~

~Marmalade skies~



one spoon at a time they feed

the morning horizon

Soft offerings of color

picked ripe from the vine



~Cantaloupe dreams~



a small slice of moon

the dawn’s crescent smiles on me

with a Cheshire grin

cocked slightly to the side



~Plum pudding blankets~



suspended above life, moving slowly

but coming of the day

as alarms break the solitude

nestled in down pillows



~Raspberry whispers~



singing the scent

of the fresh sunrise dew

on wishes coated in sparkling splendor

and footprints beyond the gate



~Nectarine blessings~



sweet on my lips

beneath an orchard arbor

I hold you close of my morning

and taste the bounty of your love

~

Marching in the parade of fools
Trumpets blare and leading the pack
Nothing more than a dreamer, dreaming
Looking for the next day
The next step in this life
That sometimes seems worth it
And sometimes doesn’t

Feeling the pain of every saddened heart
Taking the weight upon my shoulders
Wishing to bring peace
Though often told I can’t know this pain
That I fit this parade perfectly
No one wants my help
But still I offer a hand

A deep lover of love…a believer that is comes
Waiting with a fragile heart
Too much understanding for my own good
Some one who can see but often wishes he couldn’t
A sponge, learning, absorbing, wanting
A white knight often with a tarnished shield

Unhappy with what I am, not who I am
Concerned about what I will become
But never fearing of death
That is another parade I know I will participate in
Tossing confetti in hopes
I am remembered, one way or the other
Nothing much...nothing more than

me…in a poetic nutshell

~

Know If I could I’d be mending your heart
With the thread of a silken cocoon
Stitched now as one on the eve of the weary
Bound by the light of the moon
Careful to touch with the soft of a feather
Gentle as spider web tears
Keeping you close on the edge of the storm
Shielding your soul from these fears
~
Dew drop beliefs on the lawn they are waiting
Prisms of lighthearted scenes
Dandelion clouds offer sweet pea protection
Butterflies float in between
Watching o’er breezes of painted day whispers
Woven on kite strings of fleece
Playing with echoes, repeating their wisdom
"Fear not for I have found peace"
~
Alas all I have is a poet’s rendition
Spilled now in ink filled with care
Hoping on dreams you will find a connection
Just a few moments to spare
Taking the hand of this forgotten hero
Trusting in him ever true
Open your eyes for a new day is dawning
Written because I care for you

~

Metamorphosis

Tracing footsteps in the overgrown field
where sunlight and rain drops date
Counting sticker burrs like lemon drops
in a candy counter display
Hitchhikers I remember them called,
lovers of socks and pant legs I think
Each with their own story to tell,
minute worries clinging to that last hope of life

The path, familiar but then again not,
it leads somewhere else now
Dragging shadows like kite strings,
knotted in the weave of its boundaries
Taking in my surroundings and releasing them  
for another may find them useful as well,
I find still no sign of that last phrase,
spoken softly but misunderstood…is my understanding

A collection of stone and gravel stew
finds my shoe souls imaging in the dry dusty paste
Outlines of thoughts, perhaps poetry in oblong shapes and
perfect tread patterns stamped and posted,
showing no indication of my ever being here
Staring now at a cocoon on a lone branch, I see
what my life had been, dark and lonely, dreaming of the colors,
feeling confined but grateful for the transformation

You smiled, I smiled, my wings appeared and I flew,
as might a rainbow on a balloon, soaring until the tiniest speck
in the sky could be me or just something on your glasses
Light headed in a good way, free at last to define love,
the metamorphosis of my heart,
the changing of a man into more than he could hope to be,
seeking and finding that blossom,
sweet nectar, a sugary substance, love deep in the petals of life

