A Glance

spark

(image from http://www.kimballibrary.com)

I see him
a glance
racing heart, sweaty palms
Do you think he feels the same?

Rapid pulse,
garbled words, come on tongue speak!
Timid smile
blue eyes twinkle
my knees go weak

Kind, gentle
thoughtful, intelligent
Fluttering heart, the spark of desire
Do you think he feels the same?

Soft, warm
tender touch
melting will, ache to be one
dream to be friends forever
Do you think he feels the same?

Sniper

The joy of meeting
after an extended time apart
quickly turned to discomfort
as words pierced the air between them
landing precisely between insecurity and self doubt.
Comments made casually,
“by the way…but he really didn’t mean it”
were released with the skill
of a camouflaged sniper
patiently waiting to strike his mark.
An awkward pause ensued
before the two went their separate ways.
The sniper content that all was as it should be,
the receiver struck with recriminating thoughts.

Access Denied

locked door

(image from flickr.com)

The door is locked
and you won’t share the key

Sometimes I catch you in there
when you think I won’t notice

like the Garden of Eden
fruit of all trees can be eaten
except one

I have access to all rooms
except one

I don’t desire knowledge
for I know what’s in there

Neatly packaged bundles of memory
wrapped with the bonds of time

some bursting their ties
swollen with retelling

others tattered around the edges
faded and worn

I want to throw the door open
dust away cobwebs

let in the light of day
cut the bonds of these tightly held packages
loose the memories

releasing
like a boat being untied from its mooring
ready to accept a new adventure

but the door remains locked
and you won’t share the key

My Visit to Dordrecht, Netherlands

Brug naar de Tijd, Grote Kerk met Zwijndrechtse brug, Dordrecht,
(photo by Frank Peters)

Colorful echoes of the past
collide with bright visions of the future
Slow steady rain drenches ambition and desire
Need for heat and warmth
propels feet forward
Wetness seeps into fabric, into pores
permeates a moment that has been experienced
by many before
Standing below historical buildings with
their antique facades
Now
seems to be the only thing that matters
yet Now was thought to be
equally important one thousand years ago
Determined explorers, rowdy sailors, sly traders, clever merchants
All who passed this way
share Now
it has come and gone and come again
as colorful echoes of the past
collide with bright visions of the future

Gate Keepers

Pieter_Janszoon_Saenredam_Interior_of_the_Church_of_St_Bavo_in_Haarlem

(Image by Pieter Janszoon Saenredam)

The gatekeepers raise their sleepy heads
They have been dormant a long while
Many years have passed since anyone has crossed the threshold
Their curiosity is more intense than any fear that the visitors
may cause harm

The sentinels observe silently from the shadows
Maintaining their invisibility
They want to take in all they can before their presence is made known
Perhaps they will choose to remain in the shadows
A silent whisper in the corner
Or a large drop dripping off a soaring column

The visitors drop their voices to a hush as they enter the vaulted chamber
They cannot see any sign of life
The gatekeepers are well hidden
Still the transients sense another energy surrounds them
A flicker of the torch
A coolness across the cheek

Walls are looked at with awe
Painted fresco moves and dances in the firelight of the torch
Brought to life briefly with the illumination
Carved sculptures flow smoothly as light and eyes pass over them

The gatekeepers are content to allow the visitors to wander
They are moving with care and respect
Stepping carefully, touching softly
Whispering prayers of thanksgiving and homage
To deities of their own

As they retreat the gatekeepers scan the grotto and see
All is as it should be
Content that all is in order
They allow their heads to droop and close their sleepy eyes

(Inspired after visiting Oude Kerk Amsterdam circa 1605)

Limited Anger

anger

photo from cnnectability.ca

 
Ears ring

Hiss and Snap
not a kettle or pot boiling

Something inside

I just want to be mad for awhile
I want to rage
to holler and yell
I want the world to suffer perceived injustice
with me
I don’t want to look for the positive
or see any silver lining

The limit has been reached
Any limit
My limit

I want to let emotions flow
tears to fall
I want to steam and boil
a sulphuric geyser field
exploding
soaring
shooting energy
into the sky
a powerful force
dangerous
yet beautiful to behold
bursting confines

then

Gone
As quickly as the eruption
spent

I want that moment

Let me shed
destructive thoughts
feel angry
voice my pain

Then subside
spent

Peace restored

Going Through the Motions

Have you ever felt like you were simple going through the motions? You say the right thing, what people want to hear you say. You wear what you are expected to wear, your smile is sunny but doesn’t quite reach your eyes if anyone cared to stop and take a closer look.

The hello, the how are you, bursts of conversation without any depth. You start to reply but as you are talking you realize no one is listening. They didn’t really want to know how you are. They are caught up in their own thoughts, worries and fears.

They too are rushing head long through their days without a clear path of where they are going. Bobbing along like a cork in a stream. Trying not to get tossed around too much. But unlike the cork which is blissfully unaware of its tumultuous ride, you are using all you’ve got to keep your head above water.

Movements can be surreal. Like watching from a distance as your life unfolds. You can see what is happening but feel powerless to change. Your suggestions remain unheard, your prompting unheeded. Your invisibility radiates outward encompassing more and more until those automated motions are the only way to cope.

Note to self:
Must break out of Auto Pilot!

Enchantment

1920x1080 Wallpaper

Today is a day of enchantment
Elves elude, fairies dance
Pixie dust shimmers in the air

Anything is possible
Child-like innocence
Awe
World a foreign land

Treasures before me
Vast endless prairies
Open fields
Fresh thirst quenching water
An abundance of food
Local, organic, and global delicacies

Delightful lick of creamy ice cream
quickly melting atop waffle cone
Savory scent of barbecue wafts in air

Threat of thundershowers add to
Mystique and joy of the day
Conjure illusions of
Scaly dragons with fiery breath

Today is a magical day
Full of familiar sights
wearing a marvel sheen