"In A Perfect World"

 

In a perfect world

we wrap our children within love, beauty, and grace

the fear

of heavy hands or words that scorch

of empty stomachs and lonely nights

of filth and destitution

            slayed

In a perfect world

we protect the Mother

            the rape

                        of forest and field

                        of streams and oceans

                        of mountain peaks and sloping valleys

            eradicated

In a perfect world

we honor knowledge by encouraging free thought

            the condemnation

                        of different traditions

                        of diversity in truths

                        of multiplicity of dreams

            abolished

In a perfect world . . .

 

Copyright 2013 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman

           

   

"Voiceless"

 

Rain burning on my cheeks like hot angry tears,
Scorching the world with its acid touch.
I brush it aside and wipe away my fears.
I ignore the destruction; I pretend too much.
 
The dank humid air burns me under its weight,
Forcing my mind to heave then implode.
I turn away from petty love; jealous hate.
Fighting against my resurgent need to explode.
 
The Conservative move against conservation
Eroding our lives, our will to live.
“Preserve Wall Street, Big Business, and the Nation!”
Forgetting we need Mother Earth to survive.

Where was my voice when those decisions were made?
Why did I passively shrug and sigh?
The future is now, and it’s melting away.
Our precious planet, once so vibrant, now dies.
 
Copyright 1995 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

"The Aging of Love"

At first

            its warmth penetrated

                        cascading over me like sunshine        

                        murmuring to me with the rhythm of soft rain

            cleansing my spirit—

                        cool, sweet, crystalline

                                    Pure

                        swaying in the breeze

Then came

            sparking eyes

                        a trickle of laughter

                        following me forever

            Gummy Bears

                        Silky baby powder

                        the earthy scent of youth

                        rippling and dancing

Finally,

            the yellowing lace and wrinkling skin

                        a soft sigh of summer’s end

                        Autumn’s whispering

            bittersweet kisses

                        rounded

                        padded                                   

                        soft pats of affection

Copyright 1996 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman

"Dandelion"

 

 
 

A waif whispers incantations 

her breath pftts pftts 

against the blowball 

Tufts float free  

The seeds of beginnings   

Sacred blessings 

Cradled by Tranquility   

 

Copyright 2015 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman

 

"Rain on the Rooftop"

Rain on the rooftop, a Texas lullaby   
Thunder a distant heartbeat, wind a crooning sigh   
Watch the windows weep as lightning cuts the sky   
Clouds roll and tumble, carry raindrops on a ride   
Trees cleanse their dusty leaves—shake off Summer’s dry   
Droplets form to puddles, and rivers start to fly   
Mother Earth’s cracked face smiles and laughs in reply   
To rain on the rooftop, a Texas lullaby   

Copyright 2011 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman