The Days of the Sea

They come each year in summer,
crowds jostling for space
on soft sandy beaches, liberated
to taste the salty tang of fresh sea air.
A wave-break sweeps away
their weariness of life; the shape
of freedom unfolding
in the slackness of their limbs.
Peace returns again at dusk
as the last of the  tourists leave.
Every moment changes
like passing clouds in orange skies.
There is a restlessness in me
as the sun slowly dips beneath the surface.
I watch as white birds circle the vastness
of the open wide ‘out there’.
The elusiveness of words are wrapped
in a longing I cannot explain.

 

by Louise

Pink Trainers

She wore pink trainers,
this kid who climbed up my tree.
She said “It’s my birthday
today and I’m five”
and to my surprise
she could see!

Yes, see me
this fairy up in the tree.
She seemed friendly enough,
as she offered me a piece of
her cake. “But if I have cake” I said,
“I won’t be able to fly. I’ll grow fat
and my fragile wings will break”.

She giggled
with a gap toothed grin
clapping her hands
with glee, as a quiver
reverberated through
the listening tree.

I sprinkled fairy dust
over the little girl,
to bless her life
and wish her always to see.
She climbed down then,
laces undone,
to go and tell all about me
to her mum.

 

by Louise

The good citizen

And so I stop just around the corner
from the terraced houses, where the evening
ends and the rains start to fall. It is my lot
it seems, to walk these dreary roads,
carefully designed with the interests of the
establishment in mind. No university education,
no safety net. Just some crumbs left littered
across the floor, the outcome black and white.
Fuck their ‘know it all’, their ‘let’s show you how
to live’, while the wretched on the streets spray
paint their poems on the wall. I’ve had my knocks
and heartaches, you know it don’t you? You’ve
heard it all before. But I’ll make my own mess
thanks, keep your judgement at the door.
I know what I’m doing, where I’m headed for.

 

by Louise

Like lightning

Rain sluices down your belly,
lightning from your fingertips.
My skin soft to touch
glistening in the moonlight
from the sweat of both of us.
You move my dreams along
one by one, sliding deep
until they chase the boundaries
of a universe that’s come undone.
I lie no longer afraid
but curse my heart for breaking it.
You swept right through me,
a whistling train
tearing down my empty house.
I’ve reached the edge of love now,
can I take the risk and jump?

 

by Louise

Written for Onestoppoetry One Shoot Sunday. It’s a sad day, being that we are waving goodbye to this wonderful poetry site. But I wanted to thank everyone at OSP who have supported me over the last 6 months or so I’ve been writing. Without you guys I wouldn’t have learnt or improved as much as I have. For that I am very grateful.

Destiny’s hand

I find I can’t breathe
under these city lights
replacing the stars
that shine in gentle disarray.
The night lies still and quiet,
but someday it will happen,
I don’t know how or when.
I will keep the car’s engine running,
ticking over just in case.

 
You see,
He sends me signs of burning bridges,
seas that make no sound.
“Show them who you really are” He says,
“Hold tight to destiny’s hand”.
Ok, I nod.
I just hope its in my plans as well.

 

by Louise