Shawn L. Bird

Original poetry, commentary, and fiction. All copyrights reserved.

poem- try December 30, 2014

Filed under: Poetry,Writing — Shawn L. Bird @ 1:25 am
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You’ve been published in the Malahat Review?

Oh. That’s great.  Congratulations.

You’ve been published in the Fiddlehead?

Oh. That’s great.  Congratulations.

You’ve been published in the Queen’s Quarterly?

Oh. That’s great.  Congratulations.

You’ve been published in the New Yorker?

Oh. That’s great.  Congratulations.

You’ve been published in the Literary Review?

Oh. That’s great.  Congratulations.

I wish I could say that.

Well, no I’ve never submitted to any of them.

Oh?

Wait.

I should because I could?

Oh.

.

.

Message of the moment.  Frequently, the only difference between you and the people who’ve reached the success you aim for is effort and persistence.

and talent.

and luck.

😉

 

poem- travels December 29, 2014

Filed under: Poetry,Writing — Shawn L. Bird @ 7:03 pm
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Anew

you are printed,

packaged

addressed,

journeying to a distant place

unfolding before distant eyes

to be judged

and found worthy

or not.

In time,

you may find

a measure of fame

or fortune between

the pages of some book

but for now

you are just

another manuscript

off in the mail.

.

.

(Sending off a short story to a local ‘prestigious’ writing contest.  The story was short listed a couple of months ago in a contest worth twice the prize money, so who knows?  These things are so subjective.)

 

poem- oft December 28, 2014

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 9:30 pm
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In time

oft heard

silent memories

mingle in the mist

In time

oft mentioned

mysteries dance

upon your tongue.

In time

oft discovered

dreams twist destinies

toward truth.

In time

oft wished

entwined desires

develop into twin

devastations.

 

poem-between December 27, 2014

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 2:29 pm
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Between then and now

Between here and there

Between faith and doubt

Between love and hate

Between us and them

Between you and me

Between life and death

We hover

 

poem- weathered December 26, 2014

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 4:57 pm
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Is that rain or is it snow?
The weather out there doesn’t know.
But it’s coming quickly through the air,
so I won’t be going anywhere.

 

poem-surly

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 12:24 pm
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This morning unfurling itself

I have awoken surly.

The low clouds match my mood

The sky is surly, too.

.

Inside the house,

the Christmas mess mocks

in its surly aftermath.

.

The snow plow

dragging itself through the city

scrapes with surly determination.

.

My surly swirl of grumpiness

has me in good company,

it seems.

 

poem- dust December 25, 2014

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 3:46 pm
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The mantle piece is gathering dust,

as are other ledges,too

The strings are dusty on the harp

the soundboard’s dusty, true.

The floors could use a washing.

Windows want a spotless view,

But what I lack in house keeping

I make up in love for you.

.

.

(Someone is vacuuming and washing floors before we leave for Christmas dinner, causing stress to poodles.  Hint: it isn’t me).

 

poem- Christmas Eve December 24, 2014

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 4:33 pm
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The

house

is empty

except for memories

It’s really too much effort

setting up that Christmas tree.

The young folks all use email

so there weren’t many cards received

The avenue is packed with snow

that’s falling unrelieved

They won’t risk driving anywhere

on that they are agreed.

Celebrations are in the past

as memories are retrieved

That’s the magic of the season,

and the truth of

Christmas Eve.

.

.

.

Merry Christmas to those who are alone, working, or happily avoiding celebrations.

PS. The shape was supposed to be a Christmas tree, but I’m thinking it looks more like an elf silhouette.  What’s your take?

 

poem-repentence December 23, 2014

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 11:33 am
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‘Marry in haste

repent in leisure,’

they say;

we repent

in long embraces,

loving looks,

and thankfulness.

We repent,

wrapped leisurely

together in sleep.

We repent

in steadfastness,

temperance,

and patience.

 

 

 

Poem- solstice December 21, 2014

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 6:11 pm
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Winter solstice,

mist cloaked,

evokes kisses.

image copyright CRAIG PULSIFER PHOTOGRAPHY craigpulsifer.com Used with permission.

Image courtesy of Craig Pulsifer.  Used with permission.

Please visit www.craigpulsifer.com to see his amazing photography.

(My dad lives in the building, the roof of which you see at the bottom of the frame) 😉