Though, no one told me of the life span before hand,
no calendar hanging on my wall with circled dates highlighted in red,
nor a stamp of expiration anywhere on my heart,
good if used by…used by, funny I should write that now
as my attention rests still on this cocoon,
wondering where I went wrong,
somewhere on this path lies the answer…
for I once was a butterfly, just as you will be small cocoon,

at which time you will learn…

it is easier to fly with a heart that is unbroken

~

Might we…


Might we…
pass on a sidewalk framed by clearance sales
and hot dog vendors
Smiling as to take our attention,
brand our thoughts cosmetically,
alter our daydreams to cast a glow
amidst the haze that is this destiny

Might we…
stand on lonely platforms
watching the smoke in the distance
as the 5:00 o’clock
Sunset Liner approaches
with a full head of steam
distracting our eyes with a forgotten whistle tone

Might we…
whisper meandering thoughts
of great importance on the wind,
wishing them a safe journey
and hoping these words, our love sick phrases
reach the heart of another
sitting in the crowd all alone

Might we…
find if we look beyond the past
covering the darkness
with twinkle lights and glass ornaments,
filling the branches of the future with hope,
that desired happiness
springs from its roots

Might we…
dream of cosmic realities in floral dance steps
on kaleidoscope stairways
winding through our thoughts
delivering us to the floor
just above where our eyes meet

Might we
live in and around long distance shadows
and typed conversations,
dipping into the vast vocabulary
waiting patiently to be shared
between our hearts

Might we…
love

The poem was posted by Petal Pie.

Here is a link to the poem if you'd care to read it:

http://hellopoetry.com/poem/740703/mind-garden-collaboration-with-jack/

I looked in a mirror
and saw a face
weathered and worn
Tear stain scarred cheeks
A frown where a smile once lived,
head hung low,
eyes hollow and unseeing
Fading like the one creating
the reflection

Then I look again
and see you over my shoulder
and the image looking back
now appears young and vibrant
alive and happy

I am still me, just a man
nothing much
but you make me something...

In love

Beneath a silent old oak tree
Just counting stars at play the sky
A jug of wine, a loaf of bread
A falling leaf, a firefly

Our blanket placed so soft the ground
On grasses born of springtime cheer
Two hearts a mingle in the night
Alone with you this evening clear

As laughter echoes through the hills
And lips embrace of love’s desire
With passion’s flame a glowing light
When now to see my true desire

Of moon glow sips in tasted find
In silhouette on nature’s dream
To share this beauty ‘fore my eyes
Along a winding flowing stream

For as these dark skies call our names
To come as one beyond the day
I drink of all this love does bring
To in your arms forever stay

~

I sit on this lonely hillside,
a faint crescent moon smiles
in the silent sky
Gazing across the valley,
finding darkness as the village sleeps
Yet as if a beacon of hope,
a lone light in your window glows
and I wonder if your midnight thoughts ~
are of me
~
Standing at my window,
gazing at the stars
I see new constellations
lining up like arrows in the night sky,
all of them point to you
The crescent moon is smiling
as though it too knows where my heart belongs
My eyes follow the river outside my window,
as it flows in your direction,
carrying thoughts of you
~
I fade off as my imagination
floats me atop a slumbering tree line
soft branches guide me
along the curves of a shadowed river bank
Gently I come to rest outside your window,
mesmerized by beauty as your enchanting eyes
reflect the star laced heavens
An autumn chill finds me and I long to fold
into the comfort of your October caress
~
The wood in the fireplace
cracks and sizzles
I feel its ribbons of warmth
gathering, wrapping around me
like a lover's warm embrace
stirring those feelings in my heart
the longing for you,
to stop and to stay
the next time your journey
brings you my way
~
Enchanting flames flicker, illumining my path,
a nervous sensation engulfs my body
as only a heart deeply in love can,
when the door opens, you smile,
melting me where I stand
Soothing arms pull me in and we kiss,
passion evolves in star dust shimmers...
My eyes again open...I still sit this lonely hillside,
imagination fading with the light in your window
and I wonder if your midnight dreams ~ will be of us

Gently I close the curtains and
move away from the window
I stoke the fire,
its soothing heat
settling upon my face
my face, a smile flickering
as the embers of my heart glow anew
with thoughts of you, us
I glance deeply into my longing dreams
All things I need,
lead to you and me,
*together

