Poem 350: Sinking Sand

I'm sinking in the gentle waves

Them rushing

me standing still

My toes are covered up with sand

It building

me standing still

The wind is fighting with the waves

both tossing

me standing still

The tide is pulling at my legs

It streaming

me standing still

I'm sinking in the gentle waves

sinking, but standing still.

Poem 349: Standing in the Wind

Firm as I am standing here

I feel the wind bending me

causing me to sway into the air that lays before.

My hair is lifted by the breeze

my shirt is flowing with the force

my scarf and skirt are making waves and dancing all the more.

I close my eyes and lean into 

the hand of wind that blows so sure

then beckoned by its finger tips I trust and flight is born.

Drifting with the blowing wind

embraced within its arms of love

 I close my eyes, at peace am still, enraptured by its power. 

Poem 348: Adding Up

Adding 1 to 2 gives three

2 to 3 is five

adding 3 to 4 gives seven

4 to 5 is nine

adding 5 to 6 eleven

7 to 8 fifteen

adding 8 to 9 makes seventeen

9 to 10 nineteen

Adding 10 to 11 makes twenty-one

11 to 12 twenty-three

adding 12 to 13 makes twenty-five

13 to 14 twenty and seven

adding 14 to 15 makes twenty-nine

15 to 16 twenty and eleven

and if you follow the pattern it continues to be 

adding up rather oddly.

Poem 347: Midterms

I've taken many tests in my days

math, English, Spanish, history, physics, psychology.

I've studied, reviewed papers, done loads of research

read books, journal articles, novels, primary historical documents.

But today, I didn't take the test; I gave it.

It's so much better to give than to receive.

Poem 346: Nyquil

Some people drink coffee to stay up and alert

others drink tea with caffeine cream and sugar

and then when it's time to rest they can't snooze

so they drink some Nyquil or down bottles of booze. 

But me, I drink Nyquil only when sick

and today I took 2 tablespoons full of it.

Now, although I have swallowed I do not feel tired

I'm reading the label and have found that a child

is at risk of being excited and energized

and perhaps today I am more like a child

for my heart fast is beating and I no more feel mild

Instead I feel like laughing and running and screaming

but oh if not for this stuffed-up clogged nose 

I'd be dreaming about the things life has in store

Instead I am sitting here, writing and reading

and wondering when sleep will come here and get me.

Until then I'm wide-eyed, awake and quite certain

that the Nyquil in this bottle is broken.

But maybe like Caffeine, which puts me to sleep

the Nyquil acts backwards when acting on me?

To add insult to injury, things are getting quite funny

the ceiling is lowering, the light now is dimming 

and something is growing in front of my eyes, 

...its blocking my view...  

...Only slits now...

...I...

...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

Poem 345: When I'm old

When I'm old 

I'll wear purple dresses and red hats

socks with sandals, heels and flats

When I'm old 

I'll squish little kids' cheeks

smile at them as they laugh at me

When I'm old

I'll pat random men's hair

and wave at anyone who cares

When I'm old 

I'll never brush my teeth

Instead I'll let my dentures soak and self clean

When I'm old

I'll flirt with strangers, wear silk and cotton

and curl my hair in my sleep

When I'm old

I'll start up new styles

travel the world, but first retire

When I'm old

I'll dream of the days

when I was a young girl dreaming of

When I'm old

Poem 344: Is it already today?

What happened to my yesterdays?

they seem to have but blown away.

Last time I checked the clock said 

today was still Monday

but somehow in the midst of mess

sickness, stress and randomness

I have lost my week and now I find

I've lost all track of time!

Poem 343: SICK

drip

drop

drip

drop

drip

drop

drip

drop

Chinese 

tortured

sinuses

Poem 342: Orange Juice

There is no other thing

that I would rather drink

than orange juice mixed with tangerines

full of vitamin c!

Poem 341: Sinus Infection

Sinuses;

Gooey, messy, sticky

dripping chunky snot.

Wet and slippery

sometimes bloody

gross and icky 

sinus glops.

Poem 340: Stomach Ache

My stomach's trying to talk to me

it's speaking rather loud

I didn't understood its voice

until it shouted out

"feed me!" it said, and then it cried 

"give me something to drink!"

But even once this chore was done

the talking didn't cease

Yelling and shouting, turning flips

it moved and wouldn't stop

it twisted turned and talked again

but this time just said "ouch"

I fed you little tummy

I watered you up well

but still you are not feeling good

I think I'll just lay down

Upon my side I rested you

I slept to let you heal

but you chose to keep talking loud

growling you didn't still

what do you need, what can I do 

to make you feel alright

maybe a bowl of sweet ice cream

will help conclude this fight!

