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.

Masquerade

Watching as the play unfolds
take your seat amidst dark souls

All of us stars in life's charade
truth bends like branches in the shade

Men in black pretend to pray
beyond the cloth the wolf will stray

Trusting neighbor, Trusting friend
a masquerade that soon shall end

Lies are truth and truth are lies
beware the actors of disguise

dVerse Poets Pub~Poetics
Picture Prompt 
Photo Art by Phyllis Galembo

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)

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 

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.

Moving through the Darkness

The Dark, Dank  tunnel
encloses her like a tomb                                                                

'What if's' echoing
off walls of  desperate doom

Whirling, Swirling, Twirling
getting sucked further down the hole                

Bloody from white knuckling
  fighting for control

Breathe...Release...Live
a voice speaks in the night

Every day's a precious gift
no matter what the fight

Light slowly returning
to the vessel, that was home

Spit out like a piece of chewing gum
she no longer feels alone

Like a movie in slow motion
the messenger began...

Everything looks good

no cancer on your scan





Update on my latest scan: Hi all, I am happy to report that my scan was good. The oncologist did see two itsy bitsy spots on the right lung but this is common for me. It seems that every other scan has spots of some kind. She said the spots are probably due to my allergies and she's not worried at all.

I use to break down whenever I was told I had spots but I am learning to let go more and more with every year I am cancer-free. I do have to go back in six months instead of 12 which is protocol with any abnormal scan, but better safe than sorry and I like knowing they are on top of my lung health.

Thanks to all of you that have supported me throughout my cancer journey. Your thoughtful messages and comments mean the world to me.

God Bless and Remember~ Live Every Day to the Fullest.




Written for dVerse Poets
Open Link Night #97

Monster

Not all mankind can see you
the darkness in your soul

It hides behind the charm
the evil takes a toll

Like a spider spins the web
awaiting treats of flies

The monster feasts on minds
by tricking us with  lies

Hundred's walk among us
with angry, vile wrath

Let me introduce you:
'white collar psychopath'




Written for dVerse Poet's Pub
The prompt was 'Monster'

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