Dancing on a cloud that dreams have washed along the shore
Counting every star drop feathered bliss
Walking with a happy heart to vistas near and far
Feeling still our moon lit good night kiss

Staying up past midnight with the sunlight in my eyes
Floating off to every sound I hear
Cellophane in colors wrapped so tightly ’round the skies
Candy coated marmalades appear

Singing to a butterfly in harmonies of spring
Picking daisy petals sent by you
Falling to the rhythm of its ever moving wings
Hoping that this flower will be true

Riding on a zebra with its stripes the bluest green
Milkshake pizzas waiting by the door
Peppermints and lavenders are painted on the screen
Wanting that but this is so much more

Climbing up a ladder just to see how low I can
Wishing on a cross that finds its criss
Funny what my mind does see while knowing that I am
Feeling still our moon lit good night kiss

~


Dancing on a cloud that dreams have washed along the shore
Counting every star drop feathered bliss
Walking with a happy heart to vistas near and far
Feeling still our moon lit good night kiss

Staying up past midnight with the sunlight in my eyes
Floating off to every sound I hear
Cellophane in colors wrapped so tightly ’round the skies
Candy coated marmalades appear

Singing to a butterfly in harmonies of spring
Picking daisy petals sent by you
Falling to the rhythm of its ever moving wings
Hoping that this flower will be true

Riding on a zebra with its stripes the bluest green
Milkshake pizzas waiting by the door
Peppermints and lavenders are painted on the screen
Wanting that but this is so much more

Climbing up a ladder just to see how low I can
Wishing on a cross that finds its criss
Funny what my mind does see while knowing that I am
Feeling still our moon lit good night kiss

Wildflower yearnings, un-blooming and restless
longing for nothing but sunshine and meadows,
spring mist’d spillings on clover leaf lawns,
weeded temptations dot soon Sunday drives
as tiger lilies line the shoulders calling
in nectar’d phrase and orange sherbet wishes

Her Earth sleeps beneath cold canvas mornings,
foggy breath seeps from shiver’d mouths,
footprints like smiles disappear in tandem,
bundled decency falls to the way side
as foul speak through chattering teeth
vibrate in angst against her endless winter

Still she smiles knowing what rests within,
stuffed in her springtime pocket
of seedlings and smiles, close to her they wait
Squirming for release and peering over edges,
listening for that call of warm temp delight,
tiny parachutes at the ready

Gray skies peer down, frowning on what will become,
sensing they too shall once again hide,
pushed aside by blue sky dreams,
warm breeze’d sonnets sung in harmony,
butterfly dance cards filled…once more
her winter pocket will take inventory

Sighing, she ponders in snow flake tricklings,
grinning at giggles of April anticipation,
flipping another calendar page,
staring out over the stark white landscape
and whispering a promise to all…
“Spring will be here soon”

~

Cascading down the mountainside
The crystal waters free
Flowing forth to quench this thirst
So deep inside of me

In perfect stance I hear the rush
A shimmer faithful glow
To hear the splash of all that’s good
Now falling down below

So white of foam and ripples pure
I wade in splendor mist
In natures wondrous bounty true
This peaceful daylight tryst

The waters cool upon my skin
A midday sun does shine
In shadows cast of dancing limbs
Of daydreams I do climb

Naked in this hidden place
Among the shining stone
I hear the mountain waters rush
And feel I’m not alone

The faintest whisper calls to me
My name I soon do hear
As now the girl with chocolate hair
Before my eyes appears

With nothing but a robe of white
She smiles tenderly
One foot she places in the pond
My waiting eyes do see

Her robe now lying on the ground
The beauty of her skin
Her silhouette against the sun
I beckon her come in

She loves the feel the water brings
It starts her mind a flow
Out here among the vibrant green
In natures perfect show

In silent swim without a sound
Upon the surface glide
Until she finds her way to me
Now right here by my side

Her lips so full and red like wine
A hint of amethyst
I stare her deeply in the eyes
And then a tender kiss

