HE WHO KNOWS (Blackbird's "Weekend Watch")

HE WHO KNOWS

He sits alone,
invisible to those
who pass by each day
on their way
to whatever consumes
their attention
and numbs their hearts,
their faceless faces
riveted only upon
what distracts their eyes
and assaults their ears,
the shiny things
in the windows,
the flashy images
in the darkness,
loud noises,
unintelligible,
misunderstood.

And the people walk by;
they pay him no mind.
They don't notice his shoes
that have walked in places
I can only dream about;
that have walked in places
I'm afraid to know about.
They don't notice his eyes
that have seen things
I can't even begin to imagine.
They don't notice
what he already knows.

And I have a feeling
that he's the one
who sees things clearly,
sees through and beyond
the faceless faces
walking by.
I have a feeling
that he's the one
who has things
all figured out.

(c) barbara kausteklis 2-28-12

For Blackbird's "Weekend Watch"
(writing a piece suggested by the above image):

http://www.myspace.com/pandorasthief/blog/545357930

BRUSHSTROKES BEYOND (with photo)

BRUSHSTROKES BEYOND

Brilliant hues
and subtle tones,
God's wondrous canvas
to behold;
columns reaching
toward the desert sky;
mysteries hidden within
stark sandstone walls
infused with nuances
of color muted and bold,
shades and patterns
God's rainbowed brushstrokes
sweep boldly before my eyes
and beneath my feet,
rich earthen tones,
auburn, golden, and rust.

And within the blistering heat
of this noonday Mojave sun,
red rocks stand tall
to meet the crystal blue,
not a cloud in sight,
not a a shade tree in view
as mile-long trains
creep silently
across the desert floor,
trails across the sand
unstirred by human feet.

And on this Mojave Desert afternoon,
hushed silence crowds out
the clamor of yesterday,
the freeways,
the noise,
the sensory assault
as on this day
and at this moment
I hear only the desert,
silent but for the sound
of my own thoughts.
And I can finally see
beyond the mountains
and catch a glimpse
of what lies ahead
tomorrow.

(c) barbara kausteklis 2-27-12

For "Magic Monday/
Share the Magic of Your Desert."

http://www.friendburst.com/blog/81274/share-magic-desert/

Thanks always for your visits and precious comments. 


~barb~

BEYOND THE MOON

BEYOND THE MOON

Moonlight fantasies
soaring across
a midnight sky
within dreams of night
and the future’s edge
we dance upon black velvet
a spiraling upward climb.

Ever higher we soar
toward the full moon
at midnight’s hour,
through the darkness
and beyond the haze
that sometimes clouds
my vision and my heart.

Embracing the dream
and fantasy’s flight,
silver visions of the night,
treasures dwelling
upon this velvet tapestry
I close my eyes
as we soar into the night
where love abounds
and comforts my soul,
as I dream the dreams
meant just for me
within a midnight sky
and silver fantasy.

(c) barbara kausteklis 2-26-12

Written for "A Simple Sunday" which this week featured the multi-talented Heidi Foley (Inky). It's always an honor to write a piece to the work of one of my friends.

http://www.friendburst.com/blog/82730/simple-sunday-featured-artist-inky/

Thanks always for your visits and comments.

~barb~

Also posted on MySpace.

TO THE BEAT OF OUR HEARTS (A Collab With Photo)

TO THE BEAT OF OUR HEARTS

Dancing in delight

through the raindrops

as they fall,

we dance from sunset

until the Dawn,

dancing all night

to the beat of our hearts

and treasuring the moments

of a deep love shared within.

Dancing all night

to the rhythms we share,

we dance to Love’s music

as we dance toward the Dawn.

And as we dance the night away,

love sparkles everywhere,

in the moonlight and the moment,

enough to make my head spin.

And as night slowly turns

once more into day,

we meet the Dawn dancing

and watch the twinkling lights

as they dance across the bay.

(c) barbara kausteklis 2-25-12

A Collab written for "The Saturday Share."

http://www.friendburst.com/blog/82599/saturday-share-16/

Thanks to Angel Love and Bettie and Scotorum

for sharing their lines with me.

Lines selected and woven in with my own:

As we dance the night away (REQUIRED)

As the moon shone down so bright (Angel Love)

We dance all night to our own beat (Angel Love)

Love sparkles and the moon light makes my head spin (Bettie)

The night slowly turns into day (Scotorum)

As we watch the sunrise across the bay (Angel Love)

Hoping this has been a good weekend for you.

~barb~

BEYOND DAY AND NIGHT: An Ottava Rima

BEYOND DAY AND NIGHT

Within the realm of darkness and night
where solitude reigns and silence grows,
my imagination soars toward Dawn’s first light
as I find my way by moonbeams’ glow
to this place that soothes my heart and soul;
daylight waning and all seeming so right
and Night’s painted canvas lifting me up,
the stars and planets begin to fill my cup.

