Meg's Poems

Dusty Fireworks 

Even though I am at the end,

I remember the middle, the beginning,

and everything in-between.   

I wish I didn’t have to go, but I’m ready.

I’m full of memories,

a happy collection of stories.   

I wish I could tell them I’m going to be fine,

I’m going where I belong.

For all dogs, do, go to heaven.  

I remember the day I joined my family.

Mary and Meg waited all day long,

hoping the first family didn’t come back.  

I’m glad they waited for me.

I’m glad they took me home.

Its where I’ve lived for fifteen fun filled years.   

Back at the pound, I was called Boss. 

Funny name for a 1 year old,

who wasn’t bossy at all.  

When Gil first saw me, he said I looked Dusty.

Like someone hadn’t dusted all the dirt off of me.

I’m glad the name stuck.  

I worry about Mary and Gil the most,

for they will get left behind.

Its not their time to go though, its mine.  

Annie, Meg and Eric all live too far away to be here now.

I know they wish they were...

I do too.

The Holidays are my favorite time of year.

Everyone comes home to visit then.

Each room is filled with someone I love,

someone to play and snuggle with. 

I got used to sharing my house with that little Beagle. 

Even if he stole my favorite place on the couch,

he knew I was the master of the house.    

I hate when the suitcases come down from the loft.

It means its time for everyone to go.

Each time they leave I go room to room,

looking, smelling,

hoping they are still there.  

I wait on top of the stairs,

watch out the bay window,

willing them to come home again soon.  

There is a lot I’ll miss.

Sewing and gardening with Mary,

Playing ball with Eric.

But, I think I’ll miss my walks with Gil the most. 

I wish I could tell them its okay.

Its okay to let me go.

I remember every detail,

my heart is full of warm memories.  

I hope they don’t cry for too long,

I hate to see them sad.

I wish I could ease their pain. 

I think its time,

I can hear the fireworks starting.

Beautiful streaks of color fill the night. 

I’m happy they’ve laid me to rest in the backyard.

I’ll be close by,

able to keep them company from above.

Thank you, my dear family,

for a wonderful life.  

 

Bunny Games 

I see you, I see you sitting there.

Taunting me, sassing me.

...luring me to chase you.  

You know this stupid glass wall protects you.

You saunter ...back ~ and ~ forth...back and forth...

fluffing your little white tail as you hop by. 

I see you, I see you taunting me.

You sass me now, go ahead,

Flaunt your freedom.

We both know how this will end.  

The glass wall moves a side, never fast enough.

I see your silly ears spring up straight.   

Leaps, Bounds, two white Flashes streak the lawn,

...drawn together with tempting challenge.  

I See you darting back and forth...back and forth...

I see you dive into our forest.

I know your every move.  

I dare you not go down that hole.  

I dare you come back out...

dance that saunter dance with me...

once more.

My life, in 100, Single Syllable Words 

Born, west, Mom Dad Anne. Dog, then dogs.

Move north, new home, new dreams.

Friends, few, more, lots.

Dreams dreamt -  sad dreams, happy dreams.

Dreams do come true.  

Hurt, love, hurt, hurt, then E.

Last love, True love, Pure love, Good love!

Move East, the mid point, Big town, Bright lights.

New friends, new fun, new life. Same love.

New dreams, new job, new joy.

Shared dreams, warm dreams.

Dreams do come true. 

Move South East.

New job, new dreams.

Scared. Still hope.

Loss, tears, dark.  Strength, from true love. 

Strength from dreams yet to come. 

Dreams do come true. 

Mark Bradford
Hannibal 2005-10
Billboard paper, acrylic, gel medium, nylon string, steel, plywood, additional mixed media 

We used to be alone

Each our own, single piece of work.

Tossed aside in your studio,

as you were bored with us over time.

Our edges tattered, our paint cracked thin.

We used to be lonely, unwanted, unused.  

Then, for reasons unknown, you gave us a second chance.

You saw us in new light.

Our scruffiness became appealing to you.  

You brought us together, one by one.

Making us whole, creating new life in our existence.

Together as one, stacked high.

Placed in a space for all to see.

We rest, guarded, bathed in pride.  

Green Raincoat 

rain..heavy wet rain, cold rain.

rain that lasts for days, weeks, then months.

rain has drenched my existence. 

a green collar, a green leash,

but a green raincoat...

do we not wait till the rain stops. 

soft rain, warm rain, misty rain.

rain drifting...softly down...

rain pelting from the ground. 

so many unique species of rain

they keep mutating, creating new rain...

too many varieties to wait.

on goes my green raincoat,

click goes my green leash,

out we go...into our rain.

This is my favorite time of day...

...when it rains. 

Missing Piece 

His eyes so light

His touch so soft

His smile so warm

His life so free. 

Oh...how he’s gotten to me. 

My soul’s complete...

My heart’s at peace. 

When I close my eyes,

I see that smile...that’s all mine. 

He makes the simplest of joys extraordinary. 

With him, every moment is new...

every breath more full. 

My senses so keen. 

He makes me feel so alive...

as if I could, possibly...fly.
 

Explanation

Why do you paint - they ask?

You say your an artist...explain yourself!  

As a child you used colors as words...

                        you spoke through creation

so they taught you the rules...

                                   you learned all the methods.  

Yet now you’ve grown...your on your own -

so explain yourself, if you say your an artist.  

Your heart cries out - your soul runs free...

...for when you paint ~ you breathe. 

You understand your brush, and the colors you choose...

though you get lost

in the placement, of those damn words.  

Mother May I

Why so mean 

Have I wronged you  

Have I hurt you...

you hurt me more than you know 

I’m the weak one,

the one you vent too 

They hurt you,

they don’t appreciate all you do... 

You give your whole self,

leaving nothing for your own soul 

You’ve loved us stronger than any other,

you’ve succeeded,

we’ve all grown stronger 

Our strength comes only with the thought,

your love will never dull 

So even though were all scared...

its time to move on - to let us go 

Why?

Why do we hurt one another

Why does the pain we feel...

 carry over to those around us. 

Why do we trust so few...

and question even those. 

Why do we allow our hearts...

to control our heads. 

Why do we regret,

when we act out our emotions. 

We want to hide -

We want to crawl into a place

safe for others...

Where we can never hurt one another.

 

The Drive 

Musical rhythms...

conducting colors,

bursts of - ENERGY 

Luring your body

to move in new ways 

A rhythm in tune with an

inner passion

The LOVE of life 

Dancing you toward

new adventures...

the future untold

Love

Tears of happiness and joy.

Tears of ecstasy and passion.

Tears of content and blindness... 

...you feel as if another is holding your heart,

close to theirs - to keep it safe. 

You close your eyes and smile

for thats how love flows...

yet life keeps spinning. 

Tears fall before your eyes open

you were warned

you were told.

Tears of pure pain...

true to fall for no other emotion.

Tears of sadness and confusion. 

Your body tired

your soul taking shelter...... 

Though, in time - life spins on

forgetting no one. 

The hardest step we take...

is the one that moves us on 

Your soul carrying your heart

with new pieces...

and ones left behind. 

You smile again with the realization...

once you break the pain

you can leave it behind. 

Your eyes wide open

your heart more secure than before.