Love Trap

Tender thighs
Opening
Slender ankles
Crossing
Wrapping 'round you
Pulling you
Deeper in
Velvet night caress
Snug in the
Jewel of me

Fingers tracing
Heart racing
Hips rising
No time for
Compromising
The deal is done
Seems
We both won

New Storm Rising

I'm dreamin' again

Your arms wrapped around me
Pulling me closer
Melding

It's stormin' again

Rain pelting the windows
My head on your naked chest
The cadence of your breathing
So steady and calm
Eyes drift close as
Lightning streaks
Thunder breaks

A sigh escapes my pouting lips
Blushing and swollen from
your passionate overtake
Areolae coquettishly clinching
in their own surrender
as the rest of my body
follows suit

The storm outside
raging
while I curl into
the comfort of you

Moonlit Garden

Velvet petals
opening
unraveling
blooming
ready

Touch of dew
glowing

Ardent kiss
madness & bliss

Language Redefined

Chest heaving
The climb so long
Beads of sweat
Trickling
Between breasts
Rising and falling

Quietly I slip
Into your surround

Fairytale battle
Easing with your
Knowing touch
Words no more
As you write a new language
On my skin
So tender and bare

Hippy Chic

Homemade skirt
Eyes flashing
Feet stomping dirt
Free as a bird
Untangling a verse
To all I heard

Music of the Night

Laying in cool grass
Legs crossed
Foot tappin'
Hand reachin' up
Countin'
One-by-one
Shooting stars

Tufts of light
Painting the sky

Maybe We

Maybe you
Maybe me
Maybe we

Sitting & talking
About the
Falling, falling things
About the biggest
Little things

Getting lost in the
Finding
The you
The me
The we

Fallen Feather

I soared up
I touched the sky
Fallen feather falling
I never knew
It was love I was calling

Til now

Comfortable Soul

Stretching
Yawning
Afternoon nap delight
A soul basking
in the warm sunlight

Reign on You

Waiting
Patiently
Til you fall
Blissfully asleep
Tip-toe creep
By your side
Your hallowed keep

I'll straddle you
Lustful desire building
I'll untie you
Those silent restraints
Kiss your lips
And all your
Held in complaints
Leisure pleasure wielding
Skinny love trembling

Reign on you
Love's weepy rain
Apex opening
Center exposed
Me
Into you
Transposed
Two souls
Becoming one
Passion building
Hotter than the sun
Reign on you
Reign on you
Deepest part of us both
Seeping through

Undressed Destiny

Destiny's in the backroom
An undressed
proud whore
calling out for more
and more

Long, slender legs wrapping
Hips rising up
writhing
Orgasmic feel
Naked appeal

Destiny remains breathless
Seeking new breath
reckless
looking out into the night
like only a lover could
She'll grab on
like only
she would

Honey Come

Honey come sweet
Honey come hard
Honey dripping treat
Licking every drop
Massaging
Kneading
Eyes looking up
Demure and pleading

Diamond in the Rough

Cabaret princess
walks in slowly
her work night
about to begin

a hundred
groping men

She holds her breath
fumes from the exhaust
steel mill
staring in the night
looking for the tired
searching out the lost

One more year
and she'll go college
at least that's what she
tells herself
as her baby sleeps soundly at home
under a homey collage

She's the star of the night
business men and laborers
gather to see her
naked and writhing
in the neon stage light

3 shots of whiskey
to forget the haunting past
of a groping daddy
that made her the starring cast
she makes excuses for him
and all the men
they can't help it
& quite honestly
she's happy to be paid
for her nightly sin

She knows how to get the juices flowing
1 small tug
and her perfect breast
is perky & showing
Sliding on a pole
slithering down languidly
into a deep, dark hole

End of the stage
a green-dollar sage
He's waving her madly
she takes the money
into her red, pouting lips
they fail to notice
her distant eyes
staring in the distance sadly

