First Submissions

Poems I have posted on this forum:
(most recent edited versions)

Aphorism (Finished Version)

Time heals no wound,
but turns the knife of pain,
morphing into a dull ache,
throbbing, relentless.

The keening sense of loss,
abandoned
for a stinging creed
of cynicism.

Time rapes the soul,
dragging sorrow to the edge
of a rank and stagnant well
of bitterness.

And love
becomes a twisting,
endless pit of despair
that time forgets.


(September 2009)


Pardoned (Finished Version)

He really didn't mean it
He didn't mean to chew
He only meant to clean it,
Make it sparkle shiny new!

But it was oh so tempting
While licking clean that shoe
He really couldn't help it Dad,
He didn't mean to chew!

It felt so soft and squishy
Between his needle teeth,
That lovely chewy leather
With a hard sole underneath

I'm sure he's very sorry
You can see it in his face -
It looks so sad and sorrowful,
He knows he's in disgrace

So please don't be too harsh with him,
He won't do that again
I'll keep him out of trouble now,
You know how good he's been!

And Dad, I have to ask you,
He really wants me to -
Since that one there is ruined
Could he have the other shoe?

(September 2009)


The Scent of Christmas (Finished Version)

One of the loveliest scents of the year
The piny smell of the evergreen tree
Zesty and pungent says Christmas is near
Festively added to hot potpourri
Seasoned aromas of coffee and tea
Yes Christmas is almost here!

The wax of a candle, melty and hot
Of bayberry, cinnamon, gingerbread
Memories of Christmas we nearly forgot
With sparkly snow and a shiny new sled
Caroling, shopping and parties ahead
There's a goose in every pot!

Cookies are baking and applesauce cake
Raisins, molasses and buttery spice
Mother's old recipes, fragrant to bake
Puddings and tarts, tasty treats to entice
Savoring, blending and smelling so nice
Such Christmas cheer we will make!

Christmas fills houses with so many smells
That hold joyful memories of long ago
A story the essence of Christmas tells
Recalling the fragrances we all know
Forever will set festive hearts aglow
Through many more sweet Noels!

© December 2009

Katharine L. Sparrow


Dreaming (FINISHED VERSION)

I'm sleeping in a cloud
I'm dreaming love in shades of blue
I'm breathing deep and slow
I'm sleeping next to you

There's safety in our sleep
We're gently wrapped in velvet skies
The darkness holds us close
In dreams I see your eyes

I know when I awake
You'll be there in our sheltered nest
Your warm familiar body
Softly curled at rest

I'll watch you as you sleep
I'll know that I am blessed today
And still I know too well
That soon you'll go away

In every moment now
And even in my sleep I feel
How lucky that I am
To know a love that's real

I'm sleeping in the dark
I'm dreaming of the love I knew
I'm reaching out my hand
And I'm not finding you

(December 2009)


First and Last

The universe granted me
the privilege
Of being the first to love him
I cherished his emergence
And nourished him with affection

I watched as he matured
Into manhood
Naiveté replaced, in time,
With worldliness

The universe has granted him
His own truest love
And sent him on his way
To share what he has learned

Fate's hand must be obeyed
In sorrow, I released him
Grateful that he had, for a season,
Belonged to me

Since that day I have never sought
To know the touch of man
As fate once chose me as his first,
So shall he prove to be my last?


© December 2009