Whilst

I am neither
Convinced it exists,
Nor certain it does not.
It is perhaps something
Like the proverbial cat
Who may escape
Judgment until
By a concerned party
Observed;
But life, generally,
Is not in strictest sense
Measurable.

There obtain multitudes
Of variables of which
All cannot be ignored.
A mind may
Ascend or descend
According
To the temperments
Of the heart which
Is in best of times
Begged askance for
Tendency
To ride the fickle whims
Of ungovernable passion.

All, blind and unknowing,
Believing liberty abounds
While charmed by aspects
Of affinity only illumined
By creativity, which we
Purport to control,
But, reality,
If it be,
Assaults us with falsity.
The cat upon the sill
Cries
Its soul, besieged,
By want to
Exercise
A given instinct.

Not the Roses

Roses weep their
Jeweled blood
Upon deserts of
-Complaint-
No love we reap
With thorns of
Doubt,
Vicious fear,
Pricked hearts
Without restraint.

Love may in
A flood of tears
Wash into seas
Of time,
Where smiles
Decorate
Parting years,
All things set
Aright,
As gentle dew
Bathes
The roses
And the sun
Kisses
Pleasant gardens
With fantastic
Waves
Of delight.

Still, lifeblood is
Expended in fields,
Roses
Come to rest,
Creativity becomes
The hope to save
From rending;
Infinite test.
We are and are
Not
Known for inside
We lie hidden
Weeping
Often for what is
Forbidden.
Love and fear
Entwine
Become one, the
Same,
Edges cut, glass
Ensnares,
Inside alike
Yet, the time
It takes
More impossible
To reclaim.

What some call impossible is never far from mind.

Captive Surprise

Music plays me
With fluctuating
Emotions,
Leaving me
To feel
Who I am,
So real,
Alone,
But not
Without you.
I doubt I am
Strong enough
To make it
Through
All I need
To accomplish,
But I shall try
Because my
Heart beats
Your rhythm
Forever,
Always.
I gave up
Knowing who,
What I am –
Only you
Can
Define me.
As I am
Refined,
Your love
Carries away
Those things
Not building
A better me.
Somehow all
The time
It is more of
You
I find.

Choice

I saw the open door
But felt I should go,
Another way,
Continuing down the hallway
Until I came upon
An exit.
Through the door –
I wandered barefoot on
The grass,
Buoyed by the scent of water –
Wafting from an active
Stream
Like the impression
Of safety within a dream.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
Sweetwater Creek Millrace

Same

We are coiled fibers
On separate continents
Our wiring entwines
Balances our humanity
Furnishing hope, joy, and love.

Our hearts beat, rhythm,
Alike, in Crayola bodies,
Grace swearing us in,
Hands touching hands, render smiles,
Cherishing we ragamuffins.

Presents beribboned
Sharing melodies inspired
Forgetting in place
Differences – become friends,
Each countenance shining light.

Opening ebon doors
To unleash brilliance, delight;
Understanding change
Growing fruitful, courageous,
Saluting equally all.

With passion aflame
Given examples guiding love;
God who embraces
Each aspect, person, creation
Abides, the Spirit of Grace.