Are You Afraid of the Dark?: April 2015

Thursday, 30 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 30: Words Matter #NaPoWriMo

This last poem, for Day 30 of National Poetry Month, speaks for itself...

Words Matter

Tossed, strewn, bandied,

careless language stew

slights, happenstance, hurt

that wandering miscue

I love you ~ doesn't mean it

I miss you ~ a cheater

who never thinks twice

Player ~ Lover

Philanderer ~ Husband

Secure ~ Fearful

Respect ~ Disdain

Selfishness ~ Compassion

You’re ugly ~ hates the mirror

and too fat ~ binge dieting

self-esteem just excised

Nerd ~ Individual

Geek~ Distinctive

Independent ~ Alone

Proud ~ Afraid

Labels ~ Acceptance

Wednesday, 29 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 29: In Memory of Forgotten Loves #NaPoWriMo

To reminisce about lost love, on Day 29 of National Poetry Month...

In Memory of Forgotten Loves

Wandering the streets of old Paris, lost

in tender thought, our woven dreams rose glossed

Our sweet hands entangled, in youth’s concord

grasping absolute love, as we adored,

until affection fled with winter’s frost

Another love, passion’s kiss breathed star-crossed

Fire and ice, lovers sailing tempest tossed

The flame died quickly, we became unmoored—

wandering the streets

Years produced caution, and love less embossed

reflected esteem, contemplated cost

I tried, but often her heart, I ignored

The day she left, I watched as the rain poured,

churning the soot and the smell of exhaust

wandering the streets

Tuesday, 28 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 28: Flickering Shadows #NaPoWriMo

A little shadow play on this Day 28 of National Poetry Month.

Flickering Shadows

That darkened silhouette playing at dance,

where sunshine greets night, melded in sync.

Framed against hues, red, copper and pink;

an evening of flirting, with shades of romance

Come hither shadow, black depths askance,

its raven obscurity donning a colour of ink

That darkened silhouette playing at dance,

where sunshine greets night, melded in sync

Dusk ever fading, the union’s last glance,

daylight’s course waning, forever to shrink

as night-time envelops, moon on the brink

A shift in the partners, yet it will prance

that darkened silhouette playing at dance

Monday, 27 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 27: Scales of Justice #NaPoWriMo

Today we traverse the halls of justice, on this Day 27 of National Poetry Month...

Scales of Justice

The scales of justices are ever weighed

with the sorrow of victims, their disfigured lives,

our fragile expectancy and blind trust betrayed

The scales of justices are ever weighed

Witness to punishment, fairly meted, debts paid;

smallest of comfort, but there hope survives

The scales of justices are ever weighed

with the sorrow of victims, their disfigured lives

Sunday, 26 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 26: Unwillingness to Bend #NaPoWriMo

On Day 26 of National Poetry Month, I bring a poem about the obstinate spirit...

Unwillingness to Bend

pride,

untamed

feckless youth

and loathe to bow

to rule or reason

forever cloaked in scorn

abject fool and misplaced truth

such agitation of the mind

an unselective melded medley

careless arrogance of distended eyes

Saturday, 25 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 25: My Life as a Soundtrack #NaPoWriMo

Put on your dancing shoes and shake your hips for this Day 25 poem for National Poetry Month...

My Life as a Soundtrack

Come now, put those old records on,

spin me round, maybe dance ‘til dawn

Why don’t you bring some rock and roll,

deliver me that beat with soul.

Remember when, our lifetime gone,

come now, put those old records on

Slow down, relax, and drift away

far back toward sweet summer days

That ticking time can wear you down

Hear the music and twist your frown

Come now, put those old records on,

beneath soft light and curtains drawn

Crank up the volume, high and loud,

rattle the bones, and shake it proud

Feel the beat while they wail their song

Come now, put those old records on

Friday, 24 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 24: Kicking and Screaming #NaPoWriMo

Some contemplative musings for Day 24 of National Poetry Month.

Kicking and Screaming

Inevitable change fought valiantly

preordained progress postulating

inside turmoil screaming,

kicking past certainty

forward momentum

~revolution~

momentum forward

certainty past kicking

screaming turmoil inside

postulating progress preordained

valiantly fought, change inevitable

Thursday, 23 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 23: Topped With Whipped Cream #NaPoWriMo

I have a treat for Day 23 of National Poetry Month, a deliciously decadent double poetic post for your enjoyment...

