Her cheeks a'blooming
Fresh petals
Assuming a charm
All their own....

Flesh roses
In a flute of bone.

Her arms are strong wings
Ethereal beauty, poised
For her journey, as a
Tern is
On its long feathered flight
From the North
She wings her way

To the South
Only to meet
The arctic waste
Once more...

Yet the flesh roses never fade

For they are
frozen with tears.

Catherine Jarvis
8/19/2019

Dear Poet Fiends. Inspired by the dramatic monologues of Robert Browning, I have composed this short verse. In the last stanza however it breaks into a short dialogue format. Hope you like it.

"CAN YOU HEAR ME CLEARLY DEAR MARY ANN?"
                                              By Raj Nandy

“Hello, is that you dear Mary Ann? I have finally got that long
awaited job with the Oriental Fans.
You can refuse that marriage proposal now dear Mary Ann.
Tell your folks that you are not getting married there anymore.
My job gets confirmed after three more months they have
assured.
Our dreams will get materialized very soon.
No more visits to those cheap cafes in the afternoons.
And weaving dreams of happiness under the full moon.
We can now start a family pretty soon.
But why are you so silent dear Mary Ann?
That marriage proposal you can now disown, yes you surely can.
Though this trunk line seems rather faint on my side.
Hope you can hear me on the other side? ”

It was then when a gruff voice replied, “Mary Ann got married
at the St Paul’s Church last night.
You are a bit too late this time. Wish you better luck next time!”
                                                    - By Raj Nandy, New Delhi.

Participate,
Don't stay in a slump!

Initiate,
Don't be down in the dumps!

The feelings won't stay if you won't let them!

It is not that you are being cruel or that you are shutting out your feelings!

So stop your shrivelling,
don't keep punishing yourself!

Fester in them too long,
you'll be
finished!