Some nights
a lucky stud
will be the chosen member
to be taken in her secret back room
his pants and work boots
falling with a thud
She'll make him forget about
his tiring day
of digging in the mud
he'll thrust past her parting lips
for that sinful kiss
he wanted so much
it's why he'll come
her naked touch
he'll pay the high price
and she'll smile slyly
after the groping clutch

At the end of the night
she'll drive far from the
depressing sight
count her money
continue the dirty fight

All I Ever Wanted

All I ever wanted
Comes to one
Culminating
Extenuating
Accentuating
Night
Where I'm screaming so loud
It takes the dark shadows
Far from my sight

Unrestricted
Unrestrained
Unleashed
Untamed

A flailing moth
Caught in your
Illustrious web
Jerking
Twisting
Writhing
Knowing
You have
The poison
I need
Touching me deep
So I feel my
Pulse bleed

Demure clothes
Crumbled
In your prowess corner
Taking me
Like a knowing owner
Naked in full extension
A surrendering exclamation
A lustful proclamation
Howling long in the night
Thighs open and smiling
Uncovered
For your magnetic sight

All I ever wanted
Lies waiting
Haunting your every thought
Thumb print on my soul
Beyond polite jesting
Into saucy taunting

Your Pleasure; Your Pain

Give me
all
Your pleasure
Your pain
Your sunshine
Your hard
Driving
Rain
Dig your fingers in
my skin
Clutch
Touch
Dispel the sighs
Turn them into
Gasps
My beating breath
coming out in rasps
Lick my sin
Thrust hard
In
Bend me over
Oh!
Do it again

I Own the Town

Slide the gear in park
Sparkling rings
catching a spark
Check my reflection
swiping glossy inflection
puckered lips
to perfection

Clicking heels
checking time on concrete
Catwalk steps complete
Swaying skirt smiling
kissing sun kissed thighs, beguiling
Hair swinging back & forth
Smile on my lips
warming the cold front up north

Thumbing fine silk
Eyeing the hand-woven quilt
Pricing the drapes
dressing the room
In my eyes
Spring is in full swing bloom

Testing perfume
Spraying my wrist
imagining a lusty twist
Scent of vanilla & sable
take that dropper
off the table
It's all mine
A chuckle to say
It's high time

Of course I own this town
Too many a day worn
with the well known frown
Today I'm smiling
Primping & restyling

Premonition Rising

Away from the crowd
we'll meet
A brush of hands
an electric greet
You'll no doubt make me giggle
I'll no doubt
make you wriggle
Closer, us two
Fiery palm on my hip
of this abashed shrew

Intake of breath
I won't have time to think
I'll only see your depth
You'll whisper a wager in my ear
High stakes
so drawn out
& clear
I'll say I'm not the gambling kind
You'll smile
knowing you met
the rambling kind

My hand on your chest
showing all my cards
begging for you
to rip me
to shards

Your hot kiss
to the carotid beat
You'll draw me close
before I lose my feet
I'll agree
to feel
your silken sheet
burning love touch
pulsing
gripping
clutch

Candy Girl

Pink, glossy lips
smiling
Leaning in
hand on your thigh
A soft-spoken sigh

Tendril of hair
teasing my neck
You reach out
to check
gently touch my cheek
fingers trail to my
pulsing beat

Modest, dipping neckline
breasts perking undercover
to your promising
love line

Candy girl
with a promise of my own
Take you in the night
to devour and hone

Whiskey Girls

I need my girls
Laughing at nonsense
yet they make
perfect sense
Down a shot
Hit the right spot
Say
"Fuck it"
Drink it
Laugh a little more
Belt out a John Denver
Rocky Mountain High
while the band is playing
some techno disco implore

We'll talk about our kids
completely ignore
the loosely clad whore
We don't ever judge
the mascara smudge
We've been there
probably more than
we would like
or care

Slam down the glass
Smack that tight ass
It's time for a whiskey night
Where the talk is loose
The thoughts are free
Open up that amber light

