~

A crowded city street,
strolling a narrow sidewalk,
your hand in mine
Pastel neon lights paint the buildings
in soothing colors,
softening sharp edges,
creating a wonderland
on this warm summer night

A small bistro, street side tables
candle light and tablecloths
tiny dancing flames on white linen
igniting your smile as we take a seat
amidst the din of taxi cabs
racing to find the sunset,
lover’s fare put to good use
in backseat desires

Two glasses of Pinot,
fine crystal offerings
as are your eyes, glistening,
dark chocolate petals
calling me in, hypnotized
free falling into your heart  
as I drink them in slowly,
tasting every tantalizing gaze

A toast to us, touching glasses,
touching hearts, changing lives
as I wonder what I have done
to deserve this dream, you and me,
no one else exists, the city bustles
unnoticed as we sip the fruits
of our love on an enchanting evening
hoping it never ends…

~

I always
    wondered
  could my
     dreams actually
         come true,
     then I met you
           and got
                my answer...

           *yes they can

~

“My queen, we feared we’d lost you so”
The healer said in joyous speech
“When here the shaman does bestow
these wishes that we do beseech”

“What have you done, how can this be,
my broken heart can not withstand
You silly fools, why can’t you see,
this was my choice by my own hand”

“Your majesty, we know so true
these actions, orders from the king
He returned home in search of you
not knowing what the news would bring”

A frightened glance, her shoulder pure
“My love,” she rushes to his bed
Now weeping every saddened pour
to find her king now lying dead

“He gave his life so live you would
with every ounce of strength he owned
For from his heart he summoned good
his wish, his queen to stay her throne”

“Oh Knight in armor, promised main,
why did you not protect our king
So I may sit upon my throne
and worry not of anything”

“Be gone, I need you here no more”
She wept, her face a glistened streak
then kissed this man she did adore,
when one lone teardrop fell his cheek

It shimmered bright in colours grand
like prisms floating on the sky
She reached and took his weathered hand
then saw a flutter in his eye

A warmth did flow his fingertips,
his eyes then opened with a gleam
He pulled her close and kissed her lips
“I love you so my precious queen”

Her breath escaped from deepened fears
with heartbeat movements quivering
She cried again, though happy tears
“I love you too my wondrous king”

The kingdom sang and cheered in glee,
a celebration soon had grown
For on this day their King and Queen
once more did sit upon the throne

And they lived happily ever after...

The End?




Meanwhile, the knight of angered soul
Beneath his heated breath did say
Of all these years, a banished toll
*Those two, I swear will surely pay…..

~

The shaman held the vial near
it trickled slow into the glass
A'shimmering this welcomed tear
as precious moments came to pass

He shook it slow with tempered stroke,
the gem, his staff, once more did glare
Again the incantation spoke,
an emerald glow was everywhere

“Return this beauty to her form
of daisy rush and willow feel
To cleanse the soul of poisoned storm
and sorrows cast as to reveal”

The sun now but an empty trace,
a fainter amber light is found
As nightfall rushes to the place
above horizon’s silent ground

Another drop, his fingertips,
then quickly her mouth he did lean
To place upon the tender lips
of this, the kingdom’s precious queen

He feared this might have come too late
as others in the room agreed
Yet not with words, but quiet wait
their silence floats on hoped for deed

This staff, its light begins to dim,
the healer breathes in heavy sighs
“I fear, I fear, we have lost him,
indeed our king this hour dies”

When then a flickered lash does flow,
another comes as if to thrive
As now her eyes they opened slow,
*once more, their queen has come alive

~

For what is offered,
what is sold
I hold you still this painful night

Of shuttered blinds
and canceled glare
safe harbor from the screaming light

I shall not move
a muscle lone
for fear that I might wake your sleep

Your breath is warm
in tethered sense
these shadows that we linger deep

In silent thought
to stay the plan
no whispers form upon the wind

Until the time
your smile brings
an answer to my heart again

So in my arms
this evening lie
till agony does take its leave

For I shall never
leave your side
in this my promise, do believe

Now rest my love
in slumbered fill
beneath these covers, warming blend

To find that I am
holding you
*until the sunrise comes again

~

The king now nary cast a breath
in weakened state and fallen frown
Within his mind a door to death
an empty stairway heading down

The healer sent a worried look,
a nervous sweat upon his brow
No words so clear his opened book
“Great Shaman, please do something now”

The sorcerer seemed un-amused,
a glance upon the poison’s urn
and sensed that something had infused
Yon windows, orange glow did burn

The sun had fallen in the west,
barely but a light did shine
Running out, this challenged quest,
clinging tight to borrowed time

