A VOICE AND A STICK

What do you have
to work with if not
your own voice
to speak what some
would never say
and a stick used
to guide sheep or
lean on like a cane?
What will happen
to them both: voice
and stick... when you
give them up for a
higher purpose
believe in something
more than your
own survival
work for the freedom
of everyone you
know
trust that the smallest
of instruments will
yield a mighty blow

© Valerie Bridgeman
August 7, 2013

MAKING PEACE

For a piece of peace
I seek to let go of
all the distress that
stalks me 
for just a little
I long for a box
with all the ingredients
for making peace
from the leftovers
of late night
confessions
and the times
I've just made a mess
of things when I was
working so hard to get
it right
One day, I won't sing
of peace, I will be
at rest

© Valerie Bridgeman
August 6, 2013

HANDBASKET

If on the face of it

the world is going to hell

in a handbasket

who will be holding

the handles?

© Valerie Bridgeman

August 5, 2013

Late posting (totally), but posted

PHONE CALL

I wake just before the phone rings
as if my heart knew you would call
You talk, I listen... it is strained
nothing like the ease of days
before when we talked over
each other, finished sentences 
mid-stream... listened to the silence
believing the other knew the 
end and the beginning of
the matters at hand... I wait
for your halted words, I halt
as you wait for mine

We do not know each other
this morning
an odd confession
given how intimately
we have known
the curves and indentations
of each other's heart.

I wish, but not out loud
you confess, but only in a whisper
this strain of time and trust
betray our struggle to be
close at hand, and I am
grateful even in the ruins

© Valerie Bridgeman
August 4, 2013

TODAY

Today was a good day
and when "good" and
"day" make an appearance
in the same sentence
in the same kiss
I'm good

© Valerie Bridgeman
August 3, 2013

CRAZY

It ain't easy to be crazy

to live in the space

between words that make sense

and angels whispering

in your ear, to be able

to see what cannot be seen

and try to explain it

in a way that sounds

normal... some say the crazy

are prophets; others just

wait for the meds to kick in

© Valerie Bridgeman

August 2, 2013

LATE POSTING. but posted

POWER

Oma, she says, do you 
know your own power
do you know you
are strong, do you
clear the way
with your strength
love pure
heart fierce
loyal always
sturdy like tree
like sun
you are powerful
as you know
now, Oma, she says
KNOW IT.

© Valerie Bridgeman
August 1, 2013