Poetry

When I Write

WORDS

The Inner Circle

Little Child

Graduation

Poetry: I, too, dislike it;
simple fluff, sweet, rhyme, makes me sick
moronic, trite, yawn, rules limit
easy read, duh, sleep, wake me quick!

This is poetry, or so you were told
when you were yet young and not so old.

Away with poetry for the simple of mind!

Look deep and you will discover
poetry with meaning hidden for the clever to ascertain
High-minded poets engage us in a game
"catch" the meaning-if you dare to endeavor it
Look hard, look deep, think, think, think . . .
Real poetry demands mental calisthenics.

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when I write
I Strive
I Scheme
to get Inside
Your Head
sometimes
I Hit My Mark
you feel as if
you're Reading
Your Own Thoughts
but one day
I'll reach My Goal
you'll feel as if
Your Thoughts
are Arguing
With Each Other
and the Thought
����� I
Have Chosen
WILL WIN.

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Some think I can keep smiling
almost never damaged
surely they offer no edifying sayings
may all yelled
beatings return echoing and kicking
mournfully yowling
beware of nearly every sarcastic,
but underestimating talker
what obliterating recourse does still
words in loquaciousness loosed?
no effective vaccine exists? rats!
humans uglify rancorously through
messages expressed.

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Within the Inner Circle
of a candle's light
I see things one cannot see
from a Place Of Distance-
where what is seen
is only a dim shadow:
Here, I see
Texture, Beauty, Flaws-Details

The once flat image is now
revealed in Many Dimensions
what was faded
now is Brilliantly Illuminated
the once smooth image
now reveals Nicks and Scars

standing on the Outside
lingering beyond the Circle's Edge
it was dark, dim, lonely, cold

Then-slowly-you let me in
to your warm, revealing light:
the Inner Circle Of You

Slowly-your Muted Outer Facade
gave way to a brilliantly elaborate
Revelation Of You
-the True You

Here, I see
what I could not see before
what those on the outside
were prevented from seeing:

Your Sparkling Personality
is wonderfully Revealed to me
your Strengths and Skills,
Beauty, Joys, and Triumphs
are Displayed for me
your Flaws and Blunders
Fears, Insecurities, Embarrassments-
all now Exposed to me
-To Me . . .

This is a Special Place-
A Sacred Place
few may enter
your Inner Circle

I reflect quietly in awe:
you have given me a Place Of Trust
to see what few others may see
to see You As You Really Are
not from a Distance,
as if through darkly tinted glass
but Close, from many angles-
Beauty and Flaws Together-
the Intricate Collage Of You

You have Trusted me
to keep this Inner Circle
a Safe Place
safe from ridicule and judgment
safe from public embarrassment
a place of acceptance and appreciation
a place for Honest Expression Of Your Heart

I Dare Not Violate That Trust

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Little Child, Little Child
I think I might know you
though we have not yet met:

Your sweet, innocent eyes
����� looking to me for love
Your gentle, trusting smile
����� relying on me for security
The way you giggle with delight
����� when I tickle your sides
Your tender heart
����� so pure and peaceful
Your little arms
����� reaching up to me
����� wanting simply to be held
. . . But we have not yet met.

This little brush is for you
����� with its soft bristles
����� for your soft baby hair
These toys are for you
����� to play and imagine with
����� to dream and discover with
This little pillow is for you
����� to rest your gentle head on
����� as you dream beautiful dreams
. . . But we have not yet met.

I look to the finish line
����� where you wait for me
I race with only one opponent:
He is Time.
When I was younger,
I thought him easy to beat
I thought I'd left him far behind
Now, he is closing in on me
Now, it appears
he may win
. . . Then, we may never meet

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happily standing there
happy to still be standing
his red, square cap resting on his head
his red and black tassel hanging
over his tape-patched glasses
his red robe draped over his thin frame
My Dad had Graduated from college

Graduation!
what a wonderful time!
so full of Hopes and Dreams
Plans and Goals
Bright Hopes for a Bright Future
long-term goal of graduation is realized
more long-term goals are planned

then-
a small child watches
a small child stares motionless
her father complains of pain in his chest
red as the cap and gown he wore
Red Blood he vomits convulsively
Lights, Sirens, Ambulance, Hospital
four months after Graduation
her father is no more

twenty-two years will pass, and then
I will wear my red cap and gown
the Daughter will stand
where the Father once stood
Bright Hopes for a Bright Future
Plans and Goals
so full of Hopes and Dreams

the condition that plagued my dad
does not plague me, but
the Condition that Plagues Us All-
it does Plague Me

we know not how many our days may be
we know not when our life may end
will it be many years from now?
will it be today?

I look to the future
I look with Hope to what lies ahead
I create and follow dreams for my future
I make Plans-I Make Them Happen

but this is not all

I look to Today
I look with Joy to what is Now
I make little Goals for Today
I find Satisfaction in achieving them
I am Happy I have Today

Tomorrow is a Mystery
but Today-I Live!