women
     express
           sensual
                essence
in any way we can
                        survive

the poem is borne
  and will not change
  so I soaked it in ***
           spewed whirling
               candomble chants
          from depths afire
and yet unyielding form remains
so I covered it
      in mouth-melted chocolate
          swallowed once more
           sweet cantadora hush

Time to sleep now rest your head
You know you're weary, go to bed
Soon will dawn another day
to jump right in and join the fray
Curl up with your pillow dear
Surrender to this comfort near
Though turbulence exciting feels
Let dream time be the space that heals

When our beloved leaves...
  Sad ends our sharing
            gifts,
                our words,
                      our touch.

    We grieve.

        **What continues
           is the truth...
               of  love.

             We love !
       Deeply, broadly.
Only the receiver changes.

Poet with the wounded soul
            Let your lover suffering go
        It is time for you to know
            beyond the pain a light will show
                  another path to follow now
  Dare this step and you'll see how        
         you're welcome as a blessed chance
              in partnership to join the dance
Hearts are everywhere need healing
   help to raise a body kneeling
Offer grace to one who's lonely
Find your joy if you will only
    choose to part the veils that hide you
Love is flowing full inside you
              **to be shared
                      Be not scared
                          You're not done
                                  Welcome One

blanket of snow
             silences all
     save drip
                of icicle growing

As critic rails
   self doubt prevails
exhausting weight
          a sorry fate
Sweet muse must hide
       from caustic thought
   this lonely ride
            illusion fraught
In this day offered gift of choice
  to which aspect the thrill of voice ?
Or shall I hide in self thought shame ?
    glad or mad distraught the game
         If thought begets
             and love makes shine
   what is to lose by
              claiming mine...?
**the dream I came to live for

She spoke to me the hardened words
that lie so deep in hiding
I should be more
Not done enough
and soon I shall be leaving
my dreams to make a better world
with tired steps I'm grieving