Girl Next Door

The girl next door
Do you know her?
All her intricacies?
She's quiet, you know
But if you try
you may get to know more
She won't release all her
secrets at once
So go a little slow and steady
with the pounce
She's got that smirk again
perhaps it's the sun in her eyes
or perhaps
she's thinking of all the
worthless tries
Ask if she reads
& she'll remain quiet
reading your intentions
Talk to her about
Shakespeare or Hemingway
she'll open her pouty mouth
talking so eloquently
She'll nod politely
at your gesture
making you think she's
lost your subtle cue

Girl next door
shaded of a different hue
She's not like the other girls
She wants more than the
fancy, dancy quick whirls

Her greatest love affair
is of the intelligent mind
so undress her thoughts
take your sweet
loving time

Bedroom Call

Love comes slinking from
the back bedroom
night robe gaping and falling
from slender shoulders thin
exposing tender skin

Hair falling and wandering
Hands fidgeting and beseeching
A restless tingling

Swollen lips searching
No longer smirking
She seeks her lover's
Parting sea
His come hither voice
"Come to me"

Dirty Woman

Smoky-haze lights hanging
Treble and bass clanging
She's dancing with her
Head held back
Hips swaying and cutting
The dirty flack
Pouting lips smiling
Beguiling
Promising

More than the night

Under the Same Night Sky

I imagine him now
sitting at a thick-paned window
wondering where his life has gone
heart heavy and drawn

A lonely soul
just as mine
Looking up at the
celestial universe divine

Venus high and shining
sitting at the dark side of the moon
for the pining heart mining
a love so deep
words cannot explain

We sit under the same night sky

Does he know
I wonder the same?

Ruminating Night

Thick humidity you could cut with a knife and I sit in childlike wonder
Thoughts turning and rolling
To a time and place I yet not know
The thought of giving up my control
Handing it over like a precious gift
Full of trust and faith and love
Letting a night quite like this
Just roll and roll
Twisted in silken sheets of lusty secrets
To feel hands roam
Mouths searching and the fateful groan
Hands clasping and grasping
Not bothering to even ask for the everlasting
Just living a moment
A sweat-glistened sacrament

This ruminating night
Where fireflies fly
Twinkling their glitter light
I think the fluttering hands of my future lover
Have a healing touch
A fingerprint on my soul
To wipe away my past blight

Losing My Mind

Is this real?
    A strap falls from my shoulder
Who are you?
    Another falls to the wayside
I feel your presence
    Chemise slipping further
Percolating body
    In the humid night
Nipples glistening
    Rosy and tight
What are you doing to me?
    Chest fluttering and light
Hands skimming my body
    Feel it on me, Love
Dipping slowly lower
    To the heart-shaped glove
Looking around frantically
     For the time
The watch is broken
     And once again
          I'm losing my mind

Who's Gonna Buy Me Flowers?

I'm a sassy wench
Observing from this
Cold park bench
Watching the blooms
The romantic flumes
Fill all the heart raking rooms
With a cynical eye
I watch the lover's sigh
A bouquet of love

I watch her shy smile
Her gentle shove
Head dipping to his shoulder
And I feel sick
As if I'm becoming
Suddenly older

My eyes glued
To the scene played out
Before me
A whisper
Of folly
Who's gonna buy me flowers
To part all the
Spring storms and showers
Who's gonna bypass
All my cynical contrast
Who's gonna dare
To surprise me
Without care
Who's gonna look past
My story
With all its gory glory
Who's gonna see the girl inside
The one I desperately hide
The pigtailed girl
Who just wants
To feel
On top of the world

Careful as You Go

I'm bent before you
showing you my all
and you come to me
with the tender call
Hands spreading
tender flesh
preparing the mesh
You feel my recoil
my silent foil
Pink flesh feeling
the roil
hips swaying
Your persistent touch
never swaying
Intake of breath
full of all the saying

My hips arching
for the
love thrust marching

I told you beware
but you don't seem to care

I tell you I cannot love
but you
continue to thrust
your lovely hip shove

Deep in the tightest part of me
body aching for more
where others could never see

