tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78993533465661434632024-03-18T21:27:15.458-07:00The Sound of InkAnother place for LaundrySusie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-16713856387136534822024-03-15T07:24:00.000-07:002024-03-15T07:24:27.093-07:00How Do I Shrink the Moon<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmChUf3cpHWctEdec3LJD5qJhZqhX90DdUMmnXhjttW1bhwDlIyg8K3TF9k1rIqmq9mAeB2FezHy-2qOr_YIQkpq9r_rMIOhKPxpkXJNZI9dQkFVGXcoxVEuBMGA4oKHdH_JA9FgotnuQQ1I7e223MGNqKegvjZf8sLA0UasiMVB5PzCFrj5N62-Qjes/s1280/girl-4499168_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmChUf3cpHWctEdec3LJD5qJhZqhX90DdUMmnXhjttW1bhwDlIyg8K3TF9k1rIqmq9mAeB2FezHy-2qOr_YIQkpq9r_rMIOhKPxpkXJNZI9dQkFVGXcoxVEuBMGA4oKHdH_JA9FgotnuQQ1I7e223MGNqKegvjZf8sLA0UasiMVB5PzCFrj5N62-Qjes/w400-h225/girl-4499168_1280.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>My mom says my imagination is too big.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I should cut it into smaller pieces</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>so the coloring book in my head</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>can fit on the kitchen table.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>But how do I shrink the moon</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>or turn a rainbow into ribbon</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>when tomorrow seems a year away?</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I never fit where I am or reach where I want to go.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Chairs are uncomfortable, shoes keep my feet from</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>feeling the grass, and every time I see a butterfly</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I know one day I’ll have wings.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Mom can’t hear the dandelions or hold a spoon</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>against the window to catch drops of sunlight</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>before night covers it with stars. </b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I don’t think I ever want to grow up. I’d be too bored.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Where would I put my teddy bears when my bed</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>is nothing but an ocean of pillows?</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Susie Clevenger 2024 </b></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://newwhatsgoingon.blogspot.com/2024/03/children.html">What's Going On? ~ Children</a> </b></span></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Susie Clevenger 2024</b></span></p></div></blockquote>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-80123206712549624362023-08-23T15:31:00.002-07:002023-08-23T15:31:53.953-07:00Sister of a Dandelion<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZtMn_IUrPbfNvxKp0l5k4laQljfNRAIAmSAAtfj7AYcqQuoYr63D7NRNTiin6OrTyS9TwF8gC64dy14NI-5dLqudYhK9b0t8EtS5H5_9hSt04WQB0Z2F1D34bfc4D3jnr_-GONfuDo9wW5-3ezpb9hZvzznShRPYbbCQrlyJ94S5DgLFutZ4d-JyD6A/s4005/pexels-nataliya-vaitkevich-4641691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4005" data-original-width="2670" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZtMn_IUrPbfNvxKp0l5k4laQljfNRAIAmSAAtfj7AYcqQuoYr63D7NRNTiin6OrTyS9TwF8gC64dy14NI-5dLqudYhK9b0t8EtS5H5_9hSt04WQB0Z2F1D34bfc4D3jnr_-GONfuDo9wW5-3ezpb9hZvzznShRPYbbCQrlyJ94S5DgLFutZ4d-JyD6A/s320/pexels-nataliya-vaitkevich-4641691.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div><div style="text-align: center;">I wonder if my legacy</div><div style="text-align: center;">will merely be a faint light</div><div style="text-align: center;">in the peripheral vision</div><div style="text-align: center;">of a passer’s eye or a shadow figure</div><div style="text-align: center;">of a memory, the name on the tip</div><div style="text-align: center;">of a tongue one can’t seem to form.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: center;">No matter how many letters I write</div><div style="text-align: center;">to my ten-year-old self she doesn’t</div><div style="text-align: center;">seem to trust she will ever be first in line</div><div style="text-align: center;">because she’s been taught, she’s</div> <div style="text-align: center;">supposed to be last.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: center;">I am beginning to understand</div><div style="text-align: center;">why I’ve always been in love with dandelions.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They are petaled, defiant sunlight</div><div style="text-align: center;">thriving where nothing else can.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></o:p><o:p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: center;">©Susie Clevenger 2023</div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-89401769471754805962023-01-15T11:56:00.001-08:002023-01-15T11:56:35.892-08:00I Listened to the Bees<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiR6tC5Tgmuphz97DvE3xgyA7SP9rziERLEglZMEag17SNLBY9KKbjH2Z2V3nb4Wj50zl7W6bpj6HLImCbsprC7E5Mw0ERSLEjjD-NldGPnDrA2RFCoTGnR9AMtCdhViQ5hjIOXMZVbFwtV4awu4vtk2IRHzAxVYCwLl16huRtjWI_AB20OLVSTtvof" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiR6tC5Tgmuphz97DvE3xgyA7SP9rziERLEglZMEag17SNLBY9KKbjH2Z2V3nb4Wj50zl7W6bpj6HLImCbsprC7E5Mw0ERSLEjjD-NldGPnDrA2RFCoTGnR9AMtCdhViQ5hjIOXMZVbFwtV4awu4vtk2IRHzAxVYCwLl16huRtjWI_AB20OLVSTtvof=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">“The body knows things a long time before</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> the mind catches up to them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I was wondering what my body knew that I didn't.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">” ― Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Am I building a hive of thoughts</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">or is it simply I hold on to what</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I should let whither into forgotten?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There’s no industry in building</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">on a scrapbook that is filled </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">with artful attempts to decorate misery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Not every seed holds light nor </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">does sitting in a dead garden</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">bring the bee to gather hope’s pollen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A bee’s wings move with incredible speed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">to remain still…Perhaps my mind’s frantic motion</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">is the sound of my spirit ushering me toward tranquility.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Oh grief, I’ve sat beneath your black lace that teases</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">with release, but it is I who must seek the sun. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Even a rose grows when the clock chimes midnight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I wish life would not bring its hurricanes that demand</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">resilience, yet do I expect my humanity to give me escape,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">when it is the honeybee that fights the hands of men so I might live. </div><div><br /></div><div>©Susie Clevenger 2023</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://thesundaymuse.blogspot.com/2023/01/sunday-muse-242.html">The Sunday Muse #242</a><br /></div></div><p><br /></p>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-86001085675968063062022-10-18T14:50:00.000-07:002022-10-18T14:50:49.349-07:00Last Words of a Rose<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTUc09EnWlziu0yI3Zn96-TwLJ4Lg8e1cJkAsSZ9zMtGZ3IhJI1gZ2sx6aGmVp6ge-ffpPuXp3KQgwvqzTJDOYuX4siKLK0YTdfMEPvVQ9EHNmHR3vBJJ8oKPmZy-uASX4ejH5n3taRwp2otlRrlvhVwckIH1M_YtmBtB2p-tChNsVtykmPPLRC-N/s3600/michael-yuan-jGOBjCcT5a8-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="2400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTUc09EnWlziu0yI3Zn96-TwLJ4Lg8e1cJkAsSZ9zMtGZ3IhJI1gZ2sx6aGmVp6ge-ffpPuXp3KQgwvqzTJDOYuX4siKLK0YTdfMEPvVQ9EHNmHR3vBJJ8oKPmZy-uASX4ejH5n3taRwp2otlRrlvhVwckIH1M_YtmBtB2p-tChNsVtykmPPLRC-N/s320/michael-yuan-jGOBjCcT5a8-unsplash.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">There was an emptiness</div><div style="text-align: center;">in the air as I clung to the stem,</div><div style="text-align: center;">a thorned rose who trusted</div><div style="text-align: center;">scissors would never bleed me</div><div style="text-align: center;">into water and glass to die</div><div style="text-align: center;">on a shelf without ever</div><div style="text-align: center;">tasting moonlight again.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: center;">Hands smooth as my red petals</div><div style="text-align: center;">hovered over my face in a butterfly pause</div><div style="text-align: center;">I felt I would escape…my imperfection</div><div style="text-align: center;">too obvious to an eye determined</div><div style="text-align: center;">to ribbon me among snow cheeked lilies.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: center;">Yet separation came in a determined cut</div><div style="text-align: center;">that divided me from my sister blossoms</div><div style="text-align: center;">and the root hum of mother earth.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: center;">With why clipped from my tongue</div><div style="text-align: center;">I became little more than a trophy,</div><div style="text-align: center;">a pretty “thing” to be admired,</div><div style="text-align: center;">a handmaid of ego that sought praise</div><div style="text-align: center;">while calculating how long I’d survive</div><div style="text-align: center;">in the vinegar of artificial rain.</div><o:p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></o:p><div style="text-align: center;">Intention or not, when wilting came, I was pulled</div><div style="text-align: center;">through the throat of the vase.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I did not succumb to the fate of a plastic shroud,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but was gently lain on green grass</div><div style="text-align: center;">by a small hand amongst a dandelion rosary.</div> <o:p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">©Susie Clevenger 2022</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://earthweal.com/2022/10/17/earthweal-weekly-challenge-enactivism-and-the-poetry-of-becoming/">Earthweal</a><br /></div></o:p><o:p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></o:p><o:p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></o:p></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p></p>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-73126986060570027662022-08-15T14:14:00.003-07:002022-08-15T14:34:05.972-07:00Unburdening <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgraa720dXM4A-DO99ORl6P1309lYOf3_FMATfRhScZPYP-IdjDQoNEbozwH4ojltQL3hitObDcWW1TgyFr_aqxJhxqRNFkdMX7UVxtEzxZt2pPs3YPErIv-0-1PtPRq0CIMBWuqm0sb1oMs1dp108fLsV7nJRqd_7Pqjbwwrv1MntqWkuFC4K0a8Ai" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="688" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgraa720dXM4A-DO99ORl6P1309lYOf3_FMATfRhScZPYP-IdjDQoNEbozwH4ojltQL3hitObDcWW1TgyFr_aqxJhxqRNFkdMX7UVxtEzxZt2pPs3YPErIv-0-1PtPRq0CIMBWuqm0sb1oMs1dp108fLsV7nJRqd_7Pqjbwwrv1MntqWkuFC4K0a8Ai=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">Hymns once rattled stained glass<br />and stone built to house the faithful.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>In the middle of nowhere footprints<br />ate grass, a biblical apocalypse<br /> growing dust where green once gathered.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>When hallelujahs failed to grow numbers in pews,<br />failure’s eye stared into the sun without repentance<br />for planting doom where the meadowlark once sang.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Within the very echo of the last human leaving, bird,
beast, and field<br />gathered to redeem Eden from the curse of abandoned.<br /> <o:p> <br /></o:p>Revival now speaks in seeds and prayer rows of growing.<br />Butterflies are winged notes singing praises for summer.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Crows own the pulpit, rainbows the baptistry.<br />What man purloined; nature reclaimed.<br />The tabernacle of Mother Earth grows stronger without
walls.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">©Susie Clevenger 2022</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://earthweal.com/2022/08/15/earthweal-weekly-challenge-re-wilding/">Earthweal Re-Wilding</a><br /><o:p> </o:p></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-53904747189064941482022-08-15T14:10:00.002-07:002022-08-15T14:16:40.917-07:00Dandelion Owl in Clouds of Concrete<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihnAzCXJejN0X0_D8Z1Pb5AOs5QjClM9SFcPrCsE1qnEBMyLRspDVWc7FLtmKl2h2C5nfO8Z3Erh0Qzoiqh55fXAe2FzBZAaE3urOQtuNNmitpgidNPxjVzN5ugLX40k_Gh-Fr4ZvaVWMoCOdcGYRK0tHh08GOdCMle063MUkhQkF1e3H8yZd_LE3R" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihnAzCXJejN0X0_D8Z1Pb5AOs5QjClM9SFcPrCsE1qnEBMyLRspDVWc7FLtmKl2h2C5nfO8Z3Erh0Qzoiqh55fXAe2FzBZAaE3urOQtuNNmitpgidNPxjVzN5ugLX40k_Gh-Fr4ZvaVWMoCOdcGYRK0tHh08GOdCMle063MUkhQkF1e3H8yZd_LE3R=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">In the backward forward<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">I unravel, unfeather.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Destiny sits on my shoulder<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">warning, “Use your voice<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">to divide truth from the noise<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">of what shouldn’t be heard.