Category: Poetry

Weeping Willow
by Melissa Peeler

I do not weep alone, the Willow weeps with me.
In a synchronous swaying of limbs, 
Weighted with Grief and Gravity.

Behind the leafy veil,
Mourning tears and Morning dew mingle.
Branch tips and Fingertips caress the ground
Where lie buried my Hopes and Dreams and
Memories that will never be.

Someday I shall return to dust -
the dust from which I came.
Those who walk this land
Will not even know my name.
But Maybe. Just Maybe.
The Willow will weep for me.

Written in 2021

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Two Red Birds Chasing the Wind
by Melissa Peeler

Two red birds chasing the wind
on a partly cloudy day in Spring.
Or is it a partly sunny day?
What amount of obscurity tips the scales
the other way?
The answer does not matter
to either the birds or the day.
Both continue along their way.
 
The deeper question lies within my soul.
Where, too, exists a partly cloudy day.
Or is it partly sunny?
Here, the answer matters.
A choice must be made.
The amount of obscurity will
tip the scales.

But the choice doesn't have to be
made today, this minute, this second.
So until that day comes - 
I will worry less about semantics
and instead focus on the antics
of two red birds chasing the wind.

Written in May 2012

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Half-Moon in an Afternoon Sky
by Melissa Peeler

Like a white circular cloud sliced/cut in half.
One unaware of the workings of the heavens 
might ask:
Where is the other half?
Has it floated away into nothingness?
Disappeared forever?

Yet, I know it is still there. Full and Whole.
Present - though not Visible.
Still pulling the tides of the oceans.

I sit at a table usually set for two, now only set for one.
I Grieve but do not Mourn.
For you
- the other half of my severed moon are present -
Though not seen.
Still pulling the tides of my soul

Written in October 2011

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Days Begin to Melt
by Melissa Peeler

Days Begin to Melt.
Mixing, Morphing.
No Morning. No Evening.
No Weeks. No Months.
No Years.
Just Moments in Time.

Moments become Meaningless.
Withered, Worthless.
No Goals. No Reason.
No Answers. No Guidance.
No Purpose.
Just Wandering Around.

Wandering breeds Weariness.
Taxing. Tolling.
No Path. No Road.
No Map. No Sign.
No End.
Just Days to Fill.

Days Just Melt.

Written in 2004

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False Impressions
by Melissa Peeler

Precise preparations
Bold outlines dividing
Reds, Blues, Yellows.
Movements practiced until
Gracefulness appears the natural state.

Then came the rain.
With each dip of a wing
dripped another colorful lie
into the rainbow pool gathering
on the ground.
Until there hovered the
drab, gray truth - a moth in a
field of butterflies.

Composed: May 2012

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April is National Poetry Month.  I know, I know, for most of you the mere suggestion to read a poem sends chills through your body as if icy fingers have gripped your heart.  Flashbacks of high school English teachers flitter through your mind and you instinctively curl up within yourself  hoping, begging, and praying that you won’t be called upon to explain the meaning of a poem.  I get it.  I have even had that same reaction as an English major in college.  Some poems I read still leave me sitting with a blank expression and able to only say Huh? 

However, I have also had the experience of reading poetry that has touched me in a way that I have felt my soul has been embraced.  And I believe anyone and everyone is capable of having that same experience.  Poetry is language, music, and art all rolled into one.  There is something for everyone.  It is perfectly acceptable to not like a particular poem or even a particular poet, all it means is that style is not for you.  But I promise there are poems out there that once found will become your best friend.

I have placed a link on the left side of the page, Poems for Every Occasion that will take you to a website called Poets.org.  It is a great place to wander around and taste-test different poems and poets until you find what satisfies your palate.  I encourage you to face your fears of poetry and please check it out.  Additionally, in the forthcoming days, weeks, and months I hope to share some of my favorite poems with you as well.

Now – Go Read a Poem !

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