The tender push

Sacrificial Altar

Back arching
torn blouse
exposing one
quivering,
mauve nipple
Body ripple

Feeling the heat
as limbs lie in defeat

Mind racing
Capturing and retracing
my capture
my rapture
Silken bonds lacing

As sleep overtakes me
you come to
interlace me

A mouth so hot
untying the knot
A tongue so flamed
my body defies me
I cannot be blamed
Circling and
enveloping that
tender nipple
A kiss
that pierces my soul
body arching for more
on your altar whole

Hands erasing all insecurity
under the light of the moon
the eternal brevity

Sacrificial altar
where words
would otherwise falter
You speak with a language
that only my core
could possibly translate
without any attempt
to contemplate

Screaming in the dark
Clawing your skin
begging for your sweet sin
I finally
take you
in

Funeral Bride

Dressed in
black
Wrapped
in red
Blood dripping
from my
throbbing forehead
Smiling to show the fangs
I made it through
the harsh pangs
Drifting toward you
down the aisle
The long,
dark mile
You think I'm sweet now
just wait til you get me alone
I'll have you dripping
on my
deathly throne

You're far too innocent
and find me
rather complacent
When you least expect it
I'll have my fangs in your throat
so I can dissect it
All the words you say
Best to turn your back
and leave the same old way
I'll only break you
I am far from tame
and when all I see is your shadow
I'll place no blame

Knock, Knock

You gonna come knocking on my door?
You better know what the hell you're there for
I'll test you
I'll second guess you
and make you
Make your claim firm and clear
I can sense the fear
I can sense the wavering
I know
Because I do the same
But when you step on my porch
Light that damn light love torch
and hold it high
Because to tell you the truth
I can't stand the man that
knocks then runs
and then has the audacity to wonder
why I have my
six shooting guns

Hurricane

I am a hurricane
Born on a stormy night
With the heavens wailing
Hell not aware of my
Future plight

I am the calm center
The swirling outlander
Winds whirling
Upheaving every pretender

A crashing wave
Tender shore
Craggily rocks
Hidden core
Tearing out the calm
Leaving in my wake
An alarmed
Outstretched palm

A hurricane
A slapping cane
On your
Closed
Shuttered
Windowpane
Watching the
Fake righteous
Kneel in shutting eye prayer
A hurricane
With tornadic winds
Such a drastic pair
Hearing the weak
Silently wonder
Why I was even there

Pink Petals

It's a tight, closed bud
that he gently
methodically
persistently
works to open
He brings a burning fire
all without the ire
Lips of a honey bee
to softly tease
Aching out the
Pleasure please
2 vines open
allowing him in
A candle all aglow
in his
roomy den

Tuck You In

Here in my pages
Folding, warm verses
Shutting out life's curses
Slender arms reaching out
Wrapping 'round you
Enveloping tenderness
Gently smoothing out
The creases on your forehead
Hushing each stress
For at least a moment

No Salvation

No salvation for me
Going down
One hand on my
Crooked crown
Licking my lips
Tasting the sweet
Salt of desire
Kissing the fire
Fingers linger
On your
Trembling belly
Taking you in
Taking your all
Such a husky
Throaty call
Beckoning
For your release
Your
Reckoning
Insatiable
I take more
Your core
A night to remember
The glowing ember

Kiss of Death

Toxic, sweet poison
Without thought
Or even simple resolution
Kiss your lips
Supple and pure
My incurable lure
Your words slipping past
My concrete lines
My thoughtful land mines
It's not on purpose
I push you away
Things of you
I don't easily understand
Standing on the outside
Looking in
I shout and shake your cage
In a thoughtless rage
In an attempt to
Explain all the love
That I simply have never known
That no one took the time
In my near and distant past
Has ever shown
I kiss your words
Hold 'em deep
Praying my poison
In you
Does not seep

Tie Me Down

Tell me again
This thing
You call love
Tie me down
Before I laugh out loud
And call you a clown
Tie me down
Make it clear
Show me
Your heart steer
Tie me down
Without a word
That means nothing at all
Tell me your truth
As you take
My scream
Into a humming
Love call
Never mind my objection
If I look you in the eye
It is not my rejection
Tie me down
To your
Completion

