FOREST OF HELL

Colorless leaf crackle beneath sole-less feet.

The smell of death lingers sweet.

Bramble thick draws blood on paper skin,

digging more deeply the deeper within.

 *

Then starlight fades to the darkness I fear,

moonlight shadows disappear.

Columns abound supporting endless night,

numbers multiply consuming the light.

 *

Welcome dew hangs heavy in unseen air,

to drink deep I do not dare.

Outstretched hands replace teary useless eyes.

Senses heightened, alert of endless cries.

 *

Vibrations of night; soft, loud, far and near,

distant from all that we all hold dear.

Wanting now only to curl-up and weep,

my soul is still for the sickle to reap.

 *

Return to the path I lost yesterday,

blackness turns slowly to gray.

Long nights journey in the forest of hell,

surviving unscathed except for my shell.

 *

The End

*

 SKittell c.2014

Yes, Love

Another poem with love the theme,
hearts at peace and smiles gleam.
Bliss is felt with each goodnight kiss.
Good morning snuggles to never miss.
~
Our days filled with laughter and fun.
Good times continue with the setting sun.
Evenings aglow in candlelight,
warmth’s felt throughout the night.
~
Her image always vivid in my enchanted mind.
Her thoughts of us shared in kind.
A more perfect pair none could ever guess.
So is this love? Oh heavens, yes!

~*~
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Division Decision

Since the beginning of time a field did feed.
Animals galore found all they could need.
Millennia’s past and all stayed the same.
Then one day a farm family came.
~
Centuries past and the farm family grew.
The field divided and then there were two.
One side raised sheep and the other was tilled.
Crops soon prospered and bellies were filled.
~
Decades followed as more homes were built.
The farms disappeared without any guilt.
The moral being that time does divide.
And when time runs out there’s nowhere to hide.

~*~
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The Chill is Gone

A roof-top garden above us all, 

trees now blossomed, the sky made small.

Morning’s crisp with color’s bright.

Bees and butterflies dance in flight.

~

Fragrant florals enhance the scene.

Whilst songs of birds fill between.

A busy squirrel hides their lunch.

All to be nurtured, I’ve a hunch.

~

Grassy patches catch the sun.

Warmth is felt where winter’s none.

Spring is here with glory and grace.

Smiles return to a once chilled face.

~*~

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Clueless

I bought the line I was sold.
I did the things I was told.
Now I wait for my silver and gold.
But yesterday’s news is already old.
~
Tomorrows will come, again I’ll try.
I’ll great the day with the morning sky.
Horizon bound, I’ll not ask why.
I’ll know the answers when I die.
~
But today’s today, I see the sun.
Eyes are open, the start’s begun.
The day is long at two to one.
Before I sleep I’ll have some fun.
~
When I rise the future’s new.
Options abound but choices few.
I think I know what I will do.
But that’s a guess, I have no clue.

~*~
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Time Afar

When a loved one’s in need and miles divide,
time compounds the hurt inside.
The pain felt distance can’t hide.
The mind wanders far and wide,
~
Visions conjured amplify dread.
The voices within, anticipation bred.
Polished words redundantly said.
Perception altered in a scattered head.
~
Fantasy and reality bear casualty.
Tears shed overflow with charity.
Hopes guide tomorrow’s clarity.
End’s certain with endless certainty.

~*~
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Pen and Folly

I’m taking a break from this pen and folly,
as my words of late have not been so jolly.
The spring is here and the flora’s in bloom.
Why should I wallow locked in this room?
~
I can’t spend my days writing alone,
I can’t watch more news or play with my phone.
My body needs movement and my brain needs repair.
So I’m going outside to enjoy the fresh air.
~
But not to worry, I’ll be back soon,
perhaps inspired by a beautiful moon.
Enough is enough of the weeks’ melancholy.
The weekend is here and I hope pen and folly.

~*~
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Dawns’ on Me

The sun has risen, a poet’s alone.
He‘s perched on a porch,
atop his worn throne.

The birds whisper clues,
of nature’s good news.
And words start to flow.

At the top of the stair,
my love dreams there,
awaiting a kiss on her cheek.

Eyes soon to open,
we both will see,
this day has bloomed for she.

~*~
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Jingle Writer

I want to be a jingle writer, write jingles every day.

I want to be a jingle writer, jingles all the way.

I want to be a jingle writer ‘cos there’s bills to pay.

I want to be a jingle writer, not much more too say.

*

I want to be a jingle writer and work from my backyard.

I want to be a jingle writer, poets work too hard.

I want to be a jingle writer, don’t understand avant-garde.

I want to be a jingle writer, no need to be a bard.

*

I want to be a jingle writer and put my tools to use.

I want to be a jingle writer, write short and loose.

I want to be a jingle writer; I’ll be no Dr. Seuss.

I want to be a jingle writer until I’m cut from the noose.

*

The End

Soupy Forecast

Whenever I think I’ve been reinvented,
something gets lost, broken or dented.
Change is good is what they say.
But then I don’t know who I’ll be that day.
~
Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry or coffee,
there’s no one best we all can agree.
Fit and lean or skinny and wasted,
personal palettes are always what’s tasted.
~
Intelligence’s graded by those who agree,
calamity then guided by another’s stupidity.
Sink or swim, lose or fight,
will it matter when the victor’s right.
~
As of today I have no conclusion,
just more questions and confusion.
Perhaps tomorrow I’ll know what’s what.
So for now I’ll just follow my gut.

