Tiptoe down the forgotten steps
to where your soul does rest,
and see the land that lies beneath
the eyes that do know best.

The finest of jade silks is
woven deep into our ground,
in a land that bears no boundaries
but - is yet to be found.

For round the corner water laps
and dances between your toes,
a waltz, a tango, a sudden embrace
whatever you say goes.

Conquer this world on a swing up high,
where you take your worthy seat,
back and forth, your senses silly
you fall onto your feet.

Then a delicate song of angels guides
to a grand mahogany door,
where the angel herself awaits for you
centred in the floor.

“Be not afraid,” she softly breathes
“A gifted soul you are,
and when happiness seems a world away
you need not travel far.”

She leads you to a marble sink
pure water trickling clear,
it swirls it sooths, it embraces your skin
it laughs in the face of fear.

But the time has now come, alas you must go,
the universe waits for no one,
you walk up the steps to the chosen land
and see the life you have won.

A light wave of smoke dances in the air
to sunset musings of guitar and piano,
whose voices gently caress one another,
as passion burns from the inside out.
Souls are awoken from a single drink
whilst children bask in innocent play,
“Weren’t we the ones who ran so freely?”
you purr with a smile as I take your hand.
We run away to the cobbled streets
where music fades and our voices echo,
a stolen glance, an arch of the back,
here we are, young again.


© Sarah Mullaney

They pull a string, she jerks her head,
They say ‘do this’, ‘ok’ she says.
Bound by the strings that’s where she’ll go,
Never feeling more alone.

But her head is wooden, it cannot feel.
They choose her story, that’s the deal.
So her smile it glistens, her heart is sings,
Whilst bound to eternity by the strings.

They burn and mark her skin so fair,
She curls up tight and says a prayer.
But the time has come to take a stand,
To rise to the challenge, no helping hand.

As the sun falls and the night creeps in,
She prepares to commit the most wickedly sin.
Whilst they cast her away and let arrogance fly,
She had been keeping a watchful eye.

The almighty blades, they shone in the light
She hurled herself forward, they were in plain sight.
The sting of cold metal, it gave her a rush,
As she cut the strings, with a final PUSH.

They pull a string and I’m not there,
They say ‘do this’ and I don’t care.
I see their game, but they can’t see me,
As I watch from behind the curtain with glee.

It’s the year of you and don’t you forget.
Where happiness sits at the top of the list; but
smiles are reserved for those who deserve
the gems of your affection, shining so bright.

You’ll embrace those that enrich your existence.
The guardian angels and mad hatters, who
make your soul tap dance to the music of the mighty,
whilst unleashing a belly laugh like no other.

You’re a working woman who’s a work in progress.
Learning the art of adulthood
whilst darting in and out of Neverland,
a commute full of surprises.

You’ll see the light, or maybe just sense.
Realising that grades don’t measure success,
those pointless paper squiggles have nothing
on you.

It’s the year of you and you should be excited.
Because great things lie ahead for the
dreamers with a passion, so open your eyes
and get ready.

© Sarah Mullaney