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Earth spins on broken bones.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Be the calm in the fire, balm for the wound.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Today is what I’m given. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Tomorrow is my hope.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">I am one linked to the heartbeat of many.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">For every feather I’ve lost there’s a hundred<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">forming new wings. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">I’m a dandelion owl trusting I can see change<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">through clouds of concrete.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">©Susie Clevenger 2022</p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://earthweal.com/2022/08/15/earthweal-weekly-challenge-re-wilding/">Earthweal Re-Wilding</a><br /></div><p></p>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-14451435368615469802022-07-17T12:55:00.000-07:002022-07-17T12:55:01.930-07:00Pulled from Gray<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirTXIY8EeoB00ByX0LcHA5eryGPko-TsjfkoYkG42dhlRqdwf3wbrlYsXP6xGuoXqszwxAIs3v3nmI-vMz4jO6M6ARSjvfn3w0Eo-ycv4WjLl4PI_ocuBXea3YbxPFJGKbpf5q4K7mqf3MdeWaIn2T17116N5VZvnn4u9clXueaqik_rAeauQgN9ed" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="256" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirTXIY8EeoB00ByX0LcHA5eryGPko-TsjfkoYkG42dhlRqdwf3wbrlYsXP6xGuoXqszwxAIs3v3nmI-vMz4jO6M6ARSjvfn3w0Eo-ycv4WjLl4PI_ocuBXea3YbxPFJGKbpf5q4K7mqf3MdeWaIn2T17116N5VZvnn4u9clXueaqik_rAeauQgN9ed" width="154" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Bottled Moon</b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">She poured moonlight<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">into a bottle, dream elixir,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">perfume of wishes to place<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">on her temples to protect her<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">in the shadow winter of grief.<o:p></o:p></p></div><p style="text-align: center;">©Susie Clevenger 2022</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY9Qx5mX5yK67yC4Nqt3ohfEC_olW45xi-HezSIObP43VBlzUqV4KkbJfJ3RLOBnnh0ppSftJqMiD4r-VbHjs0PWyEX3gpp1_zsNz0bnLbskbuIvFwTDzG8vFDmJB3-SvJevx5BydQTsdE5bodRk33yPEmSRAA3Y7dd0jW_9HQ_bAHq6rJ1Nc-787Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="244" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY9Qx5mX5yK67yC4Nqt3ohfEC_olW45xi-HezSIObP43VBlzUqV4KkbJfJ3RLOBnnh0ppSftJqMiD4r-VbHjs0PWyEX3gpp1_zsNz0bnLbskbuIvFwTDzG8vFDmJB3-SvJevx5BydQTsdE5bodRk33yPEmSRAA3Y7dd0jW_9HQ_bAHq6rJ1Nc-787Q" width="160" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Dandelion Skin</b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">I’m the wish grown from dandelion bouquets,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">and shades of moonlight.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Rebellion’s child bold in yellow petals<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">formed in stony fields of secrets.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">©Susie Clevenger 2022</p><p style="text-align: center;">
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtBW_zlcYn4hSX1CknJIUdB5TwYy2MP7o11gDSL7Oc4Zg0HY9FP96KomZwHKIRlvv95aAZkRK_BUQ9Qu8bdtIHVqLeMt_csOcClVqwR_AQTRNVyIdspSKbj8qGIxOh00hpIvLCHsazNiiZ6sk5n_46i5LCfJEwCZ8XdW6rLLXfx9y6JSOefGrhR_l1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="380" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtBW_zlcYn4hSX1CknJIUdB5TwYy2MP7o11gDSL7Oc4Zg0HY9FP96KomZwHKIRlvv95aAZkRK_BUQ9Qu8bdtIHVqLeMt_csOcClVqwR_AQTRNVyIdspSKbj8qGIxOh00hpIvLCHsazNiiZ6sk5n_46i5LCfJEwCZ8XdW6rLLXfx9y6JSOefGrhR_l1" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Apple in Water Tower Town</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">I’m an apple in a water tower town.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">A sister serpent who doesn’t garden<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">with a Bible or submit to a rib. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Branded a witch with banned book wings<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I collect whispers in journals and judgement in ink.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">From the highest peak of narrow, I see what the faithful
won’t hear.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">I’m in the left of right and preacher’s scape goat sermon Jezebel.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"> ©Susie Clevenger 2022</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thesundaymuse.blogspot.com/2022/07/sunday-muse-219.html">The Sunday Muse #219</a><br /></div><p></p></div>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-52636509065327844382022-05-13T13:26:00.000-07:002022-05-13T13:26:09.013-07:00Drunk on Images<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoCts3uJ9hUAMB6N80Oq36fge9gYsY_ScNs8k9O9gynK8SbTB0o8m_yCSxLRw4VFCXnEwGvF85xRGf7tuqRzjPrzyj2E8emeDXVGehjvIO-oBURsE5vBxMbUhKzJISyuKNf6LlJnP-hBBYzw599QgRgWAI1TWV_0Z_bdi-97QMsbqXPtdd5MtzYEA3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="448" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoCts3uJ9hUAMB6N80Oq36fge9gYsY_ScNs8k9O9gynK8SbTB0o8m_yCSxLRw4VFCXnEwGvF85xRGf7tuqRzjPrzyj2E8emeDXVGehjvIO-oBURsE5vBxMbUhKzJISyuKNf6LlJnP-hBBYzw599QgRgWAI1TWV_0Z_bdi-97QMsbqXPtdd5MtzYEA3" width="164" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Dressed for Consequences<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">There is no romance in dread.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">It is a decayed ballroom <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">where hell makes you dance<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">the razor edge of making the wrong choice.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p></div><p style="text-align: center;">©Susie Clevenger 2022</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDqEJTiMNHYx6p54Hv7r4iLr5ffOtZFaNkLnEuE2MFYUVxjbdxKQC6Jb_rVfb6or-GFQtkgW2Pg1nudB_uKA35UM9UPT_kvKbN3vSqpn2JHWKBf8GTXberLtTomQppbxs2Ly6D556Q3w-NXzCBtXzT4g8eauRuv8fdy3TOdNjhPa48FiaKCgKyQzYn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="564" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDqEJTiMNHYx6p54Hv7r4iLr5ffOtZFaNkLnEuE2MFYUVxjbdxKQC6Jb_rVfb6or-GFQtkgW2Pg1nudB_uKA35UM9UPT_kvKbN3vSqpn2JHWKBf8GTXberLtTomQppbxs2Ly6D556Q3w-NXzCBtXzT4g8eauRuv8fdy3TOdNjhPa48FiaKCgKyQzYn" width="192" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Scars Uprising<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">In her garden of glass<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">she was bold enough<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">to grow among wounds.