ACCEPTANCE

I have within my small abode
A collection of books,
A library,
A retreat from the daily life I lead.

The books that I read leave a vision in me
Of places now far, far away.
If I could paint, a picture I'd leave
Of places I've been to and dwelt.

England, Russia, Germany, France,
The words, they draw me in
To places I have never been,
But books have drawn me in.

Am thankful for the ones who write
Both now and in the past.
And teach me things I do not know
My knowledge now increased.

I asked your favourite colour, and you described to me;
The colour of the skies, the oceans, the seas.

How could someone not love a colour so deep?
When it’s above and below, in everything you see.

But as time went on, I resented that colour,
For each time I saw it, it made me feel duller.

Was it so bad? To abhor the blue?
For the sole reason of losing you?

I learned to love every shade, every hue.
I even wore it, just for your view.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

As the year’s end clicks toward twelve
Everyone is hoping for something new
If only it could somehow be reversed
The whole year is already rehearsed
Pleasing many, disappointing the few
So into laws of physics one can delve

To run once more, so all can try again
To get it right this time, avoid mistakes
A perfect performance, if one is able
But no such kind offer is on the table
So just move along, for all our sakes
And knowing regret is a kind of pain

She stands at the bathroom sink
in a glow of soft artificial light,
face to face with her reflection.
Applying nightly moisturizing cream
to the apples of her cheeks and
all the mountains and valleys.
They hold the lines and wrinkles
that tell the progressive
story of her life.
She wonders if it matters,
if anything can
stay the hands of time.
She struggles to find
the woman in the mirror
in the girl within her mind!

I woke up this morning with the devil by my bed,
“Have a shot of whiskey,” was the first thing that he said...
He poured some in a glass but I turned away in fear,
Then he told me to relax, “Don’t be rude, let’s have a beer...”

He tempted me with power and fame and fortune too,
“You only need to listen when I tell you what to do...
He told me Jesus Christ was nothing but a liar,
“And if you take these little pills, I’ll lift you so much higher...”

ATTRACTOR

After all this time, and still no answer
I must ask the question why
I don’t consider myself a chancer
With letters sent and no reply

It’s confusion whilst never knowing
And a cold winter wind is blowing
But keeping warm all the while
As I recall that special smile

But can she ever know I’m waiting
It’s a serious question if one can cope
Yet all’s not lost, as still there’s hope
There’s pleasure in anticipating

But there is one thing never to miss
The genuine opportunity for a kiss

SMILE

Whatever the reason prompt or cause
A smile in response, can offer proof
Sometimes it can be hard to convince
Especially if it is twisted into a wince
It may look strained, if one is aloof
Suggesting a need for a token pause

A smile is both a signal and reaction
Whether minimal or full toothy grin
A gesture that feels warm and sincere
Except when cold pressed lips appear
But if also seen in the eyes, it's a win
And can also signify deep satisfaction

PERSISTENCE

Just when you thought it was all over
And told to wash your hands of it
One sneaky lingering look says it all
And it is still there, alive and kicking
Almost proud and not too surprised
Despite the rumour, love never dies

It can even explode into a supernova
Or make a pearl from an oyster’s grit
The blinding light from a lightning ball
And one can hear a timebomb ticking
Once a significant sound is recognised
Yet mostly, pure raw emotion applies

Quarter-twenty bolts mixed with tie clips in the jewelry box
Dust-encrusted fedora and homburg hats stacked on a closet shelf
Row of ceramic mugs and goblets high on a wall-top
Small, floppy, stuffed toy dog askew on the living room couch
Sculpted wax dragon candle on a bedroom shelf
Bundle of hair tied up in a ribbon

These are the ashes of memories left behind
When the holders of those memories are no more
Destined for a trip in a dumpster to their final ending
These are the ashes of a life