LONELINESS

sometimes in my loneliness I cry

and wonder softly why

no one loves me or cares

if my heart is full of despair

then I see only darkness

stretching out like an abyss

and I think it would be kind

to my heart and mind

to be like smoke blown by the wind

if this heart I cannot mend

Janice Kuykendall - 2014

Dreams

DREAMS

Blue mountain cats on blue snow capped mountains

bulbous trees with peeling bark

sepia lions on parchment plains

white bears on salt flats

wart hog with black oily skin on mountains with bush shrubs

These are dreams that have haunted my nights

                     

Janice Kuykendall

BEFORE  FULL LIGHT

I wake before full light 

to an eraser smudged world

the softness envelopes me, 

a cocoon of gray fuzz

I feel my way to the bathroom

reluctant give up the coziness 

of my undefined world

choosing the soft blur

of a predawn landscape

the books on my shelf

the bedclothes I have carelessly

tossed aside, the white outlines 

of my footboard, all lovely, friendly

in the hours before dawn

soon the sun will rise

and cut away the soft shadows

bringing focus to the chest of drawers

the closet doors, 

the chair where I sit and read

but for now, I claim  

this mellow world for my own

JANICE KUYKENDALL

NOVEMBER 24, 2012

A BRIDGE

A BRIDGE 

A bridge over the river

crossing to the other side

back and forth forever

across the churning tide

Ancient, green arms

to oversee metal ants

that crawl and swarm

across its creaking ramps

Back and forth forever

repeating endless rhythms

crossing the muddy river

like motorized spasms

A rusting, outdated giant

with  two narrow ribbons

threading over the current

like old, lazy tendons

Standing tall over the ranks

that hug the shore like fleas

towns hanging on the banks

of this mammoth trapeze

A bridge to cross the river

a link to the other side

two states joined forever

in this never-ending tide

Janice Kuykendall

July 4, 2012

Day Fifteen - April PAD

THE INSULT

Her face a mask

Impossible to read

ebony hair, dark as

the early morning gloom

Blood red coat

buttoned to her chin

black leather boots

that kiss her knees

Velvet riding helmut

strapped under her chin

cruel whisper of the crop

as it slashes the air

Leather boots creaking

voicing restless agitation

back, forth and back again

thru the carpet forest

A card on a silver tray

brought by cutaway butler

shredded to hurled confetti

a moment of red rage

Silky shoulders slump 

like a deflated ballon

then her arrogant chin lifts

a fox smile on her lips

Janice Kuykendall

April 15, 2012

Day Fourteen - April PAD

DOOMSDAY

The night was innocent

And ripe with promise

He showered and shaved,

put on his best dress shirt

Placing his hat carefully

on his freshly combed hair

he lowered his head 

and gave the old mirror

his most beguiling look

His fingers slid round the brim

and snapped the tip

then he stepped out 

into the balmy night air

The old pick-up sputtered to life

He could already hear the music

the remembered notes 

She'd be there tonight

It was over, the final decree

that said she was blissfully free

He waited for and hour

that rolled into two, then three

fear tore at his heart

sweat broke out on his brow

he remembered the rage,

helpless as he held her hand

while she told of abuse

fear pushed him to the door

the night was dark and starless

as he raced the silent street

red lights had no meaning

he smoked his tires to a stop

the ring of the pistol shot

stopped him cold 

but the terrified scream

melted his frozen muscles

she stood over him, gun in hand

he lay in a pool of red 

to save her from the awful shame

he gladly took the blame

dressed demurely,she came to the trial

laid her hand on the bible,

and swore an oath 

but the teary story she swore was true 

sealed his doom and broke his heart 

she looked his way as she stood

a tear ran down on her cheek

but the truth was in her eyes 

he would pay with his life

for the woman he loved 

and wanted for his wife

Janice Kuykendall

April 14, 2012

Day Thirteen - April PAD

I mean no disrespect to one of my favorite poets, Edgar Allen Poe. I just thought it might be fun to lighten up this prompt and pay homage to the master of macabre. It is a poor attempt at best, but I had fun with it.

GROUNDED

Once upon a night most weary,I contemplated, 

tired and bleary

over many a thumbed and dog eared volume of 

forbidden lore

While I dozed, nearly slumping, 

suddenly there came a thumping

as of someone loudly knocking,  

knocking on my bedroom door

It's only father, I grumbled, here to implore

It'll be that and probably more

Yes, I remember it was a sad, 

cold November

And I knew in my very marrow, 

what I had put off until tomorrow

the lessons I had failed to follow

would now bring me great sorrow

For, sadly I was about to walk 

the straight and narrow

I had no options to explore

It'll be that and probably more

But each angry curse, 

brought on hysterical mirth

as silly images of his mad 

and blustering visage

Rattled and danced across 

my brain most addled

So now to broker my wild 

and maniacal laughter

I did something I will regret ever after

I looked my father in the eye and ask him why

He sputtered at my absurd gumption 

to utter such a presumption 

I really had him railing 

about my latest, dismal failing

If had I only studied harder, 

I might be a just little smarter

and with a a parting bash

he yelled, get rid of the trash

before we come to an impasse

and nobody likes a wise ass 

I'm that and probably more

Janice Kuykendall

April 13, 2012