Poetry and micro-stories

The Porcupine

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The Porcupine
He moved through life’s wild and challenging landscape
displaying his defensive, threatening weaponry—
sharply pointed quills able to instantly pierce
another’s mind and heart like arrows into the flesh.
Each quill was a painfully clear message—
a demand for physical and emotional distancing.
He sometimes yearned for a transformation
of these sharp barbs into Cupid’s arrows—
arrows of romantic idealism
celebrating sexuality and love’s mystery
with adventurous, eager innocence.
He longed for such Romance,
but when it appeared in female form
he purposely ignored her subtle invitations,
ignored his own yearning,
and fought with well-aimed piercing barbs
to fend off her quietly seductive charms.
Romance died, and he moved on…
August, 1992 revised April, 2004

The Horse

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The Horse
Shied as by the sight of quicksand,
he saw the wisdom of speedy retreat
from the path on which she stood
in seductive pose and uncommon beauty.
Her mane and tail beckoned him
in the heated high-noon breeze…
The danger suddenly stirred his blood
with the excitement of challenge and conquest—
the quicksand attraction betraying intelligence.
It was a showdown of primal instincts
struggling to take hold—instincts of arousal
fighting to overpower
his seasoned horse sense warnings within.
He felt the inner reins of duty
and monogamous commitment—
the harness of his stallion strengths—
and in a determined force of triumphant will
drove himself to higher, more stable ground.
There mated mare and foal quietly waited,
aware only of his graceful, chosen stride.
March, 1992 revised May, 2004

Your Smile

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Your Smile
I see you smile at me
through the transparent barrier
as you pass by.
For a moment all seems possible.
Do you know your heart
shines in your eyes?
I wrap a smile into my bouquets.
Suddenly ming fern and purple iris
look so right together…
and then I must count the cost.
Our smiles are free, but more than that
will have a price indeed!
June, 2000