From the Outside, In

How much these aching eyes,
Lust for sights before them.
Glistening in perfection,
Life's sweet glow captures my gaze.
Distant dreams and sounds,
Full of silent taunts,
As I stand here alone,
A stranger looking out.

The actors play their roles,
Living dreams before me.
Played to perfection,
The ache to join them runs deep.
Flutters of winds drift past,
Bringing with them scents,
Of flowers in bloom,
As I stand here alone,
A stranger looking out.

My invisible cage,
Anchors me to the spot.
Trapped in perfection,
A prisoner in life's idillicy.
Forgotten moments,
Imprint deep inside,
As I stand here alone,
A stranger looking out.

Impossible feats

The impossible feats the we overcome,
Beat down the doors with the sound of their drums.
Overwhelmed by life but lost in the stars,
We reach,
We sigh,
And with that they're gone.

Living on the Edge

Life's steepest surfaces,

Rise from the murky depths,

Build

Slowly

To form impenetrable walls.

Look to me,

As I reach for the blue sky,

And brave these cliffs,

Unfolding before us.

As graceful as a primate,

Fingers nimble,

Over sharp rocks.

I look to you,

While ascending.

Follow me.

Submitted to One Stop Poetry's One Shot Wednesday - week 29 

Snapshots of Home (A Photopoetry Montage)

So I've been taking quite a few photography walks round the countryside near my house recently, having never really explored it since moving here a few years ago.  It inspired this photo-poetry montage below, based on the experiences and emotions it all conjured up!

  Daylight fades over the peaceful countryside

 

Creeping over the horizon's sanctuary

 

 The glow of sunset fades over us,

  

As the light shatters on the glistening fields,

  

Standing side by side,

   

We search forward for an adventure,

  Crossing bridges towards darkness,

  

The scenery starts to turn to grey,

  As the storm clouds roll in,

  Nature's limbs trembling with the growing storm,

  Idyllic green twists to rusted industrial,

 

As the stormy winds build up to darkness,

 

And we run for shelter from the rain.

Standing at the Feet of Giants

Inspired by the picture prompt by Katherine Forbes for One Stop Poetry's One Shoot Sunday.

The world around us,
So strange and fearful.
Swirly green forests,
Filled with fushia blooms.
Wandering aimless,
Through the soil path.
Searching for a way home.

Accidental happening,
Brought us to here.
A mistaken wish,
On a fresh summer's eve.
Wicked old witch,
Flew in from the west.
Suddenly we were gone.

Forest glade clearing now,
Sunset flooding the skies.
A dirty shanty town ahead,
The size being far too big.
Reach for you hand,
And pull you close.
What strange a place is this?

Dusty waves cross the paths,
As we head towards a door.
Deep fear creeping in,
Building inside out hearts.
Rumbling footsteps,
Shatter the silent scene.
Suddenly the giants appear.

Eyeing us with predator's gaze,
Whispering with intent.
I reach for you,
And pull you close.
For a final kiss,
With all my love.
Fearful that this is the end.

The Amusingly Shameful Walk Home

Oh how I wish this wasn't based on experience =)  Although as part of my New Year health kick I've vowed to drink less and exercise more.  Both are doing very well... although I note it's only January 11th!  However nothing really beats being able to walk home with a bit more grace and sophistication than usual so I'm hoping to keep this one going.  Have written the following to remind myself that this is a very good thing.  Anyway, I hope your resolutions are going well too - what did you resolve for 2011, if anything??

CJ x

In the dead of night.

The clacker of the cobbles

Against my stiletto heels,

Shatters the silence,

Filling it with echoes,

Like a ghostly horse's tap dance.

Bubbles tickle my cold nose,

As a tipsy hiccup surfaces,

With the grace of a drunken goat,

I stumble with a scrape,

Catching my tumble,

Before it has the chance to happen.

Creeping smile spreads out,

Across my rosy, amused cheeks,

At the hilarity of it all,

Unthinkable unbalancing,

And a swagger like a thug,

Wearing challenging skyscraper shoes.

Unbearable hunger surfaces,

Like a demon with unstoppable venom,

Fixed focus now on a single goal,

And not one for the diet,

As I change the route,

And head off towards the Saturday sin-cabin...

Fried stuff.

Fail.

Submitted to One Stop Poetry's One Shot Wednesday

A Countryside Stroll

The following poem was inspired by the beautiful picture prompt at One Shoot Sunday by Kevin “KJ” Halliday.  

Dream-like illusions,
Flood my waking thoughts,
As we stroll along the sunset path,
Towards the medieval church,
Watching the light fade to red,
Her hazel eyes so alive.

Dull creep of aching muscles,
Curls from my toes to my thighs,
As my legs recall the country lanes,
But feeling on top of the world.
Endorphins flow between us,
In awe of the luminous world.

