3 poems for Publishers, Inc. A Contest

different landscapes

22 december, 2004

winter landscape

too quickly viewed from a speeding train

lingering impossible

hills covered in light frost

trees lost in freezing mist

constantly changing beauty to occupy my thoughts

interior landscape

sixty of eighty-five seats empty,

muffled sounds from inside and out

subtle relaxing colors for travelers’ comfort

visual temptation

too close to avoid awakening imagination

handsome voyager sleeping

nonetheless discreet observation, admiring

classy white shirt with pearl buttons

high-tech jeans and a close-fitting black blazer

too early in the morning, bristly shadows on his chin

what dreams flow through your mind

why such a seductive smile

why did you choose to sit so close

did you sense my wandering desires

my instant appreciation of your beauty

never mind the temptation,

I'm traveling to another love, my real one, no need for imagination

no fantasy unless shared by two

and my heart flies higher than the wheels of the train

impatient for arrival, doors opening, you run along the platform to meet me

carrying me into the calmness of our existence shared in lifetimes apart

reality always different than the anticipation of gladness

will I dare to fall into your arms, my head on your shoulder

laughing openly with the joy of simply seeing you again

my timid smiles on arrival

already misinterpreted, my fault again

this distance between the inner and the outer

too quiet, I feel an unspeakable sorrow loving you thus

listening closely

wisdom begets caution

there is a confusion I do not always understand

a lifetime heeding these sentiments of watchfulness

though I won't tell you I'm glad to be here

your arms are the only ones making me feel safe

the only ones I long for daily

the landscape of my second home

a fire waiting on my arrival

cozy lights dimmed just right

two lovers on the same sofa, arms entwined

the intimate music of reassuring words of worship

a smile I know so well

my dreams will be sweet tonight

something will happen

12 december, 2004

universal quest for more than fleeting happiness

moments of applause after a concert

opening night at the opera

singular moments of substitution

the special person, people, somehow always absent

home again to the empty house

somewhere over a rainbow

before or after the storm

the day after tomorrow I will begin to wonder

through the meandering life of a procrastinator

whether it can happen here

elsewhere has had its share

forever, will true happiness find my house

like Santa Claus and chimneys

transforming hope into a home

among the shooting stars of fate destined for the masses

wherever I may be, can providence calm the questions of my soul

there-ever and whenever, here-ever and now

my arms in welcoming openness

awaiting a new year's resolution

let it happen, something to cherish

a gift to fulfill the lifetime left to me

a just quest for fleeting universal happiness

rewriting life

2 december, 2004

the bliss of love we desire so never-ending

if you are the beauty, then I must be the beast

princes and frogs

crystal slippers and pumpkins

ivy clinging to ivory towers

giants and leprechauns

how to turn life into fairy tale passion?

a zest of kindness

a pinch of love

two armfuls of laughter

a barrel filled with smiles

three bottles of bubbly good humor

a clover leaf for luck

and the brew is completed

though the dosage may always vary according to local custom

so that's easy enough,

yet more often than not

the wicked witch places a crooked arrow in Cupid's bow

and good gets tainted with bad

love fades into disguised hate

everything golden just rusts

and life's magic loses its importance

cups remain half empty instead of half full

fantasy turns towards fatality

seeping invariably into shadowy corners of destiny

and what should have remained true veers to false

and the smile is lost

everything else wilts

and sooner than I realize

you have become the beast, and I the beauty

fairy tales never should be rewritten