poetry

All posts tagged poetry

One Note at a Time

Published May 13, 2016 by Kathleen's Writings & Art

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On a warm spring breeze,
Birds chirp their greeting song,
Children play kick ball
On the green grassy knoll,
People laugh while embarking
on their Sunday afternoon stroll,
Tulips peak out from their flowerbeds and,
City lights sparkle in the night;
He strums the strings of her heart,
One small note at a time –
Erasing sadness encased,
Breaching a hedge of grief
Whereupon drapes her heart;

When he passes by her window
Waving to her one more time,
She aims to shed not one more tear,
And tries to wear an unending smile;
Yet, while the world sleeps
And she is on her own,
No use pretending,
She’s far away from home,
Far from the solace of his arms;

Lonesomeness consumes her heart,
Desiring to hold him one more time,
The tenderness of his gracious love and words;

He strums the strings of her heart,
One small note at a time –

City lights sparkle in the night.

Spirits in the Night

Published April 28, 2016 by Kathleen's Writings & Art

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There’s a story on the island

of spirits in the night,

a special place where they go to dance

on the sand in the midnight moonlight.

You can hear them singing

and laughing

as they hide in the fog,

they play hide-n-seek and

ride the surf’s roll.

You won’t see their faces—

but they see your soul,

they watch you and hear you

as the island winds blow.

Their seaweed hair wet,

limbs swaying in the mist,

the moonlight gone,

as the sand turns cold,

they return each night,

it’s their favorite place;

well—

that’s what I’m told.

(Photo and poem by:
Kathleen Stevens)

An Old Woman

Published April 28, 2016 by Kathleen's Writings & Art

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Beneath the shade of an old oak tree,

there sat an old woman

completely free,

humming and singing

an unfamiliar song,

with sounds so sweet

and words not long.

Her white sun-kissed hair

blowing like a running mare

on the tails of the wind,

and her tan leathery skin,

draped with a dress

vibrant in colors

and apparently unpressed.

A spell she cast on me

as I sat near,

how lovely, how serene,

with smells of sweet flowers

awakening in the spring.

A warmth filled my soul

as I closed my eyes,

how peaceful was the

never-ending blue sky.

I could stay there for hours,

no time was addressed,

I had no where to be

and,

I needed the rest.

(photo and poem by: Kathleen Stevens)

Love’s Attire

Published April 19, 2016 by Kathleen's Writings & Art

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Clothe me in your body’s gown,

Raise my spirit to heaven’s crown,

Through the years of solitude,

I watched the seasons change their moods.

High in the leaves of the old oak tree,

A blue bird sings a cheerful reveille.

My restless spirit fills the air,

The mountain’s presence everywhere,

I lift my hands wearing nature’s somber dress,

Dancing in the moonlight’s painted loveliness.

There is no pain or tears tonight,

As I lay in peaceful sleep once more,

Beneath the sky’s restful spell unfolds,

And as I wait the sun’s waking rise,

And by her side a morning’s fire,

You will clothe me in your love’s attire.

Never Ending Abyss

Published January 21, 2016 by Kathleen's Writings & Art

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Your unwavering stance

Occupied a barren region,

Lingering there like a withering flower

Before you ultimately departed;

I suffered–

Missing our laughs, and talks,

And trips to new places –

I endured your scarcity;

I mourn we loss the time

To conquer our declining bonds,

Previous to your leaving, and you

Finding a new dwelling place,

Somewhere I cannot visit-

The ever unfathomable crevice

Between us –

Befalls a mystery to me,

I meditate upon the why.

What threw us into that chasm?

Our not holding each other dear,

Dropping us into that never ending abyss –

I assumed it would pass with the rain,

Then we would have another day,

Another laugh, another talk, one more hug.

It never came to pass –

With great sadness –

Tears grasp around my throat, my mind, my heart.

I shake my head and I say, “Not”.

How I wish it naught!

(Painting and Poem by: Kathleen Stevens/2015)

Rising Sun

Published January 16, 2016 by Kathleen's Writings & Art

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A new rising sun,

Treasures of harmony,

The sleeping awaken and ascend-

Brightly painted sky-

Earth damp by the morning’s first dew,

Sweet perfume-

Soft touches of a gentle wind,

Caresses from God above.

(poem and photo by: Kathleen Stevens/2016)

Capture of a Moment

Published January 13, 2016 by Kathleen's Writings & Art

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The capture of a moment,

A song that is sung,

Words dancing across the page,

Began when I was still young.