~*~
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That’s It

Hello world, how do you do?
I’ve got a little something to share with you.
The sun has risen and the day is new.
But what comes next I’ve not a clue.
~
I’m sure you’re feeling much the same,
though to be confused there is no shame.
Mistakes get made, we share the blame.
Wouldn’t it be nice if life were tame?
~
Imagine the place this world could be,
if all could live both safe and free.
Think of the wonders we’d all see.
See you tomorrow, that’s it for me.

~*~
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Please

The sun’s now high, the night was long,
and the urge to rise is growing strong.
Weary eyes open to a day that’s new.
Yesterday’s past when choices few.
~
Life, it seems, is full of turns.
Seconds wander the watchful learns.
Tomorrow’s imagined now in sight,
the fog clearing, and the future bright.
~
Optimism wanes when pessimism gains,
the pressure builds within our brains.
Awaken now to a time at ease,
enjoy this moment, if you please.

~*~
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A Mirrors Edge

Oh, these times they are a changin!
But when are they ever not?
Yesterday just slipped away,
too soon to be forget.
~
Pining for our days of yore,
we then post it from our phone.
All the world’s our stage,
yet we feel all alone.
~
Calls to arms get dialed up,
connections a bit unclear.
Leadership’s uniformly lacking.
So be careful what you wear.
~
Shots soon for all;
get yours while you can.
Self-curing is the aim,
safe then from our fellow man.
~
Voids will always fill,
content remains the gamble.
Sequels bound eventually,
till then on we’ll scramble.

~*~
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In the Dark

~*~
If to imagine a perfect life;
paths of ease and little strife,
morning smiles and a noon surprise,
sunsets reflected in each other’s eyes.

Our eve’s playful, toying future schemes.
Nights shared cuddling, kissing and living our dreams.
The sun then will rise for me and you.
Each day a new start of our lives anew.

~
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Broken

The switch broke, lights went out.
Now I sit alone in doubt.
Morning comes, eyes stay shut.
The feeling’s gone in my gut.
~
Hours pass with no refrain.
Only mush fills my brain.
My body’s weak, pain is strong.
Life is short, death is long.
~
Lips parched, breathing slows.
Numbness reminds of fingers and toes.
Into the light my soul roams.
Blood consumes yesterday’s poems.
~
Silence heard with no heartbeat.
Time knows no defeat.
If tomorrow I shall see,
a better person I will be.
~
If a poet when I rise,
this world anew before my eyes.
Nothing lost is nothing gained,
only regrets leave us stained.
~
Second chances are often rare.
Today’s success is meant to share.
The past gone, ends unknown,
cherish all you have grown.

~*~
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None Today

~

There’ll be no daily sonnet today.

Thought has wandered and gone astray.

Nimble quill won’t dance on parchment bare,

seducing lonely on table near.

 

The well is dry from which I must drink.

Chair is empty were journeys to think.

No inky tears shed, blotted or smeared.

No blackened hands bloodied and feared.

 

Letters scrambled all over my mind.

Their chosen order I cannot find.

Brittle wax puddle proves candles death.

The darkness swallows my daylights breath.

 

Blindness shackles a masked and heavy head.

I shrink into my unwanted bed.

Heart and soul content for tomorrow.

When ink, I hope, once more will flow

~*~

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Why

Why do writers write,

why do lovers fight,

why the lonely night?

`

Why do we ask why,

why must we say good bye,

why must we even try?

`

Why do demons taunt,

why do ghosts haunt,

why does beauty flaunt?

`

Why do dragons fly,

why’s the moon so high,

why does all life die?

`

Why dream of things afar,

why does life leave a scar,

why is why who we are.

`

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Wish No Squish

Another year’s gone by too fast.
But the birthday stress now has past.
I had too much cake and coffee too,
had a party and stepped in poo.
~
Perhaps an omen or maybe not,
or a reminder of things forgot.
Crappy stuff happens every day.
And we often slip along the way.
~
Yesterday being our only prep,
surprises await with every step.
Life can stink as we all know,
but sometime wrapped with a bow.
~
My shoes now scraped, no damage done.
My time ahead I’ll wish for fun.
I won’t let aging make me sad,
the alternative being really bad.

~*~
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Almost There

Almost sixty, though I’m not quite there.
But I’ve learned some things I’d like to share.
First; get up early and watch the sun rise.
Then the world will get brighter before your eyes.
~
Indulge your passions whenever you can.
Allow yourself time and have a plan.
Make others happy and they’ll do the same.
Accept your mistakes when you’re to blame.
~
Give freely your love and never resist.
Make the most of life’s many turns and twists.
Take note of the bad but never complain.
Look for the good and don’t dwell on the pain.
~
This list could run on but I’d rather not preach.
Though it’s always important to learn and to teach.
So just one more thing before I go;
If you’re in love, be sure you let them know.

~*~
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All Right

Hurry up it’s getting late,
the morning’s nearly past.
I missed today’s sunrise
and the roads are filling fast.
~
It’s not that I’ve a place to go,
or anyone I need to see.
I just like the early morning time,
it’s when my mind is free.
~
I prefer to write at first light
and be ready when my darling wakes.
She’ll sip a coffee and read her poem,
with a couple of kissing breaks.
~
Our day then starts happily
and continues through the night.
Then we’ll snuggle once again
and know that all’s alright.
~
Whispers we’ll share and more kisses too,
until our eyelids weigh.
We’ll dream about each other
and yet another wonderful day.

~*~
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