untold futures so many changes, scent of decay necessary losses autumn leaves waving like there’s no tomorrow… unknown destinies.. are they really? darkness looms ever so cunning coloured leaves giving notions of joy, and yet, life’s on pause… trees shedding life- one by one… on a sheet of rot children unaware seeing only beauty prancing, giggling jumping into piles staring at the sky until they’re all packed stuffed in paper bags carted off -- interred some buried in their gardens rest through the winter bringing life to earth in the spring how I love the different shades this bittersweet season the freshness of the air and yet, the scent of death pierces my soul my joints scream my heart is heavy… wondering if spring will ever come again… ©cheryl-lynn 2021/09/21 Daily Moment Muse – Free Verse
Category Archives: Poetry
Nature weeps – (free verse and haiku) Daily Moments July 30 2021
Nature weeps – (free verse and haiku)
written after reading the untruths of Rhéal Forest in Manitoba – a man of the cloth
…and I cried
I listened with apprehension
to a man of the cloth
not! a man of God
because a man of God
does not judge
a man of God loves
unconditionally
and I listened
my mouth agape
this man filled
with self-righteousness
callous and vindictive
defending other men and women
of the cloth
and the more he professed
his twisted truths
I cried…
and the more I imagined
those who do not want to believe
and judge and blame the victims
I cried…
and the man of the cloth
spoke with a twisted tongue
filled with venom
like a snake…
and I cried…
for the first brothers and sisters
of their native land
who have nourished this land
and taught us how to survive
where grand-maman fed my mother
where my mother fed her children
and where I fed my children and their children
I struck my chest
with my fist
again and again and again
and I cried…
for the untruths
from this man
of the cloth
who is not a man of God
and I cried…
© cheryl-lynn ‘2021/07/30
(troiku) a new form of Haiku
leaves flutter
gentle breeze underneath
blossoms shudder
leaves flutter
speaking softly
fledglings nestle
gentle breeze underneath
vibrant colours
sway
blossoms shudder
nature
cries softly
© Tournesol ‘2021/7/30
Daily moments July 30 2021
A slow bleed Free Verse
A slow bleed ~ Free Verse
a slow bleed…
at first the world was shocked
like being on a ship, discovering a leak
but then there were too many …
like a kitchen fire
putting out the flames
until it spread too far…
winter, spring…
the world looked in shock
watching overseas
knowing what was to come
so many deaths
so many losses
too many mourners
robbed of saying, ‘goodbye’
and then summer arrived…
leaks seemed under control
fire was a constant simmer
‘Summertime’ in the air
most humans still followed rules
…except
those wrapped in self-righteousness
their stole of complacency
those screaming for freedom
claiming their rights and liberties
defying laws that protect humans
laws to allow essential workers
do their job
to keeping the sick, alive
healthcare workers hold a screen
a dying patient says ‘adieu’
from afar, loved ones mourn
a nurse steps out for air
in shock, so much despair
sees marchers scream unmasked
claim threats are just a hoax
deaths only media hyped
they see not what they do
but only their umbilici
under its watchful eye
coronas sneer at their prey
multiply to centillions
autumn’s expectations
children, youths, essential workers
vulnerable and at risk
coronas’ tempting hosts
spreading more and more
coronas hanging on
essential workers stock our shelves
food for demanding bellies
barter with the devil
should they get tested and miss work
or work to feed their family
should they risk to lose their homes
their families on the street?
no benefits protect these heroes
what else can they then do?
winter locks the world
…again
this virus holds them prisoners
scientists work around the clock
companies start producing
new remedies for the world
but…
our fears and egotism
controls human behaviour
politics gets in the mix
add greed and nepotism
all powerful yet fatal
leaders and wealth
put the world at risk again
the rich’s win will be short lived…
the poor …we’re still not sure…
I wonder which is worse
which virus is more contagious?
which germ destroys the most?
corona or inhumanity?
