Poetry Within Poetry by Lynn West

Night's Bliss

2012-01-31T18:44:00.001-08:00

Night's Bliss

Stars surround me,
deep inside the Milky Way,
I twirl and dance,
to the beat of my
lover's heart

Moon's glow as bright
as the dawn, while our
naked bodies, attune
to the symphony of
the other's touch

Inside this realm of
twilight, desirous
souls come together,
flesh to flesh, lips to lips

Til' long into the
morning, when dew
has dropped her
glorious prisms
and we slumber

Lynn West
(c) 2012

Garden of Delight

2012-01-26T12:03:00.000-08:00

Garden of Delight

Would that I
could bottle
the feelings
I get from
being in nature

For there is no
greater elixir
in life, tis pure
inner peace and
I wish it for the
world

Innocent chatter
from birds busy
at nesting or soaring
about

Dancing butterflies
I am told are angels
in disguise

Scampering chipmunks
hurrying not to be seen
as earthworms do their
job as ladybugs light
on my shoulder

Wind tinkles lightly
through the trees
and I know my
garden is a sacred
haven for all who
enter here

Lynn West
(c) 2012

Red Hawk

2012-01-26T11:26:00.000-08:00

Red Hawk

Hallowed ground
trampled with no
remorse for unearthed
bones

Ancestor's dust returns
to the four winds and
the grandmother's
prophecy is fulfilled as
red hawk speaks
on a higher plane
than many can
ever comprehend

Painted ponies find
no graze when
humans stop
being human
and the world
forgets it's worth

Lynn West
(c) 2012

Winged Symphony

2012-01-26T11:15:00.000-08:00

Winged Symphony

Dancing to and fro,
air ballet in flight,
winged angels
visiting me, tis
such a wondrous
sight!

They stop for just
a grain or two
and then fly off again,
soaring through the
air without a care or whim

They sing for me a symphony
from way up in the sky
and as I toss a few more
seeds, I watch bird angels fly

Lynn West
(c) 2012

Disheveled

2012-01-26T11:05:00.000-08:00

Disheveled

I seem to have
disappeared,
drawn up the
moat of my
very existence

My mind turned
inward to live
with my thoughts,
which are twisting
like so many rooms
in a maze of an old
ancient castle

No reflection shows
back in my mind's
mirror, merely
the ghost of my being
gazing back at me

Pearl white dreams
cloud my brain
and I find it hard
to muddle through
the foggy mist

Reaching deep
into the stillness,
I know I must
find myself
again

Experience tells me
that the dark waters
are cold and lonely
and I push back
from the brink
into total sunlight

Ahhhh, when I
arrive from dream's
door, realization that
the dream was no
more than that, I
ponder it's meaning
and am ever thankful
for the circle of hope
that surrounds me,
the beings of light
who guide my path
and the knowledge
that when one stumbles
helping hands are
ever there, supporting,
lifting, loving, being,
in the light of soul sisters

Lynn West
(c) 2012

Kismet

2012-01-18T13:10:00.000-08:00

Kismet

Touch me in the darkness,
with fingers of pure flame

Kiss me with your tempting
lips, hot as molten lava

Feel my body open to
welcome your impasse

Move with me as a
ship to storm, wave upon
endless wave

Hold me close, no closer
still, make me part of you

Make love to me forever...
and then just one more day

Lynn West
(c) 2012

Photo used without permission unable to locate photographer but full credit be given for this glorious shot

Dream Carriage

2012-01-15T14:56:00.001-08:00

Dream Carriage

And into the night I ride
in a carriage made of dreams

To the Castle of Merlin
in the Land of Nod
where I truly am his Queen

Down the tree lined lane
the castle comes into view
and my heart beats ever faster

I stop at the moat to look up
as the hawk soars above

White steeds draw my carriage,
all regal and proud, as I yearn to
reach the door

When the carriage stops,
the old door of the castle
swings wide and light glows
from inside

The light is that of pure love
unconditional, non-judgmental
radiant, calming, soothing light
and standing there with open arms
is my Magic Man, at long last, waiting
for his MoonAngel, his one

His arms enfold me, his embrace
pure gold, eyes like diamonds blue,
his lips are my rubies, his touch
my true life-force

And as he holds me tight, I know
our time has come, at last,
pure ecstasy will be mine and
the gods will surely tremble,
for now the dream carriage
has disappeared and I am forever
his in the land of you and me,
joining souls, for eternity

Lynn West
(c) 2012

It's never too late to believe
that dreams can come true...

Photo used without permission

Simply Joys

2012-01-03T18:31:00.001-08:00

The best things in life really are free… to name a few:

 good friends

 nothing is sweeter than a baby’s laughter

 a hug from granny

 a butterfly gracefully fluttering by

 catching a fish

 a cool breeze on a hot summer’s day

 watching a cat stretch after a long nap

 sunrise or sunset, especially on the beach or watching from a mountain bluff

 wildflowers

 prayers being sent up - or better yet - being answered

 the face of a child on Christmas morning

 leaves changing to those glorious fall colors

 memories

Lynn West 1/9/2002

The Cottage

2011-12-29T17:17:00.001-08:00

The Cottage

The cool morning mist
surrounds her like a fog
as she steps lightly
into the forest

Dew drops cling to her hair
as she searches for that
special place where she
once belonged

Searching for landmarks,
the old dead tree (long since
returned to the earth)
she loses her way and
finds herself circling
...listening she hears
the babbling of a brook

Standing there for what
seems like hours, she
wonders which way to go,
looking down she sees
the remnants of an old
stone path and instinctively
knows that the cottage is nearby

As she makes her way through
the overgrowth that was
once the garden, past the
low rock wall, there under
the canopy of the massive oak
trees she stops, her breath
coming quickly now in anticipation,
as her search comes to an end

The door stands open, waiting, and as
she makes her way through the cobweb
covered doorway, past the old brick
fireplace, she stops, remembering the
smells of her grandmother's cooking
like it was yesterday

She can still see that
loving face (gone for decades
now) smiling down at her,
eyes twinkling, hands
warm and welcoming

As the hours tick by,
she sits in the tiny kitchen
of the abandoned cottage
that once was her childhood
safe haven and in her mind
the years slip away and she can
once again hear that lovely voice,
softly humming and she yearns
to have her grandmother's arms
around her once more

Lynn West
(c) 2009

Noel

2011-12-23T08:20:00.000-08:00

Noel

I can see the wonder
in the children's eyes
and for this I am so thankful

Carolers stroll by
as the snow covers my lawn,
like a blanket of diamonds

Stopping to sing, their voices
ring out as St. Nicholas
prepares his sleigh
for the trip to every
boy and girl's dreamland

The Angels' halos
light the sky
as twinkling stars

Joy is all around and the
true meaning of the season
is evident

Love abounds!

