Reign of pearl shell hub haunts,
red rose bud scent woodsy,
riddle strewn engraved close,
redeems a gold throat verve,
relay sun cast tinctures,
rainbow spectrum gladden,
rousing spark, shrewd ethos
refuge bound coffee dock,
relish swirled oe’r fruit pie,
rekindles twin core fire,
rainy day swift chase off,
rejoice amid town cluster,
rank thumbnails on eclat,
resound a mirrored spell
What Never Comes
Flying
too close to the sun
Reeling
from nights on the run
Yearning
for what never comes
Dying
alone — unbecome
**
New Words
Freeing his echo
he broke with the past
Leaving the reference
and voices recast
Lifting the moment
above and beyond
Each breath coming back
— new words to his song
**
Missteps
A quicksand entrapment
lost in its mire
Drowning inclement
— fleeing the fire
**
Night Winds
The desert
rekindles
Your essence
on fire
Strange voices
and faces
Incarnate
desire
A lizard
lies watching
One eye
rolling back
As night winds
uncover
The devil’s
— lost tracks
**
In The Vacuum
Silence
has a sound
that hides
in your fear
Those questions
unasked
bypassing
your ear
It seeps
and it enters
when lost
in your guile
And shouts
in the vacuum
of quiet
— denial
**
In Debt To The Moment
Beautiful pain
Glorious suffering
Exploding regret
Immune to the sound
Embracing today
Releasing the memory
In debt to the moment
— lost and refound
**
I hear your voice in my head
a thousand miles away
life fades, rekindles thoughts
fades, rises again
the brook babbles
water falls
in frequencies
audible
white heat simmers
on parched earth
dry bones are
ground to dust
like ashes to ashes
I still hear your voice in my head
resonating in the silence
it beckons you to know
what is and what is not
real.
?When all is still, and stars forget to gleam,
?hope yet whispers through the dream.
?Though hearts may fade and voices cease,
?love’s soft echo grants them peace.
?
?No tomb, nor tide, nor endless night,
?can dim the soul that clings to light.
?For even when the heavens tire,
?love rekindles faded fire.
?
?The rose may wilt, the song may end,
?but time itself shall learn to bend.
?And in that bend — beyond the gray,
?two hearts shall find their dawn’s new day.
?
?For hope, once kindled, never dies;
?it sleeps in stars and wakes in eyes.
?And thus our tale, forever whole —
?is love unending, heart and soul.
?
? _redthread
?
with AI chat toys
my children sparkle with glee
engaging with droids—
their toys become soulful friends
for exploring the future
With voice-box removed
the alien falls silent,
just fabric and fluff—
they are just soft toys again
enjoying laugh cuddle games
mute toys tell the truth
imagination rekindles
in talking one-way
in imaginary chat
not in scripted fake chatter
would you place your trust—
in this beast in sheep's clothing
to mind and amuse,
to babysit with your child
with lessons from aliens
LIGHTHOUSE IN THE STORM*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
amidst the tempest,
a beacon stands unyielding,
guiding lost sailors
waves crash and thunder,
yet light pierces through the night,
hope against the dark
rocks loom, shadows dance,
with each flash, courage rekindles,
safe harbor awaits
*Note: Poem originally published at Poetry Soup in June 2025 then later at creativeramblings.com/writing-prompts/weekly-prompt-13/. This is my original poem.
to compose a poem
if we need to think
it is better we pause
in the gap when we blink
spontaneity rekindles
our innermost essence
effervescence epitomises
our soul’s quintessence
in our natural element
spirit shapes life’s course
there is in truth no need
for application of force
when we set up an intent wave
soul’s emotes are by God heard
alchemy then transforms
creative spark as the written word
Sparks aflame my sanctuary
Flickering, roaming glints
Over valleys of bygone years
So long kept in shadows
Traversing the bleakest darkness
Where heat of love evades
As the cool of Prussian blue night
Forms a silky silent shroud
Unravelling threads of sorrow's blinding
Guiding me from night to day
And through the hush, a glow emerges
Soft as songbird's first breath
Now embered dreams ignite ahead
The past melts in morning's hue
And where the lantern's light has led
Hope rekindles burning true
“looking back, I’m ashamed of what I was
I’m different now, though not without flaws
Each crest becomes a trough, as we move on
God slowly steers soul towards a new dawn”
- by Unseeking Seeker
Weak as a straw of grain
Easily bent by wind and rain
Flown by spiritual life’s negligence
I’ve awoken, I was no longer content.
