Just being

Picture courtesy New York Post

Blooming like a hibiscus
gentle sunlight caresses my upturned face
bestowing me with honeyed warmth
melting away melancholic maelstrom
and in that moment of solitude and quiet
I feel blessed.

At night I water stars with my tears
moon silently sits with me
keeping vigil with me in sorority
throughout the turbulent times
her presence; a cold compress to my fevered feelings
I feel not alone.

Written for dVerse poetics. Today’s host, Ingrid, has asked us to write about a special gift we may have received or write a poem of gratitude.

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Fated (NaPoWriMo)

How does it feel to shine like sun
but grow up in shadow
dwarfed yet blooming; fun yet not fun!

Destined or planned; who can say
new links in old chain
entwined for life till death has its way!

Born four years apart; sort of fraternal twins
we were told we are each other’s gift
but over the years, curse did win!

The elder sibling I can rely on
my guardian angel, my protector
helping albeit grudgingly, considering me a thorn.

Also tyrannical tormentor
a bully who laughs at my follies
making fun of me but also my mentor.

Bete noires, best friends, each other’s voice
we fight, we make up
tied by blood, free by choice.

Same blood group, views diverse
different ailments, same aches
our shared genes; our gift our curse.

Today’s NaPoWriMo challenge is to write a poem in which you muse on the gifts you received at birth — whether they are actual presents, like a teddy bear, or talents – like a good singing voice – or circumstances – like a kind older brother, as well as a “curse” you’ve lived with (your grandmother’s insistence on giving you a new and completely creepy porcelain doll for every birthday, a bad singing voice, etc.). I hope you find this to be an inspiring avenue for poetic and self-exploration.

Light me a lamp

Light me a lamp, dear one!
not just when the nights are dark
but even on the brightest of days
sometimes the sun blinded by
its own luminescence
needs light to be able to shine light

Light me a lamp, dear one!
when one by one each hope is plucked
to be bruised like petals
by the hands of childish fate
soothing light is the salve most needed then

Light me a lamp, dear one!
the scented secrets shining in the eyes
have lost their sheen
the incessant flow of tears curtains the luminosity
let the flame reflect in them

Light me a lamp, dear one
truth cowers in the opacity of lies
unsure and unsung, sinking into oblivion
all it needs is a glimmer
to come into its own once again

Light me a lamp, dear one
untold miseries may rain on me
life may carry distress in its reticule
this tremulous, flickering light
holds a promise of tomorrow

Light me a lamp, dear one
let me uncoil the mysteries of life
wrapped in brittle, yellowing paper
the twists and turns of labyrinthine
life I will navigate stoically
gift me the light of friendship
to guide me onwards always.

https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2021/12/27/what-do-you-see-114-december-27-2021/

I hope 2022 is better for all of us. May we all continue to look out for each other, hold each others hand in the blogosphere and have the resilience to ride the rough times. A very Happy New Year. Stay you, stay safe.