Category Archives: Poetry

Unknown's avatar

A Time When I Could See

by

there was once, some years ago
a time when I could see
when ladybugs and butterflies
meant everything to me

a soaring hawk
a baby’s smile
a surging wave around my feet
falling leaves
the setting sun
the colors oh, so sweet

a christmas tree
a bumblebee
bright new socks
birds flying free
a black red rose
a sparkling sea
the rising moon

these simple things meant all to me

there was a time, some years gone by
when what I saw could make me cry

that time has past, just silent screams
are left to echo in my dreams

tio stib, 2016

You might also enjoy: dirty snow, night walk

Unknown's avatar

Third World Shower

by

the singular measure
of civilized pleasure
a waking human’s treasure

the perfect morning shower

while some grade countries on GNP
the importance of which I fail to see
only one thing matters to me

my perfect morning shower

still asleep
I hear the hiss
signal of my morning bliss
the flood of wet and cozy warm
the deluge splashing off my arms
consciousness begins to shake
my toes squiggle in a little lake
oh joy, the day that starts like this
if not, surely something is amiss

so here I stand expectantly
waiting for what I hope will be
that moment of pure ecstasy

my perfect morning shower

a distant rumble in the wall
my senses spark to shower’s call
the pipes begin to shake and creak
and then there is a tiny leak
a drip
an agonizing
pittance
of lukewarm
dribble

and so, from side to side I sway
trying to soak in token spray
pretending things will be okay

without my morning shower

tio stib, 2016

You might also enjoy: Morning Bliss, Mystery Game

Unknown's avatar

Hell’s Canyon

by

but the map says it’s here!
icicle creek
this is supposed to be icicle creek

I stared
at the cascading tumble of roasting rocks

what made you think icicles could exist in Hell’s Canyon?

but the map says…

maps say a lot of things
doesn’t mean you should trust them

no argument
after nine parched miles
10,000 anguished steps
past three dry gulches
the advertised water had not appeared
although, in fairness to the map
rattlesnake creek had partially lived up to it’s name

even weighted by a fifty pound pack
adrenalin had defied gravity
launching my ten foot leap
over the awakened, angry rattler

guess I should have filled more than one water bottle this morning

you think?
what’s the next creek called?

a drop of sweat splattered on the map

surprise

perfect

tio stib, 2016, from a thirsty memory

You might also enjoy : The Crossing, The Campfire

Unknown's avatar

Two Rivers

by

ahead
the canyon wall plunged
fell from the sea of sky
the river
dancing from shadow to sunlight
promising a new world
vanished

the rapid exploded

bouncing
white water splashes
rainbow mist
giggles
screams

the raft was spit
into beyond

and she was there
clear, quiet, confident
two rivers
two lifetimes
flowing
swirling
joining
at last

together

a shared smile
two travelers
now one

tio stib, 2016

You might also enjoy  Life Is Like a Broken Egg, Veiled Vision

Unknown's avatar

The Wave

by

he watched the wave break
surge up the empty sand
surround surprised toes
sending shivers up his spine
awakening a dormant mind

then silence
the wave fell back
disappeared into eternity
and he wondered
about his life

tio stib, 2016

You might also enjoy High on Gratitude, Desert of Dreams

 

 

 

Unknown's avatar

Finding Home

by

it’s a feeling
fleeting
flying off like a nervous bird
when my heart gets too close
yet memories whisper
and I wonder
what was it
that feeling
what was
home

I know I’ve felt it
the Oneness
of place
of people
of shared meals
and wild laughter
in silent awe
watching the moonrise from a porch
sliding up a far mountain
beaming shimmering light across a silent river
sparkling in enchanted eyes

I’ve felt it
in the garden
in the sweet scent of strawberries
picked by eager red fingers
wrapped in buzzing bees and flitting hummingbirds
in the joy of harvest
in the pleasure of shared
plenty

I’ve felt it
in warm murmurs around the fire
in the clink of glasses
in the evening glow of satisfaction
gained from sweating together
building a shared world

I’ve felt it
in smiles and greetings
in walking through community
in waves to passing friends
in bonds formed
by standing together
through tough times

I’ve felt it
in grief and solace
tears shared
remembering those lost
aching for those
forever gone

now I wander
the frontiers of being
soul seeking
heart hoping
to find home
again

tio stib 2016

You might also enjoy : A Friend Passes, Matsuo Basho-The Journey

Unknown's avatar

One

by

we are different
cultures, countries, civilizations
apart
and yet
the same
beating
throbbing
heart

tio stig 2016

You might also enjoy: First Snow, A Mirrored Smile

Unknown's avatar

The Gypsy Queen

by

she was exotic
he was quixotic

she floated by on tiny feet
his size thirteens thumped on the street

she pranced like a gypsy queen
he stumbled like an ancient dean

she laughed and whirled and danced
he stood alone in silent trance

her face smiled with beguiling eyes
he slyly peeked, an unseen spy

a woman full of verve and curves
a man stretched taut on bones and nerves

greeting everyone she met
as he broke out in pungent sweat

she lavished in all life’s delights
he anguished in primordial fright

and yet he laughed
he even played
surrendered to
this merry maid
for deep inside
this closed off man
screamed an ache
to live again

perhaps because of differences
they were wickedly promiscuous

tio stig 2015

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Unknown's avatar

Parade of Friends

by

in the night of emptiness
I stare at what I can’t confess
sitting on a lonely street
a parade comes forth
with silent feet

from timeless fog
they reappear
without a smile
without a tear
the faces pass
some young
some old
marching by
their stories cold

no music plays
no raucous cheers
no flags unfurled
as they pass near
but though these ghosts
say naught a word
my soul screams out
their memories stirred

how can this be
my mind asks
one moment here
and then they’ve passed

once I called these people friends
believed that life would never end
but then the fruit fell off the tree
fate claimed its due in front of me

as I look back at many lost
I question what has been the cost
could I have given more my heart
slowed the death of time apart

and when I take my final breath
will any of my friends be left

tio stig 2015

You might also enjoy: A Friend Passes, The Journey – Matsuo basho

Unknown's avatar

Alone

by

alone
he eyes
the speechless mirror
begging
answers
to appear

eyes dripping
unseen tears
mind screaming
ancient fears
day dawns
absent hope
sliding down
depression’s slope

he groans
and pushes back
the past
then rises
off
his sorry
ass

 

tio stib, 2015

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