Whipped Cream Night

silky

sweet

lick your lips

in anticipation

of the tasting

sucking fingertips

lightly drizzled

in chocolate sauce

carelessly misplaced

salivating

expectations

awaiting delight

topped with whipped cream

wrap your tongue

around

a spoonful of sundae

~*~

Topped With Whipped Cream

sweet

smooth

honeyed

so luscious

its peak of whipped cream

waiting, ready to be devoured

~*~

© A. F. Stewart 2015 All Rights Reserved

Wednesday, 22 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 22: Earth Day #NaPoWriMo

A poem for Earth Day and Day 22 of National Poetry Month.

The Vanishing Earth

Feel the squish, squish

of wet beach sand

beneath bare feet

the smooth slime

of mud puddles

in the rain

Inhale the scent

of the forest

after a thunderstorm

the first flower

of spring

Experience nature

before it vanishes

under asphalt

Tuesday, 21 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 21: Forbidden Passion #NaPoWriMo

It's short and sweet for Day 21 of National Poetry Month...

~Forbidden Passion~

beneath the sunshine

we swelter, palpable heat

our hands secretly entwined

Monday, 20 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 20: Love Insanity #NaPoWriMo

Today's poem, for this Day 20 of National Poetry Day, hearkens towards broken hearts and madmen...

Love or Insanity?

Love insanity

Love banality?

Banality bait

Banality—wait

Wait for love

Wait in vain?

Vain endeavours

Vain forever

Forever searching

Forever lost

Lost love

Lost your mind

Mind your heart

Mind your words

Words of love

Words of hate

Hate betrayal

Hate being lonely

Lonely life

Lonely anger

Anger building

Anger spilling

Spilling over

Spilling out

Out with heartache

Out and about

About you

About reprisal

Reprisal walking

Reprisal stalking

Stalking the ex

Stalking complex

Complex feelings

Complex thoughts

Thoughts black

Thoughts insanity?

Insanity maybe

Insanity swirling

Swirling around

Swirling brain

Brain clicking

Brain ticking

Ticking clock

Ticking off

Off to see

Off limits

Limits and hurts

Limits in love

Love

Hurts

Sunday, 19 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 19: The Lizard King #NaPoWriMo

Today's poem (on this Day 19 of National Poetry Month) is less of an original work, than a reworking on an older poem (first published in my book Tears of Poetry). I hope you enjoy this second take on Jim Morrison...

The Lizard King

Dark Rider of the Storm.

nighthawk above the streetlights

The poet with a voice,

husky and sensual.

Bleeding that lingering cadence

across the stratosphere

Showman, Ringmaster

to the screaming crowd.

Bring them into mind evolution

Revolution

You struck the fuse,

dictates of the muse,

and traversed the pyre

of your soul.

Original version published in Tears of Poetry

Saturday, 18 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 18: Languishing in London #NaPoWriMo

I'm going international again, on this Day 18 of National Poetry Month...

Languishing in London

Pitter-patter comes the rain

across the river Thames

The double-decker honks its horn

To the pub and back again

Sometimes I want to scream

Pitter-patter comes the rain

Never much, on the telly

I wish that I could soar

across the river Thames

My grey skies, my grey life

I step out into the street

The double-decker honks its horn

Friday, 17 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 17: No Preconceptions #NaPoWriMo

Some introspection today, on this Day 17 of National Poetry Month.

No Preconceptions

My dollies rarely dined at tea

they played castaways lost at sea

While I dreamed

of bulletproof bracelets

and a Dark Knight’s cape

I loved dancing ballerinas

and the wild, wild west,

sci-fi, spies, and mysteries,

but superheroes the best

Girls aren't cookie cutter

women aren't toys

We have hopes and sorrow

ideas and joys

Our power comes

from a single place

the human heart,

maybe edged in lace

Thursday, 16 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 16: Last Chance #NaPoWriMo

I'm back on the dark side today with the poem for National Poetry Month, Day 16...

Last Chance

The thrash of angel wings grows near

Can you hear, can you hear?

Your coursing heart, the beat yet strums

But death it comes, your death it comes

The angels beckon, they gather high

Still you lie, still you lie

Your final chance, will you confess?

Or shall my knife be your last caress?

Wednesday, 15 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 15: The Last Train #NaPoWriMo

The lonely whistle is blowing for this National Poetry Month, Day 15 poem...

