Monday Apr 18, 2022

Awakening Dreams - Inspire Me Perception

In continuing the celebration of poetry month. Poetic Resurrection will have two poet interviews. We again will welcome Martina Reisz Newberry and a newcomer to our podcast, Diana Rosen.

In this episode, I will discuss and read a few poems from Inspire Me: Perception. Inspire Me: Perception was recently re-edited and we will release a compilation book of the first two Inspire Me books this month with a preview of five poems from my upcoming book Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams. Enjoy!

The poems in this episode include “Silhouette”—a poem about a traumatic experience “Food”—a poem about my love of food and how a loving family makes fun of you and currently the most popular poem “Tomorrow” about how we view life and rethinking our perceptions. Various lines from “Tomorrow” have been quoted by several websites.

Silhouette

A dark shadow appears—soul shakes, the body suspends. A story of an altered spirit who’ll manifest soon in the deepest of night. Shadow essence of two-week visit encompasses my thoughts and sleep. If present, she’ll be safe. Who do you speak of, spirit? A man’s silhouette in the early morning as the streetlights gleam upon glistening muscle tone. The sun peeks as my roommate dreams, unconscious of his gaze. In the darkness, a gun rises in his hand, aims at roommate’s head. Silence takes over as the smoke aura scars her fate. Dream propels my slumber, and I go to her room. If I’m present, she’ll be safe repeats. Sunlight dances on my face as the night’s story whispers away. She awakens, “Had that dream again, didn’t you?” “Yes.” Three full moons calendar the sky. Gotham called for her home—She’s safe. Chitown childhood friends summer evening visit—Sunset Strip. Summer heat, sleep half nude as evening completes at midnight. Vocal and joyful friends jest of a man at the window where the drapes bellow. Amusement drains the night as the muscles gleaming silhouette appears. She runs into my bedroom, gun points at third eye—forced out of comfort into the lifeless living room. Essence extends my body as I guard the front door. “Think you’re going somewhere?” He shouts. Gun points for me to sit by piano. The silent melody piano bench where I abide. “On the floor,” he casts me as he bares my skin from sheet. Little sister weeps and window slams, fearing discovery of his carnal acts. Guilt survival mission defuses the present. Escaping—leap two steps—first landing. Leap again, gun at head. Blinding movie screen of my life flashes, steals my sight. Land on corner of step and propelled onto the ground. Not dying, not tonight! Street or parking lot? A straight shot I will not be as I hide beside cars until I can jump a concrete fence that divides the building. Footsteps dissipate. Blood curdling screams echo in the distance. I climb many staircases and a man stands with two dogs. “Please call the police,” I beg. “I think my friend’s dead.” His girlfriend’s pink robe drapes a childhood fear. We hide. Police state, “Stay inside.” Helicopter’s beaming lights—Treble sirens and watchful dogs ease chaotic street. An hour-and-a-half, a knock. Police state, “He escaped—assaulted another woman and stole her car.” Friends approach in a cloud of disbelief, sobbing. They heard my fall, calling—No answer—Saw my death in his hands. Police, “He’ll return.” Neighbor held us safe, and we slept on her floor. My scarred friends left the next day. Never went back. He never paid. Warning from silhouette, but I didn’t understand. Premonition, and it’s real impact. Checking doors and windows for a year, but I know I saved my friends because—I was there.

Food

Reminiscing
Food stories that my family tells
About behavior
Don’t remember, age three or four

Learned to walk, learned to climb
Kitchen chair, telephone books
God forbid family would
Buy a step ladder to make my life easier

An old refrigerator (not old back then)
Lever—jump up and pull down
Sister wonders why fridge is ajar
Opens door—Surprise, it’s me!

Sitting on a shelf eating an apple
She grabs me, fights to get fruit
Tug of war ensues
She wants a chewed apple?

Stomping away (I had such an attitude)
Fruit in hand—I won
Sister retells story as family laughs
I am offended by their laughter

Rope around stove, fridge
Padlock on pantry? Chocks for candy!
Where’s the fruit?
Watch fire in stove—I love fireplaces

Upset, storm off to yellow vinyl 50’s sofa
Jump up and slide back down
Jump up again and again
Oh well, I’ll throw myself on floor

Crying because I’m a miffed child
Check to see if they’re watching
Mom comes over and hugs me
Sit on the big vinyl sofa—Finally!

Tomorrow

If I were to die tomorrow
Would I have organized my home
Would I have left my paperwork in order
Would I have made it easier for my family

If I were to die tomorrow
Would I have followed and completed my dreams
Would I have loved the way I wanted to love
Would I have visited the world like I wanted to

If I were to die tomorrow
Would I have told those that I loved that I love them
Would I have seen the beauty in my own life
Can I say that I lived my life to its fullest

If I were to die tomorrow
Would I have lived today
Would I have loved differently
Would I have felt my life was complete

If I would die tomorrow
A sadness would be there
To know I wasted so much time

If I were to die tomorrow
I would make the unknown
I’d face the unknown I was so afraid of
As I choose my life today with strength and joy

Awakening Dreams - Inspire Me Perception

Silhouette

Food

Tomorrow

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