Happy Birthday, Jesus

Amen and good night

Lynn West
(c) 2009

Unleashed

2011-12-16T20:51:00.000-08:00

Unleashed

Bound together by forces
unseen, yet epic in their pull

The fight was over
before it began
as need found it's way
to the surface,
long buried by secrets
and half-truths

When you found me,
I was as lost as thee,
waiting for what I knew not

With eyes wide open,
my body trembles,
for now, I know your touch

Take me to you lair
and unleash our passion,
held back a thousand years...

Lust held captive by time
is set free as flesh meets flesh,
melding, joining, knowing
the wonder of release,
reclaiming life, wrapped in
ecstasy's dance

And the full moon never
looked so innocent...

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Morning

2011-12-08T09:01:00.000-08:00

Morning

Morning in all it's glory,
seeping through my windowpane

Dawn's break of the day,
washed clean and fresh, again

Birds are waking slowly,
singing to the dawn

Dew has left a thousand
tiny prisms dancing
across the lawn

I can smell the coffee
brewing in the pot

Another day of glorious
wonder will not be forgot

Rising from my bed,
to drink a cup of brew

I walk my little stone path
as my feet are bathed in dew

Lynn West
(c) 2009

Photographs

2011-12-08T08:58:00.000-08:00

Photographs

As I study these old photographs
memories wash over me like a
flood and the love shines down
from above like the warmest of
summer days

Smiling faces stare back at me
and I remember a grandmother's
hug, grandfather's joking manner,
the way mother would laugh,
the crooked slant of dad's hat...

There is a special feeling that comes
from wandering down memory lane,
a little bittersweet perhaps, but a road no less
traveled in spite of its rocky turns, for that
road holds my memories of you

Lynn West
(c) 2009

Ecstasy Mountain

2011-12-07T12:02:00.000-08:00

Ecstasy Mountain

Smiles abound
as anticipated pleasure
touches the very
core of my soul

Intimate gestures, passion's
release, traveling to the
peak of ecstasy mountain,
where I haven't tread in years

Endless touches, yearnings
fulfilled, contentment in
spoon curled bodies

Until a time when the wolf inside
is released yet again and soars
with this MoonAngel to bliss,
once more

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Photo courtesy of Joe Insinga
TenThiryOnePhotograpic

Lover's Groove

2011-12-04T20:14:00.001-08:00

Lover's Groove

A tender kiss,
a slow caress
this moment is
utter happiness

A tickle here,
a slow lick there
inside our world
without a care

Finding ecstasy
with every move
locked in a dance,
the lover's groove

Knowing you, knowing me,
secrets and yearnings to unfold
open arms and caring hearts
life stories waiting to be told

Soul joining, come at last
living now, not present nor past
chapters in the Book of We,
creating perfect harmony

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Photo courtesy of Fabio Napoleoni

Dream Weaver

2011-11-20T21:31:00.001-08:00

Dream Weaver

Dream weaver,
weave me a dream
of a starlit night,
drifting with you

Make it so real
that I actually feel
the magic of your touch

Show me the color of
your soul and whisper
your heart's desire

And in the morning
when I rise, be there
by my side

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Stay Cool

2011-11-18T09:42:00.000-08:00

Stay Cool

The young ones
don't always get it...
how cool it is to
be old

Not old in mind,
that really doesn't
age, but rather
matures, like a fine
wine

We may mellow
or we may burst
alive at 50!

Either way, cool ones,
keep on keepin' on

Coz' you GOT it

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Canvas

2011-11-17T12:06:00.001-08:00

Canvas

Today is perfect,
a blank canvas
to be colored
with anything that
you choose.

I see the golden hues
of autumn and it reassures
me that change is good,
necessary, in fact.
Without change, growth stops
and growing in mind
and soul are monumental for
my well being.

In the distance, I hear a train,
reminding me that
life is indeed a journey.
You can stand at the station
and watch as it passes you by,
or ride, ride every second,
live fuller, love deeper,
march to your own drum,
be the you who paints
their own canvas.

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Photo Courtesy of my good friend, Michele Robertson

The Yarn Spinners

2011-11-09T17:48:00.001-08:00

The Yarn Spinner

Oh teller of tales
and weaver of
dreams straight
to my heart
you do speak

With your words you enchant
be it ode, verse or rhyme and
I yearn for your stories, like a remedy

How you mellow my soul,
spinning tales of your woe
as the days drift carelessly by

What a sad world it would be
without raconteurs like thee
to set our imagination on fire!

Lynn West
(c) 2009

Once Upon a Time...

2011-11-01T22:00:00.000-07:00

Once Upon a Time

12 days later
she stopped crying,
yet the bitterness
of his stinging words
still clung to her heart
choking like
vines, burying her
soul deeper and
deeper

12 months later
she saw the light
at the end of a
well worn tunnel,
her heart still
prickled from the
thorns of hurt

12 years later
she was merely
a shell of the
emotionally starved
creature who had
climbed back from
oblivion, a new life
forged from a wounded
soul, all because she was
set free, soaring with love
which could outshine
the sun, for in 12 lifetimes
she could never be loved
as she is loved now...

