Pick a picture
search the eyes
the dead glass
living eyes
No vacancy
blink
No vacancy
blink
No vacancy
in broken down windows
picked clean
pick up
this dream.
poem- dreamt October 10, 2017
I was dreaming a poem,
consigning rhymes and arguing assonance.
This is the metaphor:
even my subconscious searches
for the words.
poem- pathways October 8, 2017
This is our path
We walk step in step
We’re heading in the same direction
Around us, the seasons change,
friends leave us with only memories,
reminding us that these days are precious
our hands are clasped together,
trusting in our
future.
poem- looking October 5, 2017
I looked for you.
I peered deep into your eyes
searching.
You were not there,
the hollow globes blinked blankly,
soul flown,
arms embracing expectation
empty future.
I looked for you.
You were not there.
Tomorrow I will look
again.
poem-contemplating September 25, 2017
I’m wondering
about the tension between your eyes.
Those two deep, etched furrows
creased vertically above your nose
that appear when you smile
that tight lipped smile
below eyes that do not laugh.
You say,
you can’t help the furrows;
they happen every time,
and yet
look:
in the moments when your mouth is agape,
grinning widely,
when laughter is visible,
erupting from your face
see
the furrows are absent.
I wonder,
why you hold yourself back from laughter,
why your eyes show only tension,
that you plough into your forehead,
when you could be planting joy.
I wonder
what hurts.
I wonder
whether I can guide you back
to joy.
poem-the wave September 16, 2017
I’m waffle making
and suddenly
the loss of you
is palpable.
Did I ever make you waffles?
Still, your absence at this moment
overwhelms me,
and I fill the emptiness
with tears.
poem-trying September 10, 2017
That light in your eye
gives me hope. The glint of
possibility twinkles there.
I am excited by the symphony
you’re embracing as you
attempt novelty.
poem-mercy August 23, 2017
Mercy!
arm twisting brother menacing.
Mercy!
sexually charged boyfriend pressuring.
Mercy!
power hungry supervisor pushing.
Mercy!
posturing presidents endangering.
Mercy!
infuriated people demanding.
poem-feeding birds (again) August 20, 2017
The chickadees are spreading the word,
New restaurant in the neighbourhood!
Oh, such gossip and chatter in the trees,
when I’ve filled the feeder with sunflower seeds!
Poem-beauty August 14, 2017
Bath
twice shampooed
hair conditioned.
Five hours on the table:
brushed,
de-matted,
brushed some more,
combed
shaved,
scissored,
scissored,
scissored.
Gorgeous poodle emerges,
from scruffy mess.
.
.
(my boy is in a historically correct Continental clip, but we’ve been travelling and it’s grown out. We’re now visiting his breeder, who ‘for fun’ gave him the whole beauty treatment. Wowza. It’s not as much hair as a show cut, but it is incredibly impressive. More work tomorrow!)
Shawn L. Bird 