Poet. Writer. Photographer.
My heart and soul
tire me out,
always frolicking
away and about,
relentless in their
prodding and searching,
no toe-dips,
just all-in swan-diving
into every unknown,
exploring, testing, challenging
the boundaries
of this world,
restless to breach
every deterrence
placed by societal rules
and norms…
So much fear
in potential soulmates
with whom to travel
these magical non-roads.
Poem and image ©LauraDenise
Sometimes a heart clings
to a fragment of green
dream as its wings begin
the dying.
I thought it was
a butterfly.
Perhaps butterflies
are dreams reincarnated
in another life,
for those who feared
the letting go
to reach
the height.
Poem and image ©LauraDenise
They still dance for me
in winter
upon autumn’s
painted, fading
stage:
white petal ballet,
paralleling
my silent leaps
and stubborn faith
in dreams.
The axis piercing
my soul
slows,
and for a moment
I believe
I can pirouette right off
and finally become
free.
Poem and image ©LauraDenise
It’s been sunny and seventies, and the seasons
have not so much been confused
as they have been seemingly
just leisurely mingling, amused,
some stalling, some joyfully letting go;
nothing in the South rushes though.
Like melting cubes of ice in tea,
we take it sweet and slow down here.
It tickles me pink to have the mix
sprinkling personal messages so clear.
Today started differently,
gray with a bit of nip in the air.
Certain trees partaking in autumn
are almost now bare,
covering the patio in a bland
blanket over stone,
which made the flowers
I did not grow
even more the focal point
of my windowed soul.
I smiled for how they have become
so deeply rooted in my journey.
Marking my heart’s pages,
so many petals and leaves held so dearly,
imprinting with their colors and scents
my most powerful untold stories.
The sea oats
have grown tall;
I let them
skim my palm,
feel the tickles
gifted from heaven
as the sea’s soul
is orchestra lifted
above the tides
of this earth
to scoop me up
with open arms
into the surf.
I offer all I’ve brought
to sacrifice to God,
releasing the heavy,
releasing the pain,
hoping the ghosts
will choose escape
as I make it more
uncomfortable
to haunt these
inner spaces
tarnished, turning gold
from the light
of love
joining the soul’s.
My feet sink
in the warm silk
as my heart,
with you inside,
even more
fills.
Buoyant become
the weights
as the shackles and chains
give way
to become part
of the dark, watery
grave.
Today, I take
back my life.
Today the curse,
I unwind.
Wet feet,
sand clinging,
I walk back
and through my fingers,
the sea oats feel
the difference
as the sun
awakens,
rises to kiss
me so gently
once
again….
Poem and images ©LauraDenise
From an ancient pyramid
of faraway dreams,
a river of gold rises,
seeps into the leaves,
feeding the season
to believe.
I lift my heart
again to reach…
Poem and image ©LauraDenise
Winds to be reckoned with
do more than make waves;
all evidence of human existence
is entirely without-trace erased.
Reset is the playing field.
Wiped clean, the slate.
Denied are the attempts
to leave any more prints.
The only impressions saved
are those upon the heart.
Is your legacy of love
enough to advance
to the next
start?
Poem and images ©LauraDenise
Over the years, I’ve collected
the best fragments
from the jagged breaks
of the past,
revisiting the scenes
after the immediate threats
have into ashes passed.
When the sun faithfully returns,
each ray seems to gently lead,
reflecting in intermittent beams,
to rebuild resilient dreams,
refracted off each of these
gorgeous shards of glass.
I add to these, the heartifacts
unearthed from avalanche
and dug up from old spots,
buried for protection,
washed and polished rocks
diversifying my unified vision.
In dress pockets,
I tuck into shadows
the reflections resurrected,
reunite them with the rays
as I sentimentally
deconstruct them,
assembling a mosaic
stained-glass arboretum
to grow from pains and grief
a new garden of suncatchers
and walk among the rainbows
into a new and beautiful future.
Poem and images ©LauraDenise
What kind of world
would it be
if we all knew
our neighbors?
What type of hearts
would evolve
if we all spread
kindness?
One drop
is nothing,
could make
no difference?
If each drop
thought like that,
there’d be no
ocean.
Poem and image ©LauraDenise
Tranquility inside,
a choice,
choosing the bay side,
slowing rough waters
to ripples,
muting colors to fuse
land to sky as
complex fades
to simple.
Walking the plank
to pause the world,
abandoned pier,
quaint and personal,
tucked between
leafy trees
and sea grasses
swaying subtly,
a landscape painted
lovingly
just for you.
Slip into
serenity,
retreat until
restored anew.
Poem and image ©LauraDenise
Laura Denise 