Penny-ante Poetry

darkness envelopes as she sits in her chair before the fire light flickers dispassionately on her still form perhaps–had she known she would have cried out in rage or grief maybe silent tears would have fallen on her hands still, she sits a quandary of a smile playing on her face she may be remembering how he looked in his hat, pressed suit white gloves, bright metals catching her kisses boarding the ship parting salute sailing into the horizon with the sun on his back and the moon low in the sky his letters are strewn on the floor by her feet a yellow ribbon caught on the strap of her shoe and she forgets how his last breath was stolen in enemy seas the fire looks hazy through elderly eyes sometimes yesterday overshadows today shadows and darkness take over the mind synapses misfire she smiles still feeling his arms around her last night when he called out her name and she knows any moment he is coming home.

"No!" She cried although it was too late Romeo drank poisoned wine thanks to a twist of fate He staggered and he fell calling softly out to her "Julie, you know I love you-" but the rest was just a blur. She remembered weeping softly on his still warm chest, taking out her knife holding it to her breast "If I can not live with you I shall not live at all!" She plunged the knife into her heart sobbing through her fall The world around her seemed so dark she couldn't keep from shaking she looked over to where he lay he seemed to be awakening He rose and then he walked to her filling her heart with fear. He then bent down and looked at her and said "Hello my dear." He laughed and then continued on in a voice so strangely cold "Sorry it had to end this way but Juliette, you were getting old You see I found someone new someone so much better It was her idea to get rid of you... I wish you could have met her He bent down and placed a ...

the hell gods have stolen my box of dreams I fell down a deep port hole I try to jump along the building tops forgetting I am mortal so I sit and worry and twist my ring and look for my box of dreams alfred hitckcock and I went hopping from bar to bar to bar my fake id got me inside but the drinks weren't up to par so I sit and worry and twist my ring and look for my box of dreams sex means nothing drugs can't heal this world can't hurt me I've nothing to steal so I sit and worry and twist my ring and look for my box of dreams and I knew love, love sweet and true but now love is no more my heart grew cold and my soul grew numb and I walked love to the door so I sit and worry and twist my ring and look for my box of dreams the cat's in the washer for he was unclean his yowls I pay no heed I just sit and worry and twist my ring but my finger is starting to bleed

death is with me each night I go to sleep into my room he descends into my heart he creeps he holds me like a child he brushes away my tears he deepens all my sorrows he increases all my fears through my dreams he takes me takes me to his land I learn to fly beside him yet I would fall without his hand we explore my darker side see bitterness and dread the reasons I am living that will leave me when I'm dead we slip into a memory he assumes the role you play my soul rejects that part of me when the night becomes the day so if I can't remember why I loved you so don't be sad or angry dear in death my love will grow

my ferocious warrior jealously guarding a heart of tarnished gold and a mask of tribal wood burnt in the fire of betrayal and singed with regret trust lost in small places and marital beds leaves vortex nothing can fill please come into me in deep darkness seeking the pounding and the warmth of my secretly yearning heart hoping to save you

In the desert the world is vast the horizon looks so close you could reach it in a day sandy winds reek havoc on the banners over the door of the bridal tent behind her heavily lined eyes look toward the night sky and wonder why the gods would allow her to be sold like a horse carrier pigeon or whore a magnificent beast covered with shimmering gold jewels to stand before the world and marry a man she has never even seen she looks to the fading stars thinks of another she will never see again Morning comes swiftly to the desert a giant orb of flame bursts forth in the endless sky she can't find his name hidden in the henna patterns on her hand stirring winds snatch the veil from her hair she watches it flutter free, free through the air turning away from the newly rising sun long hair flies behind her teased by the wind that she fights against making her way back

A forlorn frown mars a childish face a single tear falls in disgrace a hurt far worse than a broken wing to be shunned for the song you sing the birds take off in jealous droves mocking voices heard in the cloves an angry chirp, a mocking glare is too much for her to bear as she leaves the light grows dim the air has lost its sacred hymn her song is gone and so's her power the stem grows weak on every flower a man though dressed in clothes so poor can not hide his magical lure his fairy princess, he loved so much a tiny dream, he could not touch through the blossoms their love lived on but where is the dream if love is gone though its been less than one hour death has come to every flower he shakes and stares and falls down dead his bag of birdseed left unshed the birds realize what has been done their demise has just begun

time has come and time has gone as I suppose it always must you take your life the good, the bad the rage, the pain, the lust faces change throughout the years as people come and go some have died some are born some you wish you didn't know war and peace love and hate what would man deem best the time of ours was not a gift more likely, a simple test tidal waves and hurricanes tell us our world changes everyday so have faith in something and someone to love and a path from which to stray

