Quiet

We are quiet now
The day has had its final word
And all that there is left of it
Are its shadows, blue and blurred

We are quiet now
The stars in sequined splendor reign
My heartbeat next to yours
Needs no utterance to explain

We are quiet now
The deeds we’ve rendered to this day
Are like small seeds in the ground
Eventually they’ll have their say

We are quiet now
Rivers run and dark spruce sighs
But I have heard a thousand poems
Just by looking in your eyes

We are quiet now
Nighttime rises all around
The force of mighty hurricanes
Touches us without a sound

J~

Pondering Love

If we were assured of our children’s love
As often as we tell God of ours
Tell me, would it be enough
As long as time and life endures
If the children that we hold
Would show us in the self-same measure
Their devotion, shy or bold
Tell me, would it give us pleasure
As they told us of their love
Like we tell God; would it be enough?

If our children spent the time for us
We spend upon our knees to pray
If they in all exact amounts
Gave us what we give God each day
Would we be assured of their love?
Would our cups fill and overflow?
Tell me, would it be enough
What we give God; for us below
Would we bow when light is dim
Fulfilled with what we give to Him?

Janet~

The Art of Writing

Things are made to touch
Words are made to read
If you want to change the world
Pick up a pen and bleed

Tears weep from the eye
A dry pod drops a seed
Thoughts are locked within a mind
Pick up a pen and bleed

Everyone is born
As creatures of great need
Ink is man's most patient friend
Pick up a pen and bleed

J~

I'm Sorry

‘I’m sorry’ is not a band-aid
To affix on every lie
‘I’m sorry’ bleeds from fingertips
And teardrops in your eye

‘I’m sorry’ is not a small, crass word
To remedy a failure
‘I’m sorry’ does not retrieve past hurt
A dagger to re-injure

‘I’m sorry’ with its over-use
Seems to have lost its purpose
‘I’m sorry’ does not add a ‘but’
For then its rendered useless

Janet~

Telling the Truth

These tears are not for you
They have nothing to do with your leaving
And I am not that blue
There’s no reason to be grieving
For the want of you
Believe me, it is true
No, these tears are not for you

These tears are all for me
They really are quite pointless now
Wouldn’t you agree?
But I can’t seem to stop somehow
I’m not lonely, can’t you tell
My life is actually quite swell
Dang, I never could tell untruths very well

J~

Invisible Masterpiece

As silent and stunningly spectacular
As lightning in the sky
Soundless, it’s surrender
As a falling butter-fly
Or the silver kiss of midnight dew
Crowning each blade of grass
Rib-caged, a wild and phantom spew
Erupts, like scarlet glass
But no one takes a picture
Of this priceless work of art
Or beholds in riveting horror
The carnage of a heart

J~

Observations on Love

It’s not what you tell me that hurts me the most
Though truth can be brutal and bitter to taste
It’s what you don’t tell me that cuts to the core
Without trust, love is simply a futile waste

It’s not what you do that charms me most deeply
Though love shown in action is precious indeed
It’s what you don’t do when you could embellish my weakness
That tells me you love me beyond your own need

If you think I’m in need of designer affection
I have one thing to say, and I intend no hurt
But without tender respect, you can keep your advances
Love in the bedroom begins in the dirt

J~

Farewell's Agony

Drag your fingers o’er my heart
For it will not come apart
Tease me with your wild half-grin
And that dimple on your chin

Touch me with your whispered word
Soft as weeping willows stirred
Lavish me with all your charms
Draw me closer in your arms

Trust me with your deepest grief
Love me beyond all belief
Let me linger in your eye
Oh, but do not say good-bye

Love me, love me till I cry
Oh, but do not say good-bye
Alas, I see with clarity
Love is farewell’s agony

J~