Remember that time
wading to the caves
St Martin’s summer
How the tide rushed in
Atlantic pulling us apart
my body weak with laughter
How you shouted, coaxed –
once ashore we collapsed
wet but warm, hearts flooded.
(My brother and I weren’t raised together, as his father abducted him at age 10. Reunited years later, I treasure the moments we get to spend together, even though they are few and far between. Image my own.)
The man is rhino
mere stench of him
inspires fear
clears the room
We cower, quietly
captivated little mice
terrified he’ll call us out
bullied into submission
But this status quo
bears no permanence
time and circumstances
will topple the power
And once writhing
on his backside, who
will venture to help
who will leave him be?
(Eugi’s Causerie Weekly Prompt is captivating. I’ve altered the word to fit my purpose. Image from personal collection.)
Soldier through!
Father preached,
as if life is linear
and all falls behind.
I left the straight path
refuse to march
choose to circle dance
seek empowerment
in soft rhythms
Less stoicism
more love.
(Tuesdays I borrow from my Twitter account @Vjknutson. Image my own.)
Skies draw me –
the allure of wings
the inference of escape
Not afraid to dream –
imagination fully engaged
willingness set on go
Till darkness encroaches –
a black line blotting
periphery
Imperfection an ugly
critique – self flails
doubt becomes certainty
Wrench my perspective
away from the gloom
need to crop the image.
(Inspired by the promptings of Reena’s Exploration challenge:Â addiction or depression; and Bushboys: Last on card April 3.)
Creativity is a beast
hungers for expression
Ego set limitations
mocks imperfection
At best, I parody talent
nefarious my efforts
Still, I must
feed the beast.
(Image from personal collection.)
Played host to insecurity –
catered to bullying
undermined by warped
agendas, butchered by
provincial minds –
Retreated, convalesced,
sanitized lost vitality,
believed in phantoms
haunted by compulsions
deflected attempted rescues
ignored counsel to let go.
Shell-shocked
aftermaths
incoherent
self-judgment
inescapable.
Where do I go from here?
Ignore criticism
disarm cruelty
sanctify privacy
detach, discern
redefine boundaries
embrace enlightenment
Focus on caring
be receptive –
choose life.
(Turning Point first appeared here December, 2015, a year and a half into isolation imposed by illness. I offer an edited version here with the intention of demonstrating the psychological toll of unexpected isolation. The loss of our routine, life, connections affects us all on many levels. Be kind to self and others. We all respond to that loss differently. Linking up with Eugi’s Causerie weekly prompt: enlighten.  Image my own.)
Fast-paced
moving targets
explosions
and obstacles –
a gamer’s rendition
of the quest for love.
(Tuesday is borrow from Twitter day. My words. My account: @Vjknutson. My image.)
“War is hell. You can’t photograph a flying bullet, but you can capture genuine fear.”
The bomb has dropped
control slips from our grasp
We pray for a parachute
for someone to pull the cord
numbers escalate,
lives plummet
We offer encouragement
isolated voices faltering
moment of impact imminent
the implosion inevitable
impact reverberates
responsibility moot.
(For Reena’s Exploration Challenge: the quotation, author unknown. Image my own.)
Robin’s melody bait
for this weary soul –
I hear promise
but nature is fickle
Winter renews onslaught
mocks any hope –
Solution to melancholy
once again delayed.
(Image from personal collection)
What if loyalty purchased this house
and commitment co-signed?
We’d take out a mortgage
based on love – interest only.
What if our foundation was spiritual,
our walls cornerstones of faith?
We’d furnish our home with joy,
leave room for wonder.
Imagine the possibilities
if we dedicated life to service,
if we made union the hub
found a reason for being
The ingredients are all here –
so where’s the hesitation?
Let’s turn off the screens
and tune into what can be.
One Woman's Quest 