It’s a moment
a tiny time gift
break for a breath
a rest,
closed eyes.
Empty space
on this snowy day
to fill as you will
or
not.
found poem- Tribute to Pete Seeger January 29, 2014
This is a found poem, using lines from a variety of Pete Seeger songs, in tribute to a troubador whose tunes were fuel to action:
.
I hear the music ringing
There is a season
Where have all the flowers gone
They all look just the same
How can I keep from singing?
A time for peace
And kind understanding
A time for every purpose under Heaven
God bless the grass that grows through the crack
‘Cause that’s what life’s all about
Treat them with patience
How can I keep from singing?
my world is there
A time for love
Long time passing
When I say always I mean forever
I promise you I’ll never say good-bye
learn to laugh
My life flows on in endless song
How can I keep from singing?
poem- I am sky January 28, 2014
I
am sky
You
are an
ocean view
We are
a forest
of trees.
Sigh
blue
sea.
I.
You
We.
poem- asking January 27, 2014
She was young,
but she had a dream
to cut herself free
from the stigma of family
substance abuse,
poverty, and
hopelessness,
if only someone would give her scissors
and show her how to use them.
A teacher said,
“You can do it!”
So she applied for a training course,
wondering how she’d pay for the tool kit
or pay for the rent to live in another town.
“We’ll write letters!” said the teacher.
“It’ll work out!”
Community groups responded to her letters
and her impressive resume of volunteer activities
with cheques in hand.
“You’ve helped this community.
We want to help you achieve this dream.”
The billet said, “Would you work off
your room and board in chores?”
And suddenly the impossible
was happening.
Shining new scissors sliced her past away
and cut open hope
for her future.
.
.
.
True story. Apprenticeship programs offer kids real skills and credits for professional training and high school credit. Some times there are barriers for kids to take advantage of the opportunity, but where there is a will, there is a way. The school is there to help kids achieve their dreams, after all. Thanks to the service clubs who make a difference, quietly meeting needs in their communities: Lions, Rotary, Royal Canadian Legion, Elks, Kinsmen, Oddfellows, and the like. Today is a particularly good day in my world.
poem- his January 26, 2014
He spotted her across the room
and through his eyes flitted a spark
of wanting deep and dark
She would be his.
A casual wave of friendly hand
an introduction
her eyes glistened with laughter
that dug through skin, muscle, bone
and buried itself in throbbing organs
where it grew
a warm spot.
She would be his.
He greeted her with smiles
and invitations
ready to oblige her every need
grew desperate at her
encompassing joy
that welcomed all
He glared in despair at others,
and wanted her all the more.
Long walks, mittened hands held tightly
on snowy walks.
He glued her to himself
with his tears and kisses
and they walked into
the mysterious future,
where she was
his.
poem- secrets
I knew
though I waited for the words
and hoped through the years
that I was wrong
I knew
though I waited for the time
when you felt safe to tell me
or came to terms yourself.
I knew
though I waited silently
and didn’t tell a soul
I knew.
poem- never January 24, 2014
I never wrote you a poem.
Your laughter was a song;
I rose upon its melody.
I gave other boys the words,
while you received my joy.
.
.
In memory of Lloyd.
poem- sleep is a light house January 23, 2014
You call to me
like a fog horn,
insistent,
overwhelming,
but your light house beacon is dark
and I toss on stormy seas
unable to find your sanctuary.
poem- lost January 21, 2014
I lost a poem today
It came to me, a shy friend
and whispered in my ear
such beautiful words.
I savoured them
and rolled them on my tongue
but before I could make a
penned permanence
of friendship
it flitted away,
leaving loss
and longing
in its place.
poem- winter creek January 20, 2014
Winter creek
whispering secrets
slipping beneath snow banks
sibilant susuration promises
“spring, spring, spring.”
Shawn L. Bird 