House of Ruins

I wake to the sound of crashing waves
and pain of my body slamming against the wall 

I try to stand and get my footing 
but I'm flung about the room like an old rag doll

I feel scared and confused 
and move slowly to the door

Sweaty and tired I turn the brass knob
my loud screams drowned out by the horror

Water up to my chest, I go to the window
is this a dream or a practical joke

I shake uncontrollably;  legs turn to rubber
Fear overcomes me; I'm starting to choke

The sight so unbelievable I blink my eyes
yet the frightening vision is not a mistake

My childhood home has lost it's foundation
violently riding the waves of the lake



Written for dVerse Poet's Pub~Poetics
Prompt: DMT-Dream like State


*The prompt inspired me to write about one of my many dreams of my childhood and childhood home. I find great healing in my dream life; especially when it comes to working through a difficult childhood.

My Journal

Sitting on the night stand
under soft glowing light

You whisper in my ear
enticing me to write

Your possibilities are endless
Blank pages spell delight

Your comfort like a blanket
transforms and holds me tight

Your allure of empty pages
beckons through the night

Tempting and seducing
my muse I cannot fight








Written for dVerse Poet's Pub
Meeting the Bar-
Prompt: Write poem about an object

Valentine's Day Haiku

Photo by Linda Rogers

My Valentine's Day...
Grocery Shop and clean house
This is how it starts

Time for Asian lunch
With my best friend~ the twin sis
Sat in dining room


Cozy booth, low light
Deep conversation, until...
Clap- Clap-what was that?

Man behind curtain
Bellied up at bar in back
Holds her hand in his

He drinks her sweet kiss
Loudly singing her praises
She's tonic and gin


Written for dVerse Poetics:
Coming Off the Sugar High-(A- not-so-Traditional Valentine)

The Colorless Canvas

Photo and Edit by Linda Rogers

Like lonely artist with tree branches sketched 
the memories of him stay f-o-r-e-v-e-r etched

 The penciled-in leaves drawn deep in her heart
 dimming bright hues into colorless art 

She watches as light begins fading away
and whispers of him lead her spirit astray

Frigid dark branches have nothing to lose
just as the lover who misses her muse

The pain of staring at his empty canvas
leaves her imprisoned and riddled with madness.


For OpenLinkNight at dVerse Poet's-Week129 

Happy Birthday Dad

Even after sixteen long years
missing you still brings me to tears

A piece of me died that October day
when angels guided you far far away

I'm sure mom was there to welcome you home
in the place where God and celestial's roam

I know our time on earth is but brief
and seeing you again will bring me relief

Being your daughter was truly the best
our reunion on high will be a love fest

Until then dad, I bid you adieu
and wish a heart felt 'happy birthday' to you

Lightening Strike at the U.S. Open

The day will be forever etched in my mind
as news of your tragic death traveled 

When I got the dreaded call that day
I fell to my knee's; My life unraveled

Who knew your adventure at the U.S. Open
would be the last day of your young life

You were only 27 with so much left to do
the loss so unexpected, it cut us like a knife

A thunderstorm came out of nowhere
golf spectator's started to flee

You and Scott headed for safety
thinking it would be best under a tree

You wore old worn out shoes that day
which made the hit more frightening

The energy traveled through the hole
your life cut short by lightening








Written for dVerse Poets Pub
MeetingtheBar Night

We were asked to write a tribute to friendship
or to the beloved man and fellow Poet~Dave King
who sadly passed away recently.

I Could Never Forget You

Hi Mama~will you tuck me in the way you use to?
You were only thirty-nine when alcohol took you.              

I Could Never Forget You

Dear Dad~you were my best friend
Wish Emphysema wouldn't have made your life end.

I Could Never Forget You

Hey Billy~My sister's one true soul-mate
What a tragedy lightening would be your dying fate

I Could Never Forget You
                                                                             
I miss you talented, charming brother
lost your life to addiction, just like our mother.

I Could Never Forget You

Cousin Mark~what a courageous man you were
I wish 'Pancreatic Cancer' would've had a cure.

