To all the times I held you
To all the times I cried
To all the times you hurt me
To all the times you lied
To all the times you screamed my name 
and the times I screamed yours back
To every bruise you gave me 
and for every bone you cracked.


To every name you called me
as your blows rained from above
To the corner that I cowered in
as you dealt out your "love"
To your friends that saw the battle scars and quickly turned away
To the drink that made you do it
even on your sober days.


I raise this glass to you my love
in thanks for all you've done
it took a while but now I see
that you're the damaged one
So when you're feeling lonely
Don't spare a thought for me
I cower there no longer
Your anger set me free.

Come find me in your darkest hour
Come knock upon my door
I'll light a fire and pour the wine
throw cushions on the floor

Come huddle under blankets
Find comfort in my smile
and tell me of the life you live
it's triumphs, fears and trials

Lean in a little closer
Let me whisper in your ear
Let me put my arms around you
There is no judgement here

Let me tell you all my secrets
While my head lies on your chest
Let the world go on without us
Never caring for the rest

Then when sweet slumber finds us
Bringing whispers to an end
I'll hold your dreams within my heart
My sweetest poet friend.

If I'm the lone survivor,
family reunions are gonna ****

~

The sky is burnin'

Clouded flames of heated needs
soaring overhead in blistering fashion
Raging, scorching what hides within…
a distant glow fueling deeply

I believe my soul's on fire

As I feel this longing,
an out of control inferno
Blazing beneath my heart,
searing all that I now find

You are, I'm learning

Love’s tinder…sparks ignited
Standing at the pyre of your beauty
Feeding pulsating embers of lust,
Passion’s combustion in a fever’d pitch

*the key to my desire

Little Bird – (Forever and Always)

When I read to Tony at bed time, there are times his little sister Lucy is there for our nightly ritual.  When all is read and eyes are closing, I say to Tony,  “Good night Tony Boy.  Love you forever and always.  See you in the morning.”

One afternoon Lucy (2) climbed up into my big chair and positioned herself just so.  When all was snuggled in, she looked up at me and said, “My love you grandpa.”  Of course I do what all thinking grandpas do… I said, “I love you too Lucy.”  A moment goes by, a little shifting in the nest occurs, and I hear, “My love you grandpa!”   Now the reasonable thinking grandpa would say, “I love you too Lucy Girl.”  Which I did.  But that was not the end of this conversational delight. Then she looked up into my face with some consternation on her’s and said, “How come you don’t say ‘forever and always’ grandpa?”  “Oh Lucy Girl.  Grandpa does love you forever and always.  Yes I do.”  With that affirmation of love she settled in with a smile on her face and snuggled up tighter.

What may seem to be a small thing to big people is a really BIG thing to the small.

I have reached the pinnacle of joy when Tony Boy and Lucy Girl are snuggled in… one on each side.  “All is well.”  At least in my world it is.

~

A poem of ***
But not in this text
I just used this title to see
           ~
If you would come
Looking for fun
Pull up this poem and read
           ~
You will not find
Words of that kind
No moaning passionate steam
          ~
Two of the night
Not in this write
All of these verses are clean
          ~
Lips locking soft
Hearts now aloft
Maybe what you did expect
         ~
Candlelight flame
Screaming a name
Glistening skin, beads of sweat
          ~
None of that here
Let’s make it clear
Nothing of that sort reflects
          ~
Words that you see
Written by me
*Titled, “A Poem of ***”

~

Oh so weak, I lift you by delicate wings,
gently as to not smear the wonder
that does meet my eyes

Softly you rest in my hand,
exploring my skin,
the lines of my life, crooked and scarred

Tiny feet dance
tickling me with wonderful sonnets,
penned by nature herself

As if you can see
my intentions are pure,
for I long to bring you joy, which you bring me

A sweet fragrance on the wind
rhymes perfectly with your mesmerizing luminescent colors,
shimmering in the morning sun

Spread your wings my little friend
for I have planted you a garden
filled with the nectar which you desire

And I will sit and watch
silently as you float, happy and free
amongst the beauty that grows for only you

*Deep within my heart