When your teary storms roll in and you're out in the cold, look over your left shoulder.

My umbrella is wide enough for two, and yields the shelter and comfort you need.

My grandmother's closet is where I found it, smooth pearl handle, ***** petals, with black lace trim.

It smells of women's perfume, the kind you'd wear to a parlor for a "pick me up" drink.

She'd walk and twirl it as she casually made her way to a shaded porch. Waiting for her lover to meet her and summons her forth.

But now, those who cry a river, buckets actually, that yield no return, seek shelter under my useful umbrella.

I've asked myself why my scarred heart still beats.

Why, after long neglect, does the blood flow through it, still giving me life.

It's been shelved for so long, dusted on special occasions, evidenced only by the embellishment of a smile.

Sworn upon the moon's promise of a morrow, to never gain momentum within me.

Until one night, you entered in, and placed upon my cheek the sweetest nectar imaginable - tender kisses.

I live again.

I'll cast my spell, a witch's brew, stirring black cauldrons of sweet revenge.

One drop of pain added, a tablespoon of resentment, blowing out the candles that leave their scent.

A warthog 's beard, a sliver of grudge, and the dose is potent, with lethal intentions.

Drink slowly, let me watch the last sip trickle down your throat, I've called it something natural and you never minded.  I'm sexually tranformed by your GASPING FOR AIR.

Lovers beware of this cursed and scorned woman, whose hatred runs deep and wide.  She patiently waits at her crooked door, with a one sided smile to lure you in.

"Stand still and let me love you, then I will grant you a peek into the depths of my soul.  For within me are deep, quiet, and still waters, few are willing to  tread for fear of drowning in the mere shallow end."

"The candor of your crooked smile, bubbles forth laughter from my fizzing cup of champagne and I've lost track of time in your arms." Another sip and that extra pillow on your bed will be occupied by more than just my sense of humor.

And so you notice my blouse welcomes your glances with two pearl buttons away from their keeping, yet we push apart gently - saving enticements for tomorrow!

It's getting late, dinner is done, the sun is setting.

Come let's retreat and review our day that some call typical - involving onlookers and such.

Now alone behind closed doors, makeup removed, hair misplaced, I gazed tiredly into your eyes sending my hopeful message.

Undress me baby, remove the tired, the pained shoulders and aching arms. Lay me back so that I can rest as you unload the hours slowly.

Undress me baby, kiss me on the nap of my neck and smell the faint perfume,  placed there this morning, hoping you'd notice.

Undress me baby, remove these heels from my swollen feet, that have traveled miles on the lonely path to love's freedom.

I shall rest now, with anticipation of a morrow, wherein I serve the best that day has to offer, yielding strength to tarry for a while.

As I slide into my little red dress, I glance at the mirror on the side wall and notice it's slightly crooked. I quickly adjust my view, grasping my hair in one hand, and "pony tailing it" with the other.

"How could he raise a hand to this fine body?" I think loudly, as I rub my firm round hips.  Smoothing away every wrinkle visible that might distract from my hour glass figure.

As I'm dusting my face with the finest of powders, I make sure my subtle lips are moistened with ruby red dew.

Blowing that final kiss in the wind, I grab a little "Oscar" to splash on my visible *****.  

"He loves me right?" Closing the door behind me, with keys in hand, I lock her in - the abused woman.  

No one will ever know (or care to meet her).  She just is.

And so it began with a kiss, the mirror was one sided.

I beamed as your hidden intentions were kept from love's eyes.

I emptied my soul into your glass, but your thirst was not quenched.

Confused, I poured out even more, saving only my breath of life.

It was then my mind became clear, as the intoxication waned and the smoke screen lifted.

What was left of my dignity, I used to walk out of the door - not broken as you'd hoped...

But restored with a strengthened heart.

(dedicated to families, who are grieving)

"When a family member dies, a heavenly star is risen."

"It's not a neighbor or a friend, but bloodline we'll be missing."

"God sent you into the world, to be loved and to be cherished."

"That's why warm memories of you will never ever be perished."

"A brighter star shines down on us, it twinkles in our teary eyes."

"A moon beam glistens softly, while the shooting star flies by."

"All to let us know, they are still with us now and always will be."

"Just close your eyes, smile inside, and recapture your fondest memory."

"If they could dry your tears long distance, they absolutely would."

"But for now, weeping is soothing, necessary and calming, as it should."

"Think past this moment loved ones, into a tomorrow."

"May God hold you close and dearly, gradually removing all your sorrow."

I sat back in my chair, as I slowly raised my skirt, exposing my right thigh, all with a smile and a wink.

From across the room you glided, landing in the seat next to me, in a dimly lite room.

The whiskey on your tongue, though faint, is intoxicating.  The scent, heated by your breath, pales all truths.

As we leave to sojourn privately, I notice you watching each cheek rise to the occasion, while my stride picks up speed.

Whether you're here in the morning is insignificant to my appetite for sensation, so pardon me if I do not return your calls.  For one moment, (this moment)  - you mattered.

