A simple breath, the bubble forms
then floats in search of things adored
keen awareness, filling bareness
collections placed and interlaced
a meaning soon restored.
She dipped below an ocean wave
And gave with grace a treasure saved
of centuries old, its story told
seasons more to yet unfold
A single pearl unscathed.
From Collections from Breathing – a WIP book of poetry
Forgive me if I’m buggin’
and I do a little pluggin’
But I’ve got a bit of news I’d like to share
You see, the inspiration
Came from grandkids fine donation
Of ideas of which they planted I ensnared
I made a little book, you see
of children and diversity
So I posted it without an ounce of qualm
And if you’d like to see it
If only for a wee bit
you can find it now on Amazon.com
Yes, You Can! available on Amazon.com
When I am with you
how fragile are the eggshells beneath my feet?
Will they break with the slightest touch?
A mere cast of any eye?
Should I walk with feet bare
or can my soul and thoughts be bared and shared
without fear of injury
to you
or to me.
Mostly, to you. My back is strong.
Yet, I will not avoid the eggshells.
I will say they are as strong as Ostrich eggs
and stand on them without hesitation
without burden of breakage
with hearts in tact
communication an easy commute
to connection.
If you stay on one side
and I the other
how will I know the color of your eyes
what tune your voice plays when your words lilt into the air?
How will I know if humor is one of your senses
or if the shoes you wear have traveled far?
I want to know what made you grow
and what kept you stagnant
what made you smile
and what made you weep
If you stay on one side
and I the other
how would I ever be
enlightened?
image by Kerfe at https://methodtwomadness.wordpress.com/2018/06/29/waves/
Dive into my center
past the bog of obstacles,
the sharp edges,
the pointed arrows.
Peel this artichoke
layer by layer
leaf by leaf
through tiny thorns.
See past the choke
into the light
of my waiting heart.
To taste the smells of distant shores
contents of wares within wooden crates
heaved on sturdy shoulders
to reach my hand between the wooden slats
and feel the relics
like silk between my fingers
those tastes of memories.
To taste the smells of distant shores
teas and spices peddled by steadfast merchants
exotic oils purified and funneled into blue glass bottles
the dusty threads of ancient Persian carpets
woven by still, sure hands
the taste of skill and craftsmanship
of those who came before.
I want to taste the smells of distant shores
the ports of entries open
for senses to rouse
for eyes to open
in harbors safe
a saving grace
exposure to
the new.
Why?
Why did they leave?
Was time too short to leave footprints in the sand
or did they level the playing field to erase proof of their presence?
Did they call to me before bidding adieu
when my ears remained distant?
Discouraged I’m not.
Beneath the sea
A plethora of life.
I wonder why I wander
in this forest thick sans light
how the birds can fly above it all
peering down upon this “sight.”
What must they think of us below –
– this self-discovery mass –
who struggle dusk to dawn each day
to fly a life first class?
But I will not give up this path
dark or light, while restless
for awed discovery of things unknown
makes this wanderer breathless.
The human course, it often baffles –
the politics, ego, discord –
who wants the giveaways of maniacs?
No, they can keep their judgement raffles.
But if something makes our bellies churn
the core, an apple rotten,
then curious it makes our eye
perhaps, it’s then, we learn.
painting by CD-W
Carolyn Dennis-Willingham 