Little legs in the snow find their way through the deep.
She pushes forward with determination toward the slide.
She has a goal, a destination, a reason not to sleep,
Little legs achieve little dreams and withstand the tide-

Of cold winter breezes, frosty nosed sneezes, icy flakes
blowing in her eyes- She knows the pleasure is with the work,
and so she keeps going, though she falls, she tries,
to regain her balance, and lift her knees higher,
she trudges with purpose, and failure unknown-
With my whole heart I pray, that with each passing day,
she remembers these moments, when her little legs are grown.

A safe place to put a simple story,
A safe that comes with a lock and key,
A safe place where I can read and remember,
What you once meant to me-

Safety doesn't come in numbers.
It is not money, nor intellect, nor fame.
Safety isn't secured by armies and weapons,
Safety isn't found in an anonymous name.

I once thought safe meant barricaded.
I once sought safety in your arms.
I learned I was not safe but subjected-
To each vile deed a criminal farms.

By your hands my body you raze.
By my will, your wrong will faze,
the mind with which you profess to see,
the fading bruises, black, purple, cherry.

Where did that last tear go?
I thought I kept it here.
Bloody hell, where is that tear?
I simply just don't know.
I think it dropped below.
I'm sure it is not near.
Where did you put your spear?
Grab it with an arrow.

Such small things are easily lost.
Such small things can't be kept.
Such small things, so great the cost.
Yet to suppress this tide, I am inept.
In the name of the father's holy ghost-
I wish I never wept.

The wind winds the leaves
The leaves float upon the waves
They shall never fall

The world is whitewashed
Snow lay upon the old earth
The drifts grow deeper

Rain spills from the clouds
Everywhere the flowers grow
Their struggle never ceases

The sun burns like love
The ocean spray beckons now
Each wave brings new fish

Tic-toc sounds the time
Calendar pages tear off

Salacious gossip slips and slides.
It is slop for silly swine to swallow-
Slime slush to sprawl in.

Sweet songs soften like salve
and sparkle scrutiny of speculation.
See the smut exeunt?

Once upon an afternoon,
Half-past a frosty morn,
Fluffy flakes flutter.
Frozen smile so forlorn.

Flip on slippers.
Slip Slip around the floor.
Two feet flop toward the foyer.
Find the newspaper at the door.

Follow footsteps flipping fast.
Questions in quandary but never asked.
Doggedly prepare repast.
Mouthing motions may outlast.

The words which were wisely wasted,
are needlessly noted, cut, and pasted.

Ring the bells and clang the crystal.
With the new year you arrived.
Eyes wide open, heart still hoping,
Love's paradox survived.

Ring the bells and kiss farewell,
New Year's tide has passed.
Eyes wide open, smiles still glowing,
Friendship like the champagne overflowing.