<o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">©Susie Clevenger 2022</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrV1LFNQzCqA8-veGoF4UANtRSojUlzZSt-7nYksBPLpWvqVc8b0hFrJHZ8JZfSSbgvdfF7I_1WtTE6XGh0LslPKndERlojL8ZLtSxUqxfT47yvtR3MIet58wlye8a2Lk1EP5ijBDIxPqJLBHqHZu16PfXNjjeK_1ocZ6w_4sZ7ruzrdhG7FqmGOlP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="323" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrV1LFNQzCqA8-veGoF4UANtRSojUlzZSt-7nYksBPLpWvqVc8b0hFrJHZ8JZfSSbgvdfF7I_1WtTE6XGh0LslPKndERlojL8ZLtSxUqxfT47yvtR3MIet58wlye8a2Lk1EP5ijBDIxPqJLBHqHZu16PfXNjjeK_1ocZ6w_4sZ7ruzrdhG7FqmGOlP" width="199" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Spell of Paint<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Art will find color<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">in the deepest gray,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">find a path where night<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">suffers without stars.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">A paintbrush is the sorcerer’s wand<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">casting its spell across canvas.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: center;">©Susie Clevenger 2022</div><p></p>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-19641054068810060272022-04-09T15:33:00.005-07:002022-04-09T15:35:58.268-07:00Feathers to Consider<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7D-vS-eLsEs78fxkr6vU0O9YgBT7JtA5NHbSVaFMTpsEumNcF3AxlWsXDaaphmy4a_VNRicVBBZtb27CeqSggy9i1OzM2UMRH6QffMqlLDhdYjw1nKf2jU1hBbj16ZgQEvrcxKbZpGpZv-zWwyBbZaW9roxWM-5wBoMWF0uDnJpzj_a2yDixGJu6v" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7D-vS-eLsEs78fxkr6vU0O9YgBT7JtA5NHbSVaFMTpsEumNcF3AxlWsXDaaphmy4a_VNRicVBBZtb27CeqSggy9i1OzM2UMRH6QffMqlLDhdYjw1nKf2jU1hBbj16ZgQEvrcxKbZpGpZv-zWwyBbZaW9roxWM-5wBoMWF0uDnJpzj_a2yDixGJu6v" width="175" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>Check the Microphone</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p>His tongue has wings,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">his eyes a jar of rumors.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p>Give him an audience</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">and he’ll poison a flock.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p>Be careful what your ears are fed.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">It’s hard to lose the weight<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">of assumptions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"> ©Susie Clevenger 2022</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiri1PrXJql8tUMJxvQaOZAvI1ggU49LG_vJhPijNM4hQ28A90KqTlhsjUgOt0lOhIpIbL_HRjHvIP4RbusAX-S_9nZCGnBBcDYO3DXJv7kzcg8J0nOdI4MrhnIKPe7z5xS0SSUzs5QsR-YuX2LZvMcfZoGyLcOoXdUVrpM9hZjFTrwCBN2Os49Kq4W" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="439" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiri1PrXJql8tUMJxvQaOZAvI1ggU49LG_vJhPijNM4hQ28A90KqTlhsjUgOt0lOhIpIbL_HRjHvIP4RbusAX-S_9nZCGnBBcDYO3DXJv7kzcg8J0nOdI4MrhnIKPe7z5xS0SSUzs5QsR-YuX2LZvMcfZoGyLcOoXdUVrpM9hZjFTrwCBN2Os49Kq4W" width="165" /></a></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>A Cage is a Cage</b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Pretty wire doesn’t</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">make a cage warmer.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">It doesn’t matter</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">how much glitter <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">is on the wings,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">the song will always<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">cry freedom. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">©Susie Clevenger 2022</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg97zKL_Emd6SLnTvpOYk_a_lRUr_bWUuSqOAMcmBZlO6_Urs3AQWmcYcv02ZzlDfZLRr7A6fZRZkLe4ee37B2MSnFAayu0J01JUbjZybm1aqEqYxhgGTKF0x2-cNN-ErY8AiYHiURStxmtCbOwY8GFiB-8fnYjdyzlyD_uSmris2FvugokkPQagUC4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="564" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg97zKL_Emd6SLnTvpOYk_a_lRUr_bWUuSqOAMcmBZlO6_Urs3AQWmcYcv02ZzlDfZLRr7A6fZRZkLe4ee37B2MSnFAayu0J01JUbjZybm1aqEqYxhgGTKF0x2-cNN-ErY8AiYHiURStxmtCbOwY8GFiB-8fnYjdyzlyD_uSmris2FvugokkPQagUC4" width="160" /></a></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>The Shadow in My Voice</b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p>Testing shadows</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">to see how loud<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">I can crow.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p>It’s in dark places</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">you learn the strength<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">of your wings. <o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: center;">©Susie Clevenger 2022</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBa6sISeyHlgITlm-c4SnwzwJb3x6O7zxMiVTJv_zokJAkz-WpBU2HWwn073OUF8v94pvNWXOxp5QcEXKcUMcOLQlQ0z67apFmbWe80K0DXHQepcMycIhiGiPg0HroCoss0fue8MgC03aoiz5ED6MyeNXzViqD0OSdZoY7Qgt8KO3VhbXkh9ziTHIv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="564" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBa6sISeyHlgITlm-c4SnwzwJb3x6O7zxMiVTJv_zokJAkz-WpBU2HWwn073OUF8v94pvNWXOxp5QcEXKcUMcOLQlQ0z67apFmbWe80K0DXHQepcMycIhiGiPg0HroCoss0fue8MgC03aoiz5ED6MyeNXzViqD0OSdZoY7Qgt8KO3VhbXkh9ziTHIv" width="172" /></a></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>Owning the Glass</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>Check your reflection.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">You may not be pleased<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">when someone else<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">holds the mirror. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">©Susie Clevenger 2022</p><a href="http://thesundaymuse.blogspot.com/2022/04/sunday-muse-206.html">The Sunday Muse #206</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j4wyQo36f0o" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-9017012064297428872022-01-18T16:41:00.006-08:002022-01-18T16:59:16.544-08:00Dandelion in Organza<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_LnY7mbj3ZqdVt7vyAx8MPWEW-kGJNUMuuYYddRuDnFB5ga6TmRG7WugLZcljrcBNr2dXcVvEjGmgPhPmusah6lEjWi3CpdYBTA9gQ0N3CLCfZNY9eeimlXATnBMZmoJr0KK3_4xsuYzNsdtymPG0ovvyLORmQ2afDrATBfHn073QnR3VCi508tIP=s3299" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3299" data-original-width="3093" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_LnY7mbj3ZqdVt7vyAx8MPWEW-kGJNUMuuYYddRuDnFB5ga6TmRG7WugLZcljrcBNr2dXcVvEjGmgPhPmusah6lEjWi3CpdYBTA9gQ0N3CLCfZNY9eeimlXATnBMZmoJr0KK3_4xsuYzNsdtymPG0ovvyLORmQ2afDrATBfHn073QnR3VCi508tIP=s320" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">We were ribbon hung<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">like party favors,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">organza dolls with hair<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">curled into the fantasy<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">innocence didn’t have a price.