Author: Gypsie-Ami Offenbacher-Ferris

In response to Sadje’s prompt of What Do You See in the two pictures provided below.

Stately Eagle deposed from your perch
lost and faltering amid the grassy plains
Your snow-capped mountains once heralded
now hidden and ruined by financial gain

Revered freedom slowly stolen away
a fading memory trapped in the past
A greed fueled not by hunger or need
it’s power that caste has amassed

The down-trodden you once swore to protect
thrown back to a cruel fate again
This basket is full no room for another
so the powers that be have proclaimed

In the distance and just through the murky veil
a tiny spot of color he spies
A morsel of beauty the Chaffinch stands all alone
and waits until he moves to her side

The Eagle his eyes cleared by her grace
turns his head to face down his foe
He will fight for their rights and live free
to bring back the mountains and snow

On the edge
day by day,
Walking toward
the precipice,
Pondering which way.

One way
leads straight to heaven,
for the briefest time.
The other way eventually,
down the deep divide.

Tiptoeing through
known minefields,
the cliff on just this side.
Waiting for the tidal wave,
to sweep me away and hide.

That ocean wave will fight,
to knock me right on down.
Off this ragged periphery,
I’m always treading on,
a sun chasing the fading dawn.

This world has taught me obstinance,
blood born rebellion in my veins.
I dance upon this crumbling ledge,
supported by my stubborn countenance.
At least that is, for now.

A learned skill
that is to say
To keep a loaded apple cart
from tipping away

Be it nations
with their mighty armies
Head to head
the politicians smarmy

Promises made
hand to pocket
While supplying warheads
and making rockets

Give and take and take away
each one always wanting more
From a president to a king on high
making sure they’re keeping score

A neighborhood with lovely houses
mailboxes sit in stately rows
The HOA says do not change them
we can not favor individual shows

A child grown into adulthood now
looking out for parents welfare
Up until a burden they become
counting days to become an heir

Everyone and me included
balance life to keep afloat
Making sure our apple cart’s steady
no tipping over no feeding the goat

A mighty stead
a gentle mare
Each one deserves
our care

True and loyal
without fail
Your very best friend
if you treat them well

Different sizes
many breeds
Such beautiful colors
I must concede

Though the Shire
is of massive height
His stature proof
of his awesome might

A lovely worker
in the group
A shiny Quarter Horse
often takes the blue

The Paint is one
wearing many colors
Roaming the country
border to border

Blacks, browns,
whites and grays,
So many of them
take the crown

Yet the one for me
who stole my heart
Came from a line
setting them apart

A spirit wild
a spirit free
The Appaloosa
is the horse for me

I wish I was a lovely flower
beloved by a kind gardener
From tiny seed dropped in the soil
until back into the earth I could go

I wish I was a sturdy elm
grown from a hardy nut
Buried by an industrious squirrel
forgotten but growing 120 feet tall

I wish I was an ocean wave
peeking above the golden sand
Splashing beachgoers to and fro
then returning to my salty domain

I wish I was a soft white cloud
floating above countries great and small
Providing shade and sometimes rain
before falling and rising again

I wish that I was the luminescent moon
shining bright through the darkest night
Chasing the sun around and around
joining briefly at dawns first light

In response to dVerse Poets Pub Photo Prompt below:

She waits since birth
for that touch
that care
as the sun rises
over the nursery wall

She waits at school
from first grade on
for a smile
a loving hug
before her long walk home

She waits each summer through
bathing suit adorned
towel in hand
dreaming of the swim
no invite received

She waits at the church
white dress arrayed
the veil in place
the music starts
nobody comes

She waits for the call
just one would be nice
two children had she
the phone never rings
it lay quiet and still

She waits outside
on a swing in the eve
floating in imagined memories
waiting for sunset
to carry her away

I can’t swim
I can not swim
Why can’t I swim
I have swam my entire life

I tried
I did try today
My legs refused to move
I have moved my legs always

I can’t walk
I can not walk
Why can’t I walk
Horrific pain attacks me

I do walk
I have to walk
No one here to aid me
Walking and living with no hope

I can’t swim
I can not swim
In the water or ocean
I can no longer swim through life

She loved that lovely island,
and her small place upon it.
Just a pretty little camper,
transformed into a loving home.

Hurricane straps held it
securely to the sandy ground,
and the ocean shore was
a mere stroll away.

Though tiny and old,
she loved this little abode.
Seagull cries carried every morn
in the salty aromatic breeze.

Waves lapped gently
on shores of golden sand,
or slapped angrily upon them
when a storm surged through.

Every morning with bare feet
upon the warmth of the shore,
they walked together,
a girl with her pup on hand.

This island home a dream of hers,
since a child and even before.
To wake with pelicans flying above,
and spy dolphins swimming by.

Winter storms and blowing gales,
never a cause for concern.
Yet, the twist of a pen and a contract torn,
neither of these could she deter.

As it is now and has always been,
greed wiped away compassion.
Her island home was bought by those
with money their only passion.

Now the little home is wiped away,
not by wind or gale or storm.
But by the mighty need for financial gain,
not hers at all, but theirs.

A beacon to allay boredom,
turned down as boredom fades.
The light forgotten on days,
and nights when boredom dissipates
completely.

As the dreaded boredom
creeps back in unbidden,
the light is sought out once again,
without regard to the lights existence
alone.

Joined with the light,
rays of warmth and safety
exude from deep within,
peace and wholeness return,
unbidden.

Boredom and restlessness
seep in, even here,
leaving the light alone
once more, a mere shadow of
ennui.

Excited to announce the publication of “Words That Heal” where my poem, “On Aging,” has found a wonderful home!!