She surrenders
in the soft moonlight
cleverly disguised vestiges
of her being
carefully covering them
with the soft sand
a ritual from deep within her cells.

Her labor complete
she lumbers
back toward the sea
leaving her signature
on the shore
like some ancient writing

The tide will erase
her footprints
but later
embrace her children
pieces of her soul

Ten thousand leaves fell
with a single wisp of air
that escaped from your lips
as you smile;

that is how rapturously I fell in love
with you.

I lie helpless on my side
eye bulging
grotesquely
body heaving
in desperate struggle
to find oxygen
mouth puffing
on a hook.
I lie for an eternity
gasping
with renewed impetus
at each bubble of surf
that teases my lips
while unrelenting waves
carry me further in
further out
scouring my underside
on the grit.

Overhead the gulls
circle
screeching as if arguing
over whose catch I am.
Finally
one breaks away from their band.
Diving clumsily
landing near my head
he follows my movement
in the surf.
In blessed relief
my under eye is scraped
away
while the upper watches
the spear of the gull's beak
as it searches
for my body's most
succulent
spot.

The spear is aimed.
My watching eye prays
to be spared
yet wanting the torture ended
begs the spear take me now.
Finding other parts
more desirable
the gull tears at my flesh
ignoring
the etiquette
of allowing death
to take
first serving.

My eye peers into
his midnight speck
of vision
and
sees itself mirrored there
and
his in mine
and
mine in his again...
souls fused
in eternity.
All the while
my flesh is ripped
and scattered.

Newly enticed
the circle of gulls return
their cries a funeral chant
raw and sepulchral.
As my gaping eye
reflects
the heavens
I watch them descend
in droves
spears ready
for the wake-feast
those awkward angels

swooping
down
for me.

(haikus)

eggs aren't done yet,
deep frying oil sizzles loud,
my eyes meet pale red,

i anxiously taste
Korean strawberries......but,
..........eagerly, i sniff,

home smells of....fried rice,
garlic...coffee...petrichor,
sweet scents...wafting 'round.


   (10w)

youTube plays
Moondance by Van Morrison
shoulders sway...fingers tap.

i glow...while singing
with Don Mclean's
Starry Starry Night.


strangers knock, looking for never-heards,
at six AM?
very extraordinary!

then guards
warn us of strangers,
a bit too late!

clatter of china says,
table's ready...
wait...
rain is pouring!

where're you,
Creedence Clearwater?
have you ever seen the rain?

gosh....the dogs again!
...chased away
both cat and kittens :-(


     (14 lines)

the table...now speaks loudly
of perfect sunny-side-ups
mushroom omelet with sliced sausages
there's toasted bread......fried rice,
and fried plantain bananas, too,
all steaming hot......the aroma
......of arabica........brewing...
the many unexpected moments
that keep popping out of the blue
create a palette of bright colors
and moods for this new day...
i await more of these "unexpecteds,"
this  flow of eclectic poetry
really knocks me off my feet :))


Sally


Copyright April 23, 2017
Rosalia Rosario A. Bayan

I search for the right words.
You patiently wait.
I speak...
slowly...
deliberately.
You understand.

Is it because we know
that each word
that passes our lips
carries with it
cradled somewhere
a piece of our souls?

For so long
as I moved about
in a foggy sleep
a dark and misty dream
my soul was held captive
a prisoner to fear and doubt
distrust and bitterness.

Then I awoke.
I learned freedom
learned to love again.
Yet even now
my soul flows out
with caution
choosing carefully its vehicle
attaching tentatively
to the words.

Like a fledgling
unsure
yet
certain it must fly
I speak...
slowly...
deliberately.
You understand.
I search for the right words.
You patiently wait.

You give me wings!