tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71491940120301527922024-03-09T00:18:28.258-08:00And Now PoemsVictoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.comBlogger453125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-49534731528503479122015-11-17T20:05:00.002-08:002015-11-17T20:16:15.552-08:00To who I was<b><span style="font-size: large;">I miss my mind at seventeen,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">wide open, inhaling scripts whole,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">tape recorder, keeping copies clear</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I miss my heart at twenty four</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> pulsing with hope, confident</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">love would withstand every storm.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I miss my body at thirty two,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">strong, graceful, life iving,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">confident in the flow of the dance.,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I miss my soul at fifty five,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">sheltering matriarch soul, steady,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">root, trunk, branch and leaf.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">At sixty four, mind slower,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> heart sadder,body stiffer,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"> soul weary, I am myself still.</span></b><br />
<br style="background-color: #a3d1ef; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 26.6112022399902px;" /><span style="background-color: #a3d1ef; color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 26.6112022399902px;">This poem was written for <a href="http://dversepoets.com/" style="color: #74a3d0; text-decoration: none;">dVerse Poetics</a></span>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-90812913434683492052015-11-09T11:18:00.001-08:002015-11-09T11:25:24.581-08:00Told<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<strong style="font-size: large;">Five years old, elective mute.</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<strong style="font-size: large;">Her
parents brought her to therapy</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<strong style="font-size: large;">on employee assistance - five sessions
max.</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Four and a half sessions, she played.</strong></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>I talked, waited, hoped. Twenty
minutes left.</strong></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>I told her "Last chance, Please tell me now."</strong></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>I held my
breath. She told. I called the police.</strong></span></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><br /></strong></span></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br style="background-color: #a3d1ef; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 24.2925910949707px;" /><span style="background-color: #a3d1ef; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 24.2925910949707px;">For </span><a href="http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #a3d1ef; color: #74a3d0; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 24.2925910949707px; text-decoration: none;">Poets United Poetry Pantry</a><span style="background-color: #a3d1ef; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 24.2925910949707px;">.</span></span></span></div>
Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-13280178331462374562015-11-03T21:44:00.002-08:002015-11-04T21:08:27.798-08:00Tranquility<b><span style="font-size: large;">After flash and crash of storm, </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">tranquility hangs silent, perfect, </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">a single shining raindrop caught</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">for one moment, gone the instant</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">squirrel shakes branch. Transient.</span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: #a3d1ef; color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 26.6112022399902px;">This poem was written for </span><a href="http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/2015/11/poets-united-midweek-motif-tranquility.html" style="background-color: #a3d1ef; color: #74a3d0; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 26.6112022399902px; text-decoration: none;">Poets United Midweek Motif</a><span style="background-color: #a3d1ef; color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 26.6112022399902px;">, where the theme is</span><i style="background-color: #a3d1ef; color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 26.6112022399902px;">tranquility.</i>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-33995510921775415762015-11-01T07:00:00.000-08:002015-11-02T19:17:57.562-08:00Visit?<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;"><b>Scent of fresh peaches boiling in
sugar </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;"><b>water woke me from well intentioned
nap.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;"><b>She leaned over the bassinet, her back to
me.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;"><b>Familiar blue dress, red scarf, neat white
bun.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;"><b>Time creased hand stroked soft
cheek.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;"><b>My grandmother crooned over my
firstborn.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium;"><b>No matter she was fourteen years
dead. </b></span></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i>This seems right for All Saints Day (and yes I know Jews don't celebrate All Saints Day but what the heck?) Some possibilities seem to cross traditions. Anyway, this one is for </i><a href="http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: #a3d1ef; color: #74a3d0; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 26.6112022399902px; text-decoration: none;">Poets United Poetry Pantry</a>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-39643306127842534372015-10-29T18:54:00.000-07:002015-11-01T21:11:54.822-08:00Rainy October Night<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Wind shakes windows, roars and</span></strong></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">croaks against illusions of protection.</span></strong></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Walls resist intrusion, push banging back.</span></strong></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Water pounds roof, knocking insistenly</span></strong></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">reminding me death will knock too soon.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></strong>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">posted for </span></strong><span style="background-color: #a3d1ef; color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 26.6112022399902px;"> </span><a href="http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/" style="color: #74a3d0; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 26.6112022399902px; text-decoration: none;">Poets United Poetry Pantry</a><strong style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></strong></div>
Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-5267387039962788372015-10-28T22:06:00.001-07:002015-10-29T21:27:33.004-07:00Writer<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 26.6112022399902px;"><b style="background-color: white;">Writer breathes soul into characters</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 26.6112022399902px;"><b style="background-color: white;">creates life from memory and word</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 26.6112022399902px;"><b style="background-color: white;">orchestrates details, crafts world</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 26.6112022399902px;"><b style="background-color: white;">until finally characters rise up real </b></span><br />
