Standing on the Corner

I said that we were through.
I lied--
or did I?
I left you standing on the corner.

My skin hungered for
the touch of your
rough sweater.
I came back....

but
you left me standing on the corner.

Making and Taking Time to Write, Part One

Now that you have seen some samples of my creative stuff, I am going to share some practical tips on how I find time to write.  I plan on doing this every Monday from now on.   Wednesdays and Fridays will be BAU (business as usual.)    For one thing I don't have a full-time job or any kids.  I always wanted to have children, but Mr. Right never materialized and I didn't want to be a single mommy.  It has worked out well for developing my writing style though.  Maybe something bad has happened to you that might be turned to similar advantage.

Have you been laid off work?  Instead of spending the day on soap operas, concentrate on your writing.  Did your spouse leave you or did your boyfriend/girlfriend break up with you?  Instead of crying or reading syrupy romances, concentrate on your writing.  Are you finally realizing at 40 that you will never experience the joys of motherhood?  Instead of envying all the happy families, concentrate on your writing.

I have decided to become a "professional" rather than a hobbyist and spend more time writing.  Despite my single status, I will have to say "No" sometimes to friends and extended family members who imagine I have too much free time on my hands....

Here are five tips on how to streamline your schedule to make room for your novel, book, or other writing of choice.

1. Don't spend more time on your personal appearance than you have to.  Get a nice, low-mainenance haircut that you won't have to  spend much effort on in the morning.  Cull your jewelry down to 2-3 favorite pieces, so you won't have to spend so much time deciding which to wear.  If you wear makeup, concentrate on highlighting your best feature.  I have nice smooth skin that I use just a splash of water and a light lotion on.
2. Incorporate exercise into your daily routine.  Instead of spending two hours at the gym, clean your own house and save on gas by walking everywhere.  Do your own yardwork.  Do your own workout routine at home, by dancing to music and lifting heavy reference books for weights.
3. Cut back on your television.  Better yet, eliminate it entirely.  Cable costs too much anyhow.
4. If possible, refuse overtime at work.  You might even ask for part-time hours if you have read up on frugal living and are daring enough to live below your meager means.
5. Make a priority list of the top five things in your life in order of importance.  Say no to anything that isn't at least related to one of the things on that list.

I hope these things will come in useful for anyone who wants to write or engage in some other meaningful art form.  Are there any other time saving suggestions you would like to make?

The Vampyre

As you lie in your bed
it comes--
your prayer half-uttered
but not to Heaven.

Through your window the
vapor appears
then coalesces
in form most hideous.

His oversized canines
bear down
on your jugular--
you try to scream,
but can't find the breath.
He'll leave you a Wraith when he's drained you to death.

If this horrible seems,
it's the fruit of your dreams!

The Bird-Cat

Our family cat
grew grotesque with age.
At eighteen
much of his fur had fallen out.

His coat was covered with
skin cancer sores--
oozing constantly.
What fur was left reminded me of feathers

on some strange bird
without the power of flight.
Like a bird, too,
his bones stuck out every way.

His cataract coated eyes stared
off into the distance.
One day he did take flight.
I think he has a warmer coat now....

Prisoner of the Mirror

I never thought a piece of glass--two dimensioned
could hold my entire being.
Don't I have three?
Maybe more, says H.G. Wells.

Push chest out, stomach in;
narrow eyes--wish self away.

If only
i had brown eyes....
if only
i were taller....
or maybe shorter....
if only
i were ever thinner!

or recently,
if only
i were younger....

Those gray hairs can be dyed.
Dim the light--
i can almost pretend
away laugh lines.

Oscar Wilde was right.

When i was young i wished i were pretty
wasting what looks i had.

The glass looks on mockingly.
A cruel moon to my tainted sun.
Who can break me out?

Time

I tried to catch a sunbeam.
It slipped between my fingers.
I tried to gather starlight;
The stars refused to linger.

I tried to catch tomorrow
But it soon became today
And slowly yet relentlessly
It changed to yesterday.

And so I thought, Since this is so,
Each memory I'll keep.
Yet these too drifted far from me
Like half-forgotten sleep.

Each day must die as all must die
And I have still to see
When those dead days shall open up
Into Eternity....

Ugly Women

Ugly women, let us face it
simply were not formed for love.
Pretty girls, clear-skinned and slender
are a gift from up above.

Brains and heart avail us nothing.
In love Beauty takes the prize.
Wicked men take strapping wenches--
men of virtue use their eyes.

Some men claim their higher minded
looking for sweet Christian girls.
Soul and spirit cannot draw them
like thin legs and glossy curls!

Blessings on your marriage  portion.
Hopeful bridegroom take your wife.
Like a pool so bright and shallow
stagnanting in forest hollow--

drink from it for all your life!

Racing to Nowhere

Reading "books" of soft core porn online
scrolling down for the next scintillating detail
catching up on celebrity gossip
seeing who left who and may marry when

texting friends to gab
ignoring those who are actually there
talking about nothing for hours on facebook

calling for no reason whatsoever....

We are going faster every day.
How come so much is junk?
Where is the plane flying?
How will we know when we are there?

Mother Mirror

Every day her image
becomes a little clearer--
my mother
in the mirror.

Do I frighten her
as I become her?

When Girl is Woman
must she become
a Crone?

It makes me glad
I do not have
a daughter.

Paranoid

The psychologist looked at the 40-something couple who kept casting meaningful glances at each other.  "So, why are you here?  Marriage problems?"

The woman's eyes met his for once.  "It's my husband.  Tell him, honey."

The husband rubbed his hands together. "My wife thinks that I'm paranoid."

"And what do you think?"  The therapist tapped his ballpoint against his teeth.

"I don't know.  Sometimes I honestly wonder....My wife is a very friendly, outgoing woman.  It's natural for her to have a lot of friends.  But something about a few of these guy pals makes me....suspicious."

Nodding, the therapist made a note or two in his little book.

"He wears me out.  Somehow he doesn't even say anything.  I know he is unreasonably jealous of my friendships with other men."

The therapist made throaty grunting sounds and jotted more down.

"It seems to me that you could both use some one-on-one therapy.  Here's my card.  I'll see you at 2 and 3 pm next Wednesday."

Along with the little card he slipped the woman a note.

Dearest,

We have a way of meeting at last!  Not even your bear of a husband will suspect.

Joint Custody

"Mommy, where are we going tonight?" asked the little girl.

"We're almost there now, Persephone," the mother answered too brightly.  Her lipsticked mouth grew thin and her eyes glittered.

"There's nothing here, but a bunch of old tombstones."

They got out of the sedan, then headed for a familiar tombstone.  Their father and husband lay there after a hunting accident the year before.

"Why are we here, Mommy?"

"Your father wants joint custody.  He gets you in the winter."

A rumbling started within the grave....

Shadows On the Wall

His wife and children sit
night after night.
Staring at light images
in the magic box.

Sometimes he will read
or nod a little.
He wishes he could talk
to someone.

The other night
he turned to his wife.
"Not tonight, Josh."
She watched the couple
in her bedroom set.

He fantasizes
smashing the puppet stage
that keeps his family
preoccupied and remote.
Alone in the cave with their shadows.