Do You Remember?

Do you remember those moments many months ago?

Our romance on the river, our courtship over coffee, our

discussions at dinner, the seduction under the stars…I remember those

days when excitement coursed through my veins and joy filled my heart…

those nights when you felt the passion…and wanted me, too.

I missed you…you, with whom I felt saintly, naughty, beautiful,

intoxicated, and…human…Now, I miss the person I was those fleeting

moments I knew what I wanted, but feared too much to take the plunge.

Those rare flashes of truth taught me far more than the myriad instances

in which I knew what I didn’t want, but went for it anyway.

My clouded head and tightened chest reminded me that I forgot

far too soon, hoping to receive nourishment instead of rising from the

ashes. No longer do I call out in vain. Instead, I sing out a different tune.

I forgive us. All of us.

The feathers we carry may come from the people we pluck, or

from the arrows that break our hearts. Maybe they are simple strokes of

time on humanity’s winding path. In the end, these are the quills with

which we write our own narratives.

We no longer live in each other’s lives. Time encourages us to

move forward. Still, I will never forget how you have helped me shape

my story.

With love,

From the arrow who fell for you…

….And learned to spread her newfound wings.

Oz Revisited

Our lives create our stories, and our stories create our lives. Are there stories that define you? How about stories that no longer serve you? As a character in your own narrative, what are your most powerful fears? Your deepest desires? Where do the plot twists occur? Sometimes it takes a journey full of searching to realize that the very thing you wanted was there all along.

What’s your "Wizard of Oz"?

***

"Over It"

There is no rainbow without rain.

Behind the beauty, there is pain,

The remnants of an ego slain,

Another line in this refrain.

***

"Last Straw"

I flutter over to your place,

But then, I’m swiftly chased away.

How stiff and stoic is that face

Who keeps me hungry and at bay.

You say you wish you had a brain.

Your magnetism’s not enough?

Were I but smarter, I’d refrain

From catering to only fluff.

Please take this gift from token plume.

Now fully plucked, it’s all I bring.

I tried to fly and fell in gloom,

But like an arrow, I still sing.

You came to me with Cupid's dart.

Now I have found my liberty

With quill in hand and strengthened heart,
For love defies all gravity.

***

"Rusted Armor"

There is no heart out there you cannot fix,
Except your own, with mirrors and with smoke.

Your suffering as clock hand slowly ticks

Transforms your work into a burdened yoke.

Your shiny outer image mine reflects.

Its charismatic luster shows no dust,

But underneath that armored intellect

Lies emptiness and bitter reddened rust.

How tiny one can feel when one is lost.

To follow others seems the only cure.

Attention must be had at any cost.

Your hollowness can thus become a lure.

The time has come to melt away the blame.

You taught me: in the end, we’re all the same.

***

"Liquid Courage"

With ale in hand,

You drank away the nerves.

Then with your chest held high,

You did emote:

“I dream of lying tangent to one’s curves.” 

I’m sorry I was such an asymptote.

***

"Loyal Companion"

Gentle, darkened curls

Warm eyes always by my side

Playful innocence

You have shown me love

In its purest, truest form

Unconditional

Summer sun is here

We return to whence we came

There’s no place like home

***

Note: Inspiration drawn from The Wizard of Oz and Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz