UN-GRANTED WISH
Jody D. Lewis
Everyone dreams of stepping out of their routine lives,
To find an outlet, a way for them to shine,
A way of being very panache and full of wealth
To partake in drink and mirth from financial health,
But, I can predict my ultimate fate
I'll never have a chance to luxuriate,
So, I say to myself, "I'll be the usual speck,
And continue to be the typical social dreck."
I guess, I'll be the same ol' generic writer
And stop trying to fancy being a paper tiger.
THANKSGIVING MEMORY
Nancy LaChance
Grandma fixed the turkey,
Dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy.
Mom brought pumpkin pies
And cranberry sauce;
Two aunts filled in the rest.
At one p.m. straight up
All sat in Grandma’s kitchen;
Gave thanks for all the bounty
Cousins and I stuffed ourselves
At the little kids' table.
‘Twas not Grandpa’s tradition
to watch football on his TV set.
Rather we watched each other sleep or doze--
One big happy satiated family!
About
four o’clock grazing began
And lasted till almost bedtime.
No microwave to heat the food
Leftovers were at room temperature.
A repast fit for kings or queens
or Grandma’s little princesses.
SPECTERS OF LONELINESS
Velvet Fackeldey
My bones ache from loneliness.
My heart cries in abandonment.
I sob in the night with no comfort.
The days and months and years
pyramid to a pinnacle of pain.
I think I can't go on like this
with no respite from my hell.
But once again the dawn brings hope
that today will be different,
today will be better.
The hope is a lie
and another dark night sucks me in
where I must battle once more
the thief of my sanity.
The days and nights are a haunted carousel
that never stops.
REMINISCING
Jean Harrison
Somewhere in time and space
Will I ever see your face,
Again?
We both were young
With lives unsung,
Yesterday.
Time cannot stop for age to meet,
Life goes on to the drummer's beat,
Sadly.
I passed you by
Not knowing why,
O, youth!
Memories treasured in my mind;
Hopes that you someday I'd find,
Somewhere.
SUMMER HAS GONE
Jean Harrison
The summer sun has had its day;
Autumn winds are taking its place,
Scattering seeds out into space.
Flowers' hues have faded away.
You, wind., must blow, and I must stay.
Flowers must fade, for that is fate.
My heart is sad, for I must wait.
We'll meet again when springtime comes.
Robins sing, the hummingbird hums.
Everything will then be great.
ADVENTURE
Jean Harrison
It’s always nice to get away,
Explore the world out there,
To seek adventure far and wide
As though I had no care.
But when
the signs of dusk appear
And I am all alone,
The stillness overtakes me--
I can’t wait to get back home.
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V.I.P.
Roberta Page
For his public he feigns to dance
To the tune of "Pomp and Circumstance"
In business suit, fresh shirt, and tie.
Many followers for his favors vie,
But not I.
What charisma! Oh, what style,
Flashing his devastating smile!
Everyone would like to know
What gives him that special glow.
Only I know.
Behind that handsome, noble brow
His mind is working out just how
He can manage quietly to slip away
And spend the best part of his day
With me--at play.
THE HOMESTEAD
Burl Payne The farmer came and saw and marked the place.
The oxen came with slow and stately pace.
Some felt that this would be a place to die.
It all has changed, except the earth and sky.
There was some love, but most of all was grief.
It took our lives, as silent as a thief.
A trail of tears that marked each passing year,
Still shed today in memory of those dear.
And yet it holds, within the mind, a ghost,
A glimpse of those long gone, a quiet host;
Heroic souls, no medals theirs to claim;
If any noticed, it was but to blame.
How can the land become a living thing?
Like burrs, or ticks, it only wants to cling.
Emotions overwhelm me like a flood;
They suck my bones, distill my vital blood.
The windy spiral lifted Toto home,
And Dorothy clung to hope as she was blown.
But would some Power could rapture me today,
And gently place my feet on Homestead's way.
HAIKU
Vicki Goddard
Cicadas sing forlornly
Invisible tree frogs trill
Light is fading fast
THE VOICES
Roberta Page
To live alone was not my choice.
I need to hear another’s voice.
I put my thoughts into words one day;
Was pleased with what I had to say.
Once I got started, I couldn’t stop.
Greeted the dishes, talked to the mop.
One day, I heard a voice reply,
And realized ME was talking to I.
We talked together through every task,
Got wise answers to questions asked.
We had such intelligent conversations
‘Bout local news, the state of nations.
Soon a plan formed in my head,
And both my voices quickly said,
“Tho’ men in white coats may rush in
Let’s now try for a panel discussion!”
STORM PRODUCTION
Nancy LaChance
Lebanon Poets' Society
Lightning flashes
in each window
As if reminding theater-goers
“Curtain’s in 5 minutes.”
Thunder
plays his overture
A prelude’s timbre in surround-sound
Orchestra drums play in crescendo
Then deintensify to pianissimo.
Lightning flashes again
Stage lights prepare for the show--
Dark, dark is the stage.
Curtains open and Rain enters.
She dances across the lawn,
at first a gentle waltz
Tempo changes to tap dances,
steps pick up the pace.
Finally, she uses ballet steps,
whisper soft,
She
leaves the stage,
As lightning’s spotlight fades.
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