Poem 339: Greek Dining

Yum...

Greek food full of garlic and cucumbers

citrus and oregano

chicken and a pinch of salt

Tomatoes with olive oil, vinegar and onions

all thrown together into a beautiful Greek salad

beside lemon grilled meat dipped in Tzatziki sauce!

Poem 338: Late Nights

Its been a series now of late nights, unmade glances, and seemingly stopped time.

I shouldn't ignore the hand on the clock that has paused again, while life has not.

But somehow, staring into thin air, it's easier to ignore and lose these hours of living.

Night after night I am caught up in this situation with bed calling my name to rest and replenish, 

but mind fighting for relief from the expected comfort of this thing called sleep, 

and I remain thinking, staring and dreaming: awake.

Poem 337: Hello Again

It was your smile that first caught my attention as I glided by

I saw my reflection in your eye where your thought sang with pure childhood joy

and then the sideways turn of mouth energized my heart

making me once more look again to see that confident expression.

Standing taller after this unexpected meeting through glass

I remembered your face once more and delighted in its depth

It wasn't beauty of surface that encouraged me to dance through my day

but the clarity of soul that surfaced in your face.

Reminding me that mirrors only sometimes tell lies

and other times reveal truths, who've long been trapped inside.

Poem 336: Without a Lead

Tonight I danced for many steps

as ONE without a lead

I danced alone I went my way 

but not because I wanted to.

Tonight I lifted my own hand

to turn me 'round and spin

I bent and swayed

and dipped and waved

and played the part of guide and friend.

Tonight I was without a lead

all by myself I danced

It's nice to be strong on my own

but I'd rather have a hand to hold

to follow and not lead.

Poem 335: Ugh...

Walking through the rain we went

my sister and myself

we ordered take-out with chopsticks

and returned back to the house

With fork and shovel in our hands

we lit up the TV

and did what the unhealthy choose

sit and watch and eat

It turns out when your sitting still

with containers full of food

even though there's much to eat

and too much to go through

with eyes focused upon the screen

and mindless hands working

that plate, when set down first, was full,

soon becomes empty.

But not until we stood to go

did we realize our pain

our heavy stomach weighed us down

and we felt our mistake

next time when we eat Chinese food

in front of the TV

our portions will be smaller 

and we'll eat while on our feet!

  

Poem 334: Peace ALONE

There's nothing better than the silence

which is present when alone

the echoing walls tell a tale

that loud sounds cannot know

the wind and breeze carry whispers

that settle in the air

but with such business around

you'd never know they're there

so I revel in the stillness now

while standing here alone

for time will soon come when again

the world will surround.

Poem 333: Triplets

Triplets standing in a row

each three, itself unique

For one is first, another last

the third is in between

Perhaps the first is glad to lead

the last to then conclude

But the middle one's the happiest

being hemmed in by the two

Poem 332: Windy Room

The window's open cross the room 

there's a fan that sucking air right through

and I am standing in between

wind blown and free-eezing!

Poem 331: 9-11 *In Memory of September 11th*

The day began like yesterday, I woke up by alarm

I ate some food, put on my shoes, and headed down the road to school

And when I reached the school house, I went to class and took my seat

and then the world began to change, oh so suddenly.

The TV on, was telling us the news about the day

and flashing signs of blue and red told us there's something strange

Then live feed from downtown New York appeared upon the screen

and chaos filled the air with sounds, of jet engines, cracks and screams.

Then just as fast as things went loud, the silence fell and lay

the classroom 'round me, mouths gaped wide, some praying, others crying

but nothing for the first few moments, what felt like maybe days

while people asked themselves 'bout truth, before they gave hearts way.

And then as hearts and mind embraced and gathered in the news

pain and anger flew from mouths and eyes and grew up huge

amid the quiet noise I heard a gentle whispered prayer

Please, Father God, embrace the souls of those now paining there.

Then peace with yoke lighter than air, settled in my eyes

and I saw comfort between estranged souls bonded by sad tides

In that embrace a love was shared between two enemies

it righted wrongs among past friends and brought families back together again

It's true, that day, named 911, was tragic, with high costs

but from it greater beauty grew  

Which means: the terrorists have lost!