The shaman, to his nose, inhale
then raised his hand, now all was clear
His potion short, yet not to fail
required now a king’s sad tear  

The monarch sighed, eyes drew back,
pale his skin was white a snow
Minutes move as seconds track,
the setting sun was ever low

“We need a tear drop from his pain,
complete this antidote on trial”
The wizard spoke in dark refrain
“To place within this waiting vial”

The king, his pulse did disappear,
so limp his body now it fell
When then one glistened streaming tear,
*the token needed for this spell

~

He stood before the arching glass
as if by angel’s breath was blown
Her beauty lives though she may pass
of any goddess he had known

From there within a pocket slight
retrieved a vial of liquid blue
and raised it up into the light
so glistened in enchanted view

Upon his staff the gem it shone,
an emerald green did flood the room
Now closed his eyes in shimmered tone
with words now spoken, dark of gloom

“Return this beauty to her form
of daisy rush and willow feel
To cleanse the soul of poisoned storm
and sorrows cast as to reveal”

Into the chamber came the king,
he stumbled slowly to her side  
“Dear Shaman let your magic sing,
without her love my heart has died”

The sorcerer he cast no glance,
unfazed in stoic manner seen
“She lives still in an empty trance
not hell nor heaven, in between”

“Our time is till the setting sun
for on that hour all is lost
As spirits call the precious one
a beckoning of lifeless cost”

He raised the vial, tilting so,
upon his fingers several drips
Again the gem topped staff did glow,
then place the liquid on her lips

“This can not be,” his salted ply
“She does not stir, she does not breathe
As darkness wanders towards the sky
In amber moments to perceive

He placed a hand upon her head
to summon fact with tethered scan
“Where be the flask, her poisoned bled?”
*A sentry set it in his hand

~

Staring out the kitchen window,
I watch as two butterflies flit between
the flowers, their colors brilliantly
reflecting the soft pastel glow
created by the morning sun
as I sip my first cup of coffee of the day

You are still asleep as I let
my mind wander to the plans we have
made for today, our special spot at the lake,
a picnic lunch under the shade of the
old maple tree I carved our initials in long ago,
I even bought your favorite wine

Driving to our destination, you singing along
with the radio, the wind blowing through
your dark brown hair,
that beautiful smile enchanting
me at every turn as I fall in love again
a thousand times over

We’ll relax allowing the day
to pass by slowly,
finding shapes in the fluffy clouds,
skipping stones on the clear water,
spending the hours sharing  
all of the beauty nature has to offer

A more perfect day I can not envision, as you
sneak up behind me and putting your arms
around my waist, kiss me on neck then whisper sultry in my ear,
“Good morning handsome, can we just stay home today and play?”
As I turn to face you I answer wearing a huge smile…
*“That’s exactly what I was thinking”

~

A clearing they did enter slow,
though haste was of the days found deed
Beyond the waters chanting flow
of driftwood doors and ancient ****

There stood a man in beard of white,
not startled as they entered sure
His staff possessed a jeweled light,
a robe of crimson fabric bore

Through misted haze of chanted sway
they spoke for it was their command
He turned to stare with eyes of gray
and silence them with lifted hand

“You words are known before you speak
of beauty taken to the gate
A potion, magic, which you seek
to wish on hope and not too late”

Upon the floor a contoured ring
in seashell essence powered stain
A cauldron empty smokless sting
it burned their eyes, their skin the same

“Fear not for this shall be the path,
now step within this circled mark”
As they obeyed, with wave of staff
and suddenly their world was dark

With woven lines of vibrant glare,
a feeling ‘pon their chests fell tight
Now breathless as their thoughts did share
when sure of foot they stood in light

As focus came their worried eyes,
their castle stood as if a dream
The shaman spoke, past sorrowed cries
*“Now take me promptly to your queen”

~

Their faces bounded, fear and strife
For none did want to feign the truth
His precious queen of stolen life
Now taken, lost among the proof

The king he watched through shuttered eye
Seen worries drown of tears long traced
His heart now falling, stoic sigh
Thoughts of all else now erased

With flickered glow, the candle drips
For in does walk the cherished knight
Draining strength to come to grips
As well his tears he longs to fight

He bows his head in slanted flow
Then lifts his eyes to meet the king  
“I’ve saddened news you need to know,
I fear that forth is dark to bring”

“Tell me Knight, what sends this pain,
draped upon expressions worn?”
The blood still trickles, crimson stain
Above the royal crest so worn

“It is the queen, your majesty
the news, your death, an empty throne
in poison fueled insanity
she feared the worse in what she’d known”

The king, now tears did flow his cheek
Trembling lips and shaking hands
A clench of sleeve, still very weak
“Find the shaman,” he commands

“His magic, shall be ending’s cure
with haste now go, as time now past
through forest lone enchanted shore
*and pray a spell he fills to cast.”

