Imperfect

She has lived her entire life

in fear...

of being hurt,

of being found out,

of being damned,

of losing,

of being rejected.

She has clothed herself

in invulnerability --

or tried to --

to avoid the pain

of a messy existence

where she is passionate

and imperfect.

Copyright © 2012

Conundrum: "Nothing is ordinary...everything is ordinary."

Shady Truths

I stood in the shade
and I cried...

Jumbled sounds,
like grasshoppers' wings
when they fly away
as I walk by...
like birds chirping
high in the trees
that tower above
my dappled country road.

Jumbled sights,
like sun-brightened green --
the shade of leaves
atop those towering trees...
like warning signs on trunks,
or blue skies, wispy clouds,
shining with the midday sun
on my dappled country road...

Jumbled thoughts,
like anger -- deep,
abiding, the constant
of a broken spirit...
like fear, and hurt,
and swamping regret,
crowding in, never-ending,
on my dappled country road.

I stand in the shade
and I cry...

© Copyright 2012 by Teri K D Bannerman

Red Roses

You always left me red roses...

a single one, 

lying by a steaming cup

of warm love's morning brew;

blood red,

petals tightly closed around a single point

of deep emotion.

You always left me red roses...

four or five,

sticking out above the curling paws

of red or white stuffed bears;

blood red,

petals partly opened to permit some light

to touch the soul.

You always left me red roses...

eleven or a dozen,

plumped up on heart-shaped pillows

or against white satin sheets;

blood red,

petals fully opened to receive and give

of passion's heat.

You always left me 

red roses...

Copyright © 2011 by Teri K D Bannerman