<b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 26.6112022399902px;">to make the story </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 26.6112022399902px;">their own. </span></span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 26.6112022399902px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 26.6112022399902px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 26.6112022399902px;">This is written for </span><a href="http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/2015/10/poets-united-midweek-motif-animation.html" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 26.6112022399902px; text-decoration: none;">Poets United Midweek Motif.</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 26.6112022399902px;"> The theme is "Animation."</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.8400001525879px; line-height: 26.6112022399902px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-35596252988595927342015-10-27T18:57:00.001-07:002015-10-27T18:57:35.073-07:00<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Haunted</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></strong> </div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">I am dry in my house, this rainy
night</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">but cannot settle to sleep. He haunts
me.</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><em>Can you spare a dollar?</em> he
asked</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">and I could, I did. That was all I
did,</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">placed crisp dollar in shaking
hand,</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">got back into warm car, laughed
with</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">grandson, ate a Rollo, wound my yarn.
</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">And the man sat in the rain
behind Savers</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">with his crutches and his cast and the
</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">sense of death surrounding him. I
gave</span></strong></div>
<br />
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">him a dollar, left him there. He haunts
me.</span></strong></div>
Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-65195621621921631472015-10-26T23:30:00.003-07:002015-10-27T20:13:53.980-07:00<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">October Blur </span></b></div>
<div>
</div>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica;">
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><b>October blurs the
edges</b></span></div>
<div class="aolReplacedBody">
<b>Primary colors fade to</b></div>
<div class="aolReplacedBody">
<b>subtle, nuanced shades.</b></div>
<div class="aolReplacedBody">
<b>Round pumpkins, spiral</b></div>
<div class="aolReplacedBody">
<b>gourds obscure edges.</b></div>
<div class="aolReplacedBody">
<b>Sky falls in closer, mist</b></div>
<div class="aolReplacedBody">
<b>rises, soft air kisses earth.,</b></div>
<div class="aolReplacedBody">
<b>Night eclipses vivid day.</b></div>
<div class="aolReplacedBody">
<b>Light surrenders to shadow.</b></div>
<div class="aolReplacedBody">
<b>Mystery blurs identities. </b></div>
<div class="aolReplacedBody">
<b>Death orchestrates rebirth</b></div>
<div class="aolReplacedBody">
<b>Veil thins. Spirits sneak in</b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">.</span><br />
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Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-86040758391235908112015-10-25T14:55:00.001-07:002015-10-26T23:36:11.511-07:00Resuming this blog<b>That's what I'm doing. I haven't been posting poems and for some time during a very difficult year I wasn't even writing them. Now I'm writing again so I want to try posting again. At least then they will all be in one place. I'll start with three recent poems about writing, since I haven't been and now I am..</b><br />
<br />
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I Write </span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I write when I want to sing</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>when I need to scream</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>when I wake from dream</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>when beauty breaks me open.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>when sorrow breaks me down</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>when I have a no answers</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>to keep my balance, to connect,</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>to reflect, to shift your perspective,</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>to shift my own, to be known.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>
I Don't Write </b></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I don't write when</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I don't want to know</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>what I think, what </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I feel. When I don't</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>notice the moon,</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>the mood, the earth</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>under my feet, the sky.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>But mostly, beneath</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>excuses and philosophy</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I don't write when I don't.</b></span></div>
<div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica;">
<b>
</b>
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<div style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Contrast</span></b></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>When I
don't write</b></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I stand
alone, unknown.</b></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>When I
write I show </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>my
face, exchange grace. </b></span></div>
Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-38359062311267243602014-09-27T19:56:00.003-07:002014-09-27T19:56:18.280-07:00<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Promise to Gabriella</span> </strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>I promise your memory,</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>I will stop, listen deeper to</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>shadowed voices, whispers</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>that too much is too much.</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>I will stop, fight harder to</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>help families see that lives</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>hang in the space between</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>harsh words, hard choices.</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>I will stop, notice better</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>the white knuckles, barely</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>hanging on - I will offer net.</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>I promise your memory </strong></span></div>
Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-84418575830560977592014-09-27T19:56:00.000-07:002014-09-27T19:56:00.802-07:00<br />
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">For Gabriella </span></strong></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Misery took you.</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>You could not abide.</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Death looked better</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>than one more day.</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>You could not abide.</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Music was not enough.</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>You could not abide.</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Hope left you behind. </strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>You could not abide.</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>No solace sufficed.</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Death looked better</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>than one more breath.</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>You could not abide.</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>misery took you.</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-46031533978514937862014-09-27T19:54:00.001-07:002014-09-27T19:54:07.815-07:00<span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<div>