Like a time capsule, frozen,
The little sleepy village silently observes,
As we wander along hand in hand.
A smile creeps across my cold face,
As the isolation seems to soothe,
And build intensity in her touch.

Her beautiful blonde hair fluttering,
Like a thousand butterflies around her,
Framing those beautiful, soulful eyes,
A perfect countryside princess.
Playfully, she runs ahead,
Red dress dancing along with her.

Dulcet laughter squeals "catch me"!
Smile creeping further at the childish game,
The silent village watching over like a parent,
With mild amusement as she runs on ahead.
I run forwards like a lumbering fool,
Amused by the challenge.

Intensity builds as she dances around me,
Teasing my inability to capture my prey.
More intently now, I watch cat-like and sharp,
Each footstep she takes like a bird in flight.
Laughter erupts as I rush forward to catch her,
Take her in my arms and steal a kiss.

Perfect, this day in the country has been.

.

Sculpted Emptiness (A Magpie-Inspired Tale)

Strange present.

Sat on my desk.

Don't really know what it does.

Or how it came to pass,

That this was the perfect choice,

For a friend to give me.

I don't get it.

The abstract shapes.

Sat there, starting at me.

As though I should read deeply,

Into the smooth black form,

Like a mistake from the clay room.

Cold to touch.

I run my fingers over.

Shiny surface curling round them.

Strange protrusions.

Why would you put them there?

Feeling lost in semantics.

Feeling guilt.

Creeping from behind my ears.

As the black, hollow form

Repulses me so very much.

Surely I've just missed the point?

Or even the smooth rounded end?

This poem was inspired by the intriguing photo prompt at Magpie Tales. 

Thought Drops on a Winter's Morn

I
                   dream freely
                                                           like
            a bird
                                                         reaching for freedom
                      against
                                          northerly winds
 cloaked
                                 in 
                                                      mystery
                                                                                   these
                stars
                              astound us
                                                          make
      us stop
                                breathe
                                                                         and listen.

Wisp in the Wind Contest Entry - You Are My Everything

So I'm giving the poetry contests at allpoetry.com a go, which seem quite good fun =)  Below is my entry to the contest hosted by Donna Grimes aka BluRosePoet8488 (http://allpoetry.com/contest/2506063).  The task being to write a poem inspired by her words:

'I could write a thousand words upon a thousand more and never really touch the depth of the love I feel inside for you. I can only capture a small wisp in the wind to whisper to your heart... I love you!' 
~Donna Sue Grimes~

------------------------------------------------------

Wind whips across my tearful face,

As I stand in the freezing, pouring rain.
Torrents glancing off my sodden clothes
And running down my dripping hair.
Overwhelming,
The intense shaking rips at my soul,
But it could not compare to losing you.

The burning sun sears my face,
As the dry, desert heat creeps inside.
Tearing the moisture from my dry eyes,
Filling my aching lungs with sand.
I can't breathe,
As the pounding in my head closes in,
But it could not compare to losing you.

Icy cold chills my every being,
Muscles tearing as they fight the freeze.
Frozen crystals forming on my cheeks,
Lips too blue to be able to speak.
Agonising,
The painful frost within my limbs,
But it could not compare to losing you.

For all the trials the world could give,
Impossible feats over venomous scars,
This love that words cannot describe,
Would conquer every time.
Invincible,
You make my soul so bright,
How I wish you could see the glow.

------------------------------------------------------

Prisoner of the Night [Rapunzel's Plight]

This poem was inspired by a fairytale-themed fancy dress dinner I attended.  The poem is my take on Rapunzel's captivity in the fairytale tower as she awaits rescue.  I hope you enjoy...

[In case it matters - we went as a 17-strong group dressed as the Shrek castmembers...  and I was Puss in Boots!]

Tyrannical skylarks swoop over the sweet, silent night,

Lost in the hazy fog of the black and white insanity.

Deep, dark cuts across the shards of glittering stars,

Shattering off the smooth grey walls of the prison,

Within which she is trapped.

The cool, clammy walls.  Rhythmically dripping.

Echoing through the cavernous stone-clad corridors.

Rough steel against skin, history rusted into each gnarl,

Shuddering as the wind traces fingers over her,

Brushing her smooth neck.

The night's maiden rides into the bleak, black dreams,

Hovering harshly over the scene unfolding below.

The silence broken with heavy footsteps beneath,

Thud... Thud... Increasing in pace now as they near,

Suddenly, a face at her door.

The outline hidden behind the bars leans forward,

Allowing the moonlight to catch the smooth white face,

Gentle eyes glittering into her terrified, trembling heart.

Soothing fears with soft reassuring tones of calm,

"I'm here now, to save you, my love".