Tell It To The Heart… (Writer’s Digest Poem A Day Challenge) Day 24

For today’s prompt, take the phrase “Tell It to the (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write the poem.

Tell it to the heart,
Which loves with compassion,
Striving to retain composure,
When the world around it’s crashing.

Tell it to the heart,
Struggling with each beat,
To stay strong
When it wants to retreat.

Tell it to the heart,
Alone in a prison of solitude,
In chains well polished
Each day like new.

Tell it the heart,
That won’t give up,
Until the flow of life
Gives way to death’s clutch.

©E.D. Allee
April, 2014

The Branches’ Condition…

Driving amidst the impoverished branches.
Water starved despondency.
Struggles evident in many a face,
Sacred ground for sociology.

People, homeless and asking for change.
Mothers and children cross hurriedly on signal.
Friday night, “pre-party” in young gazes.
Obstinate souls answering their own riddles.

Mountains blushing, close enough to touch,
Sun saying it’s goodbye in radiance.
Wispy clouds clutching daylight,
Hoping to remain visible and relevant.

What will be through the night,
Once daytime is no more?
Will the branches receive the drink,
They need to help them grow?
Or will they become dry and brittle,
Breaking from life’s elements?
Submitting to offered toxins,
As to remain in a life of tepidness?

©e.d.allee
March, 2014

Image: http://st.houzz.com/simgs/9e810ef001a64cce_4-3144/contemporary-artwork.jpg

 

Day One…

Welcome to my first poetry duet! A fun, challenging and therapeutic process/ with the subject matter hitting home.

My collaborative poetic friend was a delight to work with. He has a kind and compassionate heart which I’ve come to know and care for. His blog expresses the darker “Poe” side of things with a creative and unique perspective. Check him out : http://jmc813.wordpress.com

Today is the day, I’m going to do it this time.
I’m finally finished, I can leave it behind.

Do you hear yourself? You’ve said it time and again.
It’s eleven in the morning, I’ll see you by ten.

Tick, tick, tick, tick…each one louder than the last.
Skin’s starting to crawl, feet tap erratic and fast.

~

I have the strength and courage to see this through.
I just HAVE to stop, this endeavor long overdue.

I am amused and laugh heartily at your expense.
You know that to leave me behind makes no sense.

The Tick Tock of life’s clock and all that remains is time.
Time to wallow in his pitiful misery as the bells begin to chime.

~

But I can taste whiskey in the back of my throat.
Maybe this time really will be different; I’ll keep control.

Yes, yes, taste it my friend, feel the tonic coursing.
You can’t live without it, why don’t you just stop trying?

Tick, tick, tick… finger taps keeping time, mind in spiraling flux.
Compromised resolve, his needs equate to his lusts.

~

My all consuming thought’s drive the insanity in my head.
What could be the reason for my living epitaph to be read?

That’s it, breathe in your weakness; submit to my prison.
Your mind, body, and soul will be mine through alcohol’s attrition.

Following the steady pour of sands through the hourglass.
Time rapidly running short, mimics misspent days gone past.

~

Get out of my head! Let me be! I really want to live!
I don’t want to remain a slave to your poisonous grip.

You’ve said that before, you always come back.
Don’t pretend you’re so strong, power you lack.

Tick.. Tick… Tick, Tock…
Like demon addiction, the timekeeper mocks.

~

I possess everything it takes, I know this to be true.
I have the ferocity and determination to be free of you.

You have neither of those things you cowardly fool.
Realize you’re a slave to me, the bottle my deadliest tool.

As time marches forward, a shift begins to transpire.
As the antagonist addiction begins losing it’s fire.

~

A new voice sprang from within, not from mind, but heart.
Vipers tongue silenced, knowledge and hope to impart.

A calm began to surround him as his focus shifted.
From obsession, suddenly success he could envision.

Tick, tick, tick, tock.
He hasn’t taken a drink, and it’s past ten o’clock…

~

Day One.

Dear Angela…

Aside

Dear Angela,

I’m so sorry you are hurting
I’m sorry you feel so alone
Like all around you is crumbling
And you’ve no place to call your home

Independence seems lost
Simply a distant memory
One which taunts your wakeful mind
And haunts your sleep-strained dreams

You stand in your pit looking upward
Squinting to see if it’s still there
Wondering where it all has gone
Why you’re so empty and your hope’s so bare

Feeling broken, bruised and battered
Your tears cause the rivers to thirst
The journey has led you to the harsh and barren
In despair, fear, and sorrow you are immersed

Unsure of the next right step
So many questions drifting inside
Too many to sift and weave
Hearing muffled answers and suspicious replies

Your faith is strong, yet feels lacking
At times doubt overpowers blind belief
You know God’s carrying you and holds your hand
But you can’t convince your heart not to bleed

One foot in front of the other my friend
You’re stronger than you know
I see you walking through the fire
And coming out refined and whole
I see you encouraging others with your faith
I see your light free from hiding, bright as the noon-day sun
I see you sharing your strength and hope
I see you inspiring the hurting and undone
I feel the warmth emanating from within you
I hear the wisdom that you’ve gained
I see the passion and fire in your eyes
I recognize confidence you thought had gone astray

We cannot know for sure
The outcome of these trials
Hold on although your grip feels uncertain
Know God’s with you all the while

Your rainbow of hope shines inside
The struggle will lead you back to you
Continue to gift the world with your beauty
On this journey of discovery and truth

You are loved,

Elizabeth

©E.D. Allee

 December, 2013