The Last Train

The train whistle sounds

sounds its haunting echo across

across the station and time

time to leave behind your loss

Standing on the platform, knowing

knowing your unseen baggage—pain

pain that travels the journey with you

You still board the last, outgoing train

Tuesday, 14 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 14: Reciting by Moonlight #NaPoWriMo

It's off to Paris for today's poem, on this Day 14 of National Poetry Month:

Reciting by Moonlight

Quietly sitting in a Parisian café

beneath the night of a silver moon

not far from the Champs-Élysées

A peaceful, tranquil end of day

under starlit shafts from la Lune

quietly sitting in a Parisian café

Strains of Tennyson drift my way

as I stir espresso with a spoon

not far from the Champs-Élysées

Strong words, the voice holds sway

the impromptu recital, such a boon

quietly sitting in a Parisian café

I close my eyes, all cares away

in poetry immersed, ears attune

not far from the Champs-Élysées

A perfect night, coffee, a beignet

But alas this will end, far too soon

Quietly sitting in a Parisian café

not far from the Champs-Élysées

Monday, 13 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 13: The Perfume of Grapes #NaPoWriMo

I've decanted my poem for Day 13 of National Poetry Month...

The Perfume of Grapes

Plump, on the vine

The sweet purple, nectar bouquet

Plump, on the vine

Hanging low, ready for the wine

Bordeaux, Merlot, or Cabernet

awaits the harvest, that buffet

Plump, on the vine

Sunday, 12 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 12: Last Dance #NaPoWriMo

We trip the light fantastic, and darkly, in my daily poem for Day 12 Of National Poetry Month...

The Last Dance

Our starlit night, a celestial crown

perched in glory atop our lives.

The music begins, a rhythmic waltz;

it’s our final dance, before the end.

Perched in glory, atop our lives,

splayed out, together memories;

moments we laughed, or cried.

The music begins, a rhythmic waltz;

the strains of our favorite Strauss

imbue the night and our hearts.

It’s our final dance, before the end,

before that concluding breath,

before that last kiss of forever.

Saturday, 11 April 2015

Three Featured Poets and a Daily Poem #NaPoWriMo

On April 7th I hosted a poetry slam on Facebook to celebrate my book release and National Poetry Month. As part of that slam, three lucky poets were chosen for a feaure on this blog. Here are those talented poets and their delightful poems. Enjoy...

Baby Shoes

For you, Lily, who never wore shoes
on your two tiny blue feet
For you, Noah, whose only shoes

were supple, lamb-leather

without any scuffs

For you, Carl, who lost your red shoe

in a New York subway,

along with the rest of you.
May you wear shoes of gold in Heaven

© Susan Budig 2015

~*~

Colors of Happiness

Real
women
in pink

with
not

painted

paper
faces
busy
shopping
for their

little pieces

of happiness

in red

colorful

dresses

making

bright

n’ sunny

happiness
of my
dreary

long

busy days…

Image Credit: By Brian Snelson from Hockley, Essex, England (Flower Hmong women) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

~*~

COLORS

I was in life’s colors conceived and made,
And born to bright and singing shades
Of reds and greens and blues and all

The colors human eyes could even see.
And as I grew, they grew with me...
Brightly expanding into my world to show

Us all there was no point in choosing one

When all of them were there for all to see.
I became adult, a man grown and filled with
Self-certainty and knowledge that these

Colors always with us were and would ever be

Bringing with them her love and my joy in it.
Our children were in colors conceived and made
And born to bright and singing primary shades

That made up our lives and gave us

Joy in each and all and ever one another
Life’s joyous colors carried us into forever
Until the colors began to fade in abrupt silence

All we’d done and made began to lose the luster

Of the joy from when the colors first were new
The children left and birthed their own,
Their own colors to make and see, and their own

Lives to lead and follow. But from our lives the
Colors faded surely as the last leaves of autumn.
And like the single-color white of winter, the
Death of color in our life came suddenly, no alarm
Sounded, no warning spoken, just the rapid fade

Of all life’s colors to the inexorable white of death.

~*~

And now for my daily poem.

