Invisible/Poetry

 

Alone in the darkness of the mind’s chaos-

drifting, sinking, struggling

against the weight of it

I weep, longing for words of comfort,

to share the awful truth

of the horror and pain

No one seeks the details of such a path,

this solitary walk into

the abyss of fear

To be on the other side is enough I am told

Just forget, move on to

the new unknown

I long to speak of it, the monster that hides

inside my soul in wait,

so thirsty, hungry

I think if I call its name, shining light

upon its twisted face

it might be appeased

Fluid, this dark cloak that envelops me,

tempting me to give up,

finding solace below

Yet I keep swimming, gasping for air

when I forget to breathe-

forget myself

Where is that self I knew so well mere

months ago, before 

the world exploded?

People pat, people pray, people say

the magic words to

make it alright

It isn’t alright when my gut is full

of poisonous truth,

buried memories

No skeletons hiding in my closet,

for they lie buried-

ashes to ashes

Why did they all leave so soon, 

without a goodbye,

leaving me to cry

this ocean of emotion and sorrow,

hoping that tomorrow

the forgetting comes.

CKP copyright 2021

Smoke and Mirrors/Flash Fiction

Photo courtesy Free Upload Unsplash

 Check the link to a short story piece I wrote awhile back. I’d love to hear your thoughts. This was my first foray into Flash Fiction in quite awhile. 

Smoke and Mirrors/When the Magic Fails

Thanks! 

Cheryl

Lost/Poetry

 

Lost

Undetected, disconnected..

 ejected,

 dejected..

Rejected? 

The mind knows not the difference

as heart projects such inference-

the weight, so great

and suffocating.

Numbed by free falling,

sudden impact stalling

fear and pain

again

and

again. 

Not alone yet lonely

am I now the only

one who waits for 

finality?

Does anyone see

me?

Can they hear my silent weeping, 

know the vigil I am keeping

lying in wait,

trying to placate

the cruel hand of time,

playing hide and seek

with self doubt,

slipping in and out

of despair-

I need air! 

Lift me up!

Soar beyond the cruel reality

of the World’s limited totality

that I may touch the fiery stars

and be consumed in golden 

reverie.

Then, at last, would they see...

me? 

Cheryl KP Copyright 2021

Honesty #SoCS

 

Honesty...

This post brought to you for Linda Hill’s #SoCS Prompt. Please visit her blog for more posts and great prompts. 

Where Am I? #SoCS

 

Where is the clarity

that once was me?

I held it firmly in my grasp

only hours ago.

My mind is a blur

and the world a whir

of inconsistent incongruity

of poorest quality.

Free falling I grope

for the elusive rope

of sanity that defined my

purpose in living.

The world seems to be

of low to medium quality,

although with every breath I

whisper words of hope.

My mantra now and always

“Seek your joy in all the days”

for each could be the last

you’ll know its gifts.

Of late I’m feeling older

as humanity grows colder-

a pale reflection of  myself

without direction. 

Doppelgängers, she and I,

in battle for the me and my

that guide ourselves

into our destiny. 

Medium defines it well

as far as either one can tell.

We patiently observe and wait 

for wonderful to slay the Awful beast. 

Then, arising, we devour

 every new and waking hour-

a Phoenix from the ash of 

 dark and dour.

CKP copyright words and image

2020

 

Today’s post is in response to Linda Hill’s prompt ‘medium’

The Angels Weep

The angels are crying in heaven tonight,

but their tears go unheard as we bicker and fight.

Their hearts are so heavy, they’ve got tears in their eyes

for the loud angry voices that rise to whisper lies.

The angels are crying in heaven tonight cuz they can’t understand why

we follow the depths of darkness, missing the rainbow in the sky.

Why can’t we find the light 

and end the useless fight,

for none but death shall win

as it walks us to the end

so that Earth might live again

in Peace. 

Mother Nature is our friend

yet we, but dust in the wind,

wage war upon her face

as we promote such a disgrace

as hatred, greed and apathy-

whence comes that sweet epiphany

to save us from erase?

The angels weep

As we, asleep,

create a nightmare from the dream.