And as I gaze up at the midnight skies,
my dreams dancing with each twinkling star
tears begin to flow and well up in my eyes
the elusive dreams I try to catch from afar.
Each time I see them, another surprise
as they begin to meet us where we are.
And the joy they bring I can’t explain,
or the sound of their ethereal refrain.



(c) barbara kausteklis 2-24-12

An ottava rima written for CPC Friday Fling/
"The Friday Fling Swoons Poetically
Over Objects of Affection."
The Ottava Rima was the featured form.

The ottava rima format,
according to www.ShadowPoetry.com:

An Ottava Rima is a poem written in 8-line octaves.
Each line is of a 10 or 11 syllable count
in the following rhyme:

one octave poem - abababcc

two octave poem - abababcc, dededeff

three octave poem - abababcc, dededeff, ghghghii

While I don't write very many "form" pieces,
I always do find trying them a fun challenge.

Thanks always for your visits and comments
on this piece and the previous pieces posted.

~barb~

REALITY SHIFT (with photos)

REALITY SHIFT

Reality capturing
my heart and my soul
for all time,
for all creation,
known and unknown,
this passage through life,
through darkness
and through shadow
and through dust,
with the sunrise
my heart and my soul
shift toward Heaven.






(c) barbara kausteklis 2-23-12

Written for CPC "Pick Apart Poetry" which this month featured the poetry of Cherie Harvey/Silver Lining. The idea of "Pick-Apart Poetry" is to select 25 words from the featured poem and create a new piece. Words can be used more than once and tenses and forms can be changed. This is the piece I wrote for the challenge. Cherie's original poem from which my 25 words were selected and the rest of the wonderful poetry created from it are at the following link:

http://www.friendburst.com/blog/82521/pic-a-part-surprise-guest/

Thanks always for your visits and comments.

~barb~

FRIENDLY FREDDIE FINALLY FINDS FAME -- Blogophilia 52.4

Blogophilia 52.4 Topic: "Friendly Ferets"

Bonus Points:

(Hard, 2pts): Use the line 'no stop till Brooklyn"
(Easy, 1pt): include a rabbit

Final date to post BLOG: February 26th, 2012 Sunday, midnight Pacific Time

Final date to post ALL GUESSES: February 24th, 2012 Friday, midnight Pacific Time

Please highlight or otherwise point out your bonus points attempts. Don't forget to guess who picked the topic and the bonus picture as well as guessing the secret word or phrase for a chance at more points.

***************

FRIENDLY FREDDIE FINALLY FINDS FAME

Friendly Freddie Ferret
lived out in L.A.
with his friendly ferret family
the coolest friendly ferrets of all.
Freddie loved everything about
the City of Angels he called home;
he loved the sound of the freeways
and the hip and cool L.A. scene.
He was a musician, after all,
and sported a goatee;
he could sing the high notes
and the low
and played
the bass guitar.

But one day in the life
of Friendly Freddie Ferret
changed all of that for good.
For Freddie woke up
one fine Wednesday
and took a look at the sky.
His smile turned to a frown
as he quickly looked back down
as his sunshine had turned to gray.

And he didn't like it
that way
at all.

Friendly Freddie Ferret
simply got tired of it all
and headed for points east
to make himself a name
and gain a bit of fame
under the bright lights
on the sidewalks of New York.

So in a flash and a dash
he hopped on the train
and headed out of L.A.
He left the freeways
and the flashing lights
and all that he ever knew
for a new life and new start
even if it was off Broadway.

In an instant
and just like that
his life forever changed
as California became Arizona
and New Mexico and beyond
and down through Oklahoma
and Texas and right past
the St. Louis Arch
as they crossed the Mississippi
on toward the sidewalks
of New York.

And he knew they were getting
oh so very close as he heard
the conductor shout:
"No stop till Brooklyn,
no more stops till then,
You can't get off till Brooklyn.
Listen carefully
and I'll tell you when."

And the last time I saw Freddie
he was performing on the stage
with Fernando the Friendly Rabbit
to loud applause and huge acclaim.
Freddie and Fernando were famous
and getting rave reviews
and Freddie was still very friendly,
the friendliest ferret around.

And Friendly Freddie Ferret
Finally Found Fame
on the sidewalks
and stages of New York.

(c) barbara kausteklis 2-22-12

Written for Blogophilia 52.4/"Friendly Ferets."

http://www.myspace.com/blogophilia/blog/545335250

GUESSES:

Topic Submitted By: Kismet

Picture Submitted By: Joanie

Phrases: Big Dog, Lazy Dog, nap time, taking a snooze, dog-tired, let sleeping dogs lie, pooped, all tuckered out, cramped quarters, taking a snooze, napping, dog-nap, sweet dreams, comfy, out for the count, leg cramped, funny dog, lazy bones, all legs, sound asleep, cards on the table, cross-legged, T-bones, snoozing pooch.

A bit of Ferret information from Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferret

Thanks always for your visits and comments.

It has been a long time since I've posted a piece

here on Blogger but this seems like a good time

to begin posting here again.

I look forward to catching up with

what I've missed here.

~barb~

Also posted on MySpace:

http://www.myspace.com/578362805/blog/545348290