The warm, dark wood of high-backed stalls
enclosed us like a womb,
and, nose to nose, we talked with eyes,
oblivious of the room.
You shone with special radiance
that welled up from your soul,
a subtle, golden inner light
I was honored to behold.
The candle made our shadows dance
so merrily on the wall -
our faces orbited the flame,
so happily enthralled.
Your eyes were pale as opal stones,
translucent as the sea,
and in their depths I know I saw
what looked like love to me.
You were so fair, so beautiful,
so graceful, that you gave
to me a blessed memory
I'll carry to the grave.
Categories:
high backed, love,
Form: Quatrain
The images plucked from a full soft drive like over blown berries
threatening to fall……blasted to the humus. Swing chains creak.
The high-backed, heart carved, chalk white, front porch swing sways;
to the kicking of your feet. Beside me, you sit in spankin’ new school clothes singing.
Together wrapped like pretzel dough, we warble, annoying the sparrows.
The bumble bee yellow and black stripped school bus is late.
The dreamy cottage bungalows’ screen porch perches like a tree house ledge
over the four story drop off. Hundred year old sentinel pines tower still above us,
limbs house hug. The occasional cone drop ricochets down the trunk
to a soft needle landing, and a bouncing roll before falling off the retaining wall
We own the world. King and Queen of the Mountain are we. I sing “Ducky Duddle” to you.
You laugh. All the joy in the world in such a small sound. Oh, how I loved to make you happy.
Two short years before, even your name was new to you..my boy, Jamie.
Categories:
high backed, childhoodhouse, school, house, school,
Form: Free verse
High-backed chairs around the walls
Frame their faces,
A gallery of despair.
Daytime TV droning daily
Offering tips
On cooking and hair.
Care workers lift, soothe, wipe,
Meaning well
Distribute stewed grey tea
Use my first name too loudly
Like old friends in hell.
But they don't know me.
I have always been old to their young eyes,
An empty shell is what they see,
They dress and bathe my body
But they don't touch me.
Categories:
high backed, caregivingold, old,
Form: Free verse