That time, playing in the muck,foot emerging without boot,hopping and laughingall the way home. Then, later, on the busthat car hitting where we satthe windshield crackinglike a giant spiderblood all over the dead lady’s face. I thought I’d made itwhen my new car had a sunroofkids riding along, music blaring But trauma is a spiderArachne […]
Rebellion rages in my veins, Dreamcatcher, so tightly wound I have blocked hopeI want to be good – a good girl –like that man of God saysbut his preaching ways violateprophecies a cover for sinand I am so sullied that I fearlove will distain me. How did I get here, Dreamcatcherchildhood a lost notion – […]
This outer toughness just conditioninga baby alligatorthat’s me Raised in a swampEat or be eaten!family mantra, andDeal with it! I know it’s a lotto take insee the disbeliefin civilized eyes Resistance to oppression begets deeper woundsFear taught me wellSurvival, they say, of the fittest. (For Reena’s Xploration challenge: featured image is prompt.)
Childdelightful youthmy heart’s jewellight-bearerhope antics haphazardlaughter contagiousspreading joysparking imagination I pray that your spiritremains vibrant, andthat reality dawns gently (This poem first appeared in November 2018, as A Child Glows. I submit an edited and re-titled version here for Eugi’s Weekly prompt: jewels. Image my own.)
Remember youth?Life an adventureheart full of dreams Responsibility made us quartz working machines, focuson destination – life as goal In the gloaming, time blursnostalgia and regret dance withperspective – the irony of it all. (Tuesdays I borrow from Twitter @Vjknutson. Image my own.)
Too young to understandethos of beauty regimesshe rejects girlish ritualssees beauty in naturein glitter of make-believe This abnegation of groomingnot rebellion, but appreciationa nuance that escapesMother’s frustrated efforts. (My granddaughters balk at having their hair done, something that drove me crazy as a parent, but now reminds me of myself as a child. One generation […]
(Disclaimer: I am submitting this poem for Reena’s Exploration challenge: horror. The poem arose from a nightmare, and my be triggering for some readers.) They always take the back roads,virginal snow-covered laneslined with trees: pastoral views Unmarked routes, out of sight,use the innocence of landscapeto blot out their dark intentions Pristine picture perfect sceneslull the […]
Father, as immoveable as a mountain taught us to orchestrate submontane routes Circumnavigating his rocky moods bestowed upon us a fear of masculinity Resilience instilled the necessity of mining gold from darkness: still digging. (Sketch mine)