I Am

I am
The quiet storm
Without warn
I am the
Dusty soil
Waiting for the
Rainy toil
I am the flower
Opening her petals
In the midnight hour
I am the kiss
On a sleepless night
Caressing your hair
Until the morning light
I am the sin
I am the torn skin
I am the heart
I am doing my part
I am the warrior
I am the fear
I am the tear
I am the verse
That comes in illusive tones
I am the shout
Amidst the nodding head drones
I am
Me

Surrender

I need you
To take control
Of my night
The back of my head
Plastered to my pillow
As you
Caress my thighs
Generating my sighs
Taking me
On a journey
Held on the
Tip of your
Illustrious tongue
Body swell
Passionate cries
I cannot quell

I need
Your
Escape
As I lose control
And open my gate
Take
And then take more
I'm insatiable
And I'm praying
You are, too
Because I'm dripping
I need the drench
That lustful quench
Make me wince
Make me squirm
Make me scream
Do it all again
The heady insane

Let that be
Just the beginning
Lost in your trance
The deepest kiss
Legs wrapping
Clutching
Pulling you deeper
Into me
Writhing
Circling
Thrusting
Crying out
To the moon that
Shines so bright
Take me
To your
Seedy light

Tall Walking Man

Tall walking man
Doing all he can
Sending his love
O'er the wire
Burning fire
Making me feel
Tall walking
Tender talking
Man

Gettin' Down & Dirty

I got the lowdown
From a ho
In the dirty downtown
She said
She said

"You gotta keep
Gettin down & dirty
Bend it
Twist it
Fuck it
Like you own it
Because baby girl
It's all ready yours
So don't ask no stupid questions
Keep it
Your job is to
Become the best fucking fantasy
Until yo' man can't see
No reality
He'll run ragged to you
Girl
You better kneel in front of him
Like he's your master
And you better suck it
Like there's a tester
Let him give it to ya good
Like he knows he should"

Warm Breath

Coming up from behind
Unwrapping thin strap
Slipping from
Cold shoulder
Exposed
Lips grazing
Skin tingling
Neck craning
As his lips write
A promise
Of the sweet sin
Arms wrapping tight
Closing the curtains
Carrying me to a
Bed of delight

I run
To him
I come
For him

Undress Me

Undress my deep, dark desires
  roiling through this deep, dark night
Give me the escape
  found only in your
  unleashed tongue
Hands that roam
  fingers slicing through my core
  finding a home

I close my eyes
  quaking in the
  tempestuous need
Legs wrapping around you
  in a passion bleed

Whisper all your want
  a feisty taunt
Groans rising higher
  in the slick skinned fire

Take me
Undress me
Release me
This beast
  that no longer
  fits in her cage

Howling Night

I need you
To make me scream
Make my body gleam

I need you
To run your fingers
Down my spine
Tracing up
To my neck
Through my hair
The tangling intertwine
Catching my breath
As you kiss my neck
Helping me put any
Thoughts off check

I need
A howling night
Ecstasy dripping
Hands gripping
Body writhing
Pursed lips sipping
Then letting out a
Lustful growl
Help me
Let it out
I'll help you
Shout

Liebster Award

I have just been nominated for the Liebster Award by Tortured Cyclone: In the Eye of the Storm.  I hope I'm doing this right.  I think the main thing, is that we give small blogs a big high-five and say how special their blog is.  It's an honor to be nominated.  It means that person read my pieces and found some meaning in them.  In poetry this is very important.  It was said to me over a year ago by one of my patients, "You want to publish a poetry journal? That's nice, but you should know that poetry is dead."  Since being on Twitter, I have noticed quite the opposite.  Twitter and my blog has opened the door to new styles of writing, publishers, editors, and new opportunities. 

