Claire Trafton: Favorites

Mar 2013 Claire Trafton

BarelyABard

I

I took a journey above myself one day and saw the trees below.
In scene by scene and well versed memories,
mistakes and beauty of the past consumed.
And though I know the past doesn't matter, I still took lessons and discovered three absolutes in this world.

wonder

love

and

freedom

If a map for my life exists, it abides in three words.

II

I took a journey above myself one day and saw the trees above.
In jaded laughter and menacing teeth bared,
a truth arose from former ashes.
And though I know the past doesn't matter, I still took lessons and discovered three absolutes in this world.

fear

doubt

and

anger

If a storm for my life exists, it abides in three words.

III

I took a journey above myself one day and just saw the trees.

*Nothing exists without an opposite,
and in that reality, you can find peace

Mar 2013 Claire Trafton

Coals And Stars

Mar 2013 Claire Trafton

BarelyABard

Coals And Stars

What holds more power,
the stars in the sky or the coals in a fire?
By all accounts, most stars in the sky have been dead longer than this planet has been alive.
We just see them in passing.
But the coals in this fire are still alive and powerful.

More can still come from this...

Mar 2013 Claire Trafton

Sweet Thing

Mar 2013 Claire Trafton

Isoindoline

Sweet Thing

I get the impression
that you like me the way you like dessert:

praising my appearance, presentation,
eyeing a swirl of cream,
licking your lips at the sparkle of glacé

Anticipation.

When you cradle me gently
in the curve of your silver spoon:

your tongue samples my sweet delight,
fleeting flavors hold your senses enraptured
the lingering aftertaste beckons

More.

Your silver spoon scrapes
the bottom of the glass bowl:

melted cream pools languidly,
my last sweet aftertaste slips from your tongue
while you do the dishes.

Mar 2013 Claire Trafton

Tremble

Mar 2013 Claire Trafton

ivy jubjub

Tremble

Tremble, my darling, I tremble for you
My bones, white and brittle, they tremble too
This life is too short for you to be true
So tremble, you say, and tremble I do.

Soft winged doves fly quick on the wind
But Darling I'm sure- they tremble too.
The mountains seem strong, stronger than sin
But Darling I know- that tremble they do.

In short, dearest Darling, when you have long gone
The world out in space will tremble for you

Mar 2013 Claire Trafton

The Fool, the Coward

Mar 2013 Claire Trafton

Lucent in Tenebris

The Fool, the Coward

My heart, the fool, clutches for the tide of that sweet sickness
fly to that wine you gaunted ghost in my beating breast!
Drink the dregs and drown out the bread
When you have had your fill, you fool
you will be sickened still.

My mind, the coward, hides a midst its multitude of arms
what a petty prisoner you have become to fear!
Take your leave when you have nothing left for the taking
and when you regain your pride and call it passion
you will be found out, weak and frail still.

Mar 2013 Claire Trafton

I Decided Not to Sink

Mar 2013 Claire Trafton

Katrina Wendt

I Decided Not to Sink

When it gets dark
And the storm is too strong
The winds won't stop blowing
And the water gets too deep

You can tread water
But only for so long
Before your legs give out
And your head sinks beneath the waves

Your only hope
Is that someone will come along
And throw out a lifesaver
To pull you from the waters

And they say:
"You can't be friends with someone
whom you love
who doesn't love you."

And it hurts
Because the waves are strong
And the lifesaver is tight around your lungs
And the rim of the boat jabs into your stomach

But you do it anyway
You get in
You save yourself
You live

I let go, Jack
And left you behind
But it's not selfish
Because you let go first.

2013