What is love,
it is everything...

The good and the bad,
sharing, learning, comforting,
no sides, no boundaries,
understanding,
even if you don't,
arms open...wide,
mind open...wider,
heart always accepting that
not everything is easy,
the bed of roses comes with thorns,
but you endure,
scars will show,
yet are considered beautiful,
skinned knees, bike rides,
mis-spoken words, well meaning
badly timed, hurt feelings,
chocolate covered sundaes,
picnics in the park, yardwork,
lost keys, little lies, surprise parties,
(when you specifically said no,)
breakfast in bed, arguments,
making love, making the bed afterward,
bad movies, dead cell phone batteries,
***** dishes, headaches,
eye rolls, laughter, hugs,
poetry,
being far, being close,
sweet kisses, feeling wanted,
nothing is ever too much,
tough decisions, agreed upon outcomes,
looked forward to moments,
tears, smiles, big smiles, bigger smiles,
holding hands, support,
truth, long days,
passionate nights,
taking chances,
dreaming,
rainy mornings,
bad moods, good moods,
really good moods,
candlelit dinners,
promised forevers,
(meant)
hot coffee, chilled wine,
warm affection and
brain freezes...

What is love...it is everything,
if it is you and me

~

She reached for the ribbons of her gown
not knowing why, but she held them in her hand
as she floated through the ever changing mist,
whites and grays in a swirling pattern,
mesmerizing in blends and shifts,
blurred yet possessing a clarity she could not explain
or cared to think about right now

She looked down on herself in her bed sobbing,
clutching tightly a dampened pillow, lonely, missing…
now confused as a peaceful awareness
wrapped about her warmly,
caressing her spirit, washing away the pain,
the sadness, the torment which she fought now to remember
as it drifted below, creating new shadows about her feet
but distant, never forgotten, she couldn’t, it was promised…

Once more the satin ribbons were pulled gently, guided
as if a feather laced kite on a silver string embracing blue skies,
dancing about in the slow rhythm, spun in clouded dreams,
breathless she soars higher, it seems towards the sun
or perhaps a light of a different source, it felt soft, cool
beckoning her and she yearned for it…
for some reason it felt right

Stars swept past her in wiry glistening designs
like a sparkler at a summer cookout waved through the air
in abstract lemonade glowings and apple pie tickles  
and she smiled, for the first time in a long time as the 
moon disappeared on the horizon, embracing this experience
She continued allowing the tender tugs on her ribbons to
move her freely, when she felt something, it was a hand on
hers, helping her hold the ribbons, it felt familiar,
safe, comforting

When she saw his eyes, as clear as she had ever seen anything,
deep and friendly, soothing
just as she had remembered…remembered?
He took her by the hands and he came even more into focus
“Hi there, I have missed you,”  he sighed and she knew it was him
He was here, wherever here was, holding her now as he said,
“I promised I would love you eternally, I couldn't have you then,
so I have waited for you"    
She cried , happy tears as she whispered. “You did, you did, is this…”

“Shhh,” he placed a caring finger to her lips…
*”This is our eternity my love”

~

The startled crowd his side did rush
As slow upon the ground he fell
Seeping blood, a worried hush
“Your Majesty” a voice did yell

Shoving bodies, pushing through
A sentry wrought of silver chain
“Find the healer” his command
Echoed of this loud exclaim

He helped the king to stand his feet
An arm in offered steady sure
A glance about, he’d not repeat
Uncertain moments to endure

Towards the castle, cobbled pace
Another came, assistance felt
And then appeared the healer’s face
Before his king, he fell and knelt

A weaker state with eyes now glass
Consciousness began to seep
“Bring him to the castle quick,
the wound received near fatal deep”

Once within the lighted glare
Upon a bed of feathered fill
The king was laid, comforted care  
With prayers of strength and endless will

Breath now weak, pulsing slow
The healer plied his knowledge true
Pressure to the wounded flow
Hoping best for what to do

When then of listless tethered word
Through thoughts of love and soft confide
The king he spoke, these words were heard
*"Summons my queen to here my side"

~

The news did spread, a kingdom’s will
For sorrow placed its shadowed hand
‘Pon castle steps the crowd did fill
As heart break took a firm command

The skies, a darkened clouded stain
As children wept in mother’s fold
Now lost amidst a dismal rain
This hour, sadness frigid cold

How could it be, their precious queen
Had fallen to a woeful stead
A tethered seed, nightmarish deem
Her majesty this day is dead

The knight, of shining armor might
Her lifeless body cradled deep
Staring straight to heaven’s light
Then bowed his head, began to weep

