Poetry

Gratitude of Independence

To stand on the top of a mountain;

Eyes gazing into the infinity of the heavens;

Arms extended to the sky;

To be over-washed and overcome by gratitude to the Great Father of Creation;

To have been gifted

This, this solitude, this independence;

Both ultimate blessing and curse;

Absolute, consummate gratitude.   (2021)

I SAW MY HERO FALL

I saw my hero fall before my eyes

Gut-wrenched I was because for moment’s pause

I thought utopia had finally come

He was so handsome – understanding – wise

I saw my hero lying on the bed,

his arms entwined; with those of someone else

And though he never ceased to lavish me,

I could not acquiesce – be one of three,

To me, who once treasured his hero heart;

Dead. He is only a man after all.

I found my hero slow to act when back

To back with hardship shared, he shut me out

And I was left in cold and stone, to make

A home for me alone, from sticks and straw

That I myself had faithfully gathered

From the common man, I expect failure,

Not from men to whom I swear my fealty

From the riff raff, I endure rejection

But not from those entrusted with my heart.

I saw my hero fall, beside the desk

A massive falsehood swirling in his head

He had forgotten who he was, who I

Sideswiped by multitude mutinous lies,

Karma of ruthlessness returned to haunt,

And that is why I’m shy of any man,

who trumps my hand at brains, brawn, heart or lust;

I saw my hero fall, and I can trust

In mere men, no more, when gods are needed

I saw my hero fall before my eyes

Gut-wrenched I was because for moment’s pause

I thought utopia had finally come

He was so handsome – understanding – wise

©Cherry Odelberg April 29, 2020

LET ME DANCE

Don’t make me dwell on things all passed;

Let me dance,

Let me dance.

Let’s talk about the brightness of the future, not the darkness of the past;

Let me dance,

Let me dance.

There’s a six-eight cadence of freedom welling up inside by breast;

Let us dance,

Let us dance.

Through the meadow, in the mountains, through the mud of spring-thaw,

Let us dance,

Before next winter comes;

Let us dance!

Cherry Odelberg © February 29, 2020

Finally, the relentless wind;

Became a lover and a friend,

And I enjoyed a deeply spiritual walk last eventide.

And now, my thoughts turn, unschooled, unbidden;

Toward newer ports of call and charts unknown;

My future, hidden.

Yet, serene, I bask, a smile lurks on my face;

As I pursue the turning round the nearing corner.

Cherry, May, 2010

 

Walk at dusk,

Snowy owl;

Hooting toward the perch

of friend or mate,

Flew across my path

And lit on small gazebo

Making wide the silhouette of weather vane.

There it sat, cooing softly,

So sounding like a dove it made me look again

Ears feline atop plump body, avian

Cherry, Spring, 2010

I love cats, and it seems,
To me they also have affinity.
Although I sneeze and rub my eyes,
And cry and sneeze some more;
And learn to avoid the soft,
The very sleek, feline fur ball.

I walked today while sun did rise,
And spied a long-haired tiger cat,
And by its size,
I was belied,
To believe it older than its age.

It looked at me, and I at he,
Keenly in the eye.
Then gently, I passed by;
But failed to see or realize,
That from my pocket and my keys,
The lanyard dangled merrily.

July16, 2010 from the journal of Cherry Odelberg

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Putting One Foot in Front of the Other, Hiking for Life!