joy

by

two for one…

two for one

aunt bea
was sitting outside
reading a birth announcement
from a grand-niece
she said
i’ve read
that everyday
while two people
are dying
four are
being born
that’s
one sorrow
for
two moments
of joy
life and death
seem
to be
out of balance

by

even if you didn’t ask….

while
curled up
on the sofa
of time
with memories
that purr
like
an old persian cat
seeking
attention
when
their
human
becomes busy
with
a new life
and
must be
reminded
of reality
by
sinking sharp claws
deep into
their mortal skin
recalling
for them
how life
offers
not only joy
but
pain
a friendly
reminder
from
a friend
who will
not
be
ignored

joy

by

nine to five…

copyright cwmartin 2011

these things
that fill your day
are but
shadows
on the wall
you cannot
touch them
or
hold them close
nor
will they fill
your hand with joy
for they
are
but
shadows
on the wall

by

the song…

once
long before war
before
grief’s tears
there was a land
a land
without
hate or envy
a place
of peace and joy
a paradise
where everyone
sang a song
a song
with just one word
love
but all these things changed
when one word
was added
to the song
me
love me

by

on the edge…

Challenge Photo II from Jade

the gray morning
air presses hard
against me
holding back
the sounds
of my footsteps
that were so clear
and distinct
as i began
this journey
but now
all i can hear
are my labored breaths
in and out
and
my throbbing heart
a heart seeking
to escape
these city walls
to leave behind
this street
where laughter
and joy
have fled
where only
your memory resides
shrouded in betrayal
wearing a cross
of lies
to conceal
the truth
of who
and what
you are
and what
you’ve done

 

This poem represents my second response to  the second challenge series between Jade and I.  As you may recall, each poet provides the other with a series of photos, visual prompts,  from which the poet is to write a poem.  Jade has written her response which can be found here. 

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final diagnosis…

Image Complements of Vlad

you love me
you love me not
you see me not
you see me
i am here
i am not
i am pain
i am joy
i’m saving your world
i’m destroying your very soul
you’re my nightmare and despair
you’re my only saving grace and joy
i am the soft touch of love
i am the anger of the ages
i shall die today
i shall live forever
i am real
i am illusion
i am pure sin
my blood is pure
doctors say
bipolar
i say
living
hell  

  

This is the third part of a series of poetry challenges between Jade (http://jadepaloma.wordpress.com/) and me. The whole idea behind it is to send a picture ( in this case by Vlad) to the other as inspiration (or visual muse, if you want to), and the other has to write a poem inspired by the image. Visit her site to see how she has responded to my second challenge photograph on her site.  

 

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simply say…

come
let us laugh together
and join our hearts
in song
let us not go
into the hills
and count
the endless hours
to which we shall succumb
let us embrace
wayward winds
and dance
upon a velvet mist
let us touch
each blade of grass
and answer
each cricket’s call
that we might
forget the day
to which our souls
are tied
that day of death
let minds not
become too heavy
with the thorns
and thistles of thought

 

let us say
joy is what i seek
i have gone
to crush the daisies
in the may