While roaming through the greening hills one day,
I saw a hawk perched on a fairy tree;
How strange, I thought, that he should have a voice
And speak in rasping tone these words to me:
"I'll carry all your troubles on my back;
Together you and I could fly, right now,
To where slight fairies dance from dusk till dawn…."
With that, he swooped down from the swaying bough,
And on his back we rose to meet the clouds
Where rising seashore mist the sun's rays greet.
Then, when my host, a charming elf, appeared,
My saddened heart picked up an extra beat.
He touched my hand, and all my cares took flight,
Along with stubborn traces of past frowns,
And soon I laughed and waltzed through fairyland
Among spry bluebirds in their feathered gowns.
I rode the clouds, as soft as eiderdown;
At one clear lake I stopped to kiss a swan,
Then rested by wild ivy covered walls,
All green, in contrast with the pink of dawn.
Sweet fruits on trees called out, “We are soooo ripe…”
I ate, then listened to an elfin song
Performed by graceful minstrels passing by
Upon a playful breeze that came along.
While breaking roses for one large bouquet
And watching pretty fairy children fly--
Just then, I heard my loved ones calling me,
And so I kissed the kind wee folk goodbye.
The earth-bound hawk dove at increasing speed,
And all my flowers scattered through the air
To join my troubles--save one patch of pink
That now, preserved, remains a souvenir.
The Merman's Gift
She pressed a colored shell
Against her ear And heard
It whispering: Elizabeth.
Then, before her eyes,
The sky turned liquid green,
And swaying trees withdrew
In blurry forms;
Corals and sand dollars
Became scentless flowers.
Seaweed ribbons drifted
Cloud-like in the breezy
Currents that swirled about
Her lacy pinafore—
By which a merman pulled
Her into the deep.
Against her ear And heard
It whispering: Elizabeth.
Then, before her eyes,
The sky turned liquid green,
And swaying trees withdrew
In blurry forms;
Corals and sand dollars
Became scentless flowers.
Seaweed ribbons drifted
Cloud-like in the breezy
Currents that swirled about
Her lacy pinafore—
By which a merman pulled
Her into the deep.
The Naughty Step
The afternoon was wearing on
and Josh began to brood;
his parents learned not to engage
when he was in that mood.
He threw a truck and kicked some blocks.
When no one said a word,
dejected, then he turned around,
as mother overheard
his muttering and scolding, while
he pointed to the stair--
then promptly plopped himself right down,
concluding, with a glare.
So, when his self-appointed time
had quickly come to close;
he spoke some other garbled sounds,
and from the step arose.
and Josh began to brood;
his parents learned not to engage
when he was in that mood.
He threw a truck and kicked some blocks.
When no one said a word,
dejected, then he turned around,
as mother overheard
his muttering and scolding, while
he pointed to the stair--
then promptly plopped himself right down,
concluding, with a glare.
So, when his self-appointed time
had quickly come to close;
he spoke some other garbled sounds,
and from the step arose.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Karen Kelsay
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Abbie, Across the Sea
Across the sea! Across the sea!
An English garden grows,
With violets and daffodils,
'round little Abbie-rose.
In coldest winter we arrive,
The bleakest time of year.
Each tiny bud is fast asleep,
But not our Abbie dear.
She's bright and happy, and her face
Is blooming, full of smiles.
She grows up sweeter every year--
She’s worth the countless miles.
Across the sea! Across the sea!
December clouds above;
We're off to greet our Abbie-rose,
That little girl we love.
An English garden grows,
With violets and daffodils,
'round little Abbie-rose.
In coldest winter we arrive,
The bleakest time of year.
Each tiny bud is fast asleep,
But not our Abbie dear.
She's bright and happy, and her face
Is blooming, full of smiles.
She grows up sweeter every year--
She’s worth the countless miles.
Across the sea! Across the sea!
December clouds above;
We're off to greet our Abbie-rose,
That little girl we love.
Mother's Prayer
You rocked me when I was a babe
And kept me from all harm;
Now, may our Father cradle you
In His protective arm.
How often you have held my hand
And taught me what was right--
May Father take you on His path,
Toward eternal light.
And mother, as your soothing voice
Would help my heart to mend--
May Father comfort you each day
And bless you to all end.
And kept me from all harm;
Now, may our Father cradle you
In His protective arm.
How often you have held my hand
And taught me what was right--
May Father take you on His path,
Toward eternal light.
And mother, as your soothing voice
Would help my heart to mend--
May Father comfort you each day
And bless you to all end.
