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Best Poems Written by Steven Riley

Below are the all-time best Steven Riley poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

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Thoughts On California's Drought

Thoughts on California's drought

The palpitations in this wash basin 
Do not belong to the wind or the sky, 
Or even the sea
They are the eager feet of children 
Surveying and searching the 
Scorned  land for 
Foxtails and lady bugs. 
The color is washing away
From the memories of this artist
Now he sketches children 
Because it reminds him 
Of hope.

Details | Steven Riley Poem

The Absence of Touch

The absence of touch attaches itself 
To the narrow whisper of his heart beat. 
Footprints echo in loving embrace 
Of his fathers mummified conscience
There are memories that rise like the sun 
On days when the leaves aren't kept
There are days when the rain won't come
All he wants to do is look outside And see him starring back.

Details | Steven Riley Poem

The Distance Between Shadow and Light

Light means 
That a shadow will soon dissect it 
At just the right angle. 
This lonesome man wonders 
Did mr. Williams see it coming?  
Or was it more of an illusion  
As it may sometimes seem..
I think he grasped it 
Because it's beacon was so eternal 
And I think his recourse, 
Like an artist, 
Will continue to fall at 
The feet of those 
That will learn the distance 
Between shadow and light. 

RIP Robin Williams. We miss u!

Details | Steven Riley Poem

For Mom

My hands grow cold 
In a room of flowers 
And yours, 
A fusion of water, bone 
And light, 
In the tender palms 
Of a grown daughter.   

For weeks now, 
I imagine how softly you will go 
And yet how profoundly 
You have always been.  
For weeks now I've tantalized 
My heart with your voice, 
Your steps and your 
And your overall presence  

Mom, If you were to put your ear to 
My chest and listen to 
My heart beat, 
I wonder, 
Could the vibration heal you?  
I imagine it 
Igniting the sunrise in your eyes; 
The ferocity of motherhood 
Bringing you back to life.

Details | Steven Riley Poem

Loneliest Existence

With the sun in the forceps 
Of an ageless night, 
The bells at the lighthouse toll 
Until they are merely sterile 
Breaths.  
Occasionally, a ghostly whisper 
Validates and dissects 
Each tear, each truth. 
I can't imagine their loneliness- 
watching light burn 
Until it is as small as a flea, 
While we endure engulfed 
In light, 
Principals of refuge 
And shadow.

Details | Steven Riley Poem

My Solace

Light moves through the trees 
As if it were recording 
The smallest gesture of your one open eye. 

We could be talking 
About how the carnations grew wild this year, 
How the yellow one wasn't a mistake  at all in a field of mostly pink. 
We could be talking about 
The riverboats and canoes 
Softly rubbing 
And how you said 
They sound like footsteps 
In the jungle. 
Yes, we could be talking. 

But we both know 
That your hand in mine, 
Will make these talks worthwhile tomorrow. 
For tonight, 
We learn that the universe 
Is simply too big 
To be our home.

Details | Steven Riley Poem

For Christine

This poem is inspired by and 
dedicated to Christine Ha, 
MasterChef season three 
winner. 

Christine, I'd like to 
Sit and dream with you for a 
bit-
You, the story teller 
Me, the dreamer. 
I'd like to wash my heart 
In your evidence that 
There is colors and 
Meanings in this world. 

Did the sea urchin's 
Spine feel like the grass 
That so many wonderful 
dreamers 
Know all too well?  
I can picture them 
Purifying themselves in labor-
Some with their hands, 
Others with their heart.  

I imagine a sponge in your hands, 
Your fingers tightly squeezing 
And the splash that would reverberate 
As the water hit your soul.  
Then i imagine the sun reflecting off 
That image.  
And all I can do 
Is smile.

Details | Steven Riley Poem

Impressions of the Sunrise

I went to visit Alex
His mound covered by leaves 
and gold light. 
I felt close enough to hold him 
And kiss his cheek goodnight. 
In error I pardon myself, 
Asking for a visit or a dream
I plead his tiny hand against 
mine 
Will help to seal the seem. 
I balance my tears long enough 
To lift my feet and run. 
But there I am sterile 
Waiting for my will to come. 
I believe my tears are heaven 
bound 
As I search the wayward skies 
Solitude so great I plead for 
just 
An impression of the sunrise.

Details | Steven Riley Poem

Love

To convict a man
you first must break his spine.  
He will stand again, 
like a budding flower, 
ever knowing the 
tears that crawled 
and wavered 
in his hands.  

He will only speak
your name, 
my love, 
and the pulses of 
each finger, 
wrapping around yours, 
will vibrate the world.

Details | Steven Riley Poem

How Do You Dream With Eyes Wide Open

How do you dream with eyes wide open

How do you dream
with eyes wide open?
Every breath tantalizes
and mesmerizes
the warm
and the frozen.

The warm-
A mystery of tomorrow
or seconds from now,
when human touch
seals a smile across
your face.

Where love is not pleasure;
It is the coin we toss in
the fountain
that reverberates and
defines and inspires.

We carry love.
Our frozen memories
Bridge to love.
It is the only way we can 
Survive.

Dare I ask,
How do you dream
with 
Eyes wide open?