lonely girl
eating alone
in a corner
never looking up
from her book
wearing jeans
flip flops
and a sweater

you fascinate me
sitting there
oblivious
to your surroundings
a tourist
in my world

to approach
and talk
are you
a character
in my diary
or something more

i missed the moment
will never know
you paid the waiter
closed your book
met my eyes
smiled
turned
and disappeared

poetry
is the realm
of intellectual
and emotional
aristocracy

forgive me
for my hubris
and folly
if you think this
a fallacy

I cried till my wells were dry
I moaned till I could only sigh
My past bred fresh fears
And augmented that endless stream of tears
I was alone in the wild
But in that perpetual darkness unable to hide
Then despair embraced me
And darker tunnels I could clearly see
Day and night were alike
For that darkness ruled with might
I uttered voiceless pleas
And in vain pleaded my release
Thus continued the days
Lost in a thousand ways,
I was resigned to my fate
And all hope would have been, but late.

But one day that ‘fairest sun’ rose
And warmed me from head to toes
Penetrated me to my deepest recesses
And supplied light in unthinkable excesses
That sun stretched forth its hand
And bade me rise with polite command
That touch and the resultant feelings
Brought fresh strengths for future dealings
I was finally free though it seemed a dream
And gladness filled me to the brim
My tongue loosened so I could speak
I longed to express my joy but my mind was bleak
I gloried in that resurrection – momentous yet subtle
And all around me, I heard whispers: “the feeling is mutual!”

and I
had No
More
Tears

and Oh Skies!
and Oh Trees!

and I
had No
More
Voices

and the Universe
was rocking
as if into
Nothing

tiny snowflakes are gently covering
my outer reality
with a mantle of pristineness
a blank slate
reflecting stillness within

time is standing still
frozen footprints the only
sign of man passing through
a time not now
as I am contemplating the significance
of the snow
peaceful, pure, serene
while buried underneath
the crystal blanket
new life is ready to be born

© Jasmine Martin, January 2009

How it hit the floor…
Dramatic levitation
Through taut space and time.

Chandelier’s lit
Coaxing playfully, ornate
“Festival of lights”.

Dreamy melody
Seeps outta a gramophone
Velvety delight.

Air’s alive, festive
A blend of calm and upbeat
Layered steamy ambiance.

Mind is a mash-up
Typical tasty mocktail
Tad delectable.

A lot meets the eye
Perception’s a circus of
Bland perspectives.