the moon, the sole witness

Her eyelashes are heavy by restless nights.   The backpack strains her shoulders as she nears the destination.

She walks faster now, knowing the path towards the forest trees with giant roots climbing out of boulders.   The shadows are draping every crevice.   This is the barrenness of harvest or pestilence.   She almost lost her bearings.

You can't stop now (voice in her head).

She steps into the clearing of stones.   (Only the wind hears his whispers).   Taking out a black case from her bag, she reaches for the knife.   His knife, bold & black, pressing familiar on her palm.     

There is no hesitation - she plunges the knife & breaks the case.   Small bones and dust caved into tunnel beneath.   The ancient trees will bury the remnants of her broken promises - finally. 

After a long exhale, she retreats, growing smaller as a candle light.                

Posted for dVerse Poets Pub - Prosery, hosted by Bjorn Rudberg.    This is a word post less than 144 with the given line:  This is the barrenness of harvest or pestilence from All Hallows by Louise Gluck. 

autumn musings

Who braided the hair of the weeping

willow tree & left a shoe?

Sky is brilliant shade of blue
as maple leaves shimmer in red and gold

The sun moves slow as red & black

woollybear caterpillar on a dead leaf  

Why did the crab apple tree bind  

itself with sea glass?

The forest floor is soft book 

of needled pines and misplaced leaves

A river running low
smelling of dead fish, caught in the tides

Do you know what the earth meditates 
upon in autumn?

My skin itches from pollen, tea bags
and unanswered questions

Photo by Grace@Everyday Amazing 

Posted for dVerse Poets Pub - The questions as a Poetry - Hosted by Laura Bloomsbury.

Thanks for the visit.

autumn burn

autumn leaves
darkening eyes, wind-curled blades 

on pathway, fallen from
maple trees

one by one
i tread with gratefulness 

i'll (always) remember how you 
torch the sky with brilliant orange hues

your rust-yellow fingers  
quivering with fire & sundust

my eyes are blinded 
by beauty

Posted for dVerse Poets Pub - Quadrille, hosted by De Jackson.   This is 44 word post with the given word, Quiver.  I have been spending time outdoors, enjoying our beautiful but short autumn season.   See you in the poetry trail.

scattered needles//subway//

your silence is bell
ringing rust in my ears
swarming buzzing 
                             bees
my sunken eyes, lost pages
of a book
i stumble, fumble, 
                              mumble

i hold my lighter 
but i can't see my feet
the cut on my right hand
a growing fire
i am falling, 
                   falling
faster than autumn leaves

your silence is drug
drowning my veins in darkness
do i dance with dirty needles
in all my days
until i, i 
                   that nobody 
become a sterile sheet
you pass by on the street  
               -somebody, help me-



Posted for dVerse Poets Pub - OpenLinkNight - A first hand experience watching a young man in the subway train, addicted, high with drugs, in our regular commute.      After our ride, someone reported him for help.   

Ode to an avocado

dressed with lemon,
garlic, olive oil & mustard-
a chef's delight

but i like you best
bare
sliced open under rough snake
skin
velvet ripe & creamy
belly

drizzled with sugar
& cold milk,
bowled dessert
of indolent summer days

plump smooth,
slivers of ambrosia      
your taste is only rivaled
by my other childhood memory-

cloistered nuns
making candied purple yams
stirring over
& over
flaming giant pan until
rough fibers turn sin-
fully lush
as nectar oil
decadent food 
for gods  
hand-bottled for sale in market -

pear-shaped
your green womb
wraps me tight like seed
coconut-shaped
pining for tropical sun-
   

Posted for D'verse Poets Pub - An oldie but good poem for today's Poetics by guest host, Lisa Fox (Jade Li).   Join us for a food-inspired prompt at 3pm EST.

Picture credit:   here