I had a perfect dream when I was fast asleep the world was completely peaceful love on earth was strong and deep stars shining like rare diamonds in an unpolluted sky people smile and say hello as they pass you by the waters weren't tainted cancer had been cured the leaders of the world all realized the pain their people had endured the wars all stopped, men dropped their guns people were singing in the street a Jewish man told his Christian friend I think our families should meet then I awoke to the shining sun I felt a bit confused so I sat down in my thinking chair and turned on the tv news there was rioting in the streets of France war in the east still rages on they closed the subways in New York because there was a rumor about a bomb think that's enough news for just one day? I know that I sure did but oh no, there was another story about a mom who killed her kid a hurricane destroyed a city by the sea the lady on the tv said it's because of pollution fr...

in the smallest hours when everyone is sleeping but me I worry, alone, lost rise to pour a glass of something toxic smoke and worry until the alcohol numbs my brain enough to sleep I worry about much that's beyond my control the world, the children, the misled and used long ago, in those small hours I dreamed instead of worried of a boy who would grow to a man who would be my love unconditional and pure I dreamed we'd marry and live by the sea I'd be a little wife and God willing a mother because our love would be so great that we'd have to share Life doesn't always turn out like you plan in the wee small hours of the morning on a saint's holiday I learned how cruel men could be how they take so carelessly something sacred toss it away into the wind gone scrubbed raw but not clean I dried my tears and carried on but the boy in my dreams faded... The nightmares returned with a vengeance maybe if I had met you all those years ago.....

A young woman sits beneath an old, burnt tree. A child plays before her closer to the sea. A memory reminds her of times so long ago. When she saw the power of love and its ability to grow. *** He was a prince a King amongst men who sought out to prove the sword will fall to the pen. She loved him far better than words could express, when he asked her to wed of course she said yes. Four years they found bliss danced in the light of the moon. When their daughter was born they named her for June. Though happiness reigned in their kingdom so fair- neighboring lands were at war rebellion rich in the air. One day she woke early he was not by her side. With trouble behind her she called, " Love, do you hide?" No voice rose to meet her she ran to her babe. the note pinned to June's blanket said, Yourselves you must save. Tears on her cheeks, fear enshrouding her heart, she scooped up her child and hid, from the battle, apart. Many hours they hid alone in...

Sand holds the memory of Hundreds, on a sinking ship. In the dark, icy Atlantic Perishing one by one... Water carries their last sounds Roaring through tubular waves. Each voice distinct yet unheard Carried under uncaring water, Kinetically cursing the sea.

I make sure, "I love you" is the last thing I say before I close the phone and the line goes dead. The smell of your perfume close to my face- as you recline, small, too small. beneath a borrowed afgan. Drip, Drip, Drip. A silent sound that haunts me...

My love is like a river rushing to the sea. Churning and slowly burning forever-endlessly. My love is warm and gentle a comfort in the night. Dreams once filled with terror are now beautiful and light. My love is ever joyful Like children playing in the snow. My love is always stable no wandering to and fro. My love completes me makes me better than I am. My love is truly a precious gift Part of God's great plan.

I loved you before I knew you your face, seen in my heart- Though I don't understand the reason God decided we should part. I guess you were too special, your spirit had to roam- but I can not wait to meet you when the Lord calls me back home

I need you. Badly. Need, want and lust burn like fire in my soul. I stand on the edge of a vast divide my heart yearns I've waited so long anticipation is surly the cruelest mistress so ready to fall into you so afraid the spark won't burn into a fire. Or the fire will be all consuming.

She wears a glittering masque of burnished gold and counterfeit jewels. Lilliputian feathers crafted by loving hands of soft metal cover the face of a solitary dancer. Her dance is free. Her eyes are hidden. All the other dancers stare. Jealousy Lust Fear Wonder Color many eyes Dresses blur fabric  F   A L G L N   I S N  I G   R deep velvet notes The minstrel effectively Entrances Captures Inspires Binds All the other dancers move. He plays for her. He animates her dance. He watches. Singing, primal and low, ballads. Ardent words bind two lovers hearts. Tarnished twin souls Revel triumphant, brave separated only by the dance.

Silent night, quiet snow, bedroom window frosty pane. Daddy's almanac didn't call for this, it was only supposed to rain. The day was full of games and fun, played with frozen cheeks. The night however is dark and long, like it has been for weeks. Animals hide in the dark, sheltered from their prey. Jimmy used to point them out- before he went away. The Army needs his special skills, to help them win some war- When Jimmy come homes we'll play again, just like we did before. He said it's hot in Iraq, during the day but in the night there is a chill. His last letter home was so long ago, reading it makes me feel ill. Too bad he's missing first snowfall this year, he really loves the cold Won't he be shocked that the farm next door has twice been bought and sold. We should be sledding and building a fort! Man! This isn't fair! We should be laughing and running around, snow getting in our hair. In school they said that the war was bad, I really don't un...

