"Transactional Love"

 

 
 

A matriarch
Dead eyes behind false smiles
With hugs that suffocate
She demands reciprocity
Mother’s love contains conditions
Which child adores her?
Places her above all
Kneels before her in supplication
Begging for love  
 

A patriarch

Cold heart behind deceitful charm
With praise that stabs
He commands compliance
Father’s love requires accomplishments
Which child shines brightest?
Gives him parental status
Rises before him with conceit
Pleading for attention 

Copyright 2024 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman

"Cold Feet"

  

 

Notoriously chill
My blocks of unfriendly ice
Make me wonder if I’m ill
With toes that I cover twice
One layer of cozy socks
Must always adorn my feet
Or those frosty digits shock
Anyone that I may meet
I know that their artic feel
Make me seem detached and cold
But that image isn’t real
Kindness guides me to be bold
Overlook my need for heat
And value me for my deeds
I will jump in with both feet
To help you with your needs
 

  

Copyright 2024 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman

"Endangered"

behemoth fossil fuel guzzlers
pitted against efficiency
threatened by diversity
weakened by equality
petrified by inclusion
they worship their perfect world
white males, subservient females
power through intimidation
power through manipulation
power through deceit
their lies pile upon each other
thicken their hides with false security
they are terrified rhinos
dangerous in their fears
excluded by a changing world
endangered

Copyright 2024 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman

 

 

"The Enemy Without"

  

my bliss

begins with rusted rake, scarred shovel

continues with ancient clippers that snap winter’s residue

pulses with knees planted to ground

thrives with bulbs separated, clippings rooted

grows with tipsy walls reset with careful hands

pushes skyward with dew dusted blades

my bliss

conquers the enemy without with patience

soothes with dappled sunlight

transforms death with restoration

mornings blend into afternoons

days meld into weeks

Copyright 2020 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman

"April's Fool"

   

I kneel in awe each spring 

 Worshiping nature’s rebirth 

Stomach flattening to Earth’s coolness 

My lens captures the first blush of blossoms 

The constancy of nature 

Makes me an April’s Fool 

Trespassing over field and farm 

 For one perfect shot

Copyright Elizabeth Abrams Chapman 2022

"His Type"

  

In youth, he found a filly

One he bullied into submission

Turning her against herself

Holding her reigns tightly

Until her hooves pounded him into the ground

 

Next, he discovered a stately mare

One he adorned with silver and turquois

Turning her against herself

Grooming her for the family stable

Until her temperament demanded his temperance

 

He searched from stable to stable

One he enticed with his wealth

Turning her against herself

Forcing her to become the lost filly

Until her pride bolted her from his control

 

Now he seeks a steady mount

One he temps with everlasting security

Will he turn her against herself

Commanding her to his will

Until her soul requires nurturing he can’t give

 

February 20, 2023

 

"He Doesn't Like Me"

 

An indestructible bond
Woven together by laughter and tears
Revelations of doubt shared in the hushed pre-dawn hours
Private thoughts and hopes spilled across endless pages
Our friendship strong and true
 
Subtle changes unfolded
Before a single box was packed
Before a vow of faith and love was made
You grew distant and reserved
Still our friendship held strong and true
 
You battled against yourself
Pulling me awake with midnight calls of uncertainty
Our friendship frayed around the edges
The years of sisterhood withstood your demands
Yet our friendship held strong and true
 
Imperceptibly, you excluded me
Letters not answered, phone calls shortened
Visits while our children played ended abruptly
You needed to clean, and cook, and make things perfect
Our friendship weakened by his demands
 
You tucked into yourself
Tightened into a ball so tight I missed your despair
Your silence the only response to my concern
Even after Death ripped through your life
He withheld you from friendship strong and true
 

 

Copyright 2023 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman