Shawn L. Bird

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

poem-wear January 8, 2016

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 10:20 am
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Remember how you’d mock him

tell us his weaknesses, laugh about him.

Remember how you voiced your petty irritations

in every letter or conversation?

He would never utter a word against you,

as you wore him down, year after year.

Water on stone.  Cutting through bedrock.

And now she writes constant words of joy in him,

gushes over him like a waterfall,

and he pools around her with pleasure.

It’s a relief to see his happiness, someone appreciating him.

I watch and wonder whether you wish you’d chosen

better words, or whether you savour being alone?

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I could have written this about so many people I know or know of.  It’s such a common pattern.   One sows seeds of one’s own destruction.

 

poem-naming January 7, 2016

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 11:18 am
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In throes of passion

he never screams her name

and she wonders whether

he is ravishing secret loves

in his mind.

 

poem-morning December 26, 2015

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 6:16 pm
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Tender embraces

whispers in the dawn

unveil tomorrow;

night is gone.

 

poem-far November 22, 2015

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 10:30 am
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As snow creeps down the mountain

I thread through the maze and take to the skies.

I’m only leaving you for a few days,

but my sighs reflect how bereft it is

to be on my own, far from the one who

makes my heart beat.

Far from you.

 

 

 

poem- slightly November 9, 2015

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 3:28 pm
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I’m here in my office,

not looking forward to this meeting,

shivering, despite my wrap,

thinking how I’m much rather

be wrapped by you.

 

 

poem- beautiful November 3, 2015

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 10:20 am
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If

I am not beautiful

to you,

I am not the one whom you should wake next to.

you should not woo;

Lest you regret your nuptial day

and prove untrue with

someone who

is

beautiful to

you.

 

poem- matchless October 15, 2015

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 2:53 pm
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“I want a wood fire,” she sighed.

“Go light a match on the porch,” he said,

“and never say I don’t support

your dreams.”

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Oh, the sarcasm!  But since they don’t have a fireplace in their house, I guess this is the best that could be managed.

 

poem-butter October 11, 2015

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 5:30 pm
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She studies his torso,

surveys lines and curves,

tracks

sinews

.  and

.    flesh,

melts,

wishes she was butter:

s p r e a d   o u t ,

simmering,

glistening

in those crevices,

turning into warm caramel

within his embrace.

 

poem- resourceful October 6, 2015

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 9:25 am
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I tied the sheets around the bedpost,

dropped out the window out of sight,

followed you down to the River Styx

with the water dark as night.

I leapt.  You bet.

I swam against the current

bumped against all those lost souls

but I was going to find you, and I did.

I tossed a coin to the boatman as he poled  along his way, I crawled into the boat

and I did say,

I told you

and I told you

and I told you.

I don’t care how black your night is

I don’t care how deep the pit

I will follow you and pull you back for air.

I will follow through the darkness

I will swim the River Styx

I will do it because that’s what marriage is.

It’s sticking when your hearts in little bits.

Kharon shrugs his shoulders, pulls us up to the next dock

He doesn’t care if we should choose to walk.

I wrap my arms around you and I drag you to the light,

because you’re too precious not to fight with all my might.

If I must be the strength then so be it,

let’s do what we can to make you fit,

I promised I’d be there for better or for worst

and Baby, I’m not driving with that hearse!

In sickness and in health, In poverty and wealth

I told you

and I told you

and I told you.

I don’t care how black your night is

I don’t care how deep the pit

I will follow you and pull you back for air.

I will follow through the darkness

I will swim the River Styx

I will do it because that’s what marriage is.

It’s sticking when your heart’s in little bits.

And I’m sticking so let’s hear no more of this.

I’m strong this time, and you’ll be fine

We all suffer those hits.

I’m strong this time, and you’ll be fine

in time.

In time.

In time.

In time, Baby you’ll be fine.

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I had no idea what that was when the first lines came, but apparently it’s the lyrics to a country song about dealing with a spouse with depression.  Who knew!  

 

poem-hat October 5, 2015

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 8:45 am
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If you’re going to go out in public

with your hair a disaster,

and tell me it’s okay, because you’re wearing a hat,

could you please wear a fedora or a bowler?

Something with a little panache?

A Homburg or a Panama, perhaps?

Anything but a ball cap?  Because you don’t play ball,

and I don’t believe in capping potential.

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He needs to spend some time at Goorin Brothers Hat Shop