Minot's Light

Why would man choose such a life

Living on the edge of a volatile sea

Without benefit of children or wife

In the shadow of the reaper’s knife

Where wind alo ne would hear his plea?

What demon roams within his soul

To compel his voluntary exile

Upon such an isolated rocky isle

Circled by moat black as coal

Where placid waters dwell hostile?

None but a lady could so impel

One man to leave his life to chance

To partner in this dangerous dance

On the precipice of heaven and hell

Wooed by exhilaration of romance

The sea is but an alluring temptress

Shameless flirt upon a briny horse

Untamed beauty her only force

But once embraced by her caress

The lady is a victor without remorse

© pending Susan R. O’Brien

Break Away

It is time for him to break away.

To find a place he can settle down;

Too many promises left to pay.

His you ng life is in such disarray,

Worst reputation in this small town;

It is time for him to break away.

Began at twelve when he ran away,

Turned his small family upside-down;

Too many promises left to pay.

Drove too reckless in his Chevrolet,

Reputation with police renown;

It is time for him to break away.

Brought his mother such utter dismay,

Engaging smile replaced with a frown;

Too many promises left to pay.

Starting over he can find his way,

End this perpetual tumble-down.

It is time for him to break away,

Too many promises left to pay.

© pending Susan R. O’Brien

MP

You showed up on my doorstep then took over my life

And without trying wrapped your paws around my heart

Entrusting me with the innocence reflected in your eyes

I felt unending joy when you greeted me with those eyes

Each wag of your crazy tail gave energy to my life

While sloppy kisses on my face refreshed a jaded heart

All I have is your image engraved upon my heart

The vision of you running free reflected in my eyes

Where angel wings and endless days constitute your life.

A dog's life; too few years for such a faithful heart, such trusting eyes

Morning Masterpiece

I did not watc h the sun rise across the sheltered harbor

In the stillness of the morn in the shadow of the arbor

Nor did I stand in darkness impatient for the show

That has me rooted to this spot in its golden afterglow

The curtain had been raised by the time I took my place

An audience of one in the presence of such grace

Wintry winds caress my face as I bask in this grand event

Admiring this masterpiece brushed by the sun’s ascent

The lone tree spreads its branches in gratitude to the host

Whose rays of light stroke gently across the distant coast

And I, I watched in silence, felt my foreboding cease

For in these precious moments I found my inner peace

© pending Susan R. O’Brien