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