.
If you happen to find a poet
hiding shyly beneath a stone.
Gently put him in your pocket
and carry him safely home.

Show him love and kindness,
take time to get to know him.
And if you smile so sweetly
he will gladly pen you a poem.

For if you hold his real value,
and recognise his true worth.
He'll look deep into your soul,
to give you the sun, moon and earth.

© Pagan Paul (05/04/17)

by definition
my love affair with you
was brief

I tried to extend my passion
but alas
I am older now,
what happens
happened

I can say
it was good for me
there were indeed fireworks

and if given the choice
I would again
despoil the sanctity
of my marriage
to be with you

But these things
come along so rarely now
these blasts from the past

it was so good, I must admit
I drooled then and  even now
the remembrance of the act
leaves me wanting more

but it is not to be
once again
you breezed through town
here for just one month
of torrid, fertive,
cladestine meetings
and then you are gone

leaving nothing behind
except the taste of you
on my quivering lips

oh why!! oh why!!!!
can they not just

....put the MacRib on the standard menu...

I will wait for your next return my love
I will wait......

it is
important
to see
both sides
of the story

sometimes
you need to
step back
to take
the bigger
picture in

sometimes
you need to
leani in
to see the
real, reality

we can all
stand on the
mountain
and proclaim
our views

but very few
stand in the
valleys
and join the
rescue crews

it used to be
a neighbor
was a friend
(mostly)
on whom
one could
depend
for a cup
of sugar
to stand
by you
if payday
was late
or
heaven
forbid
if the worst
happened
they would
be part of
the recovery
team
pitching in
til you
recovered
your steam.

now
we are
strangers
with doors
barred
against
the world
living in
insular
pockets

barely aware
of those
who live
beside
atop
or below...


be brave
people
lean in
knock on
a new door
let society
begin

learn a different story,
share your own
create a village
expand your home

plant a garden
to feed a crowd
sit on the steps
with a book
read out loud
look after
the old
learn their
wisdom
look after
the young
feed their
curiosity
swap recipes
and meals too
create a village
within your city
one run on love
with compassion
not pity

this is hard
but simple
as well
begins
with words
and courage
no magic spell

be brave
see both
the large
and small
lean in
to lean out
to grow tall
then climb
up atop
the mountain
and see it all
the hustle
and bustle
of community
make that
the real
reality

I could be most deserving to die
but I can't help to feel this way,
to wish a darkness in every eye
that had locked with yours today.

© Sarah Ahmed (ThePoet)