Shawn L. Bird

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

#Outlander poetry- Jamais etre pris vivant October 8, 2015

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 8:54 am
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Jamais être pris vivant,

for to be martyred to a great cause

is man’s greatest achievement;

a sacrifice of love,

so say the rolls of honour,

and the government never lies.

Jamais être pris vivant,

for to return from horror

is to revisit it in dreams,

to sacrifice freedom of mind

and peaceful sleep.

Jamais être pris vivant,

for the love waiting for you

will not tolerate your absence,

will battle with the darkness

will pull you into light.

Jamais être oublié vivant,

for a life embracing love

triumphs despite nightmares,

for hope defeats death.

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I just finished viewing the whole 2nd half of Outlander season one today, and then flipped back to “The Watch.”  The French army toast “Never be taken alive!” seemed particularly poignant in light of Claire’s efforts to pull Jamie back from the brink, hence this poem.

 

poem- I’ll remember October 7, 2015

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 9:01 am
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There’s a string around my finger.

The groceries are bought.

The mail is collected.

The birthday cards are mailed.

The appointments are made.

The kids are picked up.

Nothing’s forgotten.

There’s a string ’round my finger

for remembering you.

 

 

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

 

poem- gulf October 4, 2015

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 1:05 pm
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The gulf grows wider

as she waits for an apology

he doesn’t know is needed.

 

poem- just October 3, 2015

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 2:45 pm
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Dude,

She’s just looking for a bit of empathy,

a wrap around her shoulders whisper in her ear,

“It’ll be okay. It’s you and me together, babe” moment.

She’s just hoping for a show of affection,

a finger trailing up her arm shooting sparks,

a kiss held for long enough to know you mean it.

She’s just waiting for you to come back

from wherever it is you’ve been wandering,

just wishing for you,

so don’t call her unreasonable, dude.

Her disappointment is justified.

 

poem-enough

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 12:06 pm
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Sometimes

your discomforts must be faced;

you must force yourself to offer kindness,

look directly at weakness,

sit,

listen,

show love,

whether you really feel it or not,

because it has been shown to you

and your humanity demands

reciprocity.

 

poem- sliced 2 October 2, 2015

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 8:48 am
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I was numb,

but I felt the gentle line you drew

across my skin, blade slicing deep.

You stretched me open,

revealed my patched bones,

unscrewed the metal holding me together.

Oh, you sewed me back together,

taped over the black sutures,

and here I lie, propped up against realities,

hoping for the best.

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It sounds so lovely and metaphorical, but it’s literal.  🙂 Successful surgery this week to remove the plates and screws that repaired my broken fibula last January.  The screws were working out on their own and causing a fair bit of pain.  Looking forward to returning to regular, pain-free mobility very soon!

 

poem- service October 1, 2015

A Rotary Invocation poem:

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Service happens in laughter and friendship.

Service happens in quiet conviction.

Service happens with firm intention.

Service happens in growing kinship

to all humanity in attention.

to Service Above Self.

 

poem-twinkleless

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 8:18 am
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Your lips are curled into a jack o’lantern smile

but there is no warmth in your face

because instead of flame behind your eyes,

there is a haunted house.