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Taken

2011-10-31T20:06:00.000-07:00

Taken
Passion engulfs me
as I stagger backward,
weak kneed and trembling

Acknowledgement of playing with
fire is tossed by the wayside,
given over to senses, dulled by
yearning, as lips of hunger
ravish me, leaving me breathless

Embers long thought lost
to wind and time, ignite
as kindred spirits
come together with
the force of a hurricane
and the need of a thousand
wandering the earth alone...

Lynn West
(c) 2011

*Photo Windblown Dunes
expressly owned by Peter Holloway
visit: www.peterholloway.com

Passing Time

2011-10-13T19:27:00.000-07:00

Passing Time

Burning the candle at both ends,
he wakes to another busy day,
telling himself he will slow down...
tomorrow

As days roll by and months turn
to years, still he presses on,
no end in sight to the hurry/scurry
that is now his existence

Life passed him by, like a fast
moving train as the family dinners
were held without him and the
children began to leave the nest

Now as his hair began
to gray, he wondered
where time had gone,
when in truth, the time
was there, just not well-
spent and as he rocked
alone in his chair,
he felt the knowing of
regret...

Lynn West
(c) 2011

The Other Side of Rain

2011-10-11T18:40:00.001-07:00

The Other Side of Rain

As the rain pours down,
my soul feels washed anew

The melody lulls me,
carrying me to thoughts of you

Floating down a lazy river,
looking up to the sky

No agenda, just being,
as the stars come out
to shine for us and
the moon rises
to witness our kiss

Moments frozen by memories,
yet to be lived, in the rain,
with you

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Dissolution

2011-10-11T18:31:00.001-07:00

Dissolution

Bitter end to sweet beginning,
as the path between them widens

What a shame when trust is lost,
never to be regained

And days become years of strained existence,
where touches fade from memory

Always two sides to an
argument, both believing
in their own truth

The walk down the isle
is a lifetime away as the
judge signs the final decree

And both walk away,
wondering what happened
to happy ever after

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Closet of Memories

2011-10-11T18:26:00.000-07:00

Closet of Memories

Would that we could access our memories as easily as choosing a dress from our closet. Go thru them, one by one, choosing a favorite to try on, wearing it anytime we wanted, like a pair of old, soft shoes.

But life doesn't give us that option and sometimes even the most precious of memories fade like the sun over the mountains.

I look at old photographs at times and rediscover a moment, thankful that it's trapped in time for me.

Someone wrote a song once "The Beauty of Days Gone By" and I can't think of a better way to say that. I honor my past, am thankful for my memories (even the lessons learned) and am looking forward to the future with bright-eyed wonder while I live in the now and relish each moment

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Flight of the Willow Queen

2011-10-11T18:18:00.001-07:00

Flight of the Willow Queen

On an aimless flight,
she wanders to and fro,
searching for another
sunny day

Her eyes like rays of sunshine,
her hair as wispy as the willow
and her lips taste of fallen dew,

She is bathed in morning's
quiet dawn, and when she
takes a deeper look, the
knowledge floods into
her mind with the rising
of the sun

She opens her heart as
her voice rises in
perfect harmony with
the wind and she sings
praises once more to
the heavens and the earth

Lynn West
(c) 2011

The Swans of St. Ives

2011-10-11T17:52:00.000-07:00

The Swans of St. Ives

As we lazed by the River Ouse,
I witnessed graceful beauty,
in a land of serenity

Protected by their Queen,
forevermore

Floating like tiny barges of peace,
I marveled at nature's blessings bestowed

And when they took to flight,
in unison, I experienced heaven

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Freeing the Words

2011-08-19T06:09:00.000-07:00

Freeing the Words

I find a place inside my head
where words are waiting to be said

My pen embarks on a new journey
to say what I feel and set the words free

Some days find the simples, other days the blues
Words that tell of flowers, even of shoes

It matters not whether they blend or rhyme
it's simply words escaping from an imaginative mind

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Queen of Foul

2011-07-16T20:17:00.000-07:00

Queen of Foul

There once was a woman
I thought a true friend,
expected our sisterhood to last
through thick and thin

But one summer day
when chickens roamed,
I saw deep inside her soul,
as her lips spouted forth words
our friendship could not hold

In front of her own, she screamed
her true feelings of me spilled out,
was it resentment at last redeemed?

Anger met anger as our words spewed,
the argument made no sense!
What a shame where there was once a neighbor soon I'll see a fence

But I honestly suspect
the reason of our parting
is my demand for respect

A test perhaps,
one that made my heart sore
knowing envy and bitterness
was disguised next door

Lynn West
(c) 2011

2011-06-16T09:19:00.001-07:00

The MoonShiner

His life was one of adventure
ever a step in front of the law
running booze and making white lightnin’
was his family’s call

From olden days before prohibition
til’ the 90's he did ride
and in the holler late at night
the Moonshiner made his “pride”

The bootleggers all knew his name
and respected him more than most
for he was the “Mayor of Happy Holler”
our Sam, never a bragger or boast

A better man never walked this earth
and I am glad to say
he was the one I called my father
and I miss more than words can say

Lynn West
(c) 2009
for my Dad

Living Now

2011-05-11T20:48:00.000-07:00

Living Now

Now and again
I afford myself
a look back, yet
I constantly strive
to live in the moment,
to live in the now

For the past is just that,
past, the memories bittersweet,
the mistakes, lessons learned

Acknowledge that the future
stems from what you have
made of this day

Tomorrow is an unwritten
slate where the stars are your
limit, the moon your guide
and the heavens await you,
yet keep in mind, it's
the "now" that makes it
all worthwhile

Lynn West
© 2009

Haiku Summer

2011-05-11T20:46:00.000-07:00

Haiku Summer

Hot and dusty day
I wonder, where is the rain
ah, I felt a drop

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Friends

2011-05-11T20:43:00.000-07:00

Friends

Friends are my life's bonus,
each one a special treat
some from childhood,
other's faraway and even
more I've yet to meet

Friend's are my comfort
whether I'm happy or contrite
and even when I pout and whine
friends are there to set me "right"

True friend's are a real godsend
and I can honestly say, without
you, my friend, I wouldn't make
it through this day

Lynn West
(c) 2009

Swallow Tail Jig

2011-04-03T19:51:00.000-07:00

Swallow Tail Jig

Ancestors sweet,
a hundred years past,
did dance as they played
out this tune

I feel it deep within my soul
as embers spark into flame

I trust that when you hear the
jig, if Irish blood flows in ye

You feel the need to tap your
feet and reel like your blood
kin once did

Yes, oh yes, I swing to the tune
as my ancestors did back then

And I feel the smile grow upon
my face as the music flows all around

Lynn West
(c) 2011

I appreciate the use of this link and commend the person who not only posted ii on YouTube to allow the world to hear, but also inspired me to write about it.