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">The feral me already knew<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">the dark side of attention,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">the coffin sunlight becomes<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">when a monster curtains<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">tulips with his shadow.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Born without claws I learned<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">to sharpen my tears into crybaby scalpels<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">people would avoid because once<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">the truth is opened eyes could no longer<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">claim blindness.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">A dandelion in a murmuration <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">of starlings who devoured blue sky<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">in the endless search to be called pretty,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">I grew in the spines of books, rainbows of escape,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">and the nurture of oak tree nanny’s that taught me <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">how to stand through the harshest crushing wind.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p>©Susie Clevenger 2022</o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fireblossom-wordgarden.blogspot.com/2022/01/word-garden-word-list-9-joan-colby.html">Shay's Word Garden Word List #9</a><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p style="text-align: center;">
</p>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-78475342385715919062021-10-07T07:58:00.001-07:002021-10-07T07:58:47.434-07:00Where Gods Are Deaf<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNMSAcy1GVkFtBsMv5rib8DVCFWIWSRm0gPNOU-fwJFHiBqb5WEbkO9tR6bmFo69WBK-un8sAfPlFUNak6tnEYSUaMZ2rOiUD3wDMuLAHQyR0Z532WdlnEKfkypEVCvuqaHWEX88EbsE/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="810" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNMSAcy1GVkFtBsMv5rib8DVCFWIWSRm0gPNOU-fwJFHiBqb5WEbkO9tR6bmFo69WBK-un8sAfPlFUNak6tnEYSUaMZ2rOiUD3wDMuLAHQyR0Z532WdlnEKfkypEVCvuqaHWEX88EbsE/" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Time feeds empty<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">with growls and<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">cardboard beggar notes<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">littering sidewalks.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In the shadows<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">where gods are deaf<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">addiction writes funeral songs<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">one needle at a time.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">At the corner of destitute<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">and gentrification money complains<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">about dandelion homeless <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">marring their patio view.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">With huff and demand police arrive<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">as badged gardeners to weed concrete<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">of souls who are considered blight<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">in the garden of profit prime real estate. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">©Susie Clevenger 2021</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Word Crafters Prompt</p></div>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-55949090972563922372021-09-18T13:48:00.000-07:002021-09-18T13:48:18.690-07:00Not Every Match Strikes Gold<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLEgSu4ercbdBUt6BB-gTDf2K-tMW9NcUALQ_hFR4Hj1MSpwRssGdqIddJxVYYCT4-43-EQGbsyB5nBtzN2utliJ2L_V384AT5LBy37VNE-X8Wt7KQhpEAOX7jl5aiWap1lK8XiQB7vU/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="525" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLEgSu4ercbdBUt6BB-gTDf2K-tMW9NcUALQ_hFR4Hj1MSpwRssGdqIddJxVYYCT4-43-EQGbsyB5nBtzN2utliJ2L_V384AT5LBy37VNE-X8Wt7KQhpEAOX7jl5aiWap1lK8XiQB7vU/" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used to be a chin up guy,</div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">beat the odds, never give up<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">because hell is just a side trip.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnOci9AMbFSmdLiTlK8tB01mifUqZA0iWMRHSg3hJZjR-ZY3IVTGafD6OGsJkuGs53NQCh5dnEsW_oOqmKZ1n7ctj9i7dWbwxh_BNSR6xR9SclMcy3aDK07V-eMdI4rt7LVJuBtaOgXI/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="327" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnOci9AMbFSmdLiTlK8tB01mifUqZA0iWMRHSg3hJZjR-ZY3IVTGafD6OGsJkuGs53NQCh5dnEsW_oOqmKZ1n7ctj9i7dWbwxh_BNSR6xR9SclMcy3aDK07V-eMdI4rt7LVJuBtaOgXI/" width="131" /></a></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Funny how naïve weighs<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">you down when reality<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">ages you into cynicism.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqrkpkTKGSMcWrP0OgAwCitwTqFuKumLDDFkmX8Eptwmg5xQSgv0qY5MbdFaX-wDy_pUZf7Nox_1PlhHI601qf32sCy34coGcJ0sAZHdKwhp6V6TgCt7jhO_xvfPfAnuZkpjo_I55svI/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="564" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqrkpkTKGSMcWrP0OgAwCitwTqFuKumLDDFkmX8Eptwmg5xQSgv0qY5MbdFaX-wDy_pUZf7Nox_1PlhHI601qf32sCy34coGcJ0sAZHdKwhp6V6TgCt7jhO_xvfPfAnuZkpjo_I55svI/" width="204" /></a></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Listen kids…The devil loves glitter,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">the shine of the blind spot.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">He’ll offer you a cigar and scar you with the match. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">©Susie Clevenger 2021</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="http://thesundaymuse.blogspot.com/2021/09/sunday-muse-178.html">The Sunday Muse #178</a></p></div><p><br /></p>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-72655463607144843412021-09-17T12:32:00.005-07:002021-09-17T12:34:42.854-07:00Wren in Pearls<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-T7D3DBk7z5sQXdg4RhzCbEU1gSAJO5DQ7Y3Yr7BU3caR5upCIICQ57IwbATjQKOuWqUlolZajeKE6rrJN4U93jNif319uvw3vFZ1FgpwXUrRuSXr-VFv_U6-0Vm1vVRqxw1L08-1404/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="479" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-T7D3DBk7z5sQXdg4RhzCbEU1gSAJO5DQ7Y3Yr7BU3caR5upCIICQ57IwbATjQKOuWqUlolZajeKE6rrJN4U93jNif319uvw3vFZ1FgpwXUrRuSXr-VFv_U6-0Vm1vVRqxw1L08-1404/" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photography by Anne Brigman</span></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">I’m dressed for clouds.