She stares at herself one more time. As a wife, the perfect wife. A mother, the perfect mother. She traces the lines on the glass. Fingertip. Lovely, they used to say. You have such lovely hands. Piano hands.... Do you play? No, she would smile. And blush...and her heart would leap. Because she always wanted to. Thought she could. Scrimped. Saved. Impossible. A tiny Baldwin upright. Simple. Lovely. But..... The kids the chores make dinner did I pack the lunches? PTA meetings, Hebrew Lessons. Honey's in a bad mood again.......... SIGH Maybe Jill can learn and teach her mama. Time flew away in a haze..... Dances and dates and proms and promotions and crazyboyfriends and honor roll and cutting class and Honey's in a bad mood again.............. That Secretary The Beautiful Blond one Tina---- STOP! Don't think about it. Just do the dishes. Move. Forget. Listen to Jilly play the New Baby Grand her Daddy bought her Listen. Just Listen. She says goodbye to the...

"No! Sir. YOU just don't understand. My mom and my dad always wanted to be holding each others hand. They had this special thing , just between them two. They asked me for a favor, it's the least that I can do. They'd sit at night and ponder the events of the busy day. He'd caress her wedding ring in a very special way. She'd giggle like a girl and blush behind a smile. Her eyes, still young and clear her face, showing every mile. She'd return the simple touch feeling scar and dent with care. She'd smile and whisper in his ear, he'd play with her hair. When I was just a child those rings were shing gold. Over the years they faded into the stories that they told. They wanted to die together the love they felt was deep. I'm so glad those C-bombs came when they were fast asleep. I'm their only daughter I promised on my life.... they just wanted to be together when things were dark, when things were blithe. The chemicals rained down...

The Lennox Vase sits on the peeling linoleum counter. A family heirloom passed down to all the women on her mothers side. An Original From great grandma's Hope chest An Inheritance She wanted to save for her Daughter The man with the greasy hair stares at her treasure. A shark of a man who's primary trade is trading other peoples misery. The Lost Looking for Love on the Streets The Weak Looking for an Escape from the Night She watches his face. She waits patiently. She studies his eyes. She waits nervously. She starts to shake. He smiles. She knows the look. She has seen it before. His eyes are full of false pity. She bites a scream She tries to be still He lies. She must have been mistaken. or Great grandma was full of shit. but The forgery is a skilled one. He pauses. She waits quietly She shakes silently He produces a crumpled twenty. He's sorry it's all he can spare. She doesn't say a word. She has too much pride to cause a scene. She plucks t...

Glorious in her fury, she stands on the edge of the world. Watching. Behind her the ocean roars, in ancient tongues crying- for everything that was lost. Before her the war rages, an unholy symphony crescendoing- though nothing will be gained. Waiting. She has seen all this in dreams. Nightmares, encoded in her soul, embedded in her mind. Her fury is glorious and righteous. The anger of the helpless for the weak. The frustration of the seer no one hears. She looks up and can only wonder why.

You think that you're 'a hurtin' me when you walk out that door You think I ain't got sense enough to know about your whore You said you were with a brand new church so you could be a better man but you don't know, is what I've gots; a new boyfriend named Sam. As soon as I hear your boots-makin' for the door I dab on a lil' perfume, and then a little more. By the time your V-8 engine roars, I have a glass of wine then I'm runnin' for our ole' backdoor to see my Valentine You go off and find a way-to be a better man- I'll be gazin' at the stars with my new boy friend Sam. Sam and me just get along like a big carrot and a pea He takes the time to get to know the girl I used to be. You go off and play poker I'm sure you'll get a winning hand just make sure you pay the cable bill so I can watch Lifetime with Sam. When you come back home again, I'll be waitin' here I'll smile at you and lick my lips as I fetch your b...

Tragedy strikes and you think if I can just make it through this moment this fire this hell when the world stopped turning not to rejoice but to grieve and to mourn to scream you freeze seeing all possible outcomes what would happen if you run , hide, escape into a bottle or a dream wish that you were somewhere or someone else anyone you think of something that happened long ago your childhood tree house or the bowling party where you had your first kiss anything before this moment you see tomorrow when the dust settles and the ashes clear the voices left on the wind are silent everything buzzes like white noise then fades to nothing but this moment clear in it's tragedy

You were young, and you loved so true. Without question or reservation without apology or doubt without shame or fear trusting that love alone would save you. Maybe it did. For a while. You grew comfortable. Learned how to be a we. The warmth of love, like the sun on your face, made you forget the cold of winter. Until the leaves started to fall. One by one. questions-you cannot answer reservations-you cannot quell apologies-you don't believe doubts-you never had before shame-that you even feel this way trust-fading in rapid succession and falling on the cold, barren ground. Another year gone by, winter is here. Then you leave love behind. For a while.

The girl by the water is unraveling threads puzzling more than destroying. She is at peace far from her home where comforting scents can be cloying. The wind in the grass carries a song though changed, is as old as time. Cumulus clouds set in wide azure sky tranquility's own paradigm. The unraveled thread is swept away lost - in the forest behind her. When they come looking she'll be right where she is just watching the clear water stir.