Beach

The waves wage war against the shore,

And crabs scuttle clumsily through the surf,

Seeking sustenance, shells, and solitude.

The sand stands strong against the boar-

Charge of the challenging tide’s turbulent

Hour, halting the harassing multi-hued

Water. The war waxes and wanes

But, the harsh beauty of the hastening

Assault arouses no ally’s anger.

Smooth stones drift swiftly through, away,

And toward the terracotta sand space

Of the beach. Barely clad, browned sun-bathers

Face the fury of the full globe

Unprotected by thick white sun-lotion,

Or the outspread shade of beach umbrellas.

A Tale - Syllabics Poem

She stands by a window

Caught in a shaft of sunlight

Face turned away

Her gaze rests on the bow

Its arrows used in the fight

No more to fly

Footsteps sound on flagstones

Echoing up the spiral steps

Death comes swiftly

Shouts rebound from below

Soldiers yell with combined might

Victory in sight

Her long blonde hair braided

An instrument of defeat

No salvation

The door to her tower

Swings into her chamber room

“Fair Rapunzel,”

“Let down your hair.”

Jacked In - Litany

Jacked In

His clothes lie in a pile on the floor; he ignores the smell.

His clock is set seven minutes ahead but he never arrives early.

His bed is unmade, cotton sheets and suede comforter piled at the foot.

His nightstand is just a place to gather dust and loose change.

His phone jack is empty, but the outlet next to it sprouts thick, black cables.

His life is consumed by delivery pizza and World of Warcraft.

His work is a means to an end and another forty hours a week at a computer.

His tie is a clip-on provided by the sister who still tries to talk to him.

His fridge contains ketchup, parmesan packets, and beer.

His friends don’t exist unless they are logged on.

His chair’s hard touch is the only physical embrace he encounters.

Final Rest - Villanelle

Final Rest

The stream which flows through Winter's forest
A liquid cold to quench the thirst
Travelers stop here to rest

On their journey, a hiker's quest
Adventurers believe they have been versed
On the stream which flows through Winter's forest

They come in hordes to stomp the dust
And fly into danger headfirst
Travelers stop here to rest

Each man believes himself the ablest
But none of them have traversed
The stream which flows through Winter's forest

Explorers wander through the thickets
Crediting themselves to be the first
Travelers to stop here for rest

Every one meets the end, even the fiercest
When men find themselves immersed
In the stream which flows through Winter's forest
Travelers end here, at rest 

Attempting a Terza Rima

I took an advanced poetry class a couple years ago, and this was my attempt at a terza rima.  Enjoy, and, as always, please provide feedback!

Familial Bonds

Once I ran away, quick steps fled

I down shining, bright streets of silver.

Each footfall sounded, with glee they landed.

Crying out freedom, my body aquiver,

I flexed my muscles, feeling their weight

Stretch through me with unrestrained, fierce power.

My breath came fast, constricting my legs’ gait.

Causing my legs to burn, a deep, slow burn.

A seeping, languid engulfment to sate

My need.  To escape the hustle and churn,

A life constricted by guardians’ pleasure.

Strapped in so tightly, I could only but yearn

For the unrestrained freedom of an hour.

An hour I have obtained through stealth and wit,

Through cunning and mischievous acts demure

Enough to lower their guard, escape and skip

Out of the prison they call home, and fly

Into wilderness where none will say, “Be still.”

Civilization where children don’t cry.

My Sweet Litany

It is almost Valentine's Day, so I decided to start you off with my sweet litany ;)

Indirect

Sweet second glance after our eyes meet

Sweet safe feeling, we walk side by side

Sweet sparkling wine bubbling in my glass

Sweet smoldering eyes, locked on mine

Sweet skillful moves numbing my mind

Sweet silken sheets stroke my naked skin

Sweet story’s beginning, an ending in disguise

Sweet sorrowful tears for a future lost

Sweet scalded dreams, now part of the past

Sweet silver ring with no heart attached

Sweet scales playing a piano wedding march

Sweet scarlet roses bleed petals like the rain

Sweet smiling faces, judging masks of joy

Sweet sudden changes in my sprinting moods

Sweet soft kisses on our child’s cheeks

Sweet sanity’s peak discovered at long last