Rutville

2011-03-29T21:14:00.000-07:00

Rutville

In the depths of the night,
the lone coyote cries out, for
what we know not, and
identifying with that
lonesome sound is all too
familiar

Human seeking human,
too proud in their own
kingdom of nothingness
to reach out, one to another,
in exposed humbleness

Surrounded by yet another fad,
empty hearts and broken dreams
of theoretical proportions are
the mainstream while any plans
for improvement are squelched
by yet another changing
of the channel...

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Mesmerized Morning

2011-03-29T20:52:00.000-07:00

Mesmerized Morning

Perhaps I'll sit out here all day,
coffee in hand, as I revel in the splendor
of birdsong, wind and warm sun
upon my face

I'll walk the stone path and feel the dew,
fresh upon my feet, whilst the wind chimes
play my morning symphony

Maybe I'll watch the bees buzz all day
or the butterflies as they dance about on air

Wait, do I hear the train rumbling by? And look, is that a chipmunk, scampering over to try and steal breakfast while my doggy isn't looking?

Hopefully I'll catch a glimpse of an elusive hummingbird as he searches for nectar

And if a dragonfly visits, I know I will be
charmed, for they are rare in the garden these days

But no matter how I spend my day, I'll be ever thankful for this mesmerized morning

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Haiku Morning

2011-03-29T20:05:00.001-07:00

Haiku Morning

Morning visits me
sun peaks through my window
time to rise and shine
(c) 2011
Lynn West

Desiderata - by Max Ehrman - sharing with the world

2011-03-29T19:49:00.000-07:00

Not one of mine, but one that is ageless and timeless and I felt the true need to share it:

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrman

(c) Max Ehrman 1926

Dream Carriage

2011-03-05T21:50:00.000-08:00

And into the night I ride,
in a carriage made of dreams
...

more to follow...

Lynn West (c) 2011

Haiku Blooms

2011-02-27T19:09:00.000-08:00

Haiku Blooms

I can feel springtime
bubbling beneath the surface
As buds become blooms

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Spirit Dance

2011-02-26T20:10:00.000-08:00

Spirit Dance

I can feel the rhythm
way down in my soul

I close my eyes and drift,
as the music takes control

Lost in the melody,
I sway from side to side

Inner drums are beating,
as the notes collide

Let the music take you,
where you want to go

Snap your fingers to it
or dance it, really slow

Lynn West
(c)2011

Voodoo Puppet

2011-02-26T17:44:00.000-08:00

Voodoo Puppet

In the sport of heartbreak,
he knew his role so well,
leaving a trail of tears,
each heart, an empty shell

From New York to Kentucky,
Atlanta to the River Creed,
he charmed them all
with silk spun lies,
as he sowed his evil seed

He drove down to New Orleans,
to take in a Jazz show,
and to see what he
could conjure up,
but little did he know,
the elusive Queen of Heartache
was waiting in the front row,
ready to challenge him and
put him "in the know"

They carried on for hours,
the first of many trysts;
enchanted by her
beguiling beauty,
he simply could not resist!

On full moon's eve,
she began to chant,
Voodoo Priestess
in full control,
she took his heart
and imprisoned his soul

Yes, for her he'd
broken his "rule"
and when he cried
his silent tears,
he became her
dancing fool

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Snowfall Symphony

2011-02-13T19:49:00.000-08:00

Flakes like frozen
moonlight,
falling on my face

I raise my hands out,
toward the sky,
loving this time,
this place

Tiny white-like angels,
whirling all around

A winter snowfall symphony
is falling to the ground

By the time I wake again,
it may be all be gone

Ah, but to have felt it on
my face, 'twas heaven
in quiet song

Lynn West
(c) 2011

PHOTO entitled: Snowfall at Night
by Lynn West
copyright (c) Lynn West 2011

Breadline Angel

2011-02-03T19:52:00.001-08:00

Breadline Angel

What were his thoughts,
the man in the breadline,
standing alone in the crowd?

Did he think to himself
"will I eat today"?
Or wail and
voice it aloud?

Did he feel ashamed,
belittled, bereft,
to have to ask for a meal?

Had he once known life's
fortune and fame
making his poverty surreal?

Lynn West
(c) 2011

*********
PHOTO entitled:
White Angel Breadline
by Dorothea Lange

In the Storm Before the Calm

2011-02-02T18:23:00.000-08:00

In the Storm Before the Calm

Winds that whipped,
blistering innocent faces,
in the storm before the calm

Trees that swayed in
unlikely places,
in the storm before the calm

Torrent rains came pouring down,
in the storm before the calm

Buildings and houses
fell to the ground,
in the storm before the calm

Destruction was her
middle name,
this storm before the calm

Life as we knew it
was never the same,
in the calm after the storm...

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Haiku Journey

2011-01-31T12:58:00.000-08:00

Haiku journey

Floating away now
Toward the edge of reason
What will I find there?

Lynn West
(c) 2011

The Warning

2011-01-30T22:22:00.000-08:00

The Warning

Beware the eyes
of the woman scorned,
for blinding they can be

When scars abound
within her heart,
she will turn cold to thee

Watch you words
and walk with haste
away from her wrath

You've hurt her
time and again,
so steer clear
of her path...