<span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Turning</span></strong></span></div>
<span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></strong> </div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">When I don't change direction,</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">I get where I'm headed.</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Least rotation of toes opens</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Destinations unimagined.</span></strong></div>
</span>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-2847556701235521412014-09-27T19:52:00.001-07:002014-09-27T19:52:14.238-07:00<br />
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Hunkered Down</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></strong> </div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Nightmare pictures</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">cross borders,</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">cross generations,</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">children hunkered down</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">when fists smash faces.</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">when bullets shatter glass,</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">when bombs explode homes.</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">May I never be too weary</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">to work for a world in which</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">no child must hunker down.</span></strong></div>
Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-70892297666532502662014-09-27T19:51:00.002-07:002014-09-27T19:51:58.967-07:00<br />
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Pruning</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></strong> </div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Fancy was fun - back when</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">I bought towels to match tile</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">and added decorations to </span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">each autumn holiday display.</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">I set the owl and bat on the</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">mantel just so, arranged acorns.</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Fancy was fun - but now</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">I fancy plain again, refrain</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">from decoration, give away.</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Fancy was fun. Plain sustains.</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></strong> </div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></strong> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-81777067326084687972014-01-07T22:57:00.000-08:002014-01-07T22:57:02.407-08:00Extremes<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">Unacceptably extreme</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">in 2014 USA to say</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><em>I am a socialist</em> </span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">but it nauseates me</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">to read one woman</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">pays $12,000 for</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">strappy red shoes</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">she brags she will</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">wear only once while</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">another woman decides</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">to skip supper each winter</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">night to keep the heat on.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">I can't keep swallowing the</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">lie that what we have is what'</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">we deserve. Those of us </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">with plenty may have earned </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">it (or inherited it or married it)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">Maybe we made better choices,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">or maybe we were just luckier</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">or born with talents that pay well.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">But everybody had a mother.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">Easy to remember no tiny baby</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"> deserves more </span><span style="font-size: medium;">than any
other.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">Easy to forget when they grow up.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">Hard to stomach responsibility</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">to care for one another. For me</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">capitalism unfettered has become</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">unacceptablly extreme.</span> </div>
</div>
Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-33051118817031010612014-01-07T08:48:00.000-08:002014-01-07T08:48:23.945-08:00Just We Two (for Bob)<strong> </strong><strong style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">We Two</span></strong><br />
<span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: small;"></span></strong> </div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: small;">So much truth.</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: small;">Just we two know.</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: small;">So many memories</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: small;">Just we two share.</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: small;">It has been hard</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: small;">Just we two,</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: small;">not against the world</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: small;">but in it, together.</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: small;">just we two.</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: small;">It has been good.</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: small;">So much work</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: small;">just we can do.</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: small;">So much love</span></strong></div>
</span><strong style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just we two feel.</span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"> </span><strong> </strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-68622145719075521492014-01-06T23:23:00.000-08:002014-01-06T23:23:33.653-08:00After Writing<span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<div>
<span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>There's a feeling behind my eyes</strong></span></span></div>
<span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>when I've written all day, an
ache</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>I would exchange for no
pleasure.</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>My brain is tired. I don't
remember</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>what I ate, if I ate at all,
forgetfulness,</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>I would exchange for no
pleasure.</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Words from my mind ran my
fingers,</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>flowed onto the screen, into my
bones.</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>I fight the clock, the phone for this pleasure..
