POETRY CORNER

When life intruded, she put her dreams on hold
Waiting for that better day that somehow never came
The fire that once was hers flickered 'till it burned cold.
The children she raised were far from gold
Hearts were broken, yet no one was to blame
Hers was the story a million times told
Secretly hidden in her heart, she put her dreams on hold
Each new pain (divorce, children, deaths), all different yet the same
The net result of 'family first' her independence bought and sold
She thought, "One day," but time moved on and would not hold
As she played her feckless and endless waiting game
The dreams survived the passing years; she put her dreams on hold

Despite what she was told, she put her dreams on hold
And would not cave or misbehave as others made their name
She said her prayers to an unseen God but kept her dreams on hold
Many say she's now too old to chase the dreams she put on hold
But the cloistered dreams cry out, "We're yours to claim."
Old but still bold, they needn't remain in the dark in the cold
Dust them off, set them free! Respect those dreams once put on hold!
Style of poem: Villanelle
C. Paolo Caruso
Theme: Woman's Plight

Whenever I Whisper Your Name

(To Randy Travis)
Sometimes, when I whisper your name
I'm reminded of the frailty of the human race
From the broken promises of the biggest man in town
To the tears of regret as a lover leaves without a trace
On the other hand, I can whisper your name
And know love is alive and well in the human heart
As with the young white boy and the old black lady
Or the single candle that alone holds back the dark

Then, too, I can whisper your name and share your belief in the
Will of the people who decry the lies that become truths
And know that Freedom will break its chains, and Hatred will fall from grace
None of us can walk on water, so Peace is the anthem we choose
At times, I can whisper your name, and the humor in your lyrics rises up to cheer me
Such as, "You came a long way, going the wrong way…," (a sly admonition)
Or, "You're an old rolling stone which rolled over the hill…"
Or, "Since my phone still ain't ringing, I assume it still ain't you…" (a reasoned conviction)

It's that magical blend of a soothing baritone, outstanding lyrics and awesome instrumentation,
That reflects a sensitive soul whose grasp of human nature is at once humble yet robustly keen.
Whether you favor a better class of losers or probe for your significance, you always get It right.
Considering the esteem in which I hold you, it's shameful I never knew you existed before 2019!

C. Paolo Caruso
November 2019

ODE TO SUMMER'S PASSING

The waning sun nourished the field
The hungry land, its crops to yield.
Jackrabbits darted to and fro
Trees reached out to a weakening glow
Groundhog holes grew in the groves
As squirrels gathered chestnut troves

Nightingales sought their way to Wend
And sang their odes to summer's end
End Rhyme
End of summer
C. Paolo Caruso

IRAQ'S WAR

Charred bodies
Piled high on makeshift racks
Bombs fall, red blood flows
Mosul's children, innocents
Mere kindling in imperial war
Smoking bodies
Sirens wailing, people running
Look for safety; look for family
Cries to God, "What is it for?"
Mere kindling in imperial war
C. Paolo Caruso
Free Verse