|
Details |
Lena Pate Poem
Pink and grey walls rise like castle parapets
Reflecting the sunrise in golden hues
I ride along the canyon to the sound of leather
Creaking softly in the tranquil mountain air
Sweat and horse, with layers of dust
Well worn jeans against a speckled hide
Gently swaying in a unified rhythm
Languidly haze swirling about our feet
Around the bend we startle snow geese
Flocks floating, rising, settling serenely
Angling, landings against the lapping waters
Black tipped wings against wintry white
Sandhill cranes foraging for cutthroat trout
Reflecting blue beside the meandering creek
Majestically standing, patiently waiting
Blue dragon flies dancing within their reach
Off the beaten path we wander
Past yucca swaying in the breeze
O’er grama blue as sky beneath us
Cushioned carpet of pine and peat
Rock squirrels scurry across a Douglas fir
Scolding woodpeckers on a burnt oak tree
The chorus is merged by the hoot of an owl
And the clip clop against rocks as we proceed
Canopies of piñon line the trail
Mixtures of conifer shade the landscape
Grey blue greens with clusters of sienna
Cathedral spiritual within an ageless solitude
Copyright © Lena Pate | Year Posted 2009
|
Details |
Lena Pate Poem
Elusive dreams, I wait on rocky shores
Looking out upon the waters of a troubled storm
Crashing, tearing, reaching to drag me under
Swirling about my ankles, slick rocks beneath my feet.
Will you reach for me when I am falling?
Will you watch me as I drown?
Will you feel any sorrow if I left you?
Would you help me find solid ground?
Siren voices whisper and entice me
Foggy mists beyond my reach
Dancing, calling, whispering of a silent sleep,
If I but release my hold and swim in waters deep.
Copyright © Lena Pate | Year Posted 2010
|
Details |
Lena Pate Poem
In the stillness of the early morn
When nature shakes off the remnants of slumber
Leaves stretching, flowers opening
I sit quietly with my cup of tea in reflection.
Gazing at the first visages of dawn
As the sun lazily climbs into the heavens
Gradually dressing the day in a kaleidoscope of hues
Huddling a bit deeper into the quilt I have wrapped about me.
Oh quiet morn what blessing will you bestow today?
A gentle shower, a warm caress?
Or will passion shatter us from our doldrums,
Enveloping fury of an unleashed tempest.
Communion with nature, I tune into earths heartbeat
Thundering through my blood, rejuvenating my soul
I rise and salute you in prayer and thanksgiving
Calmer from the spiritual union of birthing a new day.
Copyright © Lena Pate | Year Posted 2009
|
Details |
Lena Pate Poem
He stood upon the cliffs awaiting the sunrise
Watching as the last of the moon descended
Anticipating the light meeting the sea
Listening to the waves kissing the shore.
As the tips of light began to reflect
He saw her on the rocks below
Sable hair embracing her shoulders
Skin so pale against the sea washed rocks
He watched as she finger combed her tresses
Humming softly to the morn
A siren song to warm and greet him
Watching, yearning, wanting more.
She must have felt his eyes upon her
Green met fawn linking sea and sky
Caressing, calling, passions rising
Heart beats crashing with the tides
Both knew magic in their souls
Part man, part hawk he spread his wings
On gentle currents down he drifted,
Softly landing on the shore.
But soul mates they could never be
For she was not his kind
Through eyes that glistened with briny tears
She bidden him good life and goodbye
For her world was not of air and sun
Her world was wet and blue
She donned her skin and swam away
As selkie maidens do.
Copyright © Lena Pate | Year Posted 2009
|
Details |
Lena Pate Poem
I gaze at pregnant clouds outside my window
Overcast to match my inner darkness
Wind howls through trees like sadness through my soul
Melancholy mists cloak me in their soft caress.
Raindrops like chandelier prisms
Illusive rainbows reflect off crystal panes
Lazy daydreams of drifting recollections
Water color tapestries of tie dyed stains.
What went before cannot be changed
Dust motes dancing on stagnant air
Aspiration surrendered to forgotten needs
A past littered with dreams stripped bare.