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Contentment

2011-01-24T21:58:00.000-08:00

Contentment

Smooth as spun silk,
the breeze blows round me,
while sun glistens in my hair

Thankful for another day,
I sit here in peace,
lazing without a care

Rich in sounds of bird and bee,
content to just be me

Happy on my garden bench,
here at Harmony

Lynn West
(c) 2010

Journey With Me

2011-01-20T20:38:00.000-08:00

Journey With Me

Find me where
the stars doth shine,
when the moon is full

Lie me down
on the soft,
sweet grass
and kiss me,
once again

Soar with me
on the wings
of the hawk,
as we drift
among the clouds

Walk with me
on a mountain pass,
as you take my hand
to guide me

Listen with me
to the ocean's song
as she breaks
upon the shore

And we shall know
true happiness,
unmatched by those
who fear to tread,
into the journey
known as life

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Quiet

2011-01-14T16:59:00.000-08:00

To appreciate
truly loving someone,
you must be able to
just sit quietly with them...
for in true love,
no words are needed

Lynn West
(c) 2010

Simple

2011-01-12T21:25:00.000-08:00

Simple

When you can find joy
in the simple things,
life is so much
more fulfilling

Watching my cat
as she goes through
her bathing ritual,
paws washing her
wise old face

Hearing the puppies
as they scuffle and
play in the yard

The resonant sound
from the wind chimes
in the cool morning breeze

Sun peaking through
the window
as a new day begins,
and all this simple joy,
even before I rise

Find your "simples" in life

Namaste

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Malevolence

2011-01-11T21:07:00.000-08:00

Malevolence

She came to me once,
in a dream and I knew
her heart was black

Mass and pretending
mattered not;
I saw her, layers
peeled back

The evil oozed from her
being and her face held
a mocking grin

Her eyes focused
on the lame and weak
and her words cut,
time and again

Browbeating was
second nature
to this ice queen's
cold, dark heart

She sank souls
like quicksand
and ripped
worlds apart...

Lynn West
(c) 2011

Zoned Bodies

2011-01-10T09:16:00.001-08:00

Zone Bodies

We found ourselves
in the valley of ecstasy
when our bodies joined
together

Rocket ships went zooming
past as the heaven spewed
stars like a summer's downpour

Floating on a cloud of
contentment, we grounded
once again, and savoured
the feeling, bodies locked,
in the zone of pure passion

Lynn West
(c) 2010

Under the Glow

2010-11-16T16:10:00.001-08:00

Under the Glow

Turning,
he sees her,
naked in the
moon's shadowy
glow

She walks toward
him, her hair
softly blowing in
the warm summer wind

Is this MoonAngel real
or just a fantasy,
he wonders to himself

She nears and whispers
against his ear the words
he wants to hear

"Take me now, Javelin King,
under this starry sky and
fly with me to Ecstasy"

It was a night written
for them, these lovers
worlds apart, lost in
rising passion as
the moon smiled down
on their joining,
under the glow

Lynn West
(c)2010

2010-09-14T11:07:00.000-07:00

Treasures in the Crest

There are times when
you find laughter
through the tears,
when memories
and ties that bind
forge you on, like the
dawning of a new day

Treasured moments
spent in the circle
of family, to be
held in your heart
forevermore, building
a bridge of blessings,
"stone" by precious stone

Counted blessings,
one by one, with every
skinned knee and "kiss
and make it better"

Days when you know
there are angels
in your midst, just
by holding a little
hand or sitting
quietly with an elder,
whose wise eyes speak
volumes, even when the words
can no longer form on their
lips

We can walk through
life dismissing these
tiny treasures in our life's
chest, ignoring our "crest"
or we can choose to
celebrate them

I choose to celebrate...

Lynn West
(c) 2010

The Maiden

2010-08-19T14:33:00.001-07:00

The Maiden

She sits alone
in an ivory tower
of solitude whilst
the world ticks by

Her beauty stays throughout
the years and her hair
flows like a river of moonlight

She seeks the truth at the Gate
of Horn and finds her way inside
as she listens with quiet reserve
to the voice of her inner child
and believes in sanctity
and happily ever after

Lynn West
(c) 2010

Find your inner child. Can subliminal messages help you?

Click Here!

Gifted Day

2010-08-13T08:00:00.001-07:00

..............
Wake not to a lifeless dawn,
rather, find solace in the voice
of the morning's light,
as dawn rises over the horizon
while birds chatter news
of God's gift to us --
the birth of a new day

Taking hold of this
package bestowed
in ribbons of a
dew swept morning
open it with care,
cherishing each special
moment of your gifted
day, thinking not of
the what ifs and should
haves but rather of the
beauty of another gifted day

Carrying with you to your
slumber-fair all the shining
memories you have created
from this special gift given
with the morning's rise

Falling asleep to the sounds
of the night, the symphony
of creatures designed to lull us
into the wonderland of dreams,
to awaken, God willing, to another
gifted day, once again bestowed with
the ribbons of the dew and the
spun silk of a spider's web, glistening
in the morning sunlight

Lynn West
(c) 2010

Solitary Moon

2010-07-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

Solitary Moon

Adrift in this sea of loneliness,
by myself in a crowd

Gazing at couples like
a hungry wolf, feeling
not jealousy but forlorn

Wondering when our day will come,
our "warm sunny day,"
a time for us and us alone

You walk the desert
as I climb the mountain,
holding tight to the
other one's soul

Stumbling through days,
while months turn to
years as I watch another
solitary moon

Lynn West
(c) 2010

Impervious

2010-06-20T00:19:00.001-07:00

Impervious

Tender moments,
touches await
in my dream
filled nights

Elusive arms
that long to hold
me tight

Untouchable you,
unreachable me,
twin souls a world
apart

Desires unquenched
from lovers bold
in mind, but not
in heart...
Lynn West
(c) 2010

Seawash

2010-06-14T18:14:00.001-07:00

Seawash

Drenched in an unshakeable coat,
wings flailing as they move to
rid themselves of man's mistakes

