Photo by Sue Vincent
Betwixt and between
The shifting of day into night
is where magic breathes
Betwixt and between
The shifting of day into night
is where magic breathes
Life Lyrics ©2020
Her mind-numbing life
her relentless job
ringing up groceries
him sauntering up
slapping down a pack of gum
winking at her
with a bold brown eye
her blue eyes fluttering
him licking his lips
making his move
Metallic blue eyeliner
lips the color of a bruise
he smiles
thinking he knows her type
Now she’s gone and done it
caught his eye
she looks younger than she is
sweet youth, dewy-eyed
an object of desire and jealousy
vulnerable at times
but she is a keen observer
of sly grins and brown eyes
knows the pitfalls and potholes
fearless sometimes
most often desperate
He is not her dream
but he is here
wanting her
brown eyes
drawing her in
she’s been here before
on the losing end
He promises everything
gives her nothing
but a single drawer
and crumpled sheets
covers her with hot kisses
While she tastes
his lying breath
He wants more
always more of her
brown eyes slant
his lantern jaw tight
a curl of fists
She is caught
against a wall
biting her lip
Her hands shaking
she covers bruises
colored purple
applies makeup
fingers to swollen lips
painted red
She smooths the cheap
yellow dress he bought
listens for his steps
knows the odds
are against her
praying he’s forgotten
his black mood
with every beat of her heart
He sneers a grin
pulls at her
hands hard against
her blue veined skin
breathless she awaits
his snores
She’s saved cash
a fist full of crumpled green
enough to take her
somewhere, anywhere
away from him.
The grimy bus windows
fogged with gray rain
reflect a ghost
her backpack with
everything she owns
caught between her
muddied sneakers
the miles passing
with every beat of her heart.
WE are bound to the land, though our souls long for the deep blue
WE are drawn to it, pulled by memories buried deep in our DNA
WE linger on the sand, our toes curling, grasping for purchase
WE wade into the white froth, each step a homecoming
WE are fearless as we dive into the aqua waves, eyes open
WE undulate, borne by liquid love, free of gravity at last.
Never before, have I been to this castle
yet I seem to know it
the sounds, the smells,
The voices, I’ve heard in my dreams
the past pulls at me
I touch a cold, stone wall
time slips, and I find myself there
a ghost among ghosts
I reach out, grasping air
Time folds back, I am here and now
Yet, the memories remain
both sweet and bitter
Trees speak to us
In the bursting green of buds
In the rustle of leaves
In the sway of branches
In the changing of colors
In the life-giving essence
we breathe
In the billowing shade
we shelter
In the roots spreading
Deep and wide
Connecting to nature
And to us
All for one and one for all
The living planet
Are we listening?