Safe Inside These Walls

Her heart was a secret garden, and the walls were very high--

Brick and mortar caked together, reaching to the sky.

Every day she walked along the lonely willow path,

Thinking it was best to stay where peacefully she'd cry.

The brick walls watching every day could see what she denied--

Our princess didn't want this cage, but to herself she'd lie:

"A human needn't see the world when everything will crash;

Better to stay safe behind these walls so very high."

Fleeting Beauty

Today I thought of

Fleeting beauty

Which is not with ease perceived.

I thought of tears

And gusts of wind

And glass wings you can barely see.

The first glance when you're falling fast,

and everything just seems a dream.

What's wrong with being

Hard to find

When they can't trap a passing breeze?

Don't Kiss The Sunlight

I woke up this morning

Sitting in a pool of light

Drifting through my window,

Warming to the sight.

I stared at flowers down below

And lazy drifting clouds,

The trees were stretching wooden limbs,

And eager to grow out.

I hugged myself and felt the sunlight

Kissing at my skin,

Caressing me with gentle warmth

My soul with zeal drank in.

Yet still I sat in darkness,

For downtrodden was my heart,

And no amount of morning sun

Released me from the dark.

I fought it, though,

Slid out of bed,

Walked over to the glass.

I peered outside, my senses calmed

By the verdure of the grass.

I tried to smile and let go of the

Thunder in my soul.

This fire I couldn't put out,

For the fire had gained control.

In that sweet moment all I felt

Were gentle arms of light,

Encouraging me to go outside and

"Fight the darkness! Fight!"

I turned away and closed the curtains.

Fighting was too hard.

Defeated, I returned to bed,

The storm had raged too far.

Always/Never

I'll whisper that I love you

On a gentle windy day,

When wild rivers thunder through

And newborn ducklings play.

I'll smile for you at sunset

While the sleepy children sing,

Those new songs that they learned at school

And meanwhile, others dream.

I'll think of you at twilight

When the snowy mountains move-- 

Inch by inch, they shake and fight

And keep on pushing through.

I'll want you when it's midnight 

Somewhere in this world. 

When someone thinks, "The stars are bright!" 

I'll be a lonely girl.

I'll long for you at sunrise, 

So long as children dream-- 

And when the moon is shining bright 

My tears will flow downstream.

I'll whisper that I need you, 

And ache for you at dawn. 

I'll smile for you at sunset. 

This pain just lasts so long.

-

This bit kind of came as an afterthought, so I'll throw it in as well.

-

I'll have you when there's nothing-- 

No sunshine, moon, or stars. 

The great old mountain lost his fight, 

And wind has flown too far.

My Shadow

My shadow's had a fit of rage,

Ain't seen her in a year.

I wish she'd be with me onstage

to watch the audience cheer.

My love of art gave birth to many

bright and marv'lous schemes;

Our audiences lacked in any

proper, childlike dreams.

One day, onstage, I did a dance,

while she sashayed from sight.

The children stared, the women gasped

at this new trick of light!

She stormed away, I did not see

so deafened by ovations.

Our audience saw only me,

the girl who shed restraints from

that horrid darkness we all have,

those imitating shades.

Youngsters fall asleep with lamps

in order to be safe.

My shadow's had a fit of rage,

Ain't seen her in a year.

I wish she'd be with me onstage

to watch the audience cheer.

Passion

She liked how he kissed her,

Passionately:

He showed her the truth of the word.

Not wild hunger,

Shoved against a wall--

None of that was passion.

He held her like a priceless gem,

Like no one had before.

For once someone cared

About leaving her here,

And taking a part of her with him.

For once someone cared

About her state of mind

Should he mess up this romance.

His grip was possessive,

But never too tight,

Giving her freedom to leave.

The comfort of knowing

That she was still free,

Not to be forced on at will.

He held her like she would leave.

But she didn't.

That was passion.

Prince Charming (Jesus)

"I love you, darling.

Come to Me,

And write Me on your heart.

"To suffer for another is

the noblest of art.

"You're every kind of lovely,

For you cannot fight alone."

He takes my hand and kisses it.

"Someday I'll bring you home."

Raw

Create,

Stop and wince.

The art bled out

My cold, young hands.

No cuts in sight.

But my red nails,

They catch my eye.

Red,

For what's not there.

I never cut,

Nor burnt my skin.

All that I've done 

Is hold a pen. 

Create--

Stop and wince.

Close the notebook.

The birth pangs

Of something beautiful.

I know this pain--

It bares my soul.

I hope they'll

Forgive my passion--

I never meant

To hurt my hands. 

All I wanted

Was to create.

Now I can't stop.

Create--

Stop and wince.

Nails are red

From what isn't there.

Blood was never there,

Only ink.

Now I can't stop.

I can't stop.

Wise Owl

O, wise old Owl--

Will you not tell

Where that pink Rose

Got her sweet smell?

Or tell me, Owl--

Why Night is dark?

For e'en the Moon

Has a great spark!

Explain, dear Owl!

Why's Water blue?

Do lakes reflect

The Sky's great hue?

O, wisest Owl!

You wear a crown,

Your knowledge is

A Ruler's gown.

Easter Poem

The raindrops pouring on my heart

Are three days overdue; 

I've stood in dry and piercing sun 

For three days without You. 

I swore I was too old to cry, 

And people come and go— 

Although You promised to return, 

My doubtful heart can't know. 

But now this sweet refreshing drink 

Is healing up my wound. 

I’ll let it pour, I’ll dance and sing! 

You said You’d be here soon.

Spring Flower

Show me a flower,

Her leafy green wings.

Her silky blue skirt,

And her clear, dewy rings.

Gently help open

Her shy little heart,

So I can behold

A bit of Your art.

Show me a flower,

The month of her birth.

Stun me with beauty,

For all it is worth.

The Chase

The way your laughter echoes
As you leave me far behind,
Sweeter than a windchime bell

A song I can't quite find...

And when we rest upon lush grass
You look me in the eye;
Flushed and giddy from the run,
And laughing 'till you sigh...

I'll follow you forever;
I'll die here in this race.
For when you let me hold your hand,
You make it worth the chase.

Faery

A wish of gold,
A fortune told;
Just buy these words
The faery sold.

Pray, do her right--
She won't lose sight!
You can't escape,
There is no flight.

Promise her, dove,
You won't let love,
Fear or good-bye
Come in above!

Then she will grant--
Your heart enchant--
All this is yours.
But flee you can't!

Only God

Only God loves you more,

Only He holds you tighter.

My arms cling to your neck,

But He makes your world brighter.

Castle in the Air

One time I met a simpleton

Who swore his head was right–

Despite his fear of staying up

At 1 o’clock at night.

I grew quite tired of his quips

And turned to leave from there–

When he yelled “You see ghost ships

From your castle in the air!”

He stopped me dead, and then implied

I’m wasting all my time

In painting what I feel inside

With brokenhearted rhyme.

I smiled at him and let it pass;

This poor man didn’t know

A fragile dream, like feeble glass

By which his heart could grow.

I summoned up my ghost ship,

And then waved without a care;

He’d never have the kingship

Of a castle in the air.

The Springtime Muse

The Springtime Muse

Brought joyful news

Of warmer days begun.

She knocked on doors–

“Put down your chores!

Prepare for warming Sun!”

Then, kicking brooms,

Destroying rooms,

She drove them out and cried,

“There’s more to life

Than rake and knife!

Come, let us dance outside!”

Wild Muse

There are some muses

Who cannot be tamed;

Not marrying one art,

They go unashamed.

They are the pure ones:

The rebels, the thieves.

Follow the wild muse!

True magic he leaves!