then they peeled back their faces
Read this
you said to me.
I poured over words
with the focus of any girl
trying to impress her crush.
Oh, how the story spoke hidden horror!
Everyone in disguise.
No one revealing their true selves.
Forty years meditating on those masks.
2020! Society in masquerade!
Kindness, care, concern: all fake.
The true horror’s been revealed.
poem-then they peeled back their faces November 5, 2020
poem-truth and dare March 15, 2019
Here is the true thing, my children.
It is dark outside.
There are beasts with teeth and claws,
prepared to rip and tear you into tiny bits.
Oh, yes, my children,
it is dark outside.
You must beware.
.
But come, my children,
here is another true thing.
There is light outside.
It glows from windows and from hearts;
it pulls what’s apart, together, wrapping gleaming strands
of hope, that shimmer if you look just so.
See?
There in your heart: a star!
Dare, my children, to shine.
It is dark outside.
You must
Be light.
poem-narrow March 27, 2018
Read and understand,
my children.
The world is not as narrow
as your mind.
If you live a life,
mired in the same mud,
you will never know the
glories of a mountain peak,
power of ocean depths.
Read and understand,
my children.
What you have seen
is not all there is.
What you have felt
is not all there is to feel.
See and understand,
my children.
There is more.
So much more.
Than what you know.
Open your eyes,
to the world
my children.
See and understand.
poem-inaccurate January 31, 2017
You hear a story
and cling to this narrative,
gripping each element as deep truth
fundamental reality
excuse for your frailty
But it’s fiction
and no matter how loudly you shout
your warped interpretation
insist that white is black,
it won’t transform into fact.
It will only dance to a rhythm of jack boots,
and the sounds of breaking glass.
poem-promise September 29, 2015
Those childish promises
made with fervent belief
prove the power of intention:
Fealty sworn with hooked pinkies
in confident conviction.
poem-bangles August 20, 2015
Three brass bangles
Two copper bangles
Artisan wrought
a mature gift to a teenaged babysitter
who couldn’t quite pull them off,
but they stayed in the jewelry box a fond memory
of adorable little boys, a polished professional couple, and a spotless, earthy home.
Enter small daughter to whom the jewelry box
was full of magic, and bangles were magic rings set for a journey.
Journey they did!
What mystical adventure were the copper bangles on for a decade or two?
Four houses later they re-appear in my jewelry box.
If only they could talk.
poem-lies by omission July 21, 2015
He is silent after the question
and she can hear his thoughts weaving through truths
to find the one he can speak aloud.
She accepts his spoken thought
but is not deceived.
His relief is unwarranted.
poem- Christmas Eve December 24, 2014
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-vicious October 26, 2014
Gathering evil intentions
Hell hath no fury
for
what will people say
behind your back?
Consent.
Safe words.
He said.
She said.
You’re high on a pedestal
Scorned lovers
can be vicious,
Even if they’re crazy.
It’s not the falling off
the tall pillar that hurts,
it’s the sudden stop
at the
end.
poem- dark road March 20, 2014
When the road is dark
illuminated only be the narrowest of beams
look above to the sparkling canopy of stars
and ahead to the distance glow
and know
illumination is out there.
Shawn L. Bird 