He raised her body ever strong  
Carried her through chambered door
An empty hallway wide as long
Depleted by this mournful chore

The villagers of forlorn feel
Gathered in the dampened street
The plight of loss in full reveal
Disconsolate of death’s defeat

When then upon horizon’s glare
A silhouette of staggered steed
Towards the kingdom's stricken stare
In slow methodic steps proceed

This figure slumped of saddle ride
And weary strains of wistful yearns
Through gates of iron, wandered stride
*A shout rings out, “Our king returns”

~

For this of castled velvet throne
A queen does weep a single tear
Bleak shadows of this night have grown
To cast upon her heart this fear

Reflection polished marble floor
Her silhouette of humbled reach
Now shutters via nightmare’s pour
Alone of bridges fought to breach

Beyond the window valleys sleep
Soft candle flame in slumbered night
Flickering her pain felt deep
Burning through in cautioned light

An empty throne aside her heart
Its warmth now chilled of worried feel
That day her love he did depart
Read messages to long conceal

Her single kiss of cherished due
A farewell bid, pled safe return
Lost amidst this sorrowed view
And loneliness again did burn

As if the dawn had been his shield
In misty haze on moor’s harsh breath
Of forest frame it had concealed
A moment quick of arrow’s death

She takes this single tear she’s cried
Into a glass of liquid clear
This droplet of her love applied  
Her broken heart to wish him near

And brings this potion to her lips
Such bitter taste slow going down
A whispered hope in swallowed sips
To then remove her saddened crown

Upon his throne of gold now rests
She breathes one final moment pure
Her eyes now close of wishful quest
*To be with her sweet king once more

~

My flower, my precious one
to know your love
in the drifted rise of dawn and
honeysuckle flower
is to dream euphoric splendour
in the middle twilight glare,
the whispers of moonbeams
on incandescent sky star,
to breathe the breeze effervescent
flowing on the windswept
fields of petals of sunflower
under enchanting blue sky wishes,
to fall without cease in the love
beyond the borders of the north and
faltering horizons
of a desperate distant desire
My flower, my precious one
to know your love
is to know a world does exist
*for us only

-

Behind the thick crimson and gold thread curtains
he stands listening to the din of the audience
searching their seats for popcorn crumbs
while roaming hands brush against the legs
of those sitting closest

The young girls get the winks
and free drinks as the old men
vie for position, straightening their hair
and flashing thick wallets
from stretched out back pockets

He peeks through the slit in the
fancy brocade drapes to find a full house,
everyone is here, the self imposed mayor
wearing a handmade campaign button
shakes hands and seeks signatures

Mrs. Broadmore assigns seats in her row
as the little people gather around, telling her
how beautiful she is while hoping for a glimpse
of the diamond crusted gin filled flask she keeps
tucked away in her left garter

The lights dim as the depressed sulk to their seats in the balcony,
broken hearts fill the back rows closest to the bar,
cheerleaders in pink lipstick and short skirts, the football team
all ****** out of their minds and the debate club collect in the center
while the pretty people, the wealthy pose in the front rows

He gets the signal as the curtain slowly lifts
to the ceiling on well oiled pulleys
There is not a sound as he makes his way
to the microphone at center stage, dead silence
but he reads his poem anyway

It is obvious he is no Leonard Cohen
but he does his best as he recites the verses
he has penned especially for this evening
Upon finishing he stares out as two people
clap their approval and the others whisper and look away

His shoulders drop as he leaves the stage,
head hung low, crumbling the paper he had read from
and tossing it in the trash as he wonders aloud, “why, why do I do it?”
A janitor sweeping near the exit door hears him
and shaking his head replies, “Because you’re a poet, that’s why”

~

When our
   hearts sing,
  echoes return
      to where
   they began,
        so they
          too may
         harmonize
           perfectly with
              *our love

-

I ran out of words
so I stopped at the store
and searched every aisle and row

Pushing my cart
with a wobbling wheel
just trying to keep with the flow

Chocolate chip cookies,
a magazine stand,
broom handles right over there

Two percent milk,
light bulbs and duct tape,
prices galore to compare

But there were no words
at least none I could use
to write you a poem today

No phrases on sale,
not a verse on the shelf
or flowery thoughts on display

So I bought a pen
and a Big Chief notebook,
there was nothing else I could do

And I scribbled these words
as I walked to my car
that simply said I do love you

◇

The morning sun
     in your hair,
  a new blue dress,
geraniums blooming
  on a terra cotta veranda,
    a sparkling mimosa
  in your hand,
   pelicans float silently
  above melodic
     aqua marine waves...
Yet, all I see is your
  eternal deep brown eyes,
    for perfect beauty
  is what I seek
*on this morning