Although, I’m mindful of the President’s tweets
and the pundits’ chatter;
And, while I keep up with the world news that matters;
Amid the pandemic, the politics, and the police brutality;
I often settle my spirit on . . . poetry.

I take some time.
I free my mind.
S l o w l y, I sip from a glass of smooth merlot wine.  
I relax,
I kickback,
and I ride the rhythm of the rhymes.

Because after a bit,
the constant “Breaking News,”
the quarantine,
the vanishing Lysol disinfectant spray amid covid19,
the social-distancing,
the quest for a vaccine,
the protest rallies,
the unsettling maskless scenes,
and the viewing of America’s racial unrest,
just invites unwanted and needless mental stress.

So, during these anxious days of shelter in place,
I retreat to a quiet and pleasing space,
where literature calms all worries within.
I find a book. Take a sip.
And, I warmly welcome fiction like a cherished friend.

My darkest art is different shades of the same color.

You can never know about this.
This is not right in your world.
I ask for nothing.

In every way we are complete opposites, I do not desire to be with you.
The idea of us, is an idea, not a reality.
So allow me to keep these images of you,
As we part ways, may the memories of me in your mind disappear.
A goddess like you and a mortal  like me can never be together.
- My-Girl

I have expressed my admiration of you
From head to toe and,
Mind and soul
Astonishing.

In my mind a song plays
The room goes dark
The spotlight is on you.

I gently stroke my hand down on the right side of your face,
I put my hand in yours
And we dance.

Gliding side to side
Still dreaming in your eyes
Confident and free, I am…
Not… ready… to open up.

The lights are on.
Back to reality now.
These day dreams never end!

They have a way of making you think what’s in your head is your reality.
It’s not!
                                                      You
  ­                                                    Are
         ­                                               A
                ­                                   Figment
                                                        O­f
                                                        My
    ­                                             Imagination!

In reality you see what I want you to see
In my head there is a path of yellow flowers that lead to you.

                                 BUT WE ARE DIFFERENT!
I keep my distance and my feelings hidden to avoid confusion.
It is too dangerous to come close.
Never will we see things the same.
Never could never ignite that sentimental, sensational candle of emotions.

You are a goddess.
I am a mortal,
With an eye that focuses on you.

- My-Girl

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I capture the beautiful things not only with my camera, but with my eyes;
To keep them permanently imprinted in my mind.
Beautiful things like you…

Full lips that are soft and in direct proportion;
The way they curve when you smile is divine and contagious.
It spreads joy.

Your words may be sweet, intelligent, funny, kind and inspiring, but
When I gaze into your inviting big brown eyes
As diffident as I am, I become confident without having to take in what you say.
When I gaze into your eyes
I
   Am
           Trapped!
Standing at the door, curious about the deep mysterious beauty that lies within.

An alluring face,
A work of art,
Highly charming,
It is heavenly angelic.

Skin that is clear and firm;
It glows like a jar of honey in the sun.

A body that is appealing and stunningly beautiful.
The right height.
The right shape.
From the shoulders,
To the *******,
To the figure,
To the curves,
And an amazing soul to match with it all.

An afro that is naturally ***** and curly.
You are your own stylist;
Creative and talented.

A mind that possesses uniquely wonderful qualities.
A determined, strong and bubbly personality.
Looks that are able to arouse desire.
Walks of integrity and self-worth.
A radiant heart of gold.
You are a goddess living among mortals.

- My-Girl

In the vastness
of the drafty
slat wooden
house,

along the tidal
lettered
streets
of Gearhart;

Snapping images
with waning
filtered light
inside the darkness,

waiting for ghosts
to drift out of
the
shadows,

wondering if my
family's past
have to wait in line
behind
the house spirits
to announce themselves;

Asking us why
we almost
always keep a light
on

In time,
will I leave
a small energy
stamp
after I cross,
ghosting
it out
inside
degrading buildings
after waiting in line

questioning
why
the living
worry so much
and live
so little

i told him i didn't love him
every word burned truth
he said he could wait forever
he could hold his love to the last
that he could keep the time we spend
and capture it in the lens of his newly dusted camera
he said
"if that's where i can have you,
                         i'll love you there."
like a thing to be phtotgraphed
           he talked about me like a thing worthy of being kept
a story he never wanted to forget
           a moment to capture
"i see what others can't and keep it
                          the  difference between dreams
                                        and reality
                                            is her."

Beating gongs and drums

they celebrate light
in a world
where black
is white