Today is Day 11 of National Poetry Month and here is my offering:

A Smile Away From Tears

One smile

One frozen smile

One plastered smile

painted in lipstick

One false

One fake

One mask

Away

One smile away

From breaking down

From letting go

From showing all

the pain

the misery

One frozen,

plastered,

smiling,

painted

mask

away

From tears

Friday, 10 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 10: Cocoon of Self Banishment #NaPoWriMo

Without further ado, my daily poem for Day 10 Of National Poetry Month:

Cocoon of Self Banishment

In life’s sheltered expectation

consigned, contained to your station

still, wordlessly you yearn

Infinity wrapped frustration

entangled amidst temptation

for escape to discern

If you're a fan of my poetry, be sure to check out my new book, Colours of Poetry

Thursday, 9 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 9: Change Of Season #NaPoWriMo

Here's my daily poem for Day 9 Of National Poetry Month

Change Of Season

A youthful glance, a coquettish flutter

And the jade wind tingles, a first blush

Change of Season

Daring ventures, a darling vixen

And the ruby wind stirs, with budding heat

Change Of Season

Life learned wisdom, emergent maturity

And the topaz wind abates, the early chill

Change of Season

The vacant resound, his straying eye

And the opal wind shifts, twisting frigid

Change Of Season

Wednesday, 8 April 2015

National Poetry Month Day 8: Awkward #NaPoWriMo

Today, for National Poetry Month, I have two poems. One for Day 8 and one for Day 7. Yesterday's poem was originally posted on Facebook, as the blog was preempted by the release of my new poetry book, Colours of Poetry. However, I thought my blog readers might like it so today it's a two for one deal. Oh, and I have the names of the winners of the Colours of Poetry Rafflecopter giveaway. Enjoy.

Awkward

To dance with eloquence…

Sigh. I have two left feet

She stands across the floor

But I have two left feet

To twirl her in my arms

Sadly, I have two left feet

Would we tango, do a dip?

Alas, I have two left feet

Should I try? Should I ask?

I’m afraid. I have two left feet

To dance with eloquence

The impossible dream

I have two left feet

~*~

Dallying Outside the Box

Outside the looming, proverbial box

Against the sprint of ticking clocks

I dally, dally, and the whole world gawks

Perhaps it’s me, or my mismatched socks

I’m outside, outside, always peering in

Staring at you with my lopsided grin

I open my mouth; I have something to say

“Love the clouds, and their shade of grey”

I shimmy, I shimmy, shattering feet of clay

Is it time to prance, my hour of play?

I’m trapped in a box, a box, cried the mime

A mimicry set to the tower bell chime

Outside I stand, beyond your crate

No act for me, with a balancing plate

I dilly, I dally, my whole life’s a fete

And no jackets for me, not crooked or strait

I’m beyond, beyond, just out of reach

Always grinning at you, ain't I a peach?

~*~

And now for the giveaway winners

The three winners are:

Veronica Hosking

Henry Brabyn

Sheila Deeth

I'm emailed each winner about their prize of a free ecopy of Colours of Poetry.

Congratulations to all!

Tuesday, 7 April 2015

Book Spotlight: Colours of Poetry

Today's the release day for my new book, Colours of Poetry!

Here's a spotlight to introduce it to the world.

Plus, there's a Facebook party, and a giveaway!

Colours of Poetry by A. F. Stewart

Light through a prism, and we see colour.

Colour is all around, enveloping our lives and feelings. Through tinted shades we see the world, with emotional ties that bind.

Within the book, Colours of Poetry, you will find eleven sections, all representations of different hues, each featuring seven poems that explore the intricacies and fallacies of our world. Come and sail the Sapphire Sea and Sky, cringe at the Crimson Bloodstains, wonder at the Emerald Creation, dazzle in the Lemon Daybreak, linger in the Tangerine Sunset, sniff the Violet Petals, feel Umber the Earth, let the Black as Night and Death surround you, shiver as you pass by White Winter Bones, lose yourself in the Grey Haze, and stare up at the Silver Stars…

You can find the book at:

Kobo

Excerpt:

Under the Midnight Sun

Here, there is no illumination

but from the misaligned sun

on the far wandering horizon

And in our everlasting days

we spend our transitory sanity

chasing gilded gleams of hope

Author Bio:

A. F. Stewart was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, and still calls it home. The youngest in a family of seven children, she has always had an overly creative mind and an active imagination. She is fond of good books (especially science fiction/fantasy), action movies, sword collecting, and oil painting as a hobby.

Ms. Stewart is an indie author with several published novellas and story collections in the dark fantasy or horror genres, with a few side trips into poetry and non-fiction. She has a great interest in history and mythology, often working those themes into her books and stories.

And be sure to check out the book release party, Colours of Poetry Slam, happening today on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/357548374428534/

And enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway to win a Smashwords copy of the book:

a Rafflecopter giveaway