smile

by

unprotected…

unprotected

surprised
to find
such
a treasure
out
where
anyone
could take it
those
who chose
to see
it
thought
how foolish
of the gods
to leave
such
unsurpassed beauty
in plain sight
to be absconded
by
any
common thief
the smile
of
a child

by

when winter comes…

when time
has
stopped
and
you and i
have begun
to stare
into the night
of existence
will
you
call out
though in vain
for
one
more hour
just
to feel
the warmth
of our embrace
beneath
the comforter
of love
or
merely smile
for all
the kisses
along
your
spine

by

a strange gift…

 

she was brought here
as a child
so many years ago
away from her village
and the toys of her childhood
to become a child toy
for nameless men
who entered her room at night
taking what they wanted
each time stealing a bit of her
leaving her void of emotions
some of the men would return
week after week
year after year
of those who returned this night
she had offtered them
something special
if they would bring her a gift
a gift that she defined
a small tank of gas
for winter was coming
some duct tape
to seal the windows
from winter’s chill
and one strange gift
an old pilot’s mask
perhaps for decoration
as each left this night
satisfied by her
more than usual
she
smiled at them
a wry smile
but a smile
and
when the night was through
she took her last sustiva
smiled again
knowing
what they
did not know
then
taping the mask
to the tank
fell into a deep
eternal sleep

by

gift of the cherub…

Challenge Photo from Toni Cross

i must admit
i was quite surprised
to see her there
bare feet residing
under a table twice her size
on a carpet of worn out grass
but
she appeared at ease
in this impromptu marketplace
offering only one item
to wanderers of this sidewalk
a pair of shoes
the finest
she had ever worn
according to the sales rep.
my inquiry into why
she would sell
such a fine personal item
was greeted with a smile
and carefully chosen words
like
any good salesperson
without bothering you with all the details
i can summarize it like this
daddy
lost job
daddy
sad
no money for food
wanted to help
love
daddy
so
i paid twenty dollars
for the shoelaces
and told her
to take the shoes home
just in case
things got
worse
looks like
things got
better   

  

This is the second poem from me in the photo challenge between Toni Cross and I.  Toni’s first response to the challenge can be found here….I am certain that you will be as impressed as I was.

by

do not confuse me…

do not confuse me
with yesterday
for i am not
nor do i wish
for you to see me
as tomorrow
i am today
i am the warm sunshine
caressing your breast
i am a thought
a wink
a laugh
and a smile
what meaning
these have for tomorrow
must be defined
by
us