who cares…
they all are now bedfellows.
the world bleeds…
© tournesol 2021 01 30
A cherita – a tragedy and a crime
A mother of seven suffers abdominal pains
A family entrust a loved one in the care of health professionals
health care providers who should care with respect
Suffering woman wails and pleads
attendants curse and denigrate the patient
forever silence her with an overdose wrong meds
&&&
government officials offer their sympathy
Shocked, they fire one nurse and orderly pending investigation
Media probes the premier if he’ll admit existing systemic racism
stubbornly shaking his head says, no
tsk tsk tsk, how can he fix a problem when in denial
&&&
seven children and a husband grieve
a community of First Nations mourn together
Indigenous people raise their voices nationally
Sadly I sit,
Wrapped in despair and umpteen questions
Shaking my head, when will this ever end?
© Tournesol’2020-09-29
Welcome to our world, Lara
I have not had the honour yet to meet this precious being…
your existence
has already
brought so much joy
adds a smile on my face
you shall be known
for touching our hearts
but more importantly
my wish for you, sweet one,
to be true to yourself…
Be unique in her own way,
amazingly genuine
authentically LARA…
my precious grand-daughter
when you are old enough
to see …way up there
in the heavens
look at those twinkling stars
they are your ancestors
winking and beaming
proudly upon you.
Welcome to our world, Lara,
and making 2020 so special!
© Tournesol’2020/08/21
Daily Moments – Welcome to our world, Lara, My grand-daughter was born Aug 20, 2020 making us focus on something beautiful rather than a pandemic (big goofy smile)
Longing for yesterday (free verse ) August 1 2020
Every once in a while,
she weeps of what was
and what is today.
The first few months,
She’d cry a little each day;
listening to tallies of the dead
…press conferences
Oh how she would dread!
the stats always on the rise
her home became her prison
of hope and despair
in time she’d try to manage
those blubbering crying spells
two, three or four times a week…
just a little overflow…
you know when you’re embracing life
and then you catch yourself
realizing life’s not so typical
you don’t know when it ever will be.
Every once in a while,
she weeps of what was
and what is today.
And those times
you think of your children
and grandchildren
and your wish has been
only for their happiness
no parent wants to see their children sad,
worried what the future may bring
you want them happy and hopeful
you want them to look forward
to newborns and christenings
to graduations and weddings
yes, those are things that make her weep
knowing their fears are also hers
she can’t remove, they’re theirs to keep
every once in a while,
she weeps of what was
and what is today.
today she had a few errands
the drug store,
the post office had a package
And then to her local grocer
so pleased was she
proud of her deeds
walking with her checkered cart
under midday sunny skies
Every once in a while,
she weeps of what was
and what is today.
And then she arrives
this new reality
slaps her in the face
washing, disinfecting,
wiping down every item
that was touched by others
you know… just in case
washing her favourite mask
cash back credit card
proof of ID health card
and all three condo keys
she’d looked so forward
to sit, enjoy those fresh fruits
a slice or two or maybe three
of fresh baked crusty bread
filled with berries and oranges,
and add some whipped cream cheese
and cold glass of cranberry juice
But the washing, the separating,
the storing and disinfecting
takes at least an hour or so
at last she does sit down
looks out at her balcony
flowers on her mom’s iron table
her tree she now calls her own
she weeps, of what seems so normal
yet, Is still not so
one still does not know
whenever that will be.
(c) tournesol ‘ 2020/08/01
an afterthought
how can one weep
up above the dark blue sky
heavens speak
Stay Homers, one and all…you ROCK
youths and adults all over the world!
anyone feeling too immortal theses days
LISTEN UP!
A NEW CAST IS IN DEMAND IN THIS HEROIC MOVIE
we already have health heroes
we do have truckers and grocers
garbage collectors, mental health workers
utility and IT folkS
government folks at all levels
educators, street cleaners, building cleaners
umpteen volunteers handing out food
restaurateurs of every kind,
delivery persons and postal persons
packers, sorters, stockers too
comedians and all sorts of celebrities
lest not forget Youtubers too
I’m missing a few but understand
this must be short
to speak to this very special cast
the ones who feel that they’re invincible
You wanta go down in history
as true heroes?