I Could Never Forget You

To my friend in the Social Services Field~You struggled with depression for years
Taking your life after saving so many others, left us in tears.

I Could Never forget You

Written for dVerse Poet's
Open Link Night

Poem~A Mother's Heavenly Visit to her Youngest Child

Those first few months
felt like a blurr                                      

The longing and pain
of missing her

She couldn't erase
the image in her head

Of Mom in a coffin
and feelings of dread

Why did you leave us?
your children need you

Dad is a drunk
and won't know what to do

Night time was lonely
without mom around

She'd hear scary noises
that made her heart pound

She missed the routine
of being tucked in

And the maternal love
a dad couldn't give

The girl lay crying
feeling hopeless one night

She pleaded with God
to make it all right

I need you mommy
you keep me on track

Please help me Lord
can you bring her back?

Down the hallway she noticed
a light moving slowly

It grew brighter and brighter
she knew it was holy

A beautiful lady
floated above her head

And eventually sat
at the edge of her bed

Looking right at the angel
she recognized the face

It was her mother
glowing with grace

She listened intently
to the message conveyed

Through telepathic means
Mom said, "don't be afraid."

I'm sorry I left you
just know I'm still here

Watching over you kids
every day, every year

I love you my baby
your four siblings too

Make sure you tell them
of my visit to you

Let them know
I tucked them in tonight

That things will get better
it will be alright

At that very moment
her spirit-body lifted

Down the hallway I watched
as she gracefully drifted.

Written for dVerse Poets
Prompt: Atmosphere within Poem 

The Winds of Change

Can you feel it?
the energy changing form          

             

Can you see it?
the vortex of your storm

Lower consciousness
gives way to higher state of mind

Letting go of restrictions
negative ways that bind

Seeing the world in a clearer way
Don't need your approval of what I think or say

Before the winds of change came
she was an obedient 'Yes' girl

Until life-blood drained 
and caused sanity to unfurl

No more people pleasing
out of fear of rejection

Now acceptance of authentic self
Mirrored in strong woman's reflection

Gone are days of tireless trudging                           

in darkened muck of oppression

I choose a freedom dance
that lifts me from depression

Shedding the unproductive layers
breathing in a new liberation

Letting go of old baggage 
brings about soul in celebration

Can you feel it?
the transformation it can bring

Can you see it?
no more puppet on a string

Written for dVerse Poets
Open Link Night #102

Tribute to Dad and all who Graciously Serve

Tribute to Dad and all who Graciously Serve

Dad on bottom row, far left with his comrades of the 489th Bomber Group

I am a daughter
and a veteran's biggest fan

Dad was only twenty-two
what a brave, courageous man

He fought the good fight
so we could live free

All those in uniform
sacrificed dearly for me

His missions were flown
over Germany and France

So we could enjoy freedom
and have half a chance

Thirteen missions flown
by the eighth Army Air-Force

Halesworth, England
would be their 'said course'

Many close calls
would threaten their day

They kept persevering
and made sure to pray

Remember to thank those
who fought despite fear

Not only on Memorial day
but everyday of the year

This is a re-post of a Poem I wrote in May of 2011

Re-Post for dVerse Poet's OLN #98
Thank You to all Veteran's whose courage entitles us the freedoms we are afforded.

Facade

He watched, waited and studied

for his possession yet to be

Like a leopard ready to pounce
this meal would set him free

Sinister were his intentions
charm would be the front

Peering from the forest
this beast was on the hunt

He finally found his victim
a beauty through and through

She took him at his word
believed his love was true

Soon the tales unraveled 
she could read the clues

The darkness soon revealed
it was all a rouse


© Linda R 2013



Written for dVerse Poets-Open Link Night~Week 89

Cinquain Prose

Beautiful Blossoms

Blossoms
Sweet aroma
Bring senses to new heights
Dear Majestic Crab Apple Tree 

Free me

This was a prompt from dVerse Poets: Cinquain Syllabic Poem is 2, 4, 6, 8, 2.