So without further due, here are *my* nominees:

1.  Sheryl Osgood - Camp Osgood's Adventures

2.  Steve Green - Splatter Poetry

3.  j Matthews waters (jdubqca)

4.  Kim Talon - Barely Scratching the Surface

5.  Brian Gallagher - Short Order Poet

Sheryl.  For Pete's sake.  Yes.  You will fill out this Liebster Award nomination.  You have read my mind.  You've seen me cry and have known when to hug and when to just stand and watch the storm pass.  You were there at the worst and you will be there during the best of my life.  Your writing is excellent.  Easy to read.  I always secretly laugh when you say, "I'm not a poet, Kendra.  I'm a girl from New York somehow transplanted in Missouri."  I'm working hard on performing my white witch magic on making Patty come on and blog ;)

"Steve" - You.  You are the one that got me to try this crazy thing called Twitter.  You then planted the thought of creating my own blog.  What a wonderful, healing experience this has all been.  Spilling my guts out on my blog for all the world to see.  The world.  Reading my diary.  It's been the best release.  I remember my first "share" of  one of my first blog posts "She".  I cried.  I told you to take it down.  Hide it.  Then I got back with you and told you to repost it.  You did both with such grace.  It was easy to write but so hard to share.  You understood the intricacies of it all.  Words cannot express my gratitude.

Kristy - You are a top notch poetess.  You encourage me everyday with your posts.  It's really just that simple.  A published poetess.  That is no easy feat.  It encourages me immensely.

Kim Talon - What can I say?  You are the one poetess that challenges me the most.  You take a simple picture on Twitter and create a different story that leads down a different path.  It opens my eyes to new ways to write.  You create beautiful pictures and make my heart sigh with such calm every time I see them.  Your Twitter page celebrates all poets and you have certainly given me more credit than I thought I deserved on many occasions. 

Brian Gallagher - You make me laugh and you make me think. A wonderful combination.  Thank you for understanding my humor.  You quietly champion me and you raise your head up high and howl when it's appropriate.

The Questions:

1. My 5 Guests (Living or Dead) I'd Like to Share a Banquet With: 
     * My Dad:  I would want him to see me finally getting my poetry published.  He saved all of my poetry I wrote since I was 12.  Kept them in his "Important Papers" file I found after he died unexpectedly when I was 6 months pregnant with Tot.  I hear his laughter on the wind at odd times now.  I would want him to finally see me happy and in love and successful.  He would invariably inject his conspiracy theory of politics and warn me about the "Coming days."  He listened to Amos and Andy on the radio.  He adored Johnny Cash and George Jones.  He liked Credence Clear Water Revival a whole heck of a lot.  No one knew that but me.  Tot has his eyes.  The bluest of blue.  Dad.  I love you.

     * My Grandpa Hake:  My Mom's dad.  He died when she was 20.  I met him only in a dream.  I have so many questions for him.  More than a banquet.  I want to fish with him.  Sit in the middle of peaceful lake and lure the illustrious fish to our hook.  He hitched a ride on a train without a lick of money from North Dakota and later became the mayor of Elsah.  He was the only one who could "smell" rattle snakes and hunt them for Principia College.  He collected arrow heads.  Hunted for the best mushrooms and made my Mom a ring that I now wear. 

     * Sarah McLaughlin:  Her music.  All of it.  An angel and dark mistress that helps me write my poetry at midnight.  Her music saved me after my first husband committed suicide and I nearly lost myself.

     * Brandi Carlile:  Singer / songwriter.  All of her music resonates with me. 

     * J. K. Rowling:  She wrote Harry Potter on notes hand written in a one room apartment with an abusive husband.  Had completed more than the first book; was well on her way to writing the second "book" - might I repeat - on paper.  Hand written.  Her husband purposely destroyed it all.  She started all over.  How horrifying. The story would not leave her.  So she bought a typewriter from a pawn shop for pennies on the dollar and typed in an apartment without furniture or heat.  She later submitted the book to a publisher that quickly rejected it.  She took her packet and deposited it to another publisher.  A small U.K. publisher later published Harry Potter and now she is not only a best selling writer, but now Universal Kingdom in Walt Disney World has a section completely devoted to Harry Potter.  Movie series.  I'm paraphrasing her past.  Her life was hard, is the main point.  She had every excuse to give up and to have every reason to. She trudged on.  I rather like quiet, warrior women.  The ones most likely to fail that rise up despite of it all. 

