"Peace" of Thought

She flew for a full seven days with her soft slender arms at her side. She hummed a million melodies and the birds in the sky soon followed her enticing songs. She loved them with every breath. She mused at the magnificent sights and held wonder in all that she was able to feel. She challenged the mist and the rain and glistened on the tops of the whitest clouds waiting for sparkling sunbeams to play harps stings over her pale skin. She was as high as this present life could take her and she danced with that energy along peaceful ease, grateful poise and a brilliant small smile of her own. And though she knew the fantastic flight was but a term, she basked in its gifts and stored them deep into herself for she knew her feet would once again touch the ground. CNK

And when darkness fell, it crushed her, Pinched between death and the living. And when silence fell, it choked her, Between breath and a maddening scream. And when sorrow fell, it bound her To mattress and dampened pillows. And when absence fell, it cut her, Wounded with escaping red fear. And when morning came, it swallowed her, Forever missing from the cycle of need. CNK

And those that asked why were punished, And those that stood by were ignored, And those who would cry were belittled, And those who were too shy were sustained, And those who would lie were made leaders           ....then shaped to mock truths with delight. And those who would die were forgotten. CNK

Why write she asked? Because my stories are mine and I own them, I control them. I am a tamer of my own dragon and keeper of my messy garden.  My words are my seeds and I plant them in the richest soil. I watch them grow and enjoy how they compliment the other flowers. They are a gift to myself and nothing more. The intent is nothing more than greedy love of creation.  But I do fall in love with the thought that maybe one in a million might find something they can borrow to help them through their weeds,  and in that case I suppose, it is a gift to others as well. CNK

And here I sit With large black spiders in frenzy, exploring rock crevices And chasing shadows controlled by the noon hour sunlight. And life is the same - for every creature; Learning, collecting and simply passing the time All in search of evidence. CNK

Dear lonely yellow balloon Floating above the bay Where did your story begin And tonight where shall you stay? Dear lonely yellow balloon Your freedom floats and speaks With sweet release you're destined For the whitest clouded peaks Dear lonely yellow balloon The hands that held you bleed Your return is most unlikely Despite the young hearts plead Lonely yellow balloon May you rest wherever you land And with grace of all that is granted, Find another loving hand. CNK

Her Approach Clinging to fine entrance Her steady eyes remain. Craving time in prosperous muse And to approach her unnamed gain. Gentle, love, I'll care for you His aura lulls her thought Engraved upon by untamed dreams Her mind has been well taught. And yet without much practice, And without a single stage Her channeled dance becomes the lead To grace despite her age. Illuminated by soulful spirits Her auburn locks entrail And hover the crest found in between Her dress and skin so pale Near the time of fateful poise She shutters as she's drawn By every hope and all her fears But still she carries on. Then stopped by human forces, Her dance ends and prepares for fate. Innocence quietly interrupts As her approach to him now waits. She's shy, yet charm prevails As she attempts to tie his game For all she's ever longed to do Is simply ask his name. CNK

Verse takes many shapes over a lifetime and upon looking through my teenage children's packed-away artwork, I found this one story that I scribbled on a piece of paper soon after my son was born.  How amazing to discover this treasure that reminds me of such fun moments, inspired by young motherhood, storytelling and playful days. I remember reading this verse to my kids many times, likely inspired by the hundreds of children's stories which we read nightly, however now I recognize my verse has the same rhythm as our favorite Rupert Bear rhyme books that my father passed down from his own childhood.  Almost fifteen years later, unicorns represent many interpretation connecting an array of serious and laughable meanings.  Read this with folly and fun, with a storybook sense, the simple innocence of magic and imagination. Let it see your smile if just for a moment...

Who is the Dragon? "The brave men did not slay the dragons, the brave men rode them." This is one of my favorite quotes.  It is simple and most people don't give it a second thought. A wonderful empowering picture of riding a dragon in one's imagination....fun right?   The words however imply immediate contrast between all of the interpretive qualities of fierceness, courage and challenge.  It speaks to the greatest triumph of bravely facing our most critical fears, embracing them and letting them participate as a part of you. It connects that which controls our inner selves, and turns the world into harmony and balance.  And - yet there are alternate wordings producing harsh pictures.  Similar quotes that glorify a viscous and cruel ending where the dragons are slain and we are teased into believing in our own power. "The brave men w...

Ready Wisely her soldier Leaves her soul Inside her chest, Alone. Dangerously her guardian Leaves her gold Inside her mind, Scared. Tirelessly her teacher Leaves her sparkle Inside her lesson, Ready. Sadly her lover Stays with her effort Inside her courage, Hope. CNK

On Purple's Cloud Wish was weary. She stayed too long. She blew away In a sad, sweet song. Dream was deadly. He crept each night. He never knew Her deadly fight. Thought stayed thinking. Her mind was loud, Like yellow flames On purple's cloud. Hope hung heavy. He stayed and wept. For all life was And will be kept. CNK

Life Baskets The young carry finite baskets And we throw them precious pride That cement their mind with colours, and Bright stones that never hide. The same baskets held by mothers Grow heavier in time With pebbles on the pathways And rainbows in their prime. And when fathers come the grandest, Their baskets weigh them down, And they settle for the whitest sands To receive the long sought crown. With wisdom and with mercy, They seek but one more thing, And search for crumbs of meaning That souls say will make them sing. And if it's found - there is laughter And if its not there are holes. So they're filled with single moments That resonate in their souls. And resonance lets them wonder, As white hairs grace their face, Perhaps these treasured baskets Will be filled in another place. CNK