Sand forever soiled by the
greed of many makes
a pitiful sight to behold
and though a part of us
yearns to turn our heads,
our hearts cry out,
as we watch the horror
of a seawash's demise

Dreams washed away
with the tide
as millions look on
with mixed feelings of
anger and despair

Even our children's children
will know the sting from
this corporate scorpion

For the seawash will never
feel the same as we walk the beach
wanting only sand between our toes

Mother Earth, we feel your pain, as
yet another burden is placed upon
your laden shoulders

Lynn West
(c) 2010

Abandoned

2010-06-04T19:41:00.000-07:00

Abandoned
Lost in a world
of "who am I,"
abandoned by
his own memories

He searches the room,
seeking some clue, an
answer, for "who is that
man in my mirror"

His loved ones sit by,
helpless to his plight,
as his days drip by
like a slow, leaky faucet

Now and then he finds
himself again, for
the briefest snatch
of time and for
a moment life
is like it was as
memories breeze
through his mind
like a warm summer
wind...

Lynn West
(c) 2010

Help us find a cure for Alzheimer's

Namaste

2010-06-02T15:35:00.001-07:00

Namaste

Hardships fall when
least expected
and the course is set
by our perspective
of a brighter day
or a darker dawn

Drink with your
glass half full
and your soul
will never feel
empty...

Step through life
with a sure foot
and an open mind

Quote not the greats,
spilling wisdom from
your lips like rain from
a stormy sky, unless
you are prepared to
live by the words
you find yourself
sharing

Life is a circle and
we come into it
kicking and screaming, may
we never give up that
will...

Namaste to my brethren
peace to my sisters

Lynn West
(c) 2010

Rose Colored Glasses

2010-06-02T15:29:00.001-07:00

Rose Colored Glasses

It's a work in progress
and you live it day by day;
take it slow or rush it by,
you end up the same way

"Live it to the fullest"
is my philosophy -
be a teacher and a
student of wit
and integrity

It isn't always going
to be an easy thing
but if you live your
life in the dark,
how will you know
when to sing?

Life is your own mirror,
how you see it
is really up to you

Be thankful for every
moon rise and
happy when the
sun shines through...

Lynn West
(c) 2010

Boogie Fever

2010-06-02T15:22:00.001-07:00

Boogie Fever

I feel the need
to move my feet as
the music stirs my soul

I start to drift along
with the beat, my body
out of control

Let the music take you
where you want to be
-- everyone should dance

Get up, feel it, shake your booty
while you've got the chance...

Lynn West
(c) 2010

2010-05-14T09:44:00.001-07:00

In thinking about all those internet terms we use so freely - so I thought I would share a grin with ya!

LOL

lmao is just a phrase,
but what if it really "left"
I couldn't sit, or have it pinched,
I'd really feel quite bereft...

lol is a better term,
yes, that's the way to go,
but when I think about it
"lmao" would be quite a show...

Lynn West
(c) 2010

Sea of Despair

2010-05-11T09:58:00.001-07:00

Sea of Despair

Feelings washed up
like broken seashells
along the shore

Doubts ebbing my very soul
as it cries out like a lone
gull, searching, wandering,
lost in a storm of my
memories

You have played your
role very well as Captain
of my destiny and while
I let you set the course,
I have none to blame for my
misery but myself

So alone I walk the
sandy shore while the
moon illuminates my
way and the ghost
of you whispers
in the wind

Lynn West
(c) 2010

Hope

2010-05-04T21:04:00.001-07:00

Hope is that surge of "inner light" when you find yourself holding your breath in anticipation of what is going to happen next

Lynn West
(c) 2008

Life's a Beach

2010-05-04T20:49:00.000-07:00

My back aches,
my hair is gray
I can't remember a word I say!

My face is wrinkled,
my clothes are too
and sometimes I pass gas
just out of the blue!

But life's a "beach"
when you get "old,"
coz you no longer have
to do what you're told!!

Lynn West
(c) 2008

Dusk

2010-04-24T15:25:00.001-07:00

Dusk

Hurry sunset, I need my moon,
in all it's quiet beauty

Be still, wind, I want to "hear"
as eventide breaks o'er the horizon

Silence, birds, head to your roost,
it's time to close this day

Awaken, stars and sprinkle the sky
with bursts of tiny diamonds

Here she comes, my faithful moon,
to guard me and the sea

Lynn West
(c) 2010

Wally's Gangstas

2010-04-02T14:46:00.000-07:00

Wally's Gangstas

Plastic swords flailing,
one hand in the air
ah, but that's not all,
upset carts, if you dare

Empty out the bins,
scattering clothes
as you go,
then acting the innocent
when someone "sees"
the show

Wear a certain color,
a different kind of cap,
watch out for security
or you'll wind up in
his trap

Ask yourself one question
of how it's going to be
will you continue this
life of mischief
and debauchery?

I hope you answer
"no, not I"
for this you need to know,
the petty crime is fun
for now, but don't let
it lead you to death row...

Lynn West
(c) 2010

for DH

The Garden

2010-04-01T08:27:00.000-07:00

The Garden

My fingers itch
for the soil,
my body aches
but welcomes the toil
of digging in the earth
on a warm spring day

To plant the seeds, all in a row,
then sit back to watch
them grow,
'tis sheer heaven in a
comforting way

To feast upon one's bounty,
grown by thine own hand
is worth more than all the
riches found across the land

So grow ye herbs and lentils,
corn, wheat and peas too
and you will feed the Earth,
my friend, starting with you

Lynn West
(c) 2010

Drizzle

2010-03-11T09:28:00.001-08:00

Drizzle

Darkness circling,
when will the sun shine
again?

Rain clouds looming,
driving me to tears

Anguish drips
on my window sill

Dampness feels like the
grip of death

Sol, why have you forsaken me?

Lynn West
(c) 2010

Shading Life

2010-03-11T09:20:00.001-08:00

Shading Life

Don't mess with my memories,
I have them in my mind "just so"

Don't remind me of the facts,
I don't really want to know

Denial is my tutor, hope,
my best friend

I constantly replay the good times
over and over again...

