Forgiveness is also dawn light on those water-worn stones
Forgiveness is a midnight river, sluggish and cold,
It shatters ice in the heart, thawing frozen bars of pride.
It flows through driftwood memories—gnarled, half-submerged bones,
Each knot a scar where grief and betrayal once were bold.
Forgiveness is also dawn light on those water-worn stones.
The current heavy with lodged pain, with roots ungroned,
Yet soft fingers of gold coax shadows into gold.
It shatters ice in the heart, thawing frozen bars of pride.
It is gardener’s gentle hands, though bleeding, when love owns
Its weeds of rancor, tilled soil where new rosebuds unfold.
Forgiveness is also dawn light on those water-worn stones.
I remember every ripple, every edge of what’s gone,
Yet in that remembering learn each wave must be controlled.
It shatters ice in the heart, thawing frozen bars of pride.
May this tender light linger, a balm after long nights, known
As hope beneath our feet, mercy quietly extolled.
Forgiveness is also dawn light on those water-worn stones,
It shatters ice in the heart, thawing frozen bars of pride.
SNAIL MAIL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Young Stu, with his shell brown and bold,
From the forest post office, he slowly strolled.
With letters packed on his back galore,
With slime as his tires, he slowly went to each door,
"Your snail mail's arrived!" he extolled.
“You fool! Haven’t you heard of email?” badger exclaimed
“Of all your slowness, you should be ashamed.
“With the click of a mouse
You no longer deliver from house to house.”
“But, but…I’ll lose my job,” Stu proclaimed.
“Oh, Stu, you’re so uninformed, so old school.
Your skill set you must totally retool!
Have you not heard of UPS or perhaps FedEx?
You can deliver packages and other objects!
“But snails don’t drive. You’re such a fool!”
“Besides, I’m looking forward to my postal pension
Not to mention days without strife and tension.
And all those Forever Stamps I’ve amassed
I’ll sell online or on my webcast.
Then with Musk I’ll travel to space, otherworldly dimensions.”
Once, legend told of Venus, born from foam,
Her charm extolled in tales and poetry.
Yet even she, though praised all over Rome,
Would feel eclipsed if she set eyes on thee.
Her lips, though soft, could never speak as sweet,
For when you sing, the world stands still to hear,
The stars, though dazzling, falter in defeat,
While even lifeless stones begin to cheer.
I worship thee, my goddess, pure and true,
In every verse and song and even more,
My ardent heart’s a sacrifice to you,
A temple where your beauty I adore.
Because I’m bound by your enchanting sway,
A faithful servant, willing to obey.
Valkyrians
We live in a time when high education
among the middle and higher middle class
get work in a notable occupation
many are women who find a profession
often within the state apparatus
One can say that the female sex has been
set free, but for what?
There was a time when it was vital to have
children, our very existence depended
on women's childbearing capacity by doing
what nature had intended
With educated women in work position
childbearing is not a must; hence, fewer
and fewer children are born, we may
see shrinking population as a prize for
the thought after, freedom from choirs
from the hassle of the nappies
Women at the top of their profession
nearing middle age, realize the hunger
they had was the need to procreate to
have children, alas, far too late for many
Childbearing must be a priority for mothers
ought to be extolled for the effort to
keep the world going around and around
Sadly, we have lost sight of what is important
“Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”
Was how John Keats extolled the Autumntide.
But I’m afraid I like the season less,
For next comes winter that I can’t abide
It’s not for nothing that they call it ‘Fall’.
Those falling leaves are nothing but a pain.
You sweep them up then, next day, sweep again.
And normally it rains as I recall.
But, worst of all, it brings back thoughts of Eve,
The one who was the apple of my eye.
It was October when she chose to leave
Without a word of explanation why.
So sorry Mr. Keats to be a bore.
“To Autumn” doesn’t cut it any more.
In the canvas of life, both dark and bright,
Where shadows dance and beams ignite,
A tapestry woven with hues so vast,
The essence of future, the echoes of past.
In the heart of darkness, a flicker of light,
In the realm of day, shadows take flight,
A balance of contrast, both day and night,
The dance of darkness, the embrace of light.
In the depth of shadows, a hidden gem,
In the brightest day, there lies a hem,
Where good and bad, entwine and blend,
In the symphony of life, they both transcend.
The yin and yang of human soul,
The endless cycle, the eternal goal,
In black and white, the truth extolled,
In light and dark, our story told.
For in the contrast, we truly see,
The shades of human destiny,
The good, the bad, the dark, the light,
All woven together, day and night.
Embrace the shadows, cherish the light,
In the balance, find your might,
For in the contrast, we find our way,
In the dance of darkness and light, we sway.
