Letter to the Past

My dear scared child, do not fear

Your future’s not what you perceive

The pain you feel won’t be your norm

Have faith in yourself and believe

Having a loving, caring heart 

May imply to some you’re weak

But one thing you must remember

To other’s it makes you unique

Be brave my frightened younger self

But never let down your guard

Circumstances don’t define you 

Your life won’t always be so hard

Confront those who create your fear 

Don’t let them define your worth

Let karma rectify the wrong

In forgiveness you’ll find rebirth. 

The life you dream, is waiting for you

Hold your head high; you’ve nothing to shame

Go confidently to your future

For it’s yours to boldly reclaim 

(C) Shirley Keefer Topeka 2015

Flurries

Falling to the ground

Shiny diamonds in the night

Flurries swiftly fall

Passing

The day passes by

As silently as the clouds

Float across the sky

New Year

Another new year,

Time has come and time has gone,

Time continues on.

Christmas Gift

     Dawn has broken and soon we’ll all be, opening presents around the tree.
     Papers and packages will clutter the floor, but please remember what this day is for.
     During this glorious season of love, remember the One who came from above.
     He gave us a love that never ends, and today we will share it with family and friends. 
     So while you're gathered in one happy place, make sure they all know about His saving grace. 
     Then take a moment and look up and say, "thank you, Lord", for that Babe in the hay.

~Shirley Keefer Topeka 2011

Tormented Soul

Tormented soul. Tormented soul. There is so much you long to know. What road to take? What path to chose? If you chose wrong, what will you lose? What prevents you from letting go? Tormented soul. Tormented soul. Fear of living? Or fear of not? Fear of falling; not being caught? Take those leaps and face your fears. Look back and smile in future years. Tormented soul, tormented soul. Don’t take the path that others go. Attempt and fail. There is no shame. Evading them, then you’re to blame. Never forget, you’re in control. Tormented soul. Tormented soul. ~Shirley Keefer Topeka My First Attempt at Quatern A Quatern is a sixteen line French form composed of four quatrains. It is similar to the Kyrielle and the Retourne. It has a refrain that is in a different place in each quatrain. The first line of stanza one is the second line of stanza two, third line of stanza three, and fourth line of stanza four. A quatern has eight syllables per line. It does not have to be iambic or follow a set rhyme scheme.   

A Single Cup

A coffee challenge poem

A Single Cup

Empty mugs set side by side,
One for him, one for his bride.
His feeble hands lift to pour,
A single cup. Two, no more.

Robust coffee feeds a soul,
Transitioning to half a whole.
Her essence now consumes the room,
Where he once lived as her groom.

Ceramic warms an aching hand.
Eyes peruse his wedding band.
Steam emerges from his cup.
Tender memories wailing up.

Trembling fingers take a sip.
Deeper in he starts to slip.
Love and laughter. Pain and fear.
Watching as the end grew near.

Bold taste lingers on his tongue.
Hands caress her face of young.
A vision in her favorite pearls,
Surrounded by her golden curls.

Rich aroma taints the air.
Days spent prisoner to the chair.
Drinking slowly, so alone.
Lost and lonely to the bone.

Swallows hard his liquid brew,
Aching for the love he knew.
His grieving spirit longs to heal,
From daily life now so surreal.

An empty cup. A heavy heart,
Trying not to fall apart.
His feeble hands lift to pour,
A single cup. Two, no more.

~Shirley Keefer Topeka  2012~