My arms they reach to hold her tight
So close I need her near
To feel the beating of her heart
Within the waters clear

So quietly we listen to
The sounds the forest brings
Flowing winds and waterfalls
And birds about who sing

Here in our mountain paradise
With skies so clear above
We share these moments that we live
Within each other's love

~

Parched and dry, this barren field stretches,
I wander…head hung low,
staring at the emptiness eclipsing my thoughts
Brittle blades of grass disappear beneath
my worn out Chuck Taylors,
black and white crushing beige
in slow fashioned footprints ~ blistered dust

“My sanity for some cool water”

When upon my shoulders, reddened by solar intensity,
wet from exerted energy, comes a breeze
as if Autumn has come to claim her colors,
to gather her brown and sepia landscape,
pull the lifeless trees, with little leaf
from the chalk textured ground
taking it where it would suit another ~ for this is my luck

“Take my shade, I beg not, for it is merely a branch”

Like fingers of a silken web’s reach,
a soft caress of skin is not understood, though very pleasant
nature finds me a shiver, a small comfort in this arid place
once crawling with snakes of assorted length, now
green as if lush has just been defined
with sweet air and pomegranate skies
featuring a glow, pristine shades of which I’ve never seen ~ heavenly

“To whom might I thank for such a gift?”

When before me stands, my eyes saturated and lost
slowly focus on beauty, winged loveliness now smiling within my own
personal oasis, which quickly forms in my heart
An angel, a goddess, extends a hand…to me?
My cracked and weathered palm touches, smooth, gentle
her hand as she lifts me, I am weightless, floating
to her, my breath leaves me as I wonder ~ is this my end

“If this beauty shall be my final curtain, let it drop slowly”

A voice of velvet speaks, as I fade in and out of reality
and steadied by her touch, in the sweet scent of lavender and lime,
“I have come to you as a verse, for poetry is thy keeper,
thy words have been heard,” lyrical this voice sings
melodic and harmonious, rhythm’d to the beat of my heart
the race of my pulse, the love of my life ~ my angel

*“Eternal to you I shall write, for your beauty fuels my pen”

~


Soft flurries of affection
find my eyes lost in the prism
of the beauty that engulfs my world

For to inhale is to fall into
the scent of sweet essence riding
the breeze exhaling from your skin

As words pour on the page,
my fingers dance in rhythmic patterns
now wrapped warmly about my thoughts

I have wondered, quietly to myself
where is it they are born,
how do they flow so easily

from a mind that constantly spins
in whirls of dream-like visions
kaleidoscopic views and frantic desires,

where each vowel, noun, adjective or verb
in feathered shapes of ink, somehow
scribble silhouettes of my love for you

It is now that I notice,
sitting in the frail sunshine of the dawn
whispering on salmon clouds, you are awake

that my hands are empty, my fingers still
for it seems as I write of you, my endless everything,
it is my heart that holds my pen

~


Soft flurries of affection
find my eyes lost in the prism
of the beauty that engulfs my world

For to inhale is to fall into
the scent of sweet essence riding
the breeze exhaling from your skin

As words pour on the page,
my fingers dance in rhythmic patterns
now wrapped warmly about my thoughts

I have wondered, quietly to myself
where is it they are born,
how do they flow so easily

from a mind that constantly spins
in whirls of dream-like visions
kaleidoscopic views and frantic desires,

where each vowel, noun, adjective or verb
in feathered shapes of ink, somehow
scribble silhouettes of my love for you

It is now that I notice,
sitting in the frail sunshine of the dawn
whispering on salmon clouds, you are awake

that my hands are empty, my fingers still
for it seems as I write of you, my endless everything,
it is my heart that holds my pen

