VJ – Page 86 – One Woman's Quest

Un-captivated

Bridging was his MO
caught me post divorce
when needs were slippery

Sapped my spirit
drained my love, then
latched onto new youth –

Most liberating gift
he ever gave me.

(Image from personal collection)

Peace Within

The waters of my soul
are still tonight
the harshness of day’s
light, easing now
into quiet solitude.

I surrender to renewal
knowing that no matter
what tomorrow brings
I have peace within
to guide me.

(Submitted for Eugi’s Causerie weekly prompt: renewal. Image my own. Peace Within first appeared here June, 2018.)

Soulmates

Don’t believe in soulmates
just soul power – the ability
of human yearning to actuate
love’s potential –

Of course, I’m far from a rookie
bear the scars of infatuation’s
fallout, prefer kindness
and respect to romantic fluff.

(Tuesdays I borrow from Twitter @Vjknutson. Image my own.)

Blue Sky Moment

It was birdsong
stopped me in my tracks
distracted as I was
by pandemics
and ceaseless worry
I looked up

I looked up
and there was glory
white blossoms
triangulated
against endless
blue sky

Blue sky
like a messenger from afar
lifting my spirits
stirring longing

It was birdsong
stopped me in my tracks
I looked up and understood.

(This poem, inspired by the photo I took on a recent walk, was written for Reena’s Exploration Challenge. I borrowed the line “messenger from afar”. Image mine)

Unapologetic

If they call you vermin
show them moxie
no explanation needed

Best path is paved
with honesty, avoid
potholes of popularity

Authentic self
travels further
without camouflage.

(Image from personal collection.)

Heed the Warnings

Legends surface
graze at river’s edge
nuzzle our consciousness

Ancient prophecies
born of primal instincts
Crow’s caw a warning

Spirit speaks
calls us to witness
to record this passage

The predator
at our doorsteps
phantom fierce

Targets indiscriminately
threatens the cherished
sleeps with one eye open

Now is not the time to freeze
neither distraction, nor dismissal
will disable this animal

It circles, begs a host
Please don’t open the door
History knows we need a valid plan.

(Submitted for Eugi’s Causerie Weekly Prompt: cherish. Image my own.)

Chagrin

Rehearse my role –
charm-school warmth
intellect engaged,
an air of mystique –

Tongue trips
brain backfires
a fool emerges
chagrinned again.

(Tuesday I borrow from Twitter @Vjknutson. In this case, edited. Image my own.)

Adultery

Mistake
Beg forgiveness
Repeat

Appearances sanitize past
Push dirt under the rug
Smother recall

Reason can be fraud
common sense out of order

Suspicions merit
an ear, listen
over din of betrayal.

(For Reena’s Exploration Challenge #135: quotation. “Always listen twice. First what’s being said, then who said it.” Image my own.)

Coming of Age

Green eyes captivate,
he whispers, warm hand
resting on youthful thigh

Stomach somersaults
reviled by whiskey breath
yellowed fingers clutching

Not these eyes! I stand
tossing my drink in his face;
coming of age moment.

Forgo the Mask

Discontentment –
that restless inability
to surrender to distraction –
not easily masked

Wired, I am, for intrigue –
a dramatic actor displaying
mystery, baiting an audience

Denial dons noise-cancelling
headphones, blinders –
invested in illusions

Harmony the end-goal –
no point disguising,
discontentment ignored.

(Forgo the Mask originally appeared here Dec, 2018. I am linking it up to Eugi’s Causerie Weekly Prompt: harmony. Image my own.)