In my heart of memories

There is a special revise,

Seizing steely rains

Rippling through dark and

Forging angry skies-

Issuing me a process

To thrust Heaven’s gate wide,

Escorting in the sunshine

To the chambers of my mind,

Allowing me to capture words,

At times along with goodbyes,

And yet, stringing them together,

Fashioned and designed,

Freeing them to dance,

For moments at a time.

(Poem and Photo by: Kathleen Stevens/2016)

A Winter’s Wish

Published December 29, 2015 by Kathleen's Writings & Art

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I yearn to lie down

On the soft green grass,

And feel the sun’s warmth upon my face,

Allowing my mind to find a peaceful rest,

And put the day’s troubles in a box

Stored away for another day.

I long to hear the birds sweet songs,

And watch the harmony of the leaves

Dancing and floating by the wind’s soft breath.

A sigh released from deep within my chest,

I close my eyes,

And rest.

A Poet’s Pen

Published December 13, 2015 by Kathleen's Writings & Art

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A cold winter night-

in my sentiment my muse arose

depositing poetry at hand,

with way of my pen—

my contemplation obtaining shape,

my face against the wind,

my essence engaging in words realigning,

together with stillness of reason

and spirit unconfined,

language assembled,

selected in the same way as a trusted friend-

with my muse, I write.

(photo by: Kathleen Stevens/2015)

Where Did You Go?

Published December 6, 2015 by Kathleen's Writings & Art

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When the night is dark,

And the moon is absent from the sky,

And a choir of crickets sings their own lullaby,

Where do you go?

When my arms remain empty

And the wind gently whispers my name,

And I gaze upon the stars,

Where do you go?

When my heart aches to feel your breath

And the warmth of your soul,

And the silence is heavy,

Where do you go?

When I’m no longer here

To feel completely alone;

Where did you go?

Happy Thanksgiving

Published November 25, 2015 by Kathleen's Writings & Art

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HAPPY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

May all my family, friends and followers have a great and wonderful day!!

May we all find our blessings and give thanks!!

May we all look upon the skies and land around us,

and find the beauty of life!!

Hugs to all!!

signed with affection,

Kathleen

A Child’s Play

Published November 11, 2015 by Kathleen's Writings & Art

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I watch you play upon the stairs,

Lost in your childhood games,

Built by your imagination,

With freedom and no restraint.

Today you are a sailor,

The captain of your ship,

Sailing on the ocean sea,

Procuring a long summer trip.

You sing a song

That you have loved,

Words of an old lullaby,

You sing a song on the stairs today,

Singing loud—you’re not shy.

The stairs are now a jungle,

A land that you explore,

With a monkey and a zebra,

A tiger and a vicious wild boar.

You pretend you’re on a skyscraper

High up in the sky,

Playing like you’re really there,

And wishing you could fly.

Once again, you’re hungry,

Therefore, you stop and eat your lunch,

You’ll be a chef in your own shop,

There’s not much time to stop.

The stairs are now a cherry tree

In your own loved backyard,

With grass and flowers, and bumble bees,

Except in this tree, you cannot scrape your knees.

The stairs yet again, a mountain top

Reaching high into the sky,

But all too soon, it’s evening time

And now, no more time to climb.

(painting by: Kathleen Stevens)

Life’s Blowing Wind

Published October 24, 2015 by Kathleen's Writings & Art

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The wind of life blows through me,

At times- it whispers,

At times- it wails;

Allow my soul to be a reed,

And sing a song that never fails,

Wordless singing is clearly true,

Either wailing wind

Or skies of blue;

Give me joyous musings,

If you please,

While in the distant church bells ring,

Birds dispersing magnolia seeds

Along tree- covered silent streets;

And, as sunset wraps herself in dress of gold,

Emotions fade like falling stars,

Streaming past heavens wide and far,

Swiftly subtracting wounding words,

Allow my soul to sing a song.

Word for the day

Published October 18, 2015 by Kathleen's Writings & Art

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The night is nigh with parting day,

Winds blow slowly over land,

As I stroll homeward on my familiar way,

The sunset dips behind any man-

Far from the maddening crowds and stressful life,

The pleasing anxious night is nigh,

Leaving arms of warmth this blissful day,

A kindred spirit shall be my mate,

Let me see him at daylight’s break,

And while the sun sets on my lawn,

And as the creek rushes near my stance,

His love will erase all my fear,

Gentle hands will stroke my hair,

Heart of strength presses me near-

The more he gave, the less I spoke,

A slumberous sound and loving dreams,

I welcome night and the silent breeze,

The night is nigh, and I am pleased.