Poem 330: 9/10/11

I remember 14 years ago

braces with a smile

laughter that could scare a bear

or resemble gentle fire

I remember when we first were friends

and how since then we've grown

but most of all I'll nev' forget the way 

you've remained close

For years have passed and time has taken

me across the world

its carried you down career paths

with men and work and school

but even though the years go by

and life molds us to change

a dearest friend, you'll always be

True Friend, a loving name

Poem 329: Another new day

This morning I woke up and realized 

today's a one-and-only day

it will not happen once again in ten years

or in 1 million ten. 

I brushed my teeth and ate some grub 

and looked down at my clock

and noticed it was almost noon, which meant

the day would soon be up

So I jumped into my 4x4 

and went out for a spin

I bought a dozen donuts, 

climbed a mountain, juggled pins

I danced and sang into the night

exhausting all my time

I didn't want to waste this day

I had made up my mind

No matter what it took, I wouldn't

let the day be lost

so I ran my errands, met with friends

and when the clock sang: "done"

I climbed into my bed to dream

thinking that I had won

but something strange began to form 

deep inside my head

For when I woke the next morning

I realized once again

today's a one-and-only day

and so the day began

Poem 328: Canceled

I looked forward to this moment

and looked forward to this day

I counted out the hours, minutes

seconds 'till this great "hurray!"

And now that the time's come at last

I thought that I'd be glad

instead I'm sitting all alone

"canceled" on and feeling sad. 

Poem 327: Rivers

Oh dancing river

sing to me

a song about belief

How do you know that you will reach

the ocean that you seek?

And what dear river 

do you know

of worry or complaint?

You throw all cares aside and travel

as you find a way.

Now simple current 

streaming close

I'll lean upon your strength

I'll gather up the words you say 

to hold them in my brain

For wisest river 

you are aged

far beyond your years

and listening to your song I'm sure

I'm stronger when you're near

So flowing friend

I'll rest by you

and listen to your song

Learning from your active faith 

Driven, I'll carry-on

Poem 326: Math-inundated

Last night for hours more than fingers

I put nose in book

penciled paper with math words

and symbols 'till I shook

This morning once again I woke

and solved equations long

I worked out problems evens, odd

and even sang math songs.

And when I wake tomorrow morn'

I'm bound to do the same

for math is all I have right now

it's work, but also play!

Poem 325: Fermented Grapes and Currents

I drank them all, aged as they were

100 grapes or more

I swallowed them and breathed their sent

as if they were brand new.

Then after I had drank my fill

or perhaps more than full

I jumped right off a large high rock

into a deep wet blue.

And there I floated with eyes up

towards the cloudless sky

my body careless swam with ease

my mind so light it flew.

And then when I had woken up

from this old-aged-grape state

I shook my head and climbed back towards

the roots from which I grew

I threw out empty jars of wine

and drained full bottles dry

I poured them into rushing streams

and was what I once knew

Poem 324: No one but Ebby

The questions were given

the answers received 

leaving me alone with me

and so with my most well known friend

I traversed the trails.

No other followed behind

as I hiked the path

and not one walked before

I journeyed down the rocky road

just my dog and me alone

When we'd arrived 

down at the sight

where the river grew to deep

We doused our souls in refreshing cool

and soaked our weary feet 

Poem 323: Sunken mattresses

In the middle it begins to dip

drawing me into its center

no matter how I lay or stretch

I sink in even closer

If I start out lying on the edge

then as the night draws on

I find myself right back again

sunk into the center.

So tonight my mind has been made up

my plan for sleep is this

I'll will not use this old mattress

I'll take the floor instead.

Poem 322: Packing Boxes

Stuff is all around me

piled high in leaning towers

reaching beyond the horizon of view

bending

stretching high above the pinnacle of reach

asking me to give up

give away

recycle

and throw back to my past.

My past in forms of paper mache,

hand prints, 

noodle picture frame crafts 

and many other Things.

Stuff is piled around me

defining me 

begging me to remove my labels 

and delve into the unknown land of emptiness

nothingness

I am surrounded by a me of past

a me I long to gather up and hold on to

a me that future rejects as ancient

old

unwanted

spent

a worthless pile of crap

I am surrounded by this and love it

I loathe its mass, and despise its volume

but relish its memories and emotions

But, now it's time to say good-bye

to grow older once more

and move away from the past

keeping it only in mind

without memento 

and with the pain of moving forward 

with nothing

Good-bye childhood

college

my first love

Hello hollowed life waiting to be filled

I am surrounded by...

Poem 321: Foot Fungus

Foot fungus is really quite stinky

its yellow and gross to embrace

If I tickle your toes I'll be sorry

that fungus might intoxicate

Do not dance with those shoes unbuckled

or will me to move my band aid

I'm not tempted to touch you, I'm sorry

Perhaps this far distance is safe.