Saturday, April 26, 2025

"Survival Mode"



One mishap
And Life freezes into chaotic misery 
An unavoidable illness burns your Future
An accident-not your fault-crushes Hope
An invasion of tech ruthlessly slaughters Livelihood

One mishap
And Life freezes into chaotic misery
An unrepentant storm heaves debris on your Path
An unforeseeable betrayal of Love and Trust erases you
An accumulation of losses and loneliness syphon away your Soul

One mishap


Copyright 2024 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman

Friday, April 25, 2025

"The Weight of Her Sorrows"

 

her beloved child
unique
irreplaceable
each day a miracle
she shelters
advocates
her joy wrapped in loss
 
her life partner
unchanging
dedicated
each day a miracle
she lingers
vigilant
her love imprisoned by illness
 
her treasured sister
precious
prized
each day a miracle
she weeps
alone
her life changed by chance
 
her independent life
unconventional
melodic
each day a miracle
she fades
diminished
her essence cut by dementia
 

   


Copyright 2023 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman


Thursday, April 24, 2025

"Liar"

LIAR

Full eye contact with head tilted “just so”
The words he speaks ring false and hollow
He moves his hand smoothly down her arm
Tries to blind her with his deceitful charm
His veneer appears glossy and smooth
He’s a trickster who distorts the truth
Through a phony wink and cocked eyebrows
He seduces with his empty vows
He manipulates her emotions
By conjuring deceptive notions
He craves her devotion on a whim
As her passion means nothing to him
He’s a con artist, a promoter
He’s barren inside—a pretender.


Copyright 2019 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman









Tuesday, April 22, 2025

"Too Much"

 



Loss
Sorrow
Hopelessness
Pain
 
Unfairness
Frustration
Rage
 
Passivity
Rigidity
Conflict
 
Loss
 
Suppression
Restraint
Tyranny
 
Harassment
Rationalizing
Torment
 
Deceit
Defamation
Extermination
 
Loss

 




 Copyright 2020 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman



Monday, April 21, 2025

"Indulged or Spoiled"





A coin flip—
            Indulged
                        with
                                    nourishment
                                                attention
                                                            opportunity
                                                                        freedom
OR
            Spoiled
                        by
                                    coddling
                                                yielding
                                                            pandering
                                                                        capitulating
            Indulged
                        with
                                    comfort
                                                ease
                                                            safety
                                                                        certainty
OR
            Spoiled
                        by
                                    luxury
                                                indifference
                                                            idleness
                                                                        privilege


Copyright 2019 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman



                                                                       

Sunday, April 20, 2025

"Lost Child"

 

Little boy with bright mischievous eyes
And no control over his actions
In kindergarten he remains friendless
No other child walks with him—arm flung around his shoulders—sharing secrets
In first grade he cannot read
His wildness presses against school’s restraints
As he fights conformity
No other child walks with him—arm flung around his shoulders—sharing secrets
Second grade demands attention
But numbers whirl by in him
Until he becomes senseless and numbed by Adderall
No other child walks with him—arm flung around his shoulders—sharing secrets
He slows down and gives up
Submitting to rules and regulations
Molding himself into submission
Still—
No other child walks with him—arm flung around his shoulders—sharing secrets




Copyright 2019 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman