Like a porch light flickin’
Through the rain and the smoke
Yeah… I step toward that
Even if it’s just a joke
[Bridge]
I’ve been lied to in poems
And fooled by my own lines
So maybe I’m holdin’ back
Just to feel some control this time
But if she’s more than a moment
If this ain’t just pretend
Then let her voice be the start
Of something that don’t end
[Final Chorus]
When she says my name
It ain’t some grand thing
It’s soft… like truth
With a little sting
Like a window opening
In a house I thought was sealed
And I lean into it
Just to feel something real
In quest to find respite and solitude
I drift on the light of an amber sea
It's there I pray in words of gratitude
for a life that's blessed with serenity
Riding on waves where only peace prevails
gently lulled to sleep by swells as they crest
Tropic winds flirt with my billowing sails
I dream of feasting as Poseidon's guest
This peaceful voyage calms my heart and fears
Quiets the distress I've felt in the past
There's never a threat I will spill sad tears
while my anchor of burdens is not cast
I shall sail upon this sea in my heart
without the need for a compass or chart
~~~~~~~~~~~~
August 28th, 2016
the sun
low in the sky
yearns for a leap into night
as shadows squeeze their way into bedrooms
like shapeless dragons
for children
cocooned to an early bed
staging thoughts like puppet plays
on a wall terrain
of mossy caverns or whispering vines
that never merge dreams smoothly
when children imagine the huff and puff of shadows
like creatures swimming in circles
overlapping at a patchwork distance
before the painted black of night
quiets the pull of imagination
in the candy cane bend of sleep
Trepidation
One second I am watching
Typing.
.
. .
. . .
(blank)
Why did you leave?
.
. .
. . .
(hello)
I feel empty.
My keyboard is humming
stop
Trepidation
I look forward to today
stop
Trepidation
I keep telling myself it’ll get
better.
Once I’m
grown.
Insufferable silence
Leaves the mind derelict of all thoughts
Suspended in motion
Yet time cannot be caught
Reaching—
For something,
For anything,
fingertips grasping at the warmth of a moment
already lost.
(Click. Click. Click.)
The keys whisper secrets I cannot decipher,
a language of absence.
A breath, a blink,
a flicker.
but this time, I catch it.
Hold it
Steady.
stop
(swallow)
Let it settle
Trepidation
Minutes pass
Hours
I forgot to check your
2 New Messages.
I felt, better.
Not whole, not fixed,
but lighter.
Settling in
.
. .
. . .
(say something)
(why do you do this?)
A deep breath.
A stretch of fingers
The weight is still there,
but it shifts,
just enough.
.
. .
. . .
I was just thinking.
(gulp)
(exhale)
For the first time in days,
the air doesn’t feel heavy.
The world
softens.
The static
quiets.
This time,
I let the light in.
Trepidation
I push my chair back,
feet hitting the floor,
real, solid.
Step forward.
The hallway is warm,
bathed in a glow I didn’t notice before.
The clock keeps ticking,
but it no longer mocks me.
A sip of water.
A stretch.
The weight of the day does not crush me.
Not today.
For the first time in a while,
the silence is not so empty.
I take another breath.
And this time,
I don’t hold it in.
When sorrow overwhelms you,
And, pain is like the oldest friend,
Remember, when you’re down,
This isn’t where the battle will end.
When worries leave you fearful,
And, the clouds just won’t break,
Don’t forget – there in that sky,
Abides a peace that you can’t mistake.
When mourning seems everlasting,
And, grief prompts you to tears,
Remember, when you’re living in shadows,
There is hope beyond the worst fears.
When regrets follow you so closely,
And, the guilt keeps you feeling remorse,
Don’t forget – there in spring’s sigh,
Shines love that our dreams will endorse.
When anger leaves you feeling so dreadful,
And, the suspicion provokes your wrath,
Remember to forget all the uncertainties,
Sincerity and peace are the stones on your path.
When discouragement overwhelms your spirit,
And, darkest despair quiets your inner peace,
Don’t forget your true feelings will remind you,
Deep within you God is creating a masterpiece.
When melancholy seems to haunt your spirit,
And, the dusk overshadows your dreams,
Remember to cast your eyes to the perfect skies,
Where joy and hope seem to go to extremes.
When an aching comes over you, just trembling,
And, the unsteady words just won’t speak,
Don’t forget, love is always with you, defending,
Even when you feel drained, you’re not weak.
When your thoughts are filled with troubles,
And, your mind is your worst adversary,
Remember, all but One of us is flawed,
Only Jesus, our Savior, is truly legendary.
When you think of all you have lost,
And the anguish seems printed on your heart,
Don’t forget, with the love of Jesus, there is hope,
Despite the hurt, you’ll find the peace He can impart.
When everywhere you go, everything you know,
Reminds you that this life is just so hard,
Remember that He is there, alive and well,
Offering you His saving grace – He’s the souls lifeguard!
a fine mist quiets the forest floor,
an acorn drops from above,
with a thud
a crisp oak leaf spirals,
gently to the ground
a burbling brook,
feeds it's trout
in a while, my heart joins in
.... and worries drift away
She moans and tosses
He sleeps lightly as always
And quickly is wide awake
Aware of her every move
He knows what will follow
He is ready
The moaning becomes a scream
He feels the terror
Knows the vile dragon that she battles
In her nightmare
Filled with hatred for the beast
He moves closer to her
“Don’t touch me!
Get your dirty filthy hands off me
“Get off…Get OFF
Stop it! STOP!” She shrieks
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
And he gently shakes her awake
Then moves back
As she bursts into sobs
“It’s just a dream…
I’m here….sh….there now
It’s only me!
He’s gone…he’s gone!”
