In Hidden Places

You sit side by side in the sandbox. The girl with the loud laugh and grimy knees, has become your “Little Mermaid”. With a plastic bucket turned upside down, you build her a castle next to the sea. You are a brave explorer who battles pirates, and can tame the sharks. And you have won her heart.

Love spreads its blossoms
As darkness begins with light
In hidden places.

Lynn Mari, © 2009

My first attempt at “Haibun”–a combination of Haiku and Prose. Haiku tends to be an abstract type of poetry, whose themes are nature and using nature to describe the human aspects of life. Haiku is poetry patterned with syllables. Prose is more straight forward, but also very descriptive–and often carries a personal narrative. Prose is more relaxed, and does not have to ryhme or be patterned.

This is about a child’s first “crush”.

Between Your Body & Mine

Our “relationship” is over you say
I laugh
What relationship, I ask?

“Relationship” is a measured stare
The silence that falls
Between your body and mine

With the indifference of a surgeon
Slicing open quivering flesh,
You seek entrance
Your touch is a sharpened scalpel
Parting delicate seams

When the job is done,
You wash your hands and leave
My heart is bare,
An inconvenience between my breasts
I hold ripped flesh between my fingers
The bitter odor of blood is not forgotten

“Relationship” is the void you left
The times I sit alone, gazing out the window,
Again and again watching your car pull away
The times I am afraid, you point out my weakness
The times I am in need, you look away
And just when I get used to not having you around
You saunter through the door,
Holding a bouquet of excuses,
Faintly smelling like roses

Remember the incision,
Scalpel sliding down my belly
The release of blood and matter
Filling your hands
Silence fills the darkened hollow
Between your body and mine
You roll on your back, satisfied

I smile, at a different memory
My “relationship” has just begun…

I have been sitting alone at the coffee shop for weeks
A steaming mug to comfort me
When I meet someone new
We listen to lazy acoustics
Though I don’t hear a sound
My eyes have not left his face
When he gazes on me
The bitterness you left in my heart is sweetened

“What relationship?, I ask
There is nothing to say
About the nothing we share

Angrily, you declare
We weren’t meant to be together
I couldn’t agree more and tell you to leave
You saunter away, with a casual shrug
But leave the door slightly open
As if there will be another chance…
As if my face will be pressed to the window
Waiting for you to come back

No, I am behind you, tugging off my jeans
Sliding a denim skirt over my hips
Tugging off my tee shirt, lacy cami underneath
Slide on my sandals, and follow you out
You go out the back door
I go out the front

I watch as you leave
Just as always, looking forward,
Eyes avoid mine
Silence falls, just as always

In the empty space you left behind
His car pulls up
I slide in the seat,
Curl at his side
Where silence has been,
My heart beats fast….

Lynn Mari, © 2007.

This is a “Found Poem” based on a conversation I overheard while sipping cappucino in a cofee shop…

These Panties (What I Overheard Riding the Bus)

She leans forward on the blue plastic seat
Her voice is shrill with excitement
“On a deal that can’t be beat,
I’ll be a little behind on this month’s rent”

Her voice is shrill with excitement
“The bottle is half full on the perfume I bought today
I’ll be a little behind on this month’s rent
It didn’t cost much ‘cuz Red stole it from a store display!”

“The bottle is half full on the perfume I bought today
It smell good (psst, psst) don’t ya think?
It didn’t cost much ‘cuz Red stole it from a store display!
I got somethin’ sexy if ya like the color pink…”

“It smell good (psst, psst) don’t ya think?
This panty set is two different sizes but I’ll make it fit
I got somethin’ sexy if ya like the color pink..
I’ll look good, you gotta admit”

“This panty set is two different sizes but I’ll make it fit
Look at this lace, how good this bra is made
I’ll look good you gotta admit
The thong is cute even if it is a lil frayed”

“Look at this lace, how good this bra is made
Oooh this bus is hot, I could strip right here
The thong is cute even if it is a lil frayed
Wonder how somethin’ so small will fit my rear!”

“If Red keeps this up he’ll be doing time
She leans forward on the blue plastic seat
Can’t pay no bail, for I spent ev’ry dime
On a deal that can’t be beat.”

Lynn Mari, ©2007

Check Out: Hot Ghetto Mess (We’ve Got to Do Better. Let’s Demand More From Ourselves): http://www.hotghettomess.com/

At the Club! (A Villanelle)

Stop in, say “hello”
For fun 100 percent
The SOS Club is the place to go!
 
In life there is no guarantee of happiness
Dance ‘til your heart is content
At SOS, relieve stress!
 
Meet a friendly face—Ken, Harvey or Joe
Welcome all, smiles are freely spent
The SOS Club is the place to go!
 
Don a dapper hat or fancy dress
High steppin’ like a sergeant
At SOS, relieve stress!
 
Stop in, say “hello”
For live music, AA or special event
The SOS Club is the place to go!
 
Learn to line dance, do-si-do
For friendship and great entertainment
Stop in, say “hello”
The SOS Club is the place to go!

Lynn Mari, © 2008.

Visit the SOS Club & Espresso Bar Online: www.sosrecovery.org

Get a Mocha at the SOS Club!

Naked Ambition (Senryu)

poetry senryu

Naked ambition
Between your body and mine
Framed in soft kisses.

Lynn Mari © 2009.

Sista to Sista: A Conversation

“Girl, I always get involved
With them cheatin’ mens
They be tellin’ so many lies
That they wouldn’t know truth
If she was stalkin’ the streets
With a shotgun, ready to pop
I’m cool…
It ain’t happenin’ no more.”

