Every Day – Haibun

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You hold my hand differently
Force these words away
Common sense tells me, ignore
Yet, I remember, every day

*****

“You shouldn’t share every word you write, caused by every feeling you have…”

“…but, if I wait until I can share perfection, even a valid effort, then I’d never share again.”

“How can you be okay with showing mediocrity?…”

“…It hadn’t occurred to me.”

“Surely, you notice where you fail.”

“I try not to think about it.”

“Honestly, none of this makes any sense, Audrey.”

“Thank you, for confirming.”

*****

Trust isn’t easy
Now do you understand why
 I want to believe

 

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~~
The photos shared with this Haibun are of the Devil’s Backbone Open Space, located just outside the northern end of the Rocky Mountain foothills, as you drive into Fort Collins, Colorado. You can read more about it here. Consequently, I did witness the largest rattlesnake I’ve ever seen while near this trail.

Keep in mind, I’m no photographer, I just wanted you to see more of this area of the world, and the topography it owns. Expressing myself here feels different, maybe I’m more in tune with who I am when I’m in Colorado. ♡

Happy Friday, Y’all.

Murmur

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Tell me again, but not above a whisper
I am tangled in between every sound
A voice nearly as sweet as hard candy
Persistent as a bumblebee’s clamoring

My words available, however breathless
Upon an ear such as yours, exploited
A curse, even you find hard to ignore
Listen, beauty aches, misunderstood

Though I run every day with the wolves
Feral in every way but two, the deeds
The language of your heart won’t miss
Lay down your poison arrows, fire at will

Tracking control among trees, primal
Murmurs, of wisps cling as they guide
Wolf’s confident charge glazes through
Your spirit soothes, submission, I lack

I ask not for your acquiescence in step
Humility is not a weakness you own
My desire is to hear the song, in part
That I might find this rhythm intoned

I stand forward, shedding perfect layers
My tenacity empowered, of this I know
Underneath layers of cimmerian leaves
Among light, where do amorous women go?

*****
To my surprise, an email from Johnny Ojanpera arrived in my inbox a few days ago with a collaboration request for my consideration. Moments like this one don’t come around often enough. I’ll admit to being rather shocked. Humbled, more appropriately. Johnny thought I’d need to stop and think about whether or not writing with him was an interest?! Umm, yes, please.

My only warning to him, however, was to be careful, as I’d proven to be a bit on the vulnerable side as of late. Yes, this was my attempt at scaring him away. He laughed, which I adored. I guess I don’t frighten Johnny. Living life with a creative wife has him covered in suitable armor, I suppose.

I am pleased with our poem, Johnny, thank you for your lead.

Johnny’s talent speaks for itself and can be found on his blog:  Johnny Ojanpera ~ The Words I Didn’t Forget.
Johnny proves to be incredibly intelligent, which I admire, and any applause over our effort should be directed towards his poetic ability.

Thanks for making poetry easy, Johnny. ♡

Your Gift

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The inevitability of a goodbye, frozen,
As time allows a winter glimpse.
Your daily vision offered,
A season of gifts.
Leaving me blessed,
Less tortured, I guess.
Knowing you considered me,
Even for a minute,
Noteworthy.
Yet, like the fallen snow,
Upon your branches,
I cling to who you are,
Protective and strong,
As if love could grow.
My one and only,
May you never forget me,
if the wind sends you on.
Look towards your view,
And always, always,
Think of us,
For it is I, who needs you.

Complication

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Complicare: fold together;
Com- ‘together’, plicare- ‘to fold’,
Solves the muck.
Life, you find yourself inside,
And moments we all define,
As complicated.

Darling,
Complicated,
I know.

Genuine desire,
Of the unknown,
You needn’t shy away.
Intricate dealings,
Birth torture, it seems,
But, admit it, you want to go.

Darling,
Complicated,
I know.

However, stop and believe,
Trust in the journey,
Watch folded do its part.
Fold your hands in prayer,
Or fold them into mine,
Simply, trust my heart, sublime.

Darling,
Complicated,
I know.

Care must be given,
Situations, require debate,
Reflection, with a higher power.
Peaceful nod, perfect timing,
Let Him determine fate,
Allow me, to calm your mind.

Darling,
Complicated,
I know.

Nothing is ever too hard,
Nor will it be easy,
But, fun, yes, it can be.
Steady the course,
Let destiny control,
Either way, life, still beautiful.

Darling,
Complicated,
I know.

Proof

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I counted
You placed me in danger
Thirteen separate times
In two hours
Don’t tell me that you love me
When I know that’s a lie

***
I remember promising you guys that I would post a picture of the doodlings I sketch out, while waiting for words to arrive on paper. An epiphany occurred after I’d drawn this picture, then a poem created from a memory.

The picture is meaningless, well not the thirteen heavily drawn red tallies, it seems, which have permanently indented the next few pages of my tablet, but overall it’s just doodles.

What I’ve realized is that actions DO speak louder than words. Yes, this message has been heard a million times before, I know. Now, the missive is understood. Finally. Lack of protection will never translate into love. Not for me, anyway.

Grackle’s Song

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When dried leaves depart,
In submission to the changing wind,
And nothing now makes sense,
Remember we’re all given a plan.
While quiet enough to hear,
And present enough to understand,
We’ll realize sadness, too, is a gift.
Even when the hearts of Grackles,
Sit and wait for a chance to create,
Songs out of screeches and cackles,
Their tune we refuse to consummate.
Yet, we allow it to comfort us within,
Remember, same tree, same devotion,
When leaning into darkness, once again.