And yet…though every cell
Is dying to rock her in his arms
He holds back
Knowing…she will cringe at his touch
And push him away
If he moves too fast
First he must slay the dragon
“I’ll never let him touch you again”
He whispers…gently moving closer…closer
“He’s gone…Gone.”
He is almost there
“If he EVER lays a finger on you…
I’ll make him pay….
You’re safe with me.
He won't EVER hurt you again."
Her hysterical sobbing
Quiets down
Almost imperceptibly
She sits up and pulls her knees in to herself
Burying her face in them as she rocks back and forth
Crying....more softly now
“NO ONE will ever hurt you again….”
There…he’s ready to gather her into his arms
She looks up into his eyes
The look of revulsion disappears
When she sees the dragon slayer of her dreams
There beside her…with love in his eyes
Still she holds back...feeling tainted, spoiled…dirty
Her hands running up and down her arms
Desperate to clean the marks
Of dragon fingerprints
Burned into her flesh
He understands and whispers
“You are mine now"…
He holds her hand
"You are so beautiful....
My angel…
I'm"...
And before he finishes
She throws herself into his arms
And holds on for dear life
To the dragon slayer...
Her savior
He doesn't know how long it takes
Until she falls back to sleep
Her even rhythmic breathing
Warming his neck
His arms enfolding her
There is so much he can't understand
So much of her that he still doesn't know
But he is sure of one thing…
He’d give his everything
He'd give his life
To slay every last dragon
Of her night.
Eileen Manassian Ghali
Words float through the eternities,
flown on the wings of souls.
They're born within,
when the heart gives an offering,
rippling like blown rain when the mind takes control
and quiets the heart's emotions.
Words are the bridge between what separates,
and contains both truth and lies.
Words express what cannot be expressed,
when death haunts.
Gives voice to the musical notes of sadness,
that dwell within.
Words paint the skies with tenderness,
when spoken with love,
gives gratitude to the helping hand.
Words live forever,
they are the mirror of the spirit,
that walks alone in its surrounding flesh.
Words are a way for the soul to be heard,
released from its universe as a tool,
or a weapon that conquers minds and leads the senses,
to expectations or a fall.
Words matter.
10/19/14
Why give me passion
And not bring it to fruition?
Why give me love
And withhold reciprocity?
Why give me voice
A touch above mediocrity
When all I want is to sing?
Why give me words
When they don’t transform?
Why give me dreams
With no hope of a reality?
Why?
Why make me enamored by beauty
When all I see is plain old me?
Questions that need answers
Rebellion is brewing inside me
Why?
Why create me with incessant longing
That will never be quenched
To learn sacrifice?
To suffer?
To pay the price?
To purify?
But all the reasons
Don't satisfy
I’m tired of asking "Why?"
This heart is about to die
Eileen Manassian Ghali
The Answers:
The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17
One of my favorite Bible texts. God allows me to throw my little temper tantrum. I am, after all, His child....at times rebellious, but when I'm all cried out...if I let him, He takes me in his arms...and quiets me with his love.
Gratitude brings such extraordinary peace.
From complaining,without it, there is no surcease.
Gratitude makes the worst messes unfold.
You turn all over to God, let go and be bold!
Gratitude quiets the most arrogant of hearts.
Human angels, fly into your heart and never depart.
Gratitude, for me, is greatest at dawn!
Given another day of life,to walk barefoot on God's most holy lawn!
3/13/2021
~ 1 ~
Written on my birthday!
I know where you’ve been
You’re not alone
Walking through doors
Looking for signs
I know where you’ve been
You’re not alone
Room full of noise
Quiets the mind
I know where you’ve been
You’re not alone
Open your eyes
And you will find
You’re not alone
Anymore
this noisy head i live in
it just never quiets down
theres some motherf#@ker screaming at two am
about some unpaid bills or parking tickets
and some other idiot going on and on about some girl that left
somebody is allways throwing trash out in the common area
little bits of some ancient relationship
small parts of some old mystery
just want to tell em all ''will you all please shut up"
stop that godawful freakin racket
some fool on the roof shouting poetry just when your drifting off to sleep
another idiot in the basement throwing monkey wrenches in the works
always somebody causing some kind of ruckus
just want to scream
"can we PLEASE get some peace and quiet for five minuets"
this crazy head i live in
i want to move
to some nice quiet country house
where you never hear a sound
peaceful with birds chirping
where i can get some rest
not this confounded noisy head i live in
not this apartment building of lunatics i call a mind
My insecurities, taunting me
With the s i l e n t treatment, enoughs
Stirring up doubt inside, where
I hide all the loose ends, the frailties
Little uncertainties, haunting me
With the assumptions, the assurance
I’m not good enough, never
Good enough – wise enough,
Kind enough – bright enough
Never will be sure enough
Can’t imagine being pure enough
No, I know I’ll never be enough
I know I’m not enough,
But, still I want the joy, the love
That comes from sharing my life
Without someone I love,
Someone who will understand,
The wonder of a friend,
The tenderness of a man,
It must be God’s plan…
Because He gave me someone to love
Someone who is sure, makes me feel secure,
Comforts and encourages, soothes away
My doubts, the darkness, the past –
Lifts me out of the clouds that blot out
My dreams, my faith, my hope
He quiets ever tear, all the fear
With the promise that He is here
Always, throughout it all, through every year…
My knight in shining armor – and, I love him so – love him so much more
The strength I show, I show to all.
Forgive my footsteps, if I should fall.
I'm here as ever I've been, and shall ever be,
don't ask about the old ones.
The ones who asked, why we..
didn't find that sacred path.
I will make you understand, a love that surpasses,
A love that will find its way, to reach your heart.
So be kind, and let me rewind....
My life is still at the edge of a new dawn.
Let me show you the promise of a love,
that finds a path to truth..,
and quiets the dreams of youth.