Living my life in a bubble of what was
seems to be the only way

To get through all the lonely nights
and face another day

Lynn West
(c) 2010

Time Trap

2010-02-17T22:34:00.000-08:00

Time Trap

Time falls away
as the sky opens
her arms to
shed sweet tears

Alone, she paces,
oblivious to the rain,
drenched in uncertainty

Foggy windows hide
the clock that has long
since stopped it's ticking

Nicotine-stained fingers
flick ashes to the floor
as he taps his restless foot
and once again closes his
bloodshot eyes... on the
night that never ends

Lynn West
(c) 2010

Abyss of the Soul

2010-02-17T21:37:00.000-08:00

Abyss of the Soul

Dark is the night when the stars
won't shine, like a hole in the bottom
of the sea...

Black is the heart of the evil one,
standing over me

Ebony splinters where once was the
soul of the man who lost his way

Raven sparks fly from his eyes;
he will find no peace today

Lynn West
(c) 2010

Psyche

2010-01-12T15:42:00.000-08:00

Psyche

She livens up the party,
just by walking in

Every time he looks
at her, a new world
does begin

He loves the feel of her
touch, he lives to hear
her talk

And lordy he's not the
only man who loves
to watch her walk

Her dark eyes glisten
in the candle's light
and he feels complete
on this starry night

She's every man's dream
and wish to come true

Who is she, you ask?

Look in the mirror,
it's you...

Lynn West
(c) 2010

Seeking Wisdom

2010-01-09T20:54:00.000-08:00

Seeking Wisdom

Many are the days when I
knock on wisdom's door,
drinking in the knowledge
like I never have before

Yearning for answers
to the questions that are asked
of how and why and where and when,
I have discovered to be my task

Contemplating solutions
to the problems I find at hand,
perhaps my greatest joy to date
is "seeking to understand"

Lynn West
(c) 2010

Wandering Home

2010-01-09T20:47:00.001-08:00

When we let our minds wander,
we always end up going home...

Lynn West
(c) 2010

The Miser

2010-01-09T20:43:00.000-08:00

The Miser

Money is his god
and as he touches it
in frenzied motion,
maddened, scurrying,
like a squirrel gathering nuts...

And for the hundredth
time he counts and recounts
the stacks of paper and runs
his hands across the neatly
stacked rows of coins, shining,
golden hue'd idols, listening
he peers out the window,
hears a shout and curses,
now he must start his
precious count again....

and he laughs the laugh
of the miser

and sits in the cold house

alone...

Lynn West
(c) 2010

Buried Secrets

2009-09-17T20:08:00.001-07:00

Buried Secrets

Her emotions crippled
by years of abuse and
she wonders how
to make it end

She keeps the secret
to herself, not even
telling her best friend

She prays for strength
to face another day,
somehow she makes
it through

She hides the details
behind dark glasses,
her eyes beat black and blue

After years of hidden shame,
one day rising from a fall,
she finds the courage buried
deep within to start her life anew

Lynn West
(c) 2009

At Last

2009-09-17T20:04:00.001-07:00

At Last

Nervous laughter
fills the air like the
tinkling of piano keys

Anticipation builds
heavy, like a storm cloud
brewing

Electricity fills the room
as each is drawn to
the other by an unseen
force field, magnetic in
it's pull

As the life-long lovers
come together, flesh
touching flesh, the gods truly
tremble, thunder rolls
toward the heavens
and the joining is complete,
at last

Lynn West
(c) 2009

Attitude

2009-09-17T19:55:00.001-07:00

Attitude

Sun peeks through the window,
its a bright, new day
and once you step out of bed
its your role to "play"

Bitter, happy, angry
or joyful, remember it's your call
you will be the one to live
with the outcome, after all

So what's it going to be,
where will your attitude take you?
You choose how your day will
go in every thing you do...

Lynn West
(c) 2009

Mantra

2009-08-18T20:22:00.001-07:00

Mantra

Memories all askew,
leading back to "better
days," yet when I focus
on the truth, I realize
that today is the "best
day," and recognizing
the ability to make
every day your "best day"
is the beginning of
your creation inner
harmony

Shadowing memories
is all well and good
but living today as
if it were your last
not worrying about
yesterday or tomorrow
helps you to understand
the beauty and precious
quality of each
second that ticks by

Keep your memories,
for they are precious things,
live not in your past nor
in your future, for it is your
this moment which molds
your past and your when
you allow yourself that "present"
that gift of "now" you become
in tune with all that is and
life's path is every more
fulfilling

Love, shine, wonder, be in awe
(like a child) laugh at butterflies
and cry at sunsets for the sheer joy
of living is in each innocent
deed

Lynn West
(c) 2009

revised (c) 2011

Summer Night

2009-08-18T20:01:00.001-07:00

Summer Night

Lying under an August moon,
I reach out to touch the sky
lazing there, my mind drifts
back to a night this past July

Stars were bright, twinkling
diamonds, for all the world
to see, while we made love
to the cadence of night
sounds, forging a perfect
memory

While the moonbeams
danced in your eyes,
I fell in love again, with you
and forever will I cherish that
summer's night and the dream
that at last came true

Lynn West
(c) 2009

God Talk

2009-06-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

God Talk

You say to have none
above you and I
truly don't mean to

But if I'm honest
with us both,
I think more of him
than you

He's wise and strong,
loving and caring too

But all this "hero worship"
seems to be clouding my
point of view

So I'm sending this apology,
please forgive me and
understand

I finally do realize that
he is just a "mortal man"

Please help me to be
the person you would
have me to be

Grant me patience
and kindness and
above all, humility

Lynn West
2009

Eve

2009-06-11T08:44:00.000-07:00

Eve

Eden lady,
apple in hand

Cannot fight
temptation,
afraid to take
a stand

Your choice did
cost you to know
pain

I wonder, Eden lady,
would you take a bite
again?

