By Contrast

I'm rough and rooted,
weather wounded -
I make you look beautiful.
I'm a darkened corner lending you its light.

I'm scarred, but steady
through each ebb and eddy
of your single, fragile season.
It's true that you're more pleasing to the eye.
But, I've watched flowers bloom and die

since God was a little girl.

Inspired by Hannah's prompt at Real Toads.  And, if my migraine drugs don't deceive me, it's 55 words for my G-Man.

Stains

I wish that I could remember what I remember,
rather than what I've heard;
but words have set up shop in my brain
and stain all of my recollections

with suggestions
of other people's truths.

Last Weekend At The Lake

She swam like a fish.
Called her brother "little turd face" every time they spoke.
Danced to Katy Perry up and down the beach.

Her parents request that everyone wear purple or pink
and bring bubbles.

She was eight,
and she swam like a fish.

Note: Inspired by an actual obituary.  I bawled like a baby.

For Words Count at Real Toads

Chambray Blue

Chambray blue and bloodshot
eyes reminding me of my
soft and foolish days
before you went away the first time.

Chambray blue and buckshot
spine reminding me my kind
blooms best in decay
and rot will have its way

when reluctant hands hold the knife.

For Open Link Night at dVerse

The Clock

Since I hit you guys up for editorial help with this last week, I thought you might want to see the finished piece.  My apologies to those I've already tortured endlessly with it. You know who you are.

***

I swallow the last of the birdsong slow

and shatter the cup for the noise.

I hitch up the dead horse to drag in the sun;

I shoo stars away with my voice.

But, still the light falls fixed

and the turn holds taut.

The clock

I once set by you

has stopped.

For Open Link Monday at (extremely patient) Real Toads