Farewell
Crystal
Citadel
A
Reverent End
short
autobio
Links:
The
Millenium Dawn Anthology
Farewell
It is morning
when I find the body
pale and lifeless
floating belly-up
bloated death
distended eyes
unseeing
water sloshing
in the gaping mouth.
My throat tightens
my stomach churns
I may faint
no, no
I must take charge
steel myself
for the ordeal
for what must be done
death has claimed
another.
splash
flush
goodbye
little fish
next
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Crystal
Citadel
I found the faded photograph
Buried 'neath years
of memories
In a suitcase made
of dust.
Who was this young
mother
Clutching her sleeping
babe?
Skin of ivory, innocent
eyes
Delicate mouth smiling
on her child
Dark braids circled
her head.
Fragile as glass she
seemed
Clinging to the edge
of a shelf.
Who were you? I ask
Frail and gentle woman
Lady of leisure perhaps?
Who kept and served
you,
Tended to your needs?
Turned over, writing
appears
Mystery in Hebrew
script
"Grandmother, who's
this?"
Her name was Rachel
My Grandfather's sister.
Her story echoes still
In our family corridors
She buried many an
infant
And raised seven more
Thanking Heaven for
them all.
She secreted her children
From soldiers in the
street,
Shipped them to their
freedom
Saw her husband wither
away
And survived a barbed-wire
world.
Eyes glowing with courage
Mouth set firm and
strong
You were not a top-shelf
figurine.
I misinterpreted the
cover
And neglected to read
the story.
next
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A Reverent
End
How is a city revived
When it is only a
carcass,
Boarded-up store windows
Staring like dead
animal eyes?
Dredged up like dinosaurs
We use salvageable
remains,
Erect new steel skeletons
Cover them with new
skins
in hopes they will come to life
and breathe on their own.
Would it not be better
To respect the deceased,
Honor them for service
rendered,
Bury them in silence
And quietly move on?
next
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Moongate
Born in San Antonio,
Texas, I was raised in L.A.'s San Fernando Valley, where I took root. I
got my love of wordplay from my mother. Other interests include needlework
of all kinds, crocheting for family and charity, scrapbooking, reading,
and genealogy. I am married, have two married children and one grandchild.
I started writing poetry
during the 1970's while taking a writing class at L.A. Valley College.
Phrases and images tortured me for several weeks, and my instructor
suggested I write them down. That gave me a measure of peace - for
a while. My writing has been an on-again-off-again affair since then, calling
to me when my emotions are stirred. In 2001, after picking up the
pen again in earnest, I joined a local Writer’s Workshop and the
California Writer’s Club. The encouragement offered by other writers and
family members gave me the courage to continue writing and to share
my work with others.
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