Lynn West
2009

Morning

2009-06-11T08:43:00.001-07:00

Haiku Butterfly

2009-06-10T08:37:00.001-07:00

Haiku Butterfly

Butterflies darting,
air dancing to their own tune.

Land on me, won't you?

Lynn West
2009

Haiku - Gift of Flowers

2009-06-10T08:35:00.001-07:00

Haiku Gift of Flowers

In this fast paced world,
do you see the flowers?

They bloom just for you...

Lynn West
2009

Magical Nights

2009-06-09T15:57:00.001-07:00

Magical Nights

When the magic happens,
swift as a gazelle,
I find my inner "crystal ball"
and crawl right of my shell

And when the rings are tossed,
I know not where they'll land
but I keep my eyes wide open
and my head out of the sand

I find my self in a hypnotic state
as I slowly walk their way,
magic my only focus and
the moon bright as the day

I listen for the soft, low chant
and wonder if I dare,
but as the circle forms around me,
the magic takes me there...

Lynn West
2009

Warp Speed

2009-06-09T15:46:00.000-07:00

Warp Speed

Time speeds by
like a rocket ship,
a little faster each day

Hurry, hurry, hurry
has become the only
way

If only we could take
the time to slow things
down a bit

We might find our lives
are fuller and find
that more things "fit"

It's "life" that you are living,
every second of every day

So stop, take a deep
breath, and to yourself
say:

I have time, for
tomorrow's another day...

Lynn West
2009

Soul of Music

2009-06-05T22:52:00.001-07:00

Soul of Music

The soul of music
arose from the depths
soothing some,
while others wept

It washed over them
like waves and
swept up each one,
a haunting melody
of things left undone

It rose an octave when
they all joined hands,
and their chanting was
heard throughout
all the lands

Soon the clouds parted
and out came the sun
to honor the soul of music
which had finally begun

And the world was renewed
with a completely different light,
as we spirit danced to the music
long into the night

Lynn West
2009

Acceptance

2009-05-29T10:51:00.000-07:00

Acceptance does not
necessarily mean
"giving in," rather
it could mean opening
your mind to other
possibilities

Lynn West
2009

Lazy Daisy

2009-05-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

Lazy Daisy

Lazy Daisy refused to bloom
so Father Sun asked why

Because in order for me to
bloom, the blue skies have to cry

Silly flower, those are not tears
you see

It is simply mist
off the heaven's deep blue sea

So Lazy Daisy tried her best
and she bloomed like never
before

And Father Sun smiled a
winsome smile as he began
to set once more

Lynn West
2009

The Farmhouse

2009-05-28T14:26:00.001-07:00

The Farmhouse

I drove slowing along
the country road, mesmerized,
as the wheat waved
in the breeze, it's golden
splendor reflecting light
for what seemed like miles

Drawing closer, the worn,
dilapidated farmhouse
shown like a gray beacon, the
old tin roof a little worn for wear
and the smells of grandma's
baking filling the air...

There is no hug as tight nor
eyes as bright as that of
grandmother's on a warm
summer afternoon, when you
are road-weary and ready
to settle in to memory lane

I climbed the huge rock and
sat looking out over the cliff, seeing
miles of valley, the hills rolling
beyond, covered in green,
green grass, cows grazing and crows
circling, filling the air with their
caws

Grandpa found me there, still
staring out over the valley, the
sun going down and he sat down
beside me without uttering a word

The dinner bell rang and we both knew
it was time to go home, grandma was calling
and all was right with my world

Lynn West
2009

Summer

2009-05-28T14:20:00.000-07:00

Summer

Impatient hues of green
reaching toward the sky

Splashes of yellow, pink
and purple too, ever pleasing
to the eye

Buzzing little bumble bees
dart around the scene
while bluebirds chirp out
sweet songs and life feels so serene

I am grateful for summer days
and lazy afternoons,
watching clouds float by
like puffy air balloons

Once summer is over
and the greens begin to brown
I'll remember this summer fondly
and wish it were back around

Lynn West
2009

Circling Madness

2009-05-28T12:24:00.001-07:00

Circling Madness

Testing the waters of
madness, my foot slips
in and the icy awareness
snaps me back to reality

The circling buzzards
wait and watch as I falter,
yearning to pick clean my bones

I climb onto the slippery
rocks, moving trance-like,
determined not to let the truth
of what was take me down
with it - for being conquered
by delusion is not my will and
though I stumble, I will not fall

Waiting for my surrender will
be their lonely burden, starved
by my fortitude, the negative forces
within and without will be kept
at bay

...and I will survive, triumphant!

Lynn West
2009

Tears of Renewal

2009-05-19T09:40:00.000-07:00

Tears of Renewal

I surrender completely
to my unshed tears,
building like a starburst
in my chest

I let them flow like
tiny streams, building
to a mighty river
where I will sail
into the mist of
unknown days and
find my way back home

This journey has veered
off my intended path and
I find myself alone with
tattered dreams and wishes

And as my tears subside,
I find a new purpose, an
inner strength I never knew
existed and I shout to the
mountains and the seas,
here I am again, home at last

Lynn West
2009

Forever Silent - awareness of child abuse

2009-04-22T19:39:00.001-07:00

Forever Silent

Forever silent,
to cry no more
never again to suffer
the blame he bestowed

Eternal beauty,
long golden curls,
eyes blue as midnight -
asleep for all time

Harsh words always
spoken, won't be
heard any more -
merciful angels have
carried her home

What grows inside a person
that allows them to abuse
such a precious child?

Stop the abuse.
Lynn West
2009

This poem is dedicated to the awareness of child abuse. Spread the word and stop the abuse.

The Calming

2009-04-16T21:18:00.001-07:00

The Calming

As the steam rises,
she closes her eyes,
slipping deeper into oblivion,
submerged in thoughts of
days gone by

Emotions like gnarled, twisted trees,
turning her world upside down

And when the water surrounds her
the calming comes to her, slowly,
deep breathing, candles lit,
music low, her chanting softly

For she reaches deep within herself
to find the light of day and as her
inner strength takes hold
she rises up anew…

Lynn West
(c) 2009