</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>There's a feeling behind my eyes</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>when I've written all day, an
ache</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>I would exchange for no
pleasure.</strong></span></div>
</div>
</span>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-54963375767068323552014-01-05T23:44:00.000-08:002014-01-05T23:44:36.254-08:00Resolve<span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">People laugh at resolutions.</span></strong></span></div>
<span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<div>
<span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">I do not understand why.</span></strong></span></div>
<span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">I need resolve.</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">I need to resolve.</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">It is too easy to drift,</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">to life on default.</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">I need to resolve</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">I need resolve</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">I do not understand why</span></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">People laugh at
resolutions.</span></strong></div>
</span>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-3388430335143377752014-01-04T23:32:00.001-08:002014-01-04T23:33:27.615-08:00Wish<span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Last year I
made good</strong></span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>choices and bad
choices.</strong></span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>I came from
love, </strong></span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>and I came from
ego.</strong></span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>This year will be the
same.</strong></span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>I will make good choices'</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>And I will make bad choices.</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>May I come more from
</strong></span></span></span></span></div>
</span><br />
<div>
<strong style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">love than from
ego.</strong> </div>
Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-58509996239026486172014-01-02T23:56:00.001-08:002014-01-03T00:12:45.348-08:00AliveSitting the night<br />
in the house<br />
of the dead,<br />
I treasure round<br />
weight, rough orange<br />
skin, rich aroma ot<br />
tangerine in my hand.<br />
Little sun reminds me<br />
to rejoice in mysenses,<br />
my beating heart, life.<br />
I wonder if the deceased<br />
knew the sweet tart taste<br />
of tangerine on her tongue<br />
<br />Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-5446553492232137632014-01-01T20:48:00.001-08:002014-01-01T20:50:33.352-08:00Maybe<div>
<blockquote style="border-left: blue 2px solid; margin-left: 5px; padding-left: 5px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">
</span></span>
<div>
</div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">
<div>
<strong>Skinny dark skinned man</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>hauled two heavy suit cases</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>onto the city bus, year end dusk.</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>He asked the driver for his stop,</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>but language failed. She could</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>not understand a word he said.</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>Alien sounds tangled in the air.</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>Whatever place he fought to name,</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>she could not take him there.</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>He flapped hands, raised voice.</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>Driver ordered him to sit. He sat.</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>I watched helpless as he made</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>the sign of the cross three times.</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>Desperation evaporated. He looked</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>up and recognized a land mark,</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>smiled, rang bell for next stop,</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>left bus in peace, relief. Maybe</strong></div>
<div>
<strong>miracles happen every
day. </strong></div>
</span></span></blockquote>
</div>
Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-14550770413257218472013-11-03T22:06:00.002-08:002013-11-03T22:06:37.533-08:00Stark Contrast<div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Day started with nightmare</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Loss, loss, loss, loss, loss.</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>All day gratitude hovered</strong></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>No loss, no loss, no
loss.</strong></span> </div>
</div>
Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-77329266461865043142013-11-02T21:41:00.002-07:002013-11-02T21:41:52.693-07:00Owl AsksDown by creek<br />
In dark of moon<br />
great horned owl<br />
six times asks who.<br />
<br />
Who do I need?<br />
Who do I feed?<br />
Who is next to die?<br />
Who is next to cry?<br />
Who don't I see?<br />
Who will I be?<br />
<br />
Down by creek<br />
In dark of moon<br />
great horned owl<br />
six times asks who.Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-43073100650698160652013-11-01T23:08:00.004-07:002013-11-01T23:08:47.035-07:00Downshift<strong><br /></strong>House downshifts after midnight.<br />
Let sleep ring in with windchimes<br />
Time to snuggle under quilt,forget<br />
five people four horses drowned in flood.<br />
Time to snuggle under quilt, forget<br />
teacher's bloody face after car hit bike.<br />
Time to snuggle under quilt, remember<br />
child's bright voice spelling new words.<br />
Time to snuggle under quilt, remember<br />
kitchen aroma of beef stew with bay leaf.<br />
House downshifts after midnight.<br />
Let sleep ring in with windchimes.Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149194012030152792.post-49677450916786228352013-10-30T00:39:00.001-07:002013-10-30T00:39:37.222-07:00Repetition Reclamation<br />
<br />
Comfort rests in memory<br />
of ordinary patterns shattered.<br />
When fire consumed all hope,<br />
death deconstructed dreams,<br />
despair threatened life force,<br />
I put foot in front of foot,<br />
stumbled sightless until <br />
path emerged from mist..<br />
When ordinary patterns shake,<br />
Comfort rests in memory.<br />
What I have done, I can do <br />
now and again and again.Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437738911794797906noreply@blogger.com15