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

Ivy Brooch

Crystal droplets adorn each tiny leaf

Ivy brooch embroidered with dew

Nature’s amazing, jeweled motif

Crystal droplets adorn each tiny leaf

Striking beauty whose time is brief

Passed by so many, seen by so few

Crystal droplets adorn each tiny leaf

Ivy brooch embroidered with dew

© pending Susan R. O’Brien

Praying Mantis

Calmness embraced me when you came into view

Good fortune had drawn me to this rendezvous

Where the waters were calm, the air was at rest

And my mind lay burdened with so much distress

Until I saw you fly past me, then somehow I knew

When you set on the branch my curiosity grew

I approached with care to this place where you flew

Troubling thoughts had already begun to divest

Calmness embraced me when you came into view

In stillness I stood there in the meadow rue

Then your head turned to watch me looking at you

Tranquil eyes found my face, my heart stilled in my chest

In that moment I knew my life would be blessed

My spirits were lifted, inner peace shone through

Calmness embraced me when you came into view

© pending Susan R. O’Brien

Butternut Squash

Tonight I thought I’d cook up some soup

Just enough for me, not a whole group

Butternut squash, the main ingredient

With a recipe I found, no need to invent

I roasted the squash and minced the onion

And used my food processor to make it fun

Then on a whim I added some fruit

An apple minced with onion, oh what a hoot

So I minced an apple to sauté on the stove

Oh boy, what a great concoction I wove

The squash was roasted, the fruit sautéed

With onion, some ginger; I was on a crusade

What a thrill I had when I pulled out the blender

Just what would my squash and veggie broth render?

So I pureed, pureed, then pureed some more

And hoped it would soon be thin enough to pour

But it wouldn’t puree so I added more broth

But all I got was a burnt orange froth

I must have misread the recipe along the way

The mixture was creamy, that’s how it would stay

So I heated it through and gave it a taste

I decided that it would not go to waste

It was surprisingly good, really quite yummy

And so I had a bowl to fill up my tummy

So I’ll try this recipe on another day

I’ll make soup with squash, I’ll not run away

From trying something new to serve at dinner

In the meanwhile, my creamy squash is a winner

Beauty Within

Crevice in the earth

Reveals true beauty within

Mother Nature beams

© pending Susan R. O’Brien

The Jeweler's Hands

These manicured nails
Symbol of opulence or
Facade of purpose 

© pending Susan R. O’Brien

Fleeting Childhood

He races like the wind, then stops on a dime

When he spots a tree with branches to climb

He can’t be held back, a spirited foal

His infectious laughter embraces my soul

I would slow it down if only I could

This little boy’s fleeting childhood

His legs are restless, no sitting still

Propelled by curiosity and a bit of will

No rock unturned, no flower ignored

Adventures together never leave me bored

I would slow it down if only I could

This little boy’s fleeting childhood

He runs through days with vigor and zest

Having him in my life I’m surely blessed

Our journeys bring me untold pleasure

Our time together a priceless treasure

I would slow it down if only I could

This little boy’s fleeting childhood

© pending Susan R. O’Brien