2.  If Your Life was Made into a Hollywood Film, Who Would be the Director?

Clint Eastwood.  He made "Million Dollar Baby" and "Gran Torino".  Say no more.  He then went on to make "Sniper" which I have yet to see.  Here's the deal, mi amigos.  When I see he's directed a movie, I ask no questions, I simply buy it.  For a single mama trying to avoid financial drama, that's saying a lot.  He captures all of the human emotions and drama perfectly and gracefully.  Good God.  "Play Misty For Me".  "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly".  Really?  Shut up.  It's a given. 

3.  What is My Quest? 

To end Domestic Violence.  To be the voice for so many women and unheard men that suffer this horror.  My abuser feeds on inflicting fear.  Thankfully, I'm a big mouth German / Irish woman that does not know the meaning of "Shut up."  It saved my life.

4.  What is My Favorite Beverage? 

Pepsi.  Fully loaded.  No diet, fake sugar "healthy" crap that causes cancer.  And pink moscato wine. I don't drink it all the time.  But I do tend to write more freely with that sweet intoxication.  I'm a fiercely private Taurus that spills my guts with the sweet wine. 

5. My Signature Dish: I make a mean roast beef and a hearty and delicious beef veggie soup, if I do say so myself.  I like my comfort foods.  I love to cook.  The crock pot is like my witch's cauldron. 

6.  My Greatest Achievement:  Being a Mommy.  I feel it is one of God's highest callings.  Watching Tot grow and learn.  Watching him watch me write and use all the "big" words makes my heart swell.  When he rushes up to me to give me kisses on my elbow or give me Eskimo kisses with spaghetti sauce painting the outline of his sweet, gushy, toddler lips.  I watch him sleep. Yep.  I'm a helicopter Mom and I'm so proud of that label. 

7.  Artist:  Florence & the Machine.  All of her.  Pick one song. Pick 'em all.  You can't go wrong.  But I'm warning ya, she's kinda like Lay's Potato Chips.  Once you've had one, you want more.

8.  What Would I do for a Living?:  A writer and a counselor to help victims of abuse.  I'd love nothing more than to be able to write and volunteer at a women's shelter to offer my advice, counsel, and prayer. 

9.  What is My Greatest Strength?:  Grace in the face of inexplicable horror.  Love in the darkest nightmare.

10.  If I Were a Car, What Make & Model Would I Be?:  Audi Q 5 SUV.  Newest make and model.  It's reliable and the perfect size for a 5' single mama.  The crash tests are phenomenal.  I may be exaggerating, but I can see Tot and me tooling in that schmancy thing.  Getting groceries.  Absolutely safe.  Charcoal gray.  Tan interior.  Lightly tinted windows.  I've done my research.  I likey.

11.  My Guiltiest Pleasure:  Once a month.  St.  Louis Bread Company.  Sierra Turkey 1/2 sandwich (minus the hot mayo) and a cup of broccoli cheese soup. ***Sigh***
I had a full body massage one time in my entire life.  That is high on my list and threatens to knock BreadCo. right outta the water for a once a month treat ; )

Oops! I forgot to ask my nominees my burning questions (Thank you, Cyclone for reminding me).
So here they are ;)

1.  If you were stranded on a deserted island and only one person could be with you, who would that person be and why?

2.  If we lived in a world without social media / technology, how would you spend your downtime?

3.  Imagine a world without any stores and it's Christmas time.  What would you make for your loved ones / friends?

4.  What flower best describes you and why?

5.  What animal best describes you and why?

6.  If you had a 30 minute meeting with the Pope, what would you most like to discuss with him in that short amount of time?

