Slap, slap of sandals on wet fountain steps

capture glances from eyes set for chapels and castles.

Children splash at each other

as floppy tees and frilly dresses

wave at passersby

who wish they retained the courage to play

atop the fountain and relive the dreams

trampled by lectures and sermons

that chaperoned them to maturity.

Roasted on face and knees,

they confront burning logs

and crackling twigs.

Morsels have been cooked

and eaten: night's cold wetness repelled.

Foremost thought rolls across

their minds — they must

smother the campfire

built with passion

that properly stoked

would last forever.

He has one more marshmallow to roast.

She fears flames will creep out of control

through grass and brush.

She wants to bank the coals

and let them die of their own accord.

He gathers a pail and heads

to the creek.

How do we extinguish fire

that fed our souls for a while?

Chase me
I will run
a dangerous race.

Praise me,
I will ignore headlines
and writing in the sky.

Anchor my heart
against insistent
waves.

Quell my
woody-stemmed love
afraid to grow.

Show me knowledge.
Contain my spirit.
Stay near.

Capture me
with tender hands.
Knead my soul until I rise.

sunset of lifetime

red apple in sunken sea

sunniest **** beach

I invite you to read my poem at: http://www.poemhunter.com/contest-vote/pygmalion-and-galatea/

An old leprechaun lives on my lawn
he cuts and keeps it neat
I called to him and asked his name
he told me it was Pete.

One day old Pete just went away
he didn't leave a note
before the grass turns into hay
I'll have to buy a goat.

They took me off the jam and sauce and put me on a slow down course,of course I couldn't keep to it.
It took a bit of time for them to understand,but when they did
they put the lid on my malarkey,
dark how dark the day was then,when I had to join the ranks of men and write in pen my resignation letter to...but I knew better,went along sang their song and heaped on them a pile of praise,waiting for the days to come,when I could get some jam and sauce.
Of course again they saw through me and made me battle demons ,see
I wasn't brave
I wasn't strong
did the least to get along,
went with and not against the flow but how was I to know that life was short and I'd be caught between the rat and human trap.
Cap in hand and head held low, I just wanted them to know,that in the ranks this man gives thanks
and it's a cup of tea for me.