Headline Poem 8/31/14 -- In my twenties

This weekend the movie Wild premiers in Telluride, Colorado. I can hardly wait to see it, and since the movie is about Cheryl Strayed in her twenties, it inspired today's poem. 

In my twenties

I held your face in between 

my steady hands, 

calloused from distractions 

of my work, 

but otherwise smooth. 

I needed you,

but didn't think you 

needed to know. 

So I didn't tell you 

    until that day in the rain 

when you 

blew smoke in my face 

and 

told me you loved me, 

but had to leave. 

You wondered out loud if 

that was the biggest mistake 

you'd ever make. 

Then

 we took a walk 

and made    love down by 

the sycamore tree 

where crickets mocked 

us 

and bats quietly flew East. 

Headline Poem 8/30/14 -- Compassion

Compassion

Compassion 

is the morning song 

that sends intimidation 

packing. 

Headline Poem 8/29/14-- Burden

Burden 

I'd rather be heavy 

from 

carrying the weight

than thin from fasting 

on 

disillusionment. 

Headline Poem 8/28/14 -- I'm

I'm 

I'm a bird perched on a swing, 

a ladybug wandering 

while he waits 

for his wings.  

On a raft I float, on the moon, I gloat. 

I'm on fire. 

I'm a dog nestled on a brand new bed, 

heading to sleep after being well fed. 

I'm a lion who sunbathes in the plains and free spaces. 

I bend with the wind, which blows with unannounced faces. 

I'm flexible. I'm confident. I'm evening out, like a

picnic blanket fresh from the line, 

ready for the basket and a nice glass of wine. 

I'm a grand piano happy to play. 

I'm colorful in spite of the black and the white 

world in which some solely see. 

I sneak 

into living rooms and bring 

my friends with me. 

We make music and paint pictures 

and hang them on walls 

that wrap their arms around us all. 

I'm here with my whole heart, 

with my babies and thee. 

I love living this life meant 

just 

for 

me. 

Headline Poem 8/27/14 -- A Wednesday Hymn

A Wednesday Hymn 

I surrender 

to the storm 

I've 

tried 

escaping, 

because I realize 

it's the same one 

I've 

been 

chasing. 

Headline Poem 8/26/14 -- A tribute to Rumi

(Rumi, photo credit Google Image)

Seems everywhere I turn, Rumi is being quoted. He's timeless, a libra, and one of my favorites. Tonight, a tribute to him. 

A tribute to Rumi 

I am the grape waiting to be wine,

red content to be red,

green happily plucked from the vine. 

I am sour. I am sweet. 

I am 

small, dry, wet, full of seeds, 

intoxicating at best, abundant at worst. 

I need serene. 

I need romance. 

I need a handful of dreams,

to be seen and

heard, 

respected for my mind, 

my ideas 

that swirl around the cup that's filled

with revelations that twirl

where colors collide and then 

burst 

on the inside. 

I want a description written about me 

and my different moods and 

different seasons, 

offering up my information using 

echoing language 

that pulls them in with words that linger and swim,

how my ingredients 

make perfect 

additions and sweet combinations

for lunches and dinners, 

and spontaneous late night desserts 

unplanned, 

but that last all night

    until the moon is dizzy and ready for  

        slumber. 

I'd like an alter to rest 

upon, my offering of love 

never undone. Wrapped like a gift,

in never-ending paper made from sacrificial trees. 

I want to drink of myself 

and be pleased 

with the taste,

ripe in all the right places. 

I want to follow leaves and winter coal. 

I want to heat the emptiness in a stove 

of fire and light. 

I want to watch the bread rise inside 

and welcome the knife that cuts its flesh 

for serving, on a platter covered in herbs and vegetable soup, 

soft and filling, 

a perfect fit for fish

or apples, or 

honey stew. 

Headline Poem 8/25/14 -- in the morning

in the morning 

Last night they were mad,

but they've had 

Denver omelettes now,

and feel better.

Some say the drink 

numbs the heart. 

Others say it's the devil 

in disguise. 

They find it tags along 

like a seagull

 on a line.

It'll shit but it'll be fine

as long as they 

can tame the flight,

and keep their hope afloat

  in the morning.