Poet Showcase; Katherine West
She Survived
She stood silently watching the birds fly
Gliding upon gossamer wings of joy
There is no wild, unbridled fury here
A freedom that's foreign to some creatures
Caged by fear, shackled and shamed- powerless
An untamed spirit floating on the wind
A freedom that's never to be tasted
Those fearful, trapped souls yearning to soar free
To fly high, leaving every care behind
No more silent agony- no more pain
Living within yesterday's shattered dreams
And the realization- I have survived
Yellow Ribbons of Innocence
Her spirit once sang of dandelion dreams
A sparkling song so full of innocence
Bouncing blonde pigtails with gold colored bows
Her eyes were iridescent indigo
Bright blues now shaded by the summer sky
Have turned the color of sapphire ice
Yellow ribbons the hue of lemon drops
Now drift to the ground jaded and jaundiced
Hopscotch hopes now faded and forgotten
Like those long ago childhood memories
The Last Dance
Dry leaves dancing upon the ashen ground
Like sullen ballerinas on a stage
The crisp auburn dancers go round and round
Twirling and swirling while venting their rage
The music- a light airy rustling sound
Low cries of anguish that whispered, "old age"
Once bright costumes now wrinkled and browned
Adorn the dancers as life turns the page
Faded Shades of Yesterday
Faded shades of yesterday
Dimming dreams of tomorrow
The sickening stench of flowers
Perfume the silent, stale air
One lonely rose lies still
With a mocking vibrancy
An enchantress so splendor
Frozen forever in youth
The soft, supple texture gone
Warm lips brush those that are cold
A kiss that cries forever
A strange taste flavored by fear
Salt intermingled with ice
The sour taste of nothingness
Lacy pillows out of place
Ruffles covering the pain
The forgotten shade of dawn
Hiding the terror of truth
Such plain, muted shades of gray
No brilliant colors to behold
Faded shades of yesterday
Dimming dreams of tomorrow
Whispers from a Scribe
My ideal poem grabs your heart
And doesn't let go
A poem that flows
Into a river of tears
Conjuring up beautiful images
Imbedded into your mind
To be replayed at whim
Time after time
I want to make the sun smile
And bring the wind to its knees
I want to lasso the moon
And bring you back to me
On angel's breath
Words whisper to me
To gently scrawl
A secret sonnet
I want to bury a treasure
Deep within your soul
Whimsical words that
Make you smile
I draw a map
With ribbons and lace
Over the falling star
And back to my heart
Words that wet the soul
With dewdrops of love
That glide softly
Down your rosy cheeks
I want to feel the silky touch
Of your haunting wishes
Lightly resting
Here upon my heart
I conjure a memory
So that you may
Taste a salty tear
Right here upon my face
A voice that speaks
Of warm baby's breath
Searing scarlet hearts
On translucent skin
Thoughts that make you prickle
Visions that chill
And chase the rain away
Leaving smiles in their place
Releasing demons at will
With words at my whim
So you may understand
Just who I am
copyright Katherine West 2001