I’ve felt life’s spiritual insufficiency
As I’d less time for my Father Almighty
While material things rose and sufficed
I’ve void and spiritual thirst inside.
Consumed by strains of toil
Was derailed facing life turmoil
As deep regrets and shyness overwhelmed
I asked Holy Spirit’s guidance and strength.
As I asked God’s forgiveness
I’ve felt His love and faithfulness
His mercy rekindles me with wisdom
To bear Holy Spirit’s fruits glorifying His kingdom.
God gave me blessed assurance
In the future, old age is not a hindrance
I’ll still be worthy as His humble servant
Proclaiming His words until He comes.
While mopping the melted snow of winter.
I remember when I got a splinter.
My expression cringing.
My finger twinging.
But still I reminisce.
Of the fireplace’s caress.
While dusting the places usually never seen.
I remember being-
Next to a draft.
Feeling bereft.
Wishing for spring.
Not seeing-
Flowers that bloom.
Feeling like I’m in a tomb.
But nowadays I slip from my mopping.
Dust flying and never stopping.
I miss being lazy.
Even when it was hazy.
But then I open a window.
And love for spring rekindles.
Soon summer will come around.
Then I’ll miss the smell of spring that abounds.
There's not a day that goes by,
That I don't wish to see your smile,
Or that bright sparkle that rekindles your eyes.
Engulfed in contentment and peace,
I've finally found hope in humanity.
But we're broken souls,
Trying our best not to be hurt.
Abstaining from the pleasures of the world,
Distancing ourselves as we go.
Lingering questions left unknown,
Indecisive decisions ought to be shown.
Past lives, broken trust,
Betrayal and anger, hatred and lust.
I know it's hard to open up,
But give me a chance to show you love
I felt numb, not happy or depressed.
I had no feelings, they took what was left,
But you were my *hiraeth*, that I see now,
And I'd love you even on my last breath.
If you must go, I'd leave a blank page,
In case you decide to return.
I open up my chest
You see my beating heart
I sometimes wear it on my sleeve
If ever we're apart
I know I should be guarded
Protective of this flesh
But then again your gaze upon me
Rejuvinates to fresh
I open up my tiny realm
Allow you to step in
The veil between our worlds sometimes
Evaporates to thin
You see me when I'm naked
Clothed in nothing more
Than a garb of insecurity
Without asking for more
You see me when I battle
With the enemy inside
You see me in those moments
When I'm overcome with pride..
And all the while your kindness
Rekindles all that I am not
A treasure you uncover
Where an 'X' just marks the spot
Through the sand you dig relentless
On the island of my soul
To uncover wealth within me
Lift me up and make me whole
You’re magnificently lovely,
You’re like fine wine, so sweet like grapes from the vineyard.
You are the light that rekindles my love,
Your eyes are the galaxy of stars I want to look at the rest of my life.
Your touch ignites my body like an inferno.
You’re my mistress and master of love.
You’re the doctor that stitches me up when am broken,
Injects me with compassion when am depraved,
And massages me on our bed of roses.
You knit my robe with hope in your gown of passion.
You chose me, I chose you.
Together, we’ll walk out of this maze of prick and thorns to the chambers of destiny.
Softly runs the mouse
Across the sun baked tarmac
Sparrows nestle in the shade
Of droopy maple leaves
A single engine drones overhead
A grill rekindles faded scents
Black smoke to cleanse its palate
Distant voices ride the wind
Collide in the trees
A slightly tattered flag
Smiles in the sunshine
Two bees dispute
Nectar’s runway
An unheard hum envelops
The quiet street
Nature’s choir warming up
John G. Lawless
©5/21/2023
Hope soars on the wings of faith
Faith rides the tides of peace
Peace breathes the shadows of inspiration
Inspiration rains down silent satisfaction
Satisfaction stirs a whisper of joy
Joy sighs with a melody of grace
Grace reassures the most intimate prayers
Prayers arouse feelings of kindness
Kindness appeals to the reflection of light
Light abides inside the sweetest spirit
Spirit creates a song of praise
Praise brings alive hymns of excitement
Excitement in the heart welcomes His presence
His presence rekindles brilliant fires
Fires of love reveal the heart’s wonder
Wonder ignites a spiritual wisdom
Wisdom heals those heavy, anxious thoughts
Thoughts of His embrace reflect salvation
Salvation proves that God’s love is alive…
… dancing through the heart and soul…
… reminding us why we worship and adore…
Singing praises from the depths we can’t control
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