Why did I just roll my eyes when you walked in?
  I've seen it all before, that sheepish grin!
Your cologne meets me even before your glances.
  I'm fresh out of giving strangers second chances!
Other women notice you, giving all the more reason,
  I should just walk away, it's not even your season.
My feet won't move, ugh... is that cognac I smell?
  Suddenly you're next to me, I'm like - swell!
Then it happens, you grin and ask me my name!
  Playing coy, I'm sizing up my move in this game.
After all, I sipped before you entered that door.
  The alcohol kicks in, and I think "SCORE"!!!

Suddenly I realized "I have arrived".  

I have arrived in a place that only the hands on a clock can carry you (willingly or not).

Then it placed my feet on the ground to look around and behold this new thing called "certainty".

How can I explain this arr.

Us in love, rainbows made from cotton candy and bubble gum.
Head back, smiling toward the sunshine, warm hand around my waist.
Sprawled across the lawn, lips moist, plump, ripe and ready.

Us in love, sweet wine, flower nector, butterflies dancing above our head. Laughter, then giggles, followed by silent stares that mean the world. You promise forever, but I hear eternity when you speak.

Us in love, rhapsody divine, angelic sounds when I lay on your chest.
Heart beats in sync, candles spent, no concept of time or space.  I pounce toward your intentions, you capture my cause and we wait.

Us in love, never cold or tired, flowing curtains in the wind.  Gapping love birds whisper in envy.  Unicorns trot around our encampment, fairy dust drizzles over our heads.

Us in love, Us in love, Us in Love.

"Rushing feet cooled by chilly cement pavement forces windows closed and turned up chairs on porches."


"No more night sounds or cooling off dewy ******* while trying to catch that breeze which brought night's scent."


"Gone are the tall wet thirst quenchers that now compete against frosty opponents on the other side of the door."


"Tamed hairs beneath hats understand their season of gapping winds are but gone for now, replaced by stiff crispy swirls of air."


"Yet this is earth's annual sigh from the clutches of a sun kissed radiation demanding coolness into our enclosed spaces."


"Sip slowly, remember fondly, til the next season is upon us, bringing with it a hope and joy of a new morrow."

As you lay there, scantly clad, content from the love we just made, I wonder if you know...

The swirl of my hips and rhythmic dance of my tongue in your mouth, are clear indications this is mere lust.

I've banished, even forbidden, the L word from the act, since this hair pulling moment is just to scratch an itch.

How I wonder if you knew that I was contemplating a second round, since I'll most likely change my locks.

Old toys get replaced. No offense.

Her grave had no marking.  It was wedged between two esteemed others.  Visibly only by a gap and indentation.

It was raining that day, I'll never forget.  Embarrassed by how long it had been since I returned, I locked myself down in the car seat.

A tall willow tree swaying over your grave seemed to lure me out of my car.  Suddenly I found myself standing on the spot where you lay.

A flood of tears, and gitters uttered forth as I fell to the ground sobbing.  I watered your grave with my tears that day.  A pain in my heart caused me to gasp repeatedly.

Then it happened.  A soft white thick cloud of dandelion seeds appeared over my head and gently falling down, each one kissing my face.  I instantly stopped crying because I was utterly amazed.  And a smile replaced my frown, remembering you knew how much I loved these floating fairy wings.

I'd gather them from near and far in order to sit on your porch and blow them into the wind, making a wish on each and every one.

You confirmed, you were with me then, and now.  And you always will be.

Rest peacefully my beloved Ida Mae.  You will forever be cherished and remembered.

"The candor of your crooked smile, bubbles forth laughter from my fizzing cup of champagne and I've lost track of time in your arms."

Another sip and that extra pillow on your bed will be occupied by more than just my sense of humor.

And so you notice my blouse welcomes your glances with two pearl buttons away from their keeping, yet we push apart gently - saving enticements for tomorrow!

"Can I borrow a blanket, there's a chill in the air that won't subdue.  Frosty windows give view to a blistering storm and chances of clearing anytime soon are remote.  The lonely don't need to be cold as well, lest they **** over altogether and parish into the frothy dust.  Blue lips that can't kiss away your pain, await at deaths door, with a blank stare of horror.  Toss it this way baby, before the fate of it all, falls upon you."

"Caught between some place and any place, the vast grey matter found here still contains specs of hope that glisten when the right angle of light is provided.  Such is soothing and pleasing to the mind, which I call peace and where I choose to dwell.  Esteem me not, lest you lose sight of your own path and stray beyond life's passage to happiness."

That gaping hole that you put in my heart has begun to heal and what remains is a mere scar.

I've starred at it in the mirror countless (sleepless) nights, wondering if you too were even wounded.

Reports say you've moved on, you're much happier now. I call it "foul play" because the final move is mine.

Consider yourself warned!  Time has replenished what you attempted to drain.  And I challenge you, in fact dare you, to advance in my direction.

You may proceed (but with caution) in my direction if you're prepared for what now awaits you:

"Me" with a vengeance!

"Come, hold my hand and let's glide down this less traveled road called NO FEAR, where the sun doesn't always shine and friends may lose dedication to your cause - but we'll always have each other. "

"In my mind, I've taken many journeys. Some with winding roads and others with endless paths. I foster memories of a magical wonder in hopes that around each bend I'll find my soul. And when I do, I'll step right into it (like a comfortable shoe) feeling totally complete and forever whole."