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Like a gray wren in pearls<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">I am a monochrome relief<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">pressed into sky arguing with sunlight.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: center;">©Susie Clevenger 2021</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Word Crafters Prompt</p>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-85667656246011214482021-08-20T13:32:00.000-07:002021-08-20T13:32:17.938-07:00Notes on Abalone<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nvGID0DwcVDL0AOSMOjBdg8TryMlnJ7Pk8siRBi4s4-aFU2KKendxAq08OTCOf-8c72eqDcHOmwCcudSQK0rjyU4fz5QPMsSb4bIlhdvWdBzgxSHMQVD3uv1_42u3Vzk_mBm7ZdKJ6g/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nvGID0DwcVDL0AOSMOjBdg8TryMlnJ7Pk8siRBi4s4-aFU2KKendxAq08OTCOf-8c72eqDcHOmwCcudSQK0rjyU4fz5QPMsSb4bIlhdvWdBzgxSHMQVD3uv1_42u3Vzk_mBm7ZdKJ6g/" width="170" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">In the cavern of whispers<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">where sea and sand roam<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">waves write love notes on abalone,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">and wait for dreamers wooed<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">by the music of poetry <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">to surrender to its seduction.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">©Susie Clevenger 2021</p></div><p><br /></p>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-2594795341462670912021-08-13T14:11:00.003-07:002021-08-14T08:11:22.983-07:00This Thing About Wings<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30msT0fYkW_2SyXC0ZgZbmbaPeId8HWQOIHISz7-nkNzWuM_3XUsXYJuLWZoqK6IXGDdeiJ0HCbmz9BwI5CGabbhp0AQSPy33Wb0qp2SZL-EHYG7aXwtJVKNOSOrTG0HdzkV_hjwp9X0/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="396" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30msT0fYkW_2SyXC0ZgZbmbaPeId8HWQOIHISz7-nkNzWuM_3XUsXYJuLWZoqK6IXGDdeiJ0HCbmz9BwI5CGabbhp0AQSPy33Wb0qp2SZL-EHYG7aXwtJVKNOSOrTG0HdzkV_hjwp9X0/w198-h320/image.png" width="198" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">There’s
something about wings<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">that
makes me wish I had them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Defying
gravity to feel the sky<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">without
having to carry passengers<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">complaining
about the view <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">is
a bit of magic I’d like to own.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh,
the pleasure of being a bird to drop<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">an
exclamation point on a gossipy neighbor<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">who
muddies the Zen of a sunny Tuesday<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">would
be a mulberry mission of delight. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">If
a wish was a feather, I’d wish to be a robin.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
could arrive to announce winter has been<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">shown
the door and gray landscape must<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">surrender
to the reign of wildflowers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Wait!
Perhaps I should wish to be a crow, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">silence
my introvert, join a flock, be inquisitive,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">problem
solve with a wink of mischievous, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">write
my opinions in feather quills and inky throat. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yes,
there’s something, endless somethings<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">about
wings that has me yearning to not feel<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">the
weight of finding my way through<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">the
hypercritical maze of selfish humans. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">©Susie
Clevenger 2021<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p></p>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-42610384622066065902021-07-31T15:15:00.005-07:002021-07-31T15:15:57.748-07:00Am I My Savior<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlqlc-3_BkbJdF8YwxE0zyMTVMR_ezAZqwRyiohphUAADF9GCs14E1NpeFKCr7HCjpqaBK3P-XhwhIpyRLqdvjxfEPFkPQJOkj_YC_nYmnKLhrzrSyKOMHFeYTiLRc9lmwi8pyJfES9A/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="1462" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlqlc-3_BkbJdF8YwxE0zyMTVMR_ezAZqwRyiohphUAADF9GCs14E1NpeFKCr7HCjpqaBK3P-XhwhIpyRLqdvjxfEPFkPQJOkj_YC_nYmnKLhrzrSyKOMHFeYTiLRc9lmwi8pyJfES9A/" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Abandoned on the edge of the moon,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">the silent space where my prayers pace<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">the eye of God begging for an audience,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I wonder if it’s brave to hope for rescue<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">or trust I can rebuild myself from the broken glass<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">that carried me here. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p>©Susie Clevenger 2021</o:p></p></div><p><br /></p>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-23901071494936466012021-07-18T13:54:00.004-07:002021-07-18T13:54:59.174-07:00Eternity Through Sunglasses<p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNL_NYruZGIkI9NrWPGOpJ3vH6L9AC7ZYm6roNaq8WsDG22YpAxP4vd2TqncpgqbU3UIPgI4iVZCu4guZDp1A9Z6pj5rgShZNhkgy8YawMMYOSFN76YAA-iEpY1Oug8n-qADxiuun6L_4/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="849" data-original-width="564" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNL_NYruZGIkI9NrWPGOpJ3vH6L9AC7ZYm6roNaq8WsDG22YpAxP4vd2TqncpgqbU3UIPgI4iVZCu4guZDp1A9Z6pj5rgShZNhkgy8YawMMYOSFN76YAA-iEpY1Oug8n-qADxiuun6L_4/" width="159" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> “The clouds, – the only birds that never sleep.”</div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">- Victor Hugo<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p>Drugged with sunlight</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">she hallucinates a sky sea<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">filled with flocks of insomniac clouds<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">scouring the devils from eternity<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">with cotton tipped wings. