Short Retraced Poems

I laid it all down
retraced the path
memories of you
when I looked back
how it all started
how the end came
always a winner
and a loser in the game
that time with you
I will never forget
and I walk away
with no regrets...

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Tides pull you into waters clear,
cupping both hands, she tastes
your pain. 

Her lustrous foam draws briny tears;
waves sigh in seas retraced,
then wane.


By Rhonda Johnson-Saunders, 3/10/15
for Nette's Memento of Waters Contest
visual #4...

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~

Soft tears
ascend in trills
delicately turning
to grace each cord and string of light
where waning rhythm flickers strands of love 
as soft light calm slowly retreats
delicately retraced
to her adorn
soft tears

~


...

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I've been at the edge before, I swear
I've made it to where hope is simmered down;
But there was nothing for me there,
So I simply turned around.

I've retraced all the footsteps, I swear
I've made my way up and back to town;
But there was nothing for me there,
So I simply turned around....

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"Wettened by the morning dew 
Closely spaced where rows of roses grew 
Footprints stained the cobblestone 
Where my love and I had walked, alone"

We retraced those steps again
Melded hearts singing passion refrain
Where the scent of roses swirl
We strolled with our little boy and girl
...

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My earth defined days are counting fast,
So if one, by chance, let friendship waste;
For sure, the memories we have will last,
Because past won't change or be erased.

Even though in thought we have retraced,
We'll be viewed as remnants of our past.
Because past and present are interlaced,
And it's by our doings that our die is cast....

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Tonight twilight retraced 
our frozen cradle
that rocked beneath 
a barren lover's moon.
Bewildered shivers stuttered 
breath unable to seep between 
Denial's teeth so soon.

Transfixed by passing, 
seized by change 
I'm paused over 
a foundation ceased, 
it never fell. 
I beg new dreams call me to cause
before this emptiness 
chips through Hope's 
fragile shell....

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In shadow of the moon, why 
an illict bone, indentured
to the spirit of Buddha ?

The footsteps were retraced 
to find out the angst
of disappearing grass.

The blue eyes must remain 
unclosed to print the 
image of a pink cloud.

This desperate retraction.
I will not be able?
to write a single poem.

The unholy exit was
damaging the steel of a
proud man, still standing erect....

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A Dodge from X:

A thin layer of synthetic skin grips with poise 
As small plastic fingers grasp on to the blades of grass
A shoulder raised
Ready to embrace
Steps retraced, redone
A swift move of confidence 
Feet planted, and a shoulder pointed
Arms raised
They pull through to the back pocket
The body soon to follow
Rung off the pipe
A corner painted
A goal scored

A dodge from X...

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The instigator relates, we cheer.
Deflates nay Sayers
The instigator retraced all fears
Detest all stares
The instigator dissects dialect
The instigator obliges his faith
What phase? The instigator 
Emblazed freeze gaze.
Counsels full LAWS.
Legal eagle at the cause.
The instigator  has
 FAME No game.
The instigator takes flight 
Ignites surprise
Do fly red eye
Nice GUY  GOOD GUY

GOOD BYE...

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The touch of lips- brief and soft.
There was no more grief.
This evening forever lost in memory.
Through the ripples of untroubled water, we sat.
The waves rolled closer.
Together we crashed by the pull of the tide.
Anxiously losing track of time.
The wave- thick, unforgiving. 
Retraced its step.
And I forever lost.
Forever inhaling it's essence.
Forever remembering that night with closed eyes....

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Shattered, busted
Broken pieces
Sinner, lusted
Crisco creases

White noise
High pitched screams
Girly boys
Wet dreams

Blood red stains
Off white gown
Pistol rings
Chalk on ground

Lethal needles
Veins blown
Better feels
Than being stoned

Strip club love
STDs
Ketamine rub 
Nose bleeds

Masked face
Girl at gunpoint
Steps retraced
Blow this joint

Hep C
Painted skin
Deadly
Seven sins...

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_
__
___
____
_____

She loved the color yellow
of sun glisten grace
in amber fields of prosper 
and silken dress of lace

She loved the color yellow
of stardust hope it gave
where roads which never ended
and golden sunset gaze

She loved the color yellow
in buttercup satin drape 
of Autumn's words at sunset
and mornings calm escape


She loved the color yellow in simple shades retraced...

_________________________
...

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you read a couple of chapters
and toss the book aside
meaning to get back to it
on a cold and snowy night

the weather has been sunny
the book collecting dust
in an obscure corner
forgotten with other stuff

you pick it up and put it down
eventually losing your place
the bookmark lost, the page unmarked
the chapters not retraced

you should have finished reading
the story would have warmed your heart
the ending was a happy one
laid out for your soul's hearth...

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