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Posts Tagged ‘cliche’

I Was Swept Away

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on December 2, 2024| 2 Comments »


 
 
I was swept away,
he said, and I imagined
the size of the broom
that could gather me up
as if I were so much dust,
which I am. I imagined
whose great hand
would wield that broom.
And what else might
get caught up in that sweep?
And would I feel joy, or sheer terror,
or both, as I was whisked
from the world I know?
I was swept away, he said,
and what part of me longed
to hide beneath the couch,
fearful of such unmooring?
And what part of me
was jealous of him,
that darn near threw itself
into the path of that broom
just to feel that deeply moved,
that unable to resist the force,
that unable to do anything
but say yes to the world
and ride on that trajectory,
waving good bye to whoever
it was I thought I once knew.

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One Feeding

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , on May 30, 2021| Leave a Comment »

and if I dare dream

let it include the facts—

the bite, the open hand

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Carrying On

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on May 19, 2021| 2 Comments »

Carry on, the woman bolstered me.
I thought of all the things I try to carry—
thanked her. Then surprised, I disagreed.

Why carry troubles, haul a life’s debris
as if I were a barge, a human ferry?
Carry on, the woman bolstered me.

I took her words as blessing, certainly—
a benediction, kind and customary,
but thinking more about it, disagreed.

I felt the lifelong weight of all I cleave to—
convictions, hopes, and moods both blithe and scary
Carry on, the woman bolstered me.

Imagine if I dropped the weight, was freed
from the heroic self that makes me weary.
Her words were kind, but should I disagree?

Part of me clings to that belief—
that I must carry on, though spent, though teary.
Carry on, the woman bolstered me.
But must I? Part of me does not agree.

*

Hi friends, for kicks, this poem is written in an old French form, the villanelle. You can read all about its history and how to write one here. 

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One Approach

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , on July 31, 2019| Leave a Comment »

 

 

the elephant in the room—

giving him

the finest seat

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I’ve Got $1.41

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on October 20, 2015| 3 Comments »

A penny for your dreams—

they’re as curious as thoughts.

A nickel for your laughter

if it comes out of the box.

A dime for your happiness

if you’ll share it with me.

A quarter for your apple

if it falls far from the tree.

A dollar for your love,

but only time will whisper

if it’s money down the drain

or a happy ever after.

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And I Can’t Find My Way Back In

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on February 6, 2014| 2 Comments »

All these years
I thought I might be
the one who had opened
the can. Such surprise
to find I am one
of the worms.

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It Spills

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on June 6, 2012| 4 Comments »

The spilled milk?
I am not crying.

This is me kneeling
on the gray stone tile

to lap up the puddle
the way a grown woman

should never do.
It may be a mess,

but it’s not spoiled yet
and I’m thirsty enough

to lower myself,
and look, how the cup

is still half full.

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