No Boogeyman February 27, 2008

In the forest, in the dark
Tree leaves seem to grasp at me
But then touch turns tender
They just want usher me in
They are eager for another one to know
Birds swoop low with midnight wings
Almost brushing my head
Cobras slither – unseen, unheard -
Only a potential sting
Foreshadowing the magic that is brewing
Owls hoot: woo-woooo, woo-woooo!
Making me turn, then look up to the milky moon
She’s sleepy. She gives me a lazy wink
And says “Have fun at the party.”
Her argentine light catches silvery cobwebs, which settle
In my hair
On my face
Caressing me, telling me
Welcome to this place

Can this be scary?
Once upon a time, maybe…

But now, now I know
The night is where I go
To once again become myself

I am safe
I am my own Knight

Now I know
There is no boogeyman

© Lisa Hurley, 2008

In Honor of Black History Month February 25, 2008

I had a dream
That underneath their skin
White girls were just the same as me
I had a dream once
That Jesus Christ was Black
I had a dream
But woke up to harsh reality
I had a dream
I had a dream

Martin
What happened to your dream?
Marvin
What is going on?
Malcolm
Show us the necessary means
So that we can move on
So that we can dream on
So that we can be strong
Be one, be one

What’s going on?
Brother can you tell me
Brother, explain it to me please
What’s going on?
Sister, sister, tell me
What’s going on?
Why are countries fighting, children dying?
What’s going on?
What’s going on?

Martin
What happened to your dream?
Marvin
What is going on?
Malcolm
Show us the necessary means
So that we can move on
So that we can dream on
So that we can be strong
Be one, be one

What are the means?
Does religious faith
Really dictate how we’re perceived?
What are the means?
To effect a worldwide peace?
What are the means
To put substance to our fragile dreams?
What are the means?
What are the means?

Maybe Marley can sing us
A redemption song
To save us
Save us from our own destruction
Maybe Bob can sing us
A redemption song
To guide us
Guide us back to reconstruction

Martin
What happened to your dream?
Marvin
What is going on?
Malcolm
Show us the necessary means
So that we can move on
So that we can dream on
So that we can be strong
Be one, be one

Martin, Malcolm, Marvin, Bob
We believe in one love
Martin, Malcolm, Marvin, Bob
We believe in one love

© Lisa Hurley, 2008

Cinquain: Not Guilty February 25, 2008

The Dad
Trembled, cause Dad
He was not. He was just father.
Would she judge him? No. She smiled, and
She forgave

© Lisa Hurley, 2008

Cinquain: Homesick February 24, 2008

Home called:
The swish of sea
On sand. The fish that fly
O’er land. The scorching sun; Barbados hums
My name

© Lisa Hurley, 2008

Reality February 20, 2008

Everything I think I know
I let it go
I let it go
Everything I think I see
Means nought to me
Means nought to me
Everything I think I hear’s
Not really there
Not really there
Everthing I think I touch
Does not mean much
Does not mean much
How can it be reality
Unless God touches it with me?
It cannot be reality
Unless God touches it with me.
So that is why I’m on my knees
And on my lips, a prayer like this:
Lord, bless me with Your Vision, please
That I might see Reality

© Lisa Hurley, 2008

Cinquain: The Quest February 20, 2008

The quest
For joy or peace
Does not a pilgrimage require…
Take one long look into the glass
And smile

© Lisa Hurley, 2008

Laughing February 19, 2008

My faces aches and aches
My chest hurts too
My eyes are filled with tears
And from my mouth erupts
A belly laugh
A huge guffaw
A raucous bray
The kind so hated by my mother and other Easter-hatted ladies
But feels so, so good
The kind that makes my abs burn like I actually worked out for once
But no. No guilt today.
No guilt right now
Cause right now
Right now
Right right now
I’m too, too busy
Rolling
Rolling
Rolling on the floor
Laughing

© Lisa Hurley, 2008

Perfect Love February 17, 2008

I am that perfect love
I’ve always sought, like that of
Mother for child
Writer for silence
Puppy for tummy rubs
Or, better yet,
Runner for twenty-six miles
Fashionista for Barney’s sample sale, or
Hormonal woman for soft-chew chocolate chip cookies

© Lisa Hurley, 2008

Cinquain: Happiness February 17, 2008

Sunshine
Green grass, and fine
White sand on Barbados
Shore: these things all make me happy
Inside

© Lisa Hurley, 2008

Cinquain: Karma February 16, 2008

But yet
Dost thou not know
That venom spewed forth spits
Back at the snake? Beware of what
You sow

© Lisa Hurley, 2008