Heartfelt Poems

On Valentine’s day, 2009, Sweetheart Al and I attended a Romantic Writing Workshop, which turned out to be quite interesting. (He says it turned out to be unsatisfactory). One of our exercises was to write a “romantic” poem. We’re sharing our results here. Would love to hear your responses to our attempt.

Copyright 2009 by Merikay McLeodAll Rights Reserved

First electronic printing, October 2009

To start with, our workshop director read us several articles about weddings and romance and love. We were supposed to write down words from one or more of the articles that really grabbed us, and then were told to write a poem using those words.

Interestingly, both of us chose words from the same article – a story about butterflies being released during wedding ceremonies. Although we don’t pretend to be poets, it was fun working on our “romantic” poems…you may recognize shades of similarity in our two offerings.

The Long Wait EndsBy Al Lockwood

Breaking free from the chrysalis of singleness

newlyweds celebrate their joining.

Will they soar majestically off to another country of the soul

Or descend to be devoured by predators?

Stand by.

Painted LadyBy Sunny Lockwood

For years she traced the thin, familiar lineAlong her eyelids with an artist’s flourishAnd curled and thickly coated lashes fineBrushed cheeks with rosy minerals to nourishHer sense of allure.

Her empty heart, so eager to attractTossed laughter like confetti on the windLike brittle, broken glass it blocked contactAnd like a butterfly securely pinnedShe waited… insecure.

Until one day (and who can explain why)She ventured forth clear-eyed, bare faced and braveThe desperate grasping calmed by something shyA tender reaching out to give and saveRefreshed, filled up her heart.

And as she sought to quench another’s thirst,To ease both growling stomach and pain-filled soul,And put the needs of others at the first,She found a sense of joy both free and wholeAnd learned love’s secret art.

Painted Lady Butterfly (vanessa cardui)