Word for the day

Published October 13, 2015 by Kathleen's Writings & Art

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I rest on my terrace and the sky is clear,
A few wisps of white clouds are drifting near,
I hear the splashing of water in the fountain nearby,
And the garden plants stretch higher each day that passes by.
The evening is warm as shadows commence their dance,
A light kiss from the wind for me and the plants;
It’s peaceful around me,
As birds do their singing,
A lovely chorus for me and
All who will listen;
GOD gave us nature,
And sweet designs from above,
I know that I Thank Him,
I hope it’s enough.
(photo and words by: Kathleen Stevens/2015)

My Muse

Published July 20, 2015 by Kathleen's Writings & Art

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A midsummer night-

in my sentiment,

My muse arose-

depositing poetry to task,

A contemplation obtaining shape,

Essence engaged in words realigning,

A spirit unconfined,

language assembling,

selecting words the same way-

as a trusted friend-

by my muse, I write.

(written by: Kathleen Stevens)
(painting by: Kathleen Stevens)

“Listen to the Birds Sing”

Published June 14, 2015 by Kathleen's Writings & Art

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“Shhhh, listen to the birds sing”,

My grandfather said;

As a young girl I listened,

And the birds sang.

“Shhhh, listen to the birds sing”,

I said as a mother;

My children listened,

And the birds sang.

“Shhhh, listen to the birds sing”,

My children say;

Their children listen,

And the birds sing.

(Dedicated to my maternal grandfather, who said just this.)

(photo by: Kathleen Stevens)

Your Mask

Published June 6, 2015 by Kathleen's Writings & Art

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Your mask covers your being-

like darkness draping over the sunlight,

Your mind seeks the world with penetrating eyes-

undisputable waves, persuaded glances,

A vanity inside your heart abides-

building fragmented exhibits

like slivers of shattered glass

reflecting dual faces-

Dusted with suffering,

Prolonged anguished moments,

a whirling frenzy, a heart running-

thoughts and longings,

Winged hand-in-hand with dreaming-

yet,

You guard your soul-

knowing your mask keeps you

Standing alone-

a safeguard-

evolved and amassed-

holding little understanding;

your mask-

Leads only to emptiness,

A prisoner-

inside your encased world mask.

Do not accede to life’s ragged hand-

slaying your treasures-

Disrobe the mask you wear and sanctioned-

allow love and tranquility to be released-

Allow your soul to breathe unleashed –

Allow yourself permission to be free in peace.

Remove your mask-

And give love a chance.

(Painter: Kathleen Stevens, Acrylic on canvas, ‘Mask’

An Old Woman

Published May 1, 2015 by Kathleen's Writings & Art

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Beneath the shade of an old oak tree,

there sat an old woman

completely free,

humming and singing

an unfamiliar song,

with sounds so sweet

and words not long.

Her white sun-kissed hair

blowing like a running mare

on the tails of the wind,

and her tan leathery skin,

draped with a dress

vibrant in colors

and apparently unpressed.

A spell she cast on me

as I sat near,

how lovely, how serene,

with smells of sweet flowers

awakening in the spring.

A warmth filled my soul

as I closed my eyes,

how peaceful was the

never-ending blue sky.

I could stay there for hours,

no time was addressed,

I had no where to be

and,

I needed the rest.

(written by: Kathleen Stevens)
(art work by: Kathleen Stevens, acrylic wash on copper)

Angels

Published April 9, 2015 by Kathleen's Writings & Art

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Angels in the winds

High above the waters

In a land not forsaken

By God’s own gracious hand.

I count the glowing windows

As I pass them in the night

Rows of little beacons

Showing me there is life.

Moments of comfort,

I am at peace

In the silence of the darkness

As angels watch over me.

(written by: Kathleen Stevens)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Published November 26, 2014 by Kathleen's Writings & Art

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HAPPY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

May all my family, friends and followers have a great and wonderful day!!

May we all find our blessings and give thanks!!

May we all look upon the skies and land around us,

and find the beauty of life!!

Hugs to all!!

signed with affection,

Kathleen

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