Lonely nights offer moments of silence

and one dish suppers where candlelight seems a waste

Seated with pen in hand, I smooth the ruffles beneath

as if that will help the words flow



Upon closer inspection I find

heart shaped patterns on the dining room tablecloth

mimic the movements of my hand,

layered one atop another, calling on each to oblige



Crossing lines, intersecting at pre-destined points,

repeating in harmony with one another

as my thoughts gather in the tiny squares

of this colored graph paper staring at me, waiting



Moving in sync with butterfly curves on the corners

and scribbled etchings along borders,

fantasies of a mind in a dream state

swirl, touching each box of this formatted design



Folds neatly collect the shapes of spilled ink

seeping slowly through the cloth

like raindrops on a leaf following the veins

in an abstract yet confined flow



To the blurred eye sits nonsense,

a collection of nothing on a vast white sheet

dancing like uneven feet on a rounded floor

of no particular meaning or feature



Yet to me, my penned innocence calls loudly,

even in the darkness of lost words, these patterns,

as is everything found filling me is you…

and my pen pleads in heart shaped longings

~


Lonely nights offer moments of silence

and one dish suppers where candlelight seems a waste

Seated with pen in hand, I smooth the ruffles beneath

as if that will help the words flow



Upon closer inspection I find

heart shaped patterns on the dining room tablecloth

mimic the movements of my hand,

layered one atop another, calling on each to oblige



Crossing lines, intersecting at pre-destined points,

repeating in harmony with one another

as my thoughts gather in the tiny squares

of this colored graph paper staring at me, waiting



Moving in sync with butterfly curves on the corners

and scribbled etchings along borders,

fantasies of a mind in a dream state

swirl, touching each box of this formatted design



Folds neatly collect the shapes of spilled ink

seeping slowly through the cloth

like raindrops on a leaf following the veins

in an abstract yet confined flow



To the blurred eye sits nonsense,

a collection of nothing on a vast white sheet

dancing like uneven feet on a rounded floor

of no particular meaning or feature



Yet to me, my penned innocence calls loudly,

even in the darkness of lost words, these patterns,

as is everything found filling me is you…

and my pen pleads in heart shaped longings

~

My pen pleads

Lonely nights offer moments of silence
and one dish suppers where candlelight seems a waste
Seated with pen in hand, I smooth the ruffles beneath
as if that will help the words flow

Upon closer inspection I find
heart shaped patterns on the dining room tablecloth
mimic the movements of my hand,
layered one atop another, calling on each to oblige

Crossing lines, intersecting at pre-destined points,
repeating in harmony with one another
as my thoughts gather in the tiny squares
of this colored graph paper staring at me, waiting

Moving in sync with butterfly curves on the corners
and scribbled etchings along borders,
fantasies of a mind in a dream state
swirl, touching each box of this formatted design

Folds neatly collect the shapes of spilled ink
seeping slowly through the cloth
like raindrops on a leaf following the veins
in an abstract yet confined flow

To the blurred eye sits nonsense,
a collection of nothing on a vast white sheet
dancing like uneven feet on a rounded floor
of no particular meaning or feature

Yet to me, my penned doodling calls loudly,
even in the darkness of lost words, these patterns,
as is everything found filling me is you…
and my pen pleads in heart shaped longings

Knocking down this broken fence,
I wander through the fields
Headed for a line of trees
to find what all it yields

Foot prints in the fresh plowed earth,
my mind so longs to see
What the world does have in store,
now offered up for me

The sun sits shining over head,
so bright its warming rays
Hanging from a sky of blue,
a beacon on display

Still I see horizon’s faire
of shadows on the wall
Wandering, I take a breath
and wonder of it all

I travel on my journey still
when there before my eyes
A flower like a special song
averts my lonely cries

Beautifully it stares at me
with hope for all to share
Bending down upon my knee,
this flower waiting there

Loveliness within I find
of petal'd smiling touch
For my dreams have found a truth
desires felt so much

Many were the days I lived
with nothing much so true
Until the sun did shine its light
and lead me here to you

I shall build a wondrous wall
to shelter you from harm
Tend you now and everyday,
protect you from the storm

Nourish you and keep you safe
for this eternity
So I may keep forever more
this joy you bring to me

Never more shall this man roam
beyond this valley view
For I accept you as my own,
my perfect flower, you