7.  What is the one family tradition that resonates with you; that you would most like to pass on to your children?

8.  What are your techniques for balancing your writing with your family, friends, and your job that pays the bills?

9.  What is your most annoying habit?

10.  What is your Zodiac sign?  Does it reflect *you* as a person?

11.   We all have that one movie we could watch over & over.  What is your all-time favorite movie?

Hands of Rain

I let the words

Slide over me

Releasing

Letting them out

Letting them in

Cascading

Hands of rain

Verses writing themselves

Again

I'm Not Mad

Ask me that question again
You all ready know the answer
But wait
Let's dissolve the sin
Green eye fire
Burning in the ire
Knife at my throat
Leaning in
The choke
Bite my tongue
So you don't feel sad
So you don't feel bad
No
I'm not mad

My Friend

My friend
Is a boy
Bestest
Bestest
Boy
Of course
I love him
He sat with me
For hours
Letting me spill my
Guts on his carpet
Telling him things
I could never tell a girl
Because quite frankly
Girls are too smitten
In  their busty world
To listen to my drivel
He
Is unequivocal
But then he vanished
No more talks
No more chats
No more
Ticks
For tacks
And now
In times like these
The cold winter
Seems
Like ice

Good Girl

I read the words
Written to someone else
Not meant for me
Now I see
She's your good girl

It's a heavy-laden endearment
Lustful procurement
Good girl
Bends
Twists
Rides
Writhes
To your every whim
And in her
You swim

So now I
Don't feel
So good anymore
I feel like all the
Smiles sent my way
Were your eyes
Looking over my shoulder
To the girl
Standing behind me
Or maybe I was always
Behind her
In a shaded
Worn-out light

The Best

You read that right
I'm the best
Not some one night flight
Write it down if it helps you
I don't stand in someone's
Listless, lustful line
Asking constantly
Where's mine
No, no, no
I know you know
I'm not third in the running
Second best with all its cunning
I'm the best
No need to test
I won't be there with my
Number two leaded pencil
Writing you love notes in stencil
As if I need to prove myself
Don't look for me
On your dusty doll baby shelf
I'm the best
And I shine

Circus Girl

She sat on the edge of the bed
Legs crossed
Tiny top foot tapping
To some imaginary beat
Eyes sparkling like a new
April morning
Tiny as they come
She spoke of all their fun

He was her lovely vagabond
Travelling in the circus
He asked her to dance
That's how it started
Their trance
She took a chance
Ran away
That very day

She giggled to herself
As she took her
Dusty heart off the shelf
Suddenly her wrinkles disappeared
And the young woman
She once was
Appeared

It was in the Depression
But her story was remiss of oppression
She started each Big Top
Dancing her bee-bop
Her clown not far behind
Her heart set on rewind
Remembering
Reminiscing
Their lovely love kissing

He died in the eighties
She sat on the bed
Amidst all her frailties
A tear sparkling her eye
But she did not cry
Too lovely the memories

Sitting Pretty

I looked in the mirror
And by God
It winked back
Slapped its lovely thigh
And gave me a high five
I ran my hands through my hair
Oooh!
There, there
Look at those eyes
Look at those cheeks
Glowing brighter
Than they had in weeks
I'm feeling so pretty
Bye, bye pity
So long sad face
I smile at myself with grace
Powder my nose
Curl my toes
I'm feeling good

Love Bird

I'm just a little Love Bird
Singing
Happy little heart pinging
Despite the sad sparrows gathering

Old Fashion Girl

Pig-tail baby
Blushing round cheeks
Saying maybe
Love song crooning
Primping
A heart swooning
Dreaming of a boy
And a quiet diner
Love's sweet roil
Drinking a malt
Talking our love talk
Holding hands
Making plans
Feet swinging happy

This kinda stuff
Always makes me
Feel so sappy

Symposium

Shut the door
We need to talk
Better yet
Just sit there
As I lay it on the floor
Everything I need
Everything I desire
Take notes
On love's anecdotes
I studied them
Now it's your turn
So just sit there
I want to make you burn
Symposium ceremonium
A power point presentation
Disregarding hesitation