The Man Who…

This poem is dedicated to my step-dad, the man who from the beginning treated me then as he does now – as one of his own.  Thank you.

*****

– The Man Who… –

The man who took me on
as part of the deal
The man who never once
made me feel –

in the way,
unwanted, not cared for

The man who carved lanterns
for Halloween fun
The man who made theatres
and allowed me to run – 

matters off-stage,
free reign, made miniature

The man who was there, quiet
in my background
The man who loved me
as if he had found – 

my small heart
and held it, so gently

A man who I love
admire and respect
A man who I hope
will only reflect – 

that he fashioned a good life
for a daughter, pre-made

From the bottom of my heart
For the man who…

Clocked – dVerse Open Link Week 120

Here’s my latest entry into the dVerse Open Link – why not take a look at everyone else’s wonderful responses?

This is about wanting time to move quickly, and not making the most of now.

*****

– Clocked –

One month before, or
Two weeks until, and
I’ll feel better when this, or
That has happened.

I cross off the days, or
Count down the minutes, and
Wish for the seconds, or
Hours to sweep by.

This unpleasant event, or
That hard conversation, and
I can’t wait for them to pass, or
Do I know what I want?

Because now I am older, or
Wiser than before, and
Know that time is fleeting, or
Finally realise –

That I cannot control time.

Denied – dVerse Poetics (Halloween version)

This week’s dVerse Poetics has us writing ghostly tales, but with a comedic twist. Such fun! It is very windy here on the coast tonight, and according to the weather forecast, worse is to come tomorrow evening – so my offering has picked up on that, as you will see!

I hope you enjoy it – and please visit dVerse to read all of the other creations!

– Denied –

The winds they howl and moan tonight
They say they’ll bring the folks a fright
Tear down trees and windows break
The gales will keep us all awake

‘Tis Halloween, the ghosts and ghouls
Should roam the earth and steal our souls
But the weather has them beat
And whipped them all from off their feet

They’re wrapped around the chimney stacks
Caught in trees, trapped in shacks
The wind has sucked away their cries
And turned them dumb, to their surprise

They clench their fists and gnash their teeth
Their tortured souls find no release
The one night of the year for fun
Has left our ghastly ghostlies glum

Frustrated in their scary games
They feel let down, a sense of shame
That dawn is almost on their heels
And not a scream has been revealed

From the throats of human prey
The winds have stolen fear away
The storm dies down, the daylight looms
The scary fiends are bathed in gloom

‘Twas Halloween, a terrible night
For ghosts that die to cause a fright
Mother Nature upped her game
The ghouls were silenced – what a shame!