“Naw, you tell ‘im
I’m not gonna call you
I’m not gonna bother you
I’m gonna hold my tongue
For a man who wants to
Feel the warmth of my mouth
On his neck
A man who won’t be lookin’
Left or right
‘Cuz there’s only one way
To my heart.”

“Yea, you right–
He ain’t man enough for
A woman like me
I’m a feisty woman
A very independant female
I ain’t gonna wait on no man
Stop hollerin’
I’m pullin’ up weeds
Can you handle me?”

– Lynn Mari, ⓒ 2008.

Found Poetry is poetry made out of things not meant to be poetry (recipes, conversations, articles, etc). “Sista to Sista” is a poem taken from a conversation, grin, literally sista to sista! This is also based on “Lies and Other Tall Tales” by Zora Neale Hurston, a book that recaptures the folk tradition of telling lies as a form of story telling.

Your Love is What I Live For

I have come undone
Huddled next to pay phone
Praying into buzzing dial tone
Lord, take me in–Shelter
Stand at the right hand of the needy one

Close my eyes
Meditate, Pray
Life flows from Your word
And I know it will be okay

Tears sting
Broken, All is wrong
Hold me, Make me strong
Take me in– Shelter
In the shadow of your wing

Your love is what I live for
Weary from the fight
Your love is what I live for
When hope is but a distant shore
Your love is what I live for
In darkness,
Light dawns for the upright

Shunned, only You heard my plea
They almost wiped me from the earth
Lord, you saved me–new birth
You have set my heart free

Close my eyes
Meditate, Pray
Life flows from your word
And I know it will be okay

A better path I seek
Trembling, Your arm steers me
You give strength to the weary
And increase the power of the weak

Close my eyes
Meditate, Pray
Life flows from Your word
And I know it will be okay

Your love is what I live for
Weary from the fight
Your love is what I live for
When hope is but a distant shore
Your love is what I live for
In darkness,
Light dawns for the upright

There is nothing to fear
Burst into songs of joy together
Holy One, Savior, Redeemer
Has broken ev’ry chain and tether
My heart and flesh cry
Lord draw me near

Tears sting
Broken, all is wrong
Hold me, make me strong
Take me in– Shelter
In the shadow of Your wing

Your live is what I live for
Weary from the fight
Your love is what I live for
When hope is but a distant shore
Your love is what I live for
In darkness,
Light dawns for the upright

Your love is what I live for.

Lynn Mari, ⓒ 2008.

Thank you, Jesus <3

Note:
Inspired by a Stacy Orrico song “Maybe I Won’t Look Back”, and by verse from Scripture that are included throughout this piece.

Baby, I’m Not the One (To Give Your Heart To)

How do you know I am the only one for you?
When sorrow has closed your heart to more
Why spend forever in the house of our dreams?
When the past is still beating on the door?
Baby, I’m not the one to make those promises to
It’s God to live for

Chorus:
Your tear-stained eyes hold so much pain
I will hold your hand, pray with you
God’s love will endure the heartache and rain
Have faith in the miracles God will do

How do you know I am the only one for you?
When lust is known to deceive
What’s under my skin is not easily seen
The Spirit is alive, healing all you grieve
Baby, I’m not the one to give your heart to
It’s God’s to receive

Chorus:
Your tear-stained eyes hold so much pain
I will hold your hand, pray with you
God’s love will endure the heartache and rain
Have faith in the miracles God will do

How do you know…
How do you know…
Your heart will answer
To just One voice
It’s God
It’s God
He’s the only choice

Chorus:
Your tear-stained eyes hold so much pain
I will hold your hand, pray with you
God’s love will endure the heartache and rain
Have faith in the miracles God will do

Lynn Mari, ©2007.

A Dreamer’s Voyage (Haiku)

Chartered at midnight
A starry ocean awaits
Set sail in moonlight.

Lynn Mari, ©2008

Conversations in a Gallery (An Artist with his Creations)

The world is a gallery, subject to artistic vision
Light, line and color are brought to form through fission:

Son I got somethin’ to say
Who you callin’ son, you were sketched only today!
Don’t get cocky because the tatoo,
and the mean mug I was given by you
Such attitude I should erase…
But you spent so much time on the planes of my face,
Just a minute, the sun is a hot behind my head
If you could draw a few more leaves instead
I’d appreciate a ‘lil shade
Sure homes, consider it made.

Don’t forget the chica in green
I’m not a beauty but I dream of being queen
I could have been Top Model if I didn’t look so tired!
I admit, against you I conspired
To be different from the rest,
With wit and wisdom I’d consider you blessed
Oh please, I will never get a look from the fellas
If I were any flatter the walls would be jealous!
I’m the artist, you can’t change what I have decided
So between beauty and wit you will remain divided.

I sped through Jacksontown, singing to the Wolf and sippin’ wine
Honk, honk I hit an elephant crossin’ Highway 49
I can’t believe, a Goth cartoon singing the blues!
Honk, Honk? The motorcycle must’ve blew a fuse?
Or maybe the eyes are too red?
No wonder Goth boy hit an elephant, was knocked on the head
What a mess, all the blood splattered on the wall
Though the wheels were spinnin’, I did not fall
I gotta see Highway 49
and will draw that next time!

In a gallery haunted by inspiration
An artist sketches his next creation
Past the mind, he views life in various colors and forms
Then, on canvas, stretches reality beyond its norms.

Lynn Mari, ©2008.

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Inspired By: Marcus, digital artist
M-12 Fundamentalist: http://www.eltania.net/m12/

The Howlin’ Wolf Site: http://www.howlinwolf.com/