STAY HOME…we need STAY HOMERS!!
in this last cast of new heroes
STAY HOMERS ACTUALLY RULE!
(c) Cheryl-Lynn 2020/04/02
Yé! ma commande est arrivé
Oh les chips et le pepsi
certainement vont arrivé
Que j’ai hâte de savouré
une bonne bière pis steak haché
c’est le temps de la maudite
virus corona dix- neuf
pas le temps de magasiner
même pas l’droit de jouer d’hors
tout le monde vraiment poigné
pas le droit de travailler
parce que tous les politiciens
nous mets tous en quarantaine
Oh les chips et le pepsi
certainement vont arrivé
Que j’ai hâte de savouré
une bonne bière pis steak haché
les tits vieux on vraiment peur
pis y peuvent pas faire leur courses
ils doivent tous faire leurs commandes
l’internet ou leur voisins
Oh les chips et le pepsi
certainement vont arrivé
Que j’ai hâte de savouré
une bonne bière pis steak haché
Mais y manquait des produits
mon pot de beurre de peanut
pis dix livre de patates blanches
pis mon savon du dimanche
en r’gardant de mon balcon
les enfants et leurs parents
en vélos et espadrilles
distanciation sociale
on respecte distance physique
évitant de l’attraper
maudite corona dix-neuf
cause des maladies psychiques
Rester dont dans vos maisons
jusqu’à prochaine bonne nouvelle
que la maudite maladie
soient partie une fois pour toute
Oh les chips et le pepsi
certainement vont arrivé
Que j’ai hate de savouré
une bonne biere pis steak haché
Oh les chips et le pepsi
ma commande est arrivé
une bonne bière et steak haché
de mon Métro favouriiiiiiii!
(c) Cheryl-Lynn ‘2020/03/25
Cycling in snowsuits…only in Canada! (haibun) Daily Moments March 8 2020
Cycling in snowsuits…only in Canada!
Watching people walking to the park, she knew she must get out. Shut-in all day yesterday was just to nurse a cold and making excuses that she must not venture out into the public; but what about just going out for fresh air? But of course, that would be good for her both physically and emotionally.
She opened the windows of her condo for half an hour or so every day but that was not enough. She knew her mental state was stuck in mud that had dried up…sort of. A must to go out and see people! Tomorrow she would be hearing people and their trials and tribulations; trying to instill hope to continue on one more day or two. Indeed, she must go out.
Contemplating this, she saw two bicycles go by! One adult was dragging another bike with training wheels and another tiny bike was following behind. The children were dressed in snow pants and big bike helmets. [She wonders if a tuque fit under those big plastic headdresses.] Those big mittens must make it tricky to steer the bike too! Ah, bicycles with toddlers and children going for a Sunday ride…that surely is a sign that spring is around the corner!
sunny skies rule
just above point of freezing
luring shut-ins out!
sunny skies rule
painting curves on stiff muscles
bidding them to smile
just above point of freezing
daring to remove their tuques
wind blows in their hair
luring shut-ins out!
young and old find delight
spring is almost here
watching with renewed energy
from her living room window
slips on coat and boots
stepping into brisk cool air
twinkle in her eyes
© Tournesol ‘08/03/2020
Daily Moments 3/ 8/2020 Cycling in snowsuits~ only in Canada H aibun
unnecessary losses ~ Cherita
some changes can be embraced…over time
today I try to adapt to new gadgetry
feeling old and awkward, yet excited and giddy
some changes are not as welcomed
with heavy heart I grieve my mentor, my teacher, my advocate
yet, embrace our friendship that continues to flourish more each day
© Tournesol 2020/02/08