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">©Susie Clevenger 2021</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thesundaymuse.blogspot.com/2021/07/sunday-muse-169.html">The Sunday Muse #169</a><br /></p>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-64743825822763868652021-07-08T14:07:00.001-07:002021-07-08T14:07:28.251-07:00Dream Walk of Melancholy <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyLIGYWMd8QCahh3-Wwdr9FVoaibCN7xQVPZEJVlGnivFYc4K1lm9KdJDi8MKpK1-dkQsRQ4R9xmWGXj9YqpCRcJ5UtaNVLYppMeVHS8z-1DQ8SNXloA2ku2GabzE4Tn1zzhQBgXOUoo/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="564" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyLIGYWMd8QCahh3-Wwdr9FVoaibCN7xQVPZEJVlGnivFYc4K1lm9KdJDi8MKpK1-dkQsRQ4R9xmWGXj9YqpCRcJ5UtaNVLYppMeVHS8z-1DQ8SNXloA2ku2GabzE4Tn1zzhQBgXOUoo/" width="179" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Night burns its lamp moon<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">across my skin where light<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">seeks a vein.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">High on twilight I roam shadows<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">until monsters no longer dance<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">in my head.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In the tree above me I hear<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">a nightingale sing its heart<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">into the wind.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Companions of melancholy we watch<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">stars climb closer to the sun and
wait<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">for morning to erase our
silhouettes. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">©Susie Clevenger 2021</p></div>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-59108203383039730492021-06-01T13:17:00.001-07:002021-06-06T14:00:36.338-07:00Assumption of Identical<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_c4UNbD9P4iYtHWJEuXOwusICRjSiFR9klrS77nzF7WrMXBzvk1AIFyu2BErhrDJfyUmdAnVQhC8980DUrCuENJcccrLPLypTksDs7P4n-fey6wzyXyIFkx2sHI6FJTsVVxNYbv4rBI/s741/Visual_verse_June.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="505" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_c4UNbD9P4iYtHWJEuXOwusICRjSiFR9klrS77nzF7WrMXBzvk1AIFyu2BErhrDJfyUmdAnVQhC8980DUrCuENJcccrLPLypTksDs7P4n-fey6wzyXyIFkx2sHI6FJTsVVxNYbv4rBI/s320/Visual_verse_June.png" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://visualverse.org/artist/tanya-layko-%d1%82%d0%b0%d0%bd%d1%8f-%d0%bb%d0%b0%d0%b9%d0%ba%d0%be/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image by Tanya Layko (Таня Лайко)</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing">We are contradictions sharing the same mirror,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">neon and neutral blush swimming<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">a dream to be more than faces<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">assigned by eyes to be one reflection.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I wear my heart in pressed coral while you<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">keep yours in the secluded view of trusted.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">We burn the candle at both ends, my wick reaching<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">the center in an ashy blink, while yours flirts with
oxygen<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">in sputtering wisps of patience.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">We are from a single stem blooming as different flowers,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">the eyes folly identical always flows the same direction.
<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p>©Susie Clevenger 2021</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm honored to have my poem in June 2021 issue of <a href="https://visualverse.org/">Visual Verse</a></div><p></p>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-37333830967159597042021-05-23T08:12:00.000-07:002021-05-23T08:12:22.620-07:00Gemini Sisters of May<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxH649UXe1hZaFo9pZl4Inc0r2mKGdf7mMrLCO-HFslTwT3c1EXBlyT2QcZSyiLQTp7LgWt1zAEVTMQ3i3Kq2iw0hXhxenuiiq9nJcV_CdG-X7FjJwQxo8-7YnQGExvpZtoQ4fvMhfmWo/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="535" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxH649UXe1hZaFo9pZl4Inc0r2mKGdf7mMrLCO-HFslTwT3c1EXBlyT2QcZSyiLQTp7LgWt1zAEVTMQ3i3Kq2iw0hXhxenuiiq9nJcV_CdG-X7FjJwQxo8-7YnQGExvpZtoQ4fvMhfmWo/w268-h400/image.png" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">In the very much alike totally opposite<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">we dance a waltz in moon soaked shoes<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">collecting butterfly wings in sapphire ink.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Poet twins of different muses our eyes<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">travel the spaces between light and dark<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">to find words and visions to paint the alphabet<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">into unique fingerprints united through poetry.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Gemini sisters of May we feast on spring<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">to grow flowers in winter and splash journals<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">with words so tomorrow won’t go hungry. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">©Susie Clevenger 2020</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">For my Gemini poets Carrie and Shay</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="http://thesundaymuse.blogspot.com/2021/05/sunday-muse-161.html">The Sunday Muse #161</a><br /></p></div><p><br /></p>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-45888708578598296812021-02-27T16:14:00.005-08:002021-02-27T16:14:47.793-08:00The I Am of Wings <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWP12DUhuwDQqCAlfKSu6OubiaN9tJd5dWjbk469vtvkRkgGM4fNUpVgNnhkedw1jsNIRdhxZGNqL61ARx7iPTnOKhHAYk5-X9H9EfzY-FG73MSZ23EeNhtmyQat0DokFHwqLLNLQVkIU/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="512" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWP12DUhuwDQqCAlfKSu6OubiaN9tJd5dWjbk469vtvkRkgGM4fNUpVgNnhkedw1jsNIRdhxZGNqL61ARx7iPTnOKhHAYk5-X9H9EfzY-FG73MSZ23EeNhtmyQat0DokFHwqLLNLQVkIU/w400-h266/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Whispering leaf bones of pines<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">emerald my window as the last gasp<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">of winter foams the horizon.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">My heart lifts a psalm of spring<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">in goosebumps along my arms.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">The constancy of season’s change<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">breaks the glue of grief I’ve been mired in.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">For a few chords of hallelujahs <o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">I am the wings I begged God to send me.