defeated in battle
her legs the price
a warrior lays dying
before a grand golden cage
a doll looks down at her
from within, eyes unblinking
her own legs folded underneath her
unused for centuries
“would you like my legs?
I have no use for them
I am sure you would
make them strong again”

the warrior, with the long legs of a doll
gains grace and speed
quite unlike what she had before
she gained glory and revenge
and treasured the gift
swearing to return them
on the day the doll was free from her cage

the doll faired no different
with legs or not
gained a protector
and a companion
she never tried for freedom
for there was no door to the cage
and her dreams were not hindered
she had her hands
and she had her voice
with which she could pass the time
merrily away
with the warrior

The richest man may offer all his jewels,
The strongest man may threaten all his brute,
The most powerful man may call all his horses and all his men,

Yet no one, and absolutely nothing, can take you away from me.

Your love shall take me over
with our arms locked in a safety net.

Our embrace
becomes a buoy to float
together in waves of light.

Our bodies
entwines with
no beginning and no end.

Passions replace time
as lips meet in a perfect match
as if molded from God's hand.

Your love takes me over as minutes melt-away
and our hearts beats with sacred song.

Our love is orchestrated
with whispers leading our vessels in grace.
And at Heaven's Gate
we will drift together
body to body, soul to soul
for all time.

You are my gift and I yours, now and forever now
Below velvet sky and above earth
as a sandwich of love.

.
Gold Finch on a tree,
she sings with sweet clarity,
gifting joy to me.
.


© Pagan Paul (20/12/17)

Trust is a dear gift and you hesitate to give,
Will I be able to achieve, I wonder
Be sure, certainly,  you would forgive
If you knew ups and downs I often wander

Sometimes I struggle with my persistence
It tries to restore my faith and beliefs.
Only in what engaged my existence
They're only hungers and only griefs

And the coincidence that gifted me you,
Let me forget boring stuff I'm dealing
Paths are much worthier than the aims I pursue
The paths which take me to the deepest feeling

Something human, too human I feel
Believe me, it is not betrayal or love
Thank to your deep positiveness I heal
Deem it to be admiration of your laugh

Do you remember when you suddenly asked
If I had ever been in depression
It's my lifestyle skilfully masked
That contains my favorite intention

Recklessly I forget passing away,
Misery is ruined when I am with you
But I feel down, as I know, anyway
Suffering till the death I will miss you

You are in love
When you are at war
With yourself
Love defies logic
Cause there is nothing logical about it
No explanations
No manuals
Just fighting
The battles of your heart
While ignoring your instincts
When they are screaming
Warnings of pain
For you to listen
To escape
Yet you proceed
While you know the truth
And here you are
Poisoned in its bliss
Fueled by a fools hope
Of fairy tales and longings
Gambling your way through life
While the ferry that carries you
Slowly sinks
Into your delusional present
Guided by your heart
Before you could make it
To your destined future
-©M

We are the face of Christmas
If you’ll look inside you’ll see
In a place where only children hide
That’s where the face will be.

The Christmas bell ringing on the door
As I exit the small downtown store on 5th and Main.
It reminds me once again that it is Christmas.
On the sidewalk a cold North wind flushes my cheeks red,
I tighten my scarf tighter around my neck.

I round a corner and just across the street I see several
Gathered around a large table, all waiting in a line.
Curious, I cross the street and take up my place.
I look around the line to see a sign that says –

“The Real Santa Clause- $1.00”

One by one people step up to the old man behind
The table and hand him a dollar –
The old man reaches into a large red bag under the table
And produces a small doll of Santa Clause.

One step at a time I move closer to the old man until
It is almost my turn to give him a dollar.
I watch as those in front of me walk away with their doll,
Each one walking a few steps away and then they abruptly stop,
Looking back to the old man, their eyes with a questioning awe.

It’s my turn – finally - I step up to the table with my dollar in my hand.
I hold out my dollar and then it becomes clear to me that the old man is blind
For I have to find his open hand to place the dollar into.
He accepts the payment and opens the red bag feeling for my prize.

The old man chants “Merry Christmas” as he hands me the doll
Seeming to talk more to the doll than he was to me.
Receiving the doll I repay the emotion returning the “Merry Christmas.”
The old man nodding his head as if to say yes all the while.

Walking away I look down at the Santa Clause figure in my hand.
I notice one piece of clothing that doesn’t seem to fit.
The doll has a scarf wrapped around its head.
It’s a tiny copy of...
Of the scarf that I am wearing!

Quickly I unwrap the scarf from Santa’s face and find –

The face on my Santa

IS ME

We are the face of Christmas
If you’ll look inside you’ll see
In a place where only children hide
That’s where the face will be.