Swing In A Tree

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

"A Family's Spin"

Smiles—

masks worn to hide empty souls

Hugs—

embraces feigning loving devotion

Laughter—

covers of shrill condemnation and lies

Closeness—

disguises of endless discord

Piety—

prayers smugly offered for self-adulation

Family—

actors preforming prescribed scripts

"You're Not What I Want"

You strut into my life, mirrors for your eyes.

Bragging on your style and worth, all to cover lies.

You demand worship, attention thrown your way.

Staging life’s events, you’re an actor in a play.

You’re not what I want, so I’m stepping away.

You’re not what I want, so I’m leaving you today.

You take and take cruelly, all that I can give.

Draining all my love from me, just so you can live.

You see no one else, feed only your dark needs.

          Ignoring all the hearts you break with your selfish deeds.
                     You're not what I want, so I'm stepping away.
                     You're not what I want, so I'm leaving you today.

You expect to hold the world’s blind devotion.

Feigning love and care, your spirit lacks emotion.

You think I should thankfully kneel at your feet.

Allowing the abusive cycle to repeat.

You’re not what I want, so I’m stepping away.

You’re not what I want, so I’m leaving you today.

"Poison"

Inside

buried under smiles

as innocent as childhood

hidden by energy

that eats the inner core

enveloped with laughter

tinged by hysteria

where no one can see, or touch, or feel

the infinite coldness

Waiting

surrounded by darkness

like a corpse in the grave

clamped down by a vise

whose claws rip and tear

forced into submission

until no one’s looking

deep down in the well of pitch, and stagnation, and fear

the infinite coldness

Outside

revealed at last in the eyes

through condemnation and indignation

recognized by the putrid stench

of pettiness and intolerance

exposed in each word and act

through acid hatred

an eruption of vomitus bile—black and caustic

the infinite coldness

Unfortunately, many of us experience relationships with individuals who are toxic to our lives. Often, they hide their nature under smiles and hugs, so sometimes it takes years to realize just how much they damage you with their poison.

"Dysfunctional Family"

Dysfunctional family that no one wants to see

Exploding into my face, killing complacency

A brother-in-law irate since children want to play

Yells at and bullies young girls, hurts me along the way

Too many years of silence--turning the other cheek

Too many days of hiding, of being mild and meek

The banked fire broke out in flames, searing words were spoken

Eyes burning, stomach churning, the control was broken

Children in adult bodies wanting to have their say

One powerfully monstrous, the other flees away

A vain struggle in the car would certainly be lost

Overpowered by brute strength, no way to bear that cross

Faked submission to bring calm-- hands folded, eyes downcast

False apologies offered, but nothing that will last

Dysfunctional family that no one wants to see

Monday, March 13, 2023

"Verbena"

A lone seed surrounded by stones. With stubborn strength and survival’s goal, this isolated weed flowers on the side of the road. A single splash of purple and green stands against white and cream rocks. Boldly sprouting while separated from other blossoms.

A few steps down the road, a pair commutes under a cedar tree. Resilient among the rocks, their simple blooms draws attention. Up along the dry creek bed, rests a cluster of verdant emerald with pinker tones flowers within last winter’s grasses.