Copyright © Lena Pate | Year Posted 2009
|
Details |
Lena Pate Poem
I followed you around when we were young
I worshiped you; your praises I sung
You were so much older and wiser and right
You were my north star in my blackest night
I broke your clowns when I was three
I cried on your shoulder when I skinned my knee
You were always there when I needed a friend
You were the unwavering force that would not bend
We sang in the kitchen, you and me
Classic oldies, and ballads and Fiddle de Dee
Summertime in soprano and bass
Our own special concert in a warm homey place
I grew to my teens and you threatened the boys
Not letting them treat me like one of their toys
Then off to war you went and I cried and I prayed
That God would return you to us as we waited afraid
Home you came; we wed the loves of our life’s
Through happiness, birth and the day to day strife’s
We shared every one; burdens and bliss
Even the death of our parents, we made it through this
You moved across country but we still stayed in touch
Birthdays, holidays, grandchildren and such
But you called me tonight to give me the news
That my best friend and my brother was singing the blues
The prognosis wasn’t good; I cannot accept
I cussed, and I paced and then I just wept
Now I'm praying again that He'll answer my plea
To help you, to cure you, to keep you with me.
Copyright © Lena Pate | Year Posted 2009
|
Details |
Lena Pate Poem
I cried along with you when I heard on the phone
Your first cries as you made yourself known
With little fists flying and a voice to be heard
You let everyone know, you would not be deferred.
With angelic eyes and a cute little nose
You were pink and rosy, right down to your toes
Everyone cooing, laughing and yes a tear too
For the new life and blessing on your day of debut.
With a head full of hair the color of fawn
Born in the morning just before dawn
You visited awhile and then went out like a light
An angel needs rest to shine that bright.
So welcome Aimee Michelle, we’ve waited so long
To have you with us; to hear your life song
Never doubt for a moment how much you are loved
You are our blessing that God sent from above.
*To my son who lost a son last year but was blessed last night with a daughter. I
couldn't be there due to illness so I only got to hear her first cries over the phone.
Copyright © Lena Pate | Year Posted 2010
|
Details |
Lena Pate Poem
Cowboys herdin’ cattle cross dusty trails
Sandy hooves paint ground fog in their wake
Shuffling along swattin’ flies off molty hides
Riders amble aside keeping eye on their stake
Chuck wagon camps, setting up by a creek
Beans and pan bread cookin’ over hot stones
Coffee’s meandering aroma penetrates the air
Greeting men carrying saddles over tired bones
Ranch hands scout the waters nearby
Look to the sky to judge the night
Storms a comin’ as night encroaches
Coyotes restless, cries rent last light
Cattle dogs alert to changes
Nip the heels of stragglin’ calves
Cowhand slaps his rope while coaxing
Blistered hands and lips in need of salves
Cowhands sing to calm their charges
Bedrolls gathered near the fire
Dreaming of a trail once taken
And of their loves as they retire
Copyright © Lena Pate | Year Posted 2011
|
Details |
Lena Pate Poem
I laid upon the grass one day
And dreamed of places far away
Of palace gates and carpet rides
Of dragon scales and moonbeam slides
Where butterflies were spun of gold
And Unicorns with fairies told
The tales of selkies and magic wands
Where rainbows dipped to drink from ponds
I rode the clouds amongst the trees
Catching rides on wings of bee's
I danced a jig in clovers four
With elves and sprites from times of yore
I followed bunnies to their dens
Chased fireflies to earth again
To proudly stand on hollow ground
Where knights in armor once abound
Then back to sky I flew on leaves
That carried songs upon my sleeves
Back to the field where I reposed
To end my dream as daylight closed
Copyright © Lena Pate | Year Posted 2009
|
Details |
Lena Pate Poem
It lived in the toy box
It lived under the bed
It lived in the closet
And under the shed
It lived in the basement
All musty and dark
It lived in the hallway
It lived in the park
It lived under the bushes
That grew by the fence
It lived in the woods
Where the trees were so dense
It lived in the attic
Where old trunks were kept
It was stealth and quite sneaky
It attacked when I slept
Dad would come to my rescue
When I was afraid
He would check out the closets
He would close all the shades
He would leave on a night light
Outside of my room
He swept under the bed
With mom’s old battered broom
He would hug me and tell me
I was big and so brave
Then he’d yell at the boogie
And make it behave
So tonight I was called
To my little ones room
I smile as I walk in
To defeat boogies that loom
Copyright © Lena Pate | Year Posted 2009
|
|