I took an hour yesterday to put my feet upon the sand and whisper to the ocean, apologizing to this Earth for the ugliness that the human race has inflicted upon her soul when she offers such sweet gifts. If crawling pests invade your home, you promptly seek a way to eradicate them, don’t you? We have become a pestilence in Nature’s home. When will we learn? 

Look for the angels, for they reveal themselves everywhere

We are broken and only we can stop the destruction

The angels are crying in heaven tonight.

Their hearts are so heavy, they’ve got tears in their eyes.

The angels are crying in heaven tonight

cuz they don’t understand why

We can’t find the light. 

Abandoned

Displaced,

dropped from space

into this human race,

leaving no trace,

my true identity
erased.

.

Alone

I roam

the minutes 

of the long days

spinning into months

that turn to years.

With tears I mark

the passing.

Glimpses,

like shadows

viewed in the periphery

of my clouded vision,

too full of chaos

and sound

around 

me

I need to hear

your voice, Mother,

to feel your love, Father

the kinship of a brother

that I never really knew

beyond our childish

games-our names

scratched on

the sidewalk.

Come back!

What I lack

is kindred spirit,

the connection,

resurrection

of the flame to

ease the shame

of forgetting

and regretting 

the fall.

It was but for such an  error

that I walk through life in terror,

neither knowing friend or foe

and no matter where I go, it follows.

fear always an unwilling guest

serving pain in spite of all my best

efforts to deflect,

reject

the lie.

Have

I

been

abandoned

in this 

world

of angry

souls?

Will you ever come to take me back

into that bosom of pure energy

where love is all that exists?

Home.

CKP words and images 2020

Changes

Life-

fading

from its brilliant hue,

magenta, emerald, azure blue

draining, waning as the winds

of sorrow shake it to the core

what went before

seems like a dream

unraveling at the seams

and yet when viewed

with fresh understanding

shadow and form

become the norm 

once again.

Definition,

this rendition 

adds depth and mystery

for the hungry soul.

without the 

technicolor,

with each other

to paint the canvas 

anew. 

Inevitable

this flow

no choice but to go

forward

bravely navigating

the changes.

CKP Copyright Words and Image 

2020

The Letter P

As it pertains to life's mysteries...

When contemplating the best way to summarize my current emotional/mental/spiritual state today, I find it difficult to connect my heart and mind in the usual way.  Sometimes words are all that pop into my head, and once spoken the dam that blocks my soul's winding path disintegrates, allowing me to float freely into that comforting space of understanding and hope once more. 

The letter P popped into my head and seeded itself, inspiring me to post, finally a light in the darkness that has seemed to be invading my creative flow.  As I pondered my dilemma I thought of the recent pain I felt at the pretentious, placating practice of polite, political correctness that has permeated everyday conversation and how self-conscious that makes me feel.  Not that I have outwardly been anything otherwise in my entire life, but knowing that judgment and the need to proselytize is paramount to society at large has paralyzed my tongue in many ways. It has had me depressed, feeling repressed and removed from my sense of purpose.  The pain of loss was as great to me as losing some of the people who were my soul allies.  I miss them dearly.  

Their presence in my life was constant and now seems so brief in sharp contrast to the vastness of Eternity.  Yet, when I quiet the panicked voices in my head, the truth that remains patiently waiting in my soul permeates my being, reminding me that the true enemy lies within us all.  While the fear which incites pain, its presence undeniably indelible, promotes discord in my heart and mind, the memories of the people who have always been there for me prevails, lifting me from the grip of such despair.

We have played together and stayed together, the pleasure of their company lifting me to heights they may never truly comprehend.  They have been my portion in this life, promoting my joyous endeavors to push on toward a dream, whatever it might be.  

They are precious, constant and never far from my thoughts. When my mind begins to push, prod, poke and try to evoke the dark agenda of fear, the mere thought of these people are like pieces of the puzzle that is my life; and as I begin to reassemble the lovely images of how we laughed and lived together, I am renewed. Joy is the healer of old wounds, and prayer is the incantation of the soul.

