MM's Represented Poems for 2008 Options

[Cleo_Serapis]

JANUARY SELECTION:



Time Piece by Frances Kennedy


Whoever said time heals all wounds has lied
like those who have will claim forgiveness brings
forgetting sooner. Sorrow, stripped of pride,
has little aptitude for hope that springs
eternally in hearts less slung by slings
and arrows, or with fortitude not mine.
Unreasoned passion, stemmed, stills everything
except a coiled impulse to unwind
pretending in the face of all that I’m just fine.

[Cleo_Serapis]

JULY SELECTIONS:


Nature's Memories by Larry D. Jennings


What mysteries would be revealed
if only you could hear a field

discussing all the visitors
with Oaks, the Grand Inquisitors,
who hide those secrets deep within their rings.

What sorrows, buried 'neath the grass
forgotten... but as ages pass

remembered by Mariah's breath
and told to Redwoods ere their death,
now locked in stone where only lichen clings.

What of the lovers, hand in hand
who strolled in silence, 'cross the land

or sat and watched the clouds roll by.
Soft cotton ships, which sail the sky
to give the field a drink when there is need.

The field, caressed by farmer's plow
lies fallow, contemplating how

the golden stalks of winter wheat
were trampled 'neath the cattle's feet
but left their wind-swept songs along with seed.

Oh what adventures could be told
by rocks and boulders, as they rolled

through all the many centuries.
Their tale, if told, would surely please
a listener. Their voices can't be heard.

For Nature's memories are Hers,
aware of all, as it occurs.

She sends her secrets through the land
to all Her children, small or grand
and they won't even say the smallest word.



Light the Candles by Sylvia Maclagan


Why is the flower daydreaming
so serene, so pale?
Savour of sojourns
in his arms, sounds, fondling
withered, wasted by wrath.

Storms flashing fierce symbols,
tremors, much darkness -
What does he whisper
kissing, biting her lips?

Fireflies and sparks
kindle their canopy,
eerie shrieks in the skies
echo all night.

So dead the flower!
Wounding embraces,
kissing, hissing,
fiery fangs of delirium
drink of death's vintage -
before dayspring releases.

- Is this who I am?

Light the candles…
she's not breathing any more.



Portal by Lorraine M. Kanter


Beyond the gated portal lies
a world of wonder, world of spies
where ancient legends teach us all
of knightly realms and Caesar's fall.

Impressive walls were built of stone
by servants of the Roman throne.
Beyond the gated portal lies
security in structured guise.

Protection sought behind the wall;
Praetorians assert the call
upon the sandy, desert floor
just north of Kingdom's gated door.

Its presence roused undaunted foe
who fitted war with blade and bow,
petitioning their mighty gods
to intervene. Immortal frauds!

They would not answer Call to arms
ignoring Man's fictitious charms;
beyond the gated portal lies
a sheltered truth... Statesmen's demise.

A holy quest: Defend the land!
reverberates through stone and sand;
bechanced through time, this wall remains
in spite of enemy campaigns.

Archaic scriptures illustrate
deceitful deeds suppressed to fate.
Tread lightly; trust is seldom wise
beyond the gated portal's lies.