THE WOMEN gather under the trees.
They bring gifts, food, and chairs.
They are gypsies and queens, oracles, saints,
Jezebels and jesters, healers, sages, and warriors.
And when the circle is complete, the magic begins.
Shyly, with dainty movements, they take turns,
shifting aside their robes to expose
missing limbs and gaping wounds.
The others gather close and peer, heads cocked,
eyes straining, and they chant,
"That is lovely, that is good,"
and the wounds stop weeping,
and they melt into scars,
silvery and light and beautiful.
Then the women lean back and laugh,
and they stretch, sensual and fierce,
like cats in the sun.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Reason for November

Grey clouds that crowd the sky
hurry on by.
Gusty winds push brown leaves that
jump and prance
in a fanciful dance.

November brings the end of
the warm summer breezes
and eases
us into
the Winter Season,
and that’s
enough reason
for November.
            --Lucretia

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Sonnet for November

Shovels on high
Rakes face the wall
Seeds in their files
Tulips asleep in their beds.

Beds heaped with mulch
Gloves packed away
Hoses wrapped and stowed
Tulips asleep in their beds.

Trees wrapped up tight
Planters stowed away
Sno-Melt at the ready
Tulips asleep in their beds.

The shed locked up tight
Dreams of peat pots
Gone frm my head
Tulips asleep in their beds.
          --Scheherazade

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Three Temptations I Can't Resist

When I see a comma out of place,
a chocolate bar, a young man’s face,
I must take action, have no doubt.
These things I cannot live without.

Not essential?  Fie!  You say,
without them I won’t waste away,
but joy will fade, and so I’ll shout,
These things I will not live without!

My red pen aches to mark and scratch
each spelling error, with a hatch.
Circle run-ons, cap that noun.
Rearrange syntax with a frown.

My tastebuds, in anticipation
await the milky, dark sensation.
Godiva, Hershey, M&Ms--
I gobble down these luscious gems.

It has not waned, as I grow older.
In fact, my age has made me bolder.
When viewing beauty, male and strong,
I salute testosterone with a song!

Of course, life brings me other treasures:
friends and family, pets, and pleasures.
But with grammar, chocolate, and young men,
My cup is full; I’ll drink up then! 

Until I’m told to cease, desist,
the error, the chocolate, the young man’s wrist,
will be corrected and eaten and kissed.
These three temptations I can’t resist.
            --Agatha

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Ode on an American Cheeseburger

Thou still uneaten mound of deliciousness!
There you lie in all your wondrous layers.
What fringed lettuce leaves
peek from beneath your rounded bun.
The slice of red onion ignites passion.
What pickles are present to drive men mad!
The golden cheddar drips in rivulets
over that medium-rare
aggregation of ground beef.
I chomp, my pursuit ended.
         --Zazu

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Words of Wisdom from a Bird

You need to move often.
You must travel light.
If you sense danger
be quick to take flight.

Eat what you find.
Drink when you can,
and when the winds change,
just make a new plan.

Sing every day.
Sing your own song.
Make your voice heard.
It will help make you strong.

Keep your nest simple.
Make your life plain.
Fly toward the good things.
Fly away from the pain.

Take care of your children.
Just do your best,
and when the time comes,
push them out of your nest.

The world is a good place.
Your friends hold you dear,
so stretch out your wings
and soar without fear.
         --Sappho