writing live

[butters]

youth's beautiful certainties

those black and whites
pure, judgemental, righteous
such a stark contrast
to riotous rainbows of colour
so celebrated in our salad days

but when the bright
the hellish blaze
of condemnation and conceit
burns everything down
& all that's left is ash
our mouths are drier
eyes damper
as we begin to understand
our shades of grey

 

[haventgotaclue]

You give me inspiration!

 

[butters]

You give me inspiration!

thanks!

 

[butters]

how to time living

clouds slouch above the horizon
surly sentries straightening up
as company arrives
& entire battalions join their ranks
a collective, potential threat

winds change and change again
accept it
you can't outrun the rain
it's a matter of timing

when lightning splits the skies
when thunder shudders
have your shelter prepared
but when the wondrous wet stuff falls
from heavens where the sun still shines
dance like thirsty earth-gods
absorbing life
embracing rainbows





n.b edits made in my 'butters' thread

 

[butters]

touch wood

when i seek to still a mind
that turns and tumbles
there are times
i find myself transported back
to subtle echoes
of an empty church
a nave with vaulted ceilings
lost in light
the ghosts of old incense
& the poetry of Latin

that sense of space
shrinks me
its timelessness smooths my edges
cool stone beneath soles
the solid silence of old yew
comforting a fretting palm
soothed by pews' simplicity

a harmony of light
flows from stained glass windows
and though alone—
no priest or prayers
no sins to be atoned nor absolutions
no choir, caskets, wedding wreaths—
i am peace



n.b edits made in my 'butters' thread

 

[Rockymtnman]

A slight hint of smoke
On the first cold autumn wind
Yellows and reds snap and weave in the breeze
Only to fall silently on what’s left of summers grasp
They crinkle and crunch under my feet
As if I’m on some very thin ice

 

[Rockymtnman]

My yearly, very tongue in cheek, Ode to Poe.

A cask of Amantillado, say I!
But the bartender merely shrugged
Again I exclaimed
A cask of Amantillado, say I!
Again the shrug.
Incensed, I shout, A cask of Amantillado say I!
Angrily he says, some asshole walled in the last cask the other day!
With that, I was on my way.
For my love Ms. Usher waited for me
To join her sleeping eternity
But first a stop at my cousins house
Apparently, in the floorboards there must be a mouse
A terrible racket he has explained
Like a bump bump bumping, driving him insane
Who knows what fun I shall find aft and fore
But I shan’t come back to this pub
Oh yes, never more.

 

[Ambient4190]

a simple task
really
not performed
enough
daily life survival
prevails

yet

to clean dirt dust
exhaust
off the windows
stare
at the brightness
fleeting

admire an everyday
view
affresh for some
hours
then back to work

reality

 

[butters]

Royal Portrait

Today,
before a backcloth of infinite blue
a Queen poses
all silver and shadows

She's shed her couture gown
embraces the chill wind
elegantly naked
utterly regal

King's a nude in waiting—
imposing bulk and form
rougher, darker bark split by time's scars —
ready to slip between Winter's sheets

He fidgets, impatient
commands to be painted in all his glory
small artist expected to understand
how light and shade enhance
and how, crownless, still he reigns
majestic




*edits made over on my butter's thread