The mind
its own place
be it heaven
or hell
The soul
but a bucket
to empty
or fill
Goya
a madman
DaVinci
extolled
Sharing
a genius
they fought
to control
Bleed out
the poison
death waits
to reclaim
Or memory
gets buried
and darkness
— remains
(Dreamsleep: May, 2024)
world of dreams
made manifest
imagination extolled
in motifs
eclectic
surreal
thoughts
the outlandish
otherworldly
unconscious
constellations
of visual
poetics
Truly life is a song, if we sing along,
irrespective of fate as it may unfold,
choosing right over wrong, resolute and strong,
our vibrant innocence both playful and bold,
abides in the heart, for that’s where we belong,
aura glowing with light, in scriptures extolled.
Flowing gently in mode embrace and release,
blissful presence has no demons to appease.
How many lies have you extolled
How many commandments have you broken
How many futures have you stole
How many people have you made to suffer
How many pennies have you pinched
In order to cast wishes down a well
How much untold damage have you inflicted
And worst most criminal of all
You still are unrepentant
And actually believe and think
You are the good guy
Well hopefully one day you
to as well will eventually meet
your maker
And unless he is the devil incarnate
him very self
You should surely be in for
A hell of a lot of rude reprisals
And untold unpleasant surprises
In the realm where dreams collide,
A golden truth begins to rise,
Money follows where value resides,
In the world's discerning eyes.
Thirty minutes each passing day,
Devoted to your chosen way,
With training - guidance to display,
Expertise blossoms, come what may.
The world, it yearns for what you hold,
Your worth, a treasure yet untold,
For time and wisdom, you'll be extolled,
Embrace the opportunities unfold.
She came from where earth looks up farthest to the heaven
But the bright flame of hope in her heart did not deaden
Like a wiry sparrow trying to brave a hurricane
She was taught to brave the sunlight and the rain
Like a pilgrim that headed to an unknown destination
She's not sure if she could make it on path to salvation
But the fire in her soul was just like a burning star
Her deep faith was inscribed on the face of her scar
The road to victory was thorny and winding
Like a hail of storm that had no ending
But the beat of her heart was just like a soft breeze
In gust of autumn and winter, she did not freeze
Against the tough storm, the brave rose casted her thorn
In the birth of new morn, a fair legend was born
The bright beauty that dared the strength of mighty men
Was extolled on a shrine to be praised now and then
INTRUSIONS OF NATURE
In a cascade of light, like wax that melts,
It strayed, mischievous and free of bounds,
Across her smiling lips, mine eyes did dwell,
Then solace found upon her bosom's mounds.
I pressed kisses on her ankles fair,
And in response, her laughter did abound,
Melodious, sweet, with notes that filled the air,
Like cut glass sparkling, a joyous sound.
Her dainty feet sought refuge in her gown,
As if to say, "No further, I implore."
Yet she relented, allowing love to crown,
Her laughter bearing no reproach, no more.
Her tender eyes danced 'neath my gentle touch,
A caress, delicate, to move her soul,
She cast her head back, mock despair as such,
"Truly, Monsieur," she playfully extolled.
And then, with kiss upon her gentle breast,
I met her challenge, laughter's flame renewed,
That laughter, a sign of consent at best,
She stood, undressed, resolute and shrewd.
Outside, brazen trees leaned 'gainst the glass,
Their leaves intruding, curious, so near,
Snooping upon our intimate repast,
Too close, invading our privacy, I fear.
:: 05.13.2023 ::
Revive forth own verve
By stating your swerve
Extolled
Height of straight, deserve
You thrive and observe
Withhold
From the maelstrom, serve
This wicked world's nerve
Remold
Show the strength you hold
Your wings just unfold
God cheers
Fawning dazzling cold
Peace and faith are gold
Calm fears
We are soft-built mold
Bleak tales will be told
Shed tears
Thwart faults from past years
When gray face appears
Conserve
Trawl wise warn from seers
Gold rings in your ears.
Subserve
Life, precious gift dears
From bright life, mind peers
Preserve
Written: March 16, 2023
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Write Me a Virelai Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Kim Rodrigues
I love my Motherland the Philippines--
Land of my birth and of my ancestors;
To her my strength, my heart, and all my means
I dedicate freely without remorse.
Her majestic mountains and emerald seas
Give her beauty wonderful to behold.
Her clear azure skies and soft, soothing breeze--
Balms to once troubled hearts but now consoled.
The blood of heroes that enriched her soil
Must never be forgotten but extolled;
They must be kept even through tears and toil
Their lives--their sacrifices--must be told.
From the fabled hills of Batanes isles
To the deep jungles of Tawi-tawi,
Let our voices proclaim through many miles
Our undying love for our dear country.
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