Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Ruins Revised














Walking Through the Ruins

The day is grey, purposeful;
It is as if each toppled stone,
Thrown askew by some un-named Source,
Murmurs a fragment of the story.

One tells of bright new laughter,
While another tells of a dark, unfamiliar place.
One is shattered from the anger;
Another is clumsily patched together with forgiveness.

Another stone catches the dew,
As if remembering the tears;
Yet another leans upward, crookedly,
As if looking for the Sun which never appears.

The fragile glass panes of the windows
Are long ago gone, leaving
Only gaping holes where a
Myriad of colours once danced through.

The entrance is still apparent,
Marked by an unmistakeable keystone:
We know how, if not why,
We came through this door.

The way out remains a mystery,
Strewn as it is with so many fragments,
So many shards that we understand,
Instinctively, will make us bleed.

So we shut our eyes, feel our way
Along the path of least resistance,
Staggering at times in a Darkness
We have made ourselves, until we find the door.

The blood we have left behind
May mark the path for others
If they choose to take it.
We may not pass this way again.

Perhaps we will wash our cuts in the River
While we look back at the ruins,
Rising, finally, to walk along the banks.

Perhaps...But I am tired, and the cool
Mud of the river bank soothes my wounds.
What will soothe my lost and bleeding dreams?



© Anne 2009

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Ruins Revised

The day is grey, purposeful;
It is as if each toppled stone,
Thrown askew by some un-named Source,
Murmurs a fragment of the story.

One tells of bright new laughter,
While another tells of a dark, unfamiliar place.
One is shattered from the anger;
Another is clumsily patched together with forgiveness.

Another stone catches the dew,
As if remembering the tears;
Yet another leans upward, crookedly,
As if looking for the Sun which never appears.

The fragile glass panes of the windows
Are long ago gone, leaving
Only gaping holes where a
Myriad of colours once danced through.

The entrance is still apparent,
Marked by an unmistakeable keystone:
We know how, if not why,
We came through this door.

The way out remains a mystery,
Strewn as it is with so many fragments,
So many shards that we understand,
Instinctively, will make us bleed.

So we shut our eyes, feel our way
Along the path of least resistance,
Staggering at times in a Darkness
We have made ourselves, until we find the door.

The blood we have left behind
May mark the path for others
If they choose to take it.
We may not pass this way again.

Perhaps we will wash our cuts in the River
While we look back at the ruins,
Rising, finally, to walk along the banks.

Perhaps...But I am tired, and the cool
Mud of the river bank soothes my wounds.
What will soothe yours, my lost and bleeding dream?

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Dilemma II


Dilemma II

When I last opened the door
We just stood there,
Looking at each other
Over the threshhold.
I asked her in.
She declined, mumbling
Something about having
Been alone too long.

So I shut the door.
(Well, truth be known,
I just nudged it barely to...)

Of course, I kept my eye on her
Through the peephole. I felt
A bit like Alice...
And she looked back
Over her shoulder at me.

And here we are again.
She’s there again on the step.
I have opened the door a crack more.
“Slowly.”
“Keep your head.”
“Slow down your heart.”

I would like to step out,
Take her hand, and stroll down
Through the garden gate to
Wherever it leads.

Even if it led nowhere,
we would have gone there together.

Revision

Autumn Rush

Leaves begin to turn and fall,
Pile against the fence,
Scatter against the wall.
I think of you this time of year..
August in my heart,
September in my ear.
This winter will be cold--
Trees stripped, without cheer,
And I am growing old
Without you here.
© Anne 2008

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Dilemma

Dilemma

In my mind
Love is waiting at my doorstep.
The porch light is on.
Shall I leave the safety chain on?
Or just throw the door open
And say, “Come in.”

Perhaps just knowing someone
Is there...
By the lilies
By the rosemary
By the hibiscus
Flowering in the heat
Is enough...

© Anne 2009

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Tarot Confession

Tarot Confession


Deep down inside, past the masks, 

far beneath the brave exterior,

I still believe in magic.


I see the Magician, 

standing before his altar table,

calling my lover to me.


I can see the Knight of Swords, 

in full armor, charging in with sword drawn,

to insure that my dreams come true.


I can see the Ace of Cups,

and the chalice in the outstretched hand

is always meant for me.


And I stay poised, on the edge,

looking blithely into the sky,

Ever and always The Fool.


© Anne 2009

Karmic Lament

This poem is based on the archetype of the Wounded Healer.


Karmic Lament


I have opened so many doors

For others to walk through;

I have loved so often and well;

I have forgiven so many times

That the leafy shreds I use

To bind my wounds are worn as well and

Sigh for my deliverance.


Love, deliver me so that

I may be enveloped in your comfort;

Hold me in your lap.

This time, open the door for me;

Welcome me to surrender.

Welcome me to the care

Of a loving trust, for I cry,

Kneeling, bruised, weeping from

Wounds that seep so slowly

My breath is but a sutured sob.


And know, Love, that I cannot do

Again what I know I must.


© 2007 Anne


And I didn't. I pulled the arrow out and my wound is healing. Adios to that archetype.