It is impossible to be constantly in step with one another, for we are all evolving, trying to pinpoint our own place in the grand illusion of Life; but this is normal.  It is a part of true growth and necessary to progress emotionally.  The platitudes that have driven us often seem weak, for I have "turned the other cheek" enough times for a multitude of humans. Sometimes we must sit and ponder our differences,,,

while remaining close enough to embrace them in the end, realizing that it is our commonalities which define our connectedness, that when all pretense is cast aside, we are all perfection in the thought of the Creator.  In that moment of true realization the mind is so quiet you can hear a pin drop. The heart sings for the knowing, and showing gratitude becomes as easy as taking the next breath. 

Rejoice!! 

You have climbed one more rung on the ladder to complete understanding, acceptance and hope.  Take pleasure in the sweet perfume that is Peace.  

Consider the possibility of a new moment, be grateful if you are not penniless. Pick up a pen and scribble your thoughts, your whims, ideas, worries and dreams.  Choose the delights of your heart and the sweet memories of a life well lived...

and put away the armor you have girded your soul with.  One cannot escape the road to destiny, but must plod onward if there is to be change; and change is inevitable.  It will find us all.  How much more joy is there in understanding life's purpose than putting off our lessons.  The lowliest of God's creatures understand this as they persevere, making homes of bottle caps, crossing perilous highways and accepting that they don't know what the next step brings.

I find true peace in the understanding that we are never alone.  The sun rises and sets each day as a reminder of Creation's constant abidance and abundance.  

I plan to find something pretty today, to remind me how perfect this life is.  How about you, my friend? It all began with a dream...

How about a bit of Patrick Park?  I love this one.  

My Soul is a Tomb

My Soul Is a Tomb

My soul is a tomb-

moldy bones of contention

litter the dusty floors 

and congregate in the

murky shadows to avoid

the shards of filtered light

that steal through the gilded

windows, their arches softly

contrasting the hard lines of

mortar and cold stone. 

The faint strains of a waltz

hang on the stale air like

a fog drifting across the

stormy sea of destiny.

My soul is a prison

where cave dwellers make fire

to roast the flesh of dragons

slain by knights on ivory steeds

deep within the forest of lands

ruled by fairies with 

pixie slaves that live among

the thorns of the rose garden

where children in crips linen

dresses and brown britches

play hide and seek with 

gray wolf cubs that venture

into the daylight while their

parents sleep off the night's 

successful run with the red

blood of the farmer's dog  

staining their tongues as they

dream of being eagles.

My soul is a highway

paved with yellow brick,

lined with bright poppies in

shades of crimson, lavender, magenta

to soothe the senses of weary travelers

on their journey from rough hewn

cradle to the quiet shadows of

their final rest.  

They amble and trot, skip, jump,

race, fall, dance, trip and crawl

towards the promised land where

hand in hand they stand to face

the final judgment.

My soul is a legend 

of hunters, servants, kings

and jokers, dancers, builders,

bakers, forsakers and breakers

of hearts, of saints and sinners,

losers and winners, creating each

life with new vigor, new hope, new

understanding and a vow to make 

the next journey more complete 

than the last-without error,

leaving terror of the past behind

liked shreds of colored paper

to litter the road of memory 

with bright distraction-such

attraction impossible to deny

and so begin again..

and again...

For the prison can be breached

and the highway paved with gold

while the legend will be told in the 

etching on the walls within the 

tomb.

CKP Words and Images Copyright

2020

Indelible

Once upon a lifetime a seed of love finds a fertile place...

in a lonely heart

and plants itself-

waiting, hoping, longing

for the warmth of recognition.

Time passing unnoticed, unreturned and unappreciated, the bloom fading...

Withers

hope slipping into dark oblivion

drowned in a sea of tears,

buried treasure.

Silence, masquerading as the forgotten, disguising pain transformed into growth...

heart beats in spite of longing

to be free of sorrow,

no tomorrow

with sharp reminders

of rejection.

Time, the great amnesiac-cajoling, consoling the heart into release....

belief

that past is past and 

gone is gone.

Healed,

concealed 

the scar lies

dormant.

Then gravity takes hold, pulling the soul into the cemetery of regret..

the sweet sting

of remembrance

like the scent of a 

Spring bloom

long gone from the garden,

like a sunset that 

remains unequalled,

free floating once more

as a wisp of Summer air-

unexpected, unfair.

Indelible.

CKP Photos and words 2020