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">©Susie Clevenger 2021</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thesundaymuse.blogspot.com/2021/02/sunday-muse-149.html">The Sunday Muse #149</a><br /></p>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-6500371779406189312021-02-01T14:49:00.001-08:002021-02-01T14:49:34.586-08:00Brushstroke in Wonderland<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xxwJS02pSLx1_26Ux-y9XftDaGVIwHcPmLawxwxBW6ojTL4kK97Kf8e7gdI9TZGqF2nmnQnHV2hbD7MdaULs8TwANV6vFcFUOCV5Ulsv52cScTF-j8h1wypk_GpzZujJFzuBwdC1_jA/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="341" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xxwJS02pSLx1_26Ux-y9XftDaGVIwHcPmLawxwxBW6ojTL4kK97Kf8e7gdI9TZGqF2nmnQnHV2hbD7MdaULs8TwANV6vFcFUOCV5Ulsv52cScTF-j8h1wypk_GpzZujJFzuBwdC1_jA/w214-h320/image.png" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">In the pristine sparkle<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">where footprints don’t<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">mar sunlight or ruffle<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">the coverlet of new fallen snow<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I am a mere brushstroke in wonderland<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">holding space for poets who need<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">to fill their eyes with ink.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">©Susie Clevenger 2021</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="http://thesundaymuse.blogspot.com/2021/01/sunday-muse-145.html">The Sunday Muse #145</a><br /></p></div><p><br /></p>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-19457708667650307542021-01-17T07:43:00.000-08:002021-01-17T07:43:18.054-08:00Glittering My Gloom<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_Ix5d0jMHfI_83PPRHIrAhKXSO5cTn0n6rcceoltqg0gyUbbVbiVresTA8SZVuHZFmYBJa9MMwJczcQFuMe_M3quw6RX3A5xrfv3C6L8fVTneVF1VUX4dVI1_Yaxfvu9n7cX3r0yN68/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_Ix5d0jMHfI_83PPRHIrAhKXSO5cTn0n6rcceoltqg0gyUbbVbiVresTA8SZVuHZFmYBJa9MMwJczcQFuMe_M3quw6RX3A5xrfv3C6L8fVTneVF1VUX4dVI1_Yaxfvu9n7cX3r0yN68/w400-h266/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">“The past is a place of reference, not a place of residence;</p><p style="text-align: center;">the past is a place of learning, not a place of living.” </p><p style="text-align: center;">― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Yesterday loves to stalk me,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">haunt with mistakes, and braid my hair<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">with fear self-revelation is a soap opera<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">I’ll rewrite each day in my new season of blame.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">I’m done wearing 2020 glasses. Lessons learned<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">are humming through my DNA, surging <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">through my ink and tying my shoelaces.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">I won’t dance through spilled wine waiting to fall.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">I’m grabbing an umbrella, throwing glitter in the air<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">and balancing on the sparkle. Why not?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Every pool of optimism needs a hypomanic lifeguard<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">when Eeyore comes to swim. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">©Susie Clevenger 2021</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thesundaymuse.blogspot.com/2021/01/sunday-muse-143.html">The Sunday Muse #143</a><br /></div><p></p>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-80445024962274864002021-01-03T12:53:00.004-08:002021-01-03T12:53:53.280-08:00Surviving Shadows<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfz0bpyr11Dsh4pXGyPHwiXWHahb3shpfOBZNkShny93W6iq60Gv4eBhMHzY5gg6JWln4d7U8Qpp7l2-nF7rrX16ijrto8HPk9gAGN-47r4jFi4E3QV9srLjn8HwHBy1NDcsmK4FhZXmo/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1920" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfz0bpyr11Dsh4pXGyPHwiXWHahb3shpfOBZNkShny93W6iq60Gv4eBhMHzY5gg6JWln4d7U8Qpp7l2-nF7rrX16ijrto8HPk9gAGN-47r4jFi4E3QV9srLjn8HwHBy1NDcsmK4FhZXmo/w400-h226/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;">“Time flies over
us but leaves its shadow behind.” ~ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nathaniel Hawthorne<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background: white; color: grey; font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Time doesn’t heal.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">It is the spirit’s ability<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">to grow peace among scars<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">that keeps the heart<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">reaching toward tomorrow. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">©Susie Clevenger 2021</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thesundaymuse.blogspot.com/2021/01/sunday-muse-141.html">The Sunday Muse #141</a><br /></p><br /><p></p>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7899353346566143463.post-80494813852481002962020-11-28T09:54:00.001-08:002020-11-28T09:54:38.669-08:00Of Glass and Straw<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKXJ5qhhBXrnFew4xTxErqAVRKADF4oZRp6ySw_GkQAH7_PuoDBUrN98gUAAmRw-BrhJBklCiGl-fxU83RpQFZuBM22hRMCo08CNcIfGNPXH5Kdx_aSZtDc4IKt7P32Aar7SYu6M9OF0/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1618" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKXJ5qhhBXrnFew4xTxErqAVRKADF4oZRp6ySw_GkQAH7_PuoDBUrN98gUAAmRw-BrhJBklCiGl-fxU83RpQFZuBM22hRMCo08CNcIfGNPXH5Kdx_aSZtDc4IKt7P32Aar7SYu6M9OF0/w253-h320/image.png" width="253" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">I’m swimming in glass…<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">my crazy on display<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">in wide eye view<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">of those who ladle<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">opinions over my skin<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">to see if I can survive<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">the undertone. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In a sea of stones<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">it is the last straw<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">that pulls me toward freedom. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p>©Susie Clevenger 2020</o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><a href="http://thesundaymuse.blogspot.com/2020/11/sunday-muse-136.html">The Sunday Muse #136</a><br /></o:p></p></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Susie Clevengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09239990133754328967noreply@blogger.com11