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Welcome to the Poetry Circle Archives 
week 54 August/20/1999
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picture by Mark Salwowski
All pictures are copyright protected by artist
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WALK IN THE WOODS

Walking through the woods,
snow covered heels,
She timidly trudged on,
determined to reach her destination.

The night clawed at her soul,
threatening to eat her alive,
Almost in tears,
she continued on.

The trees took a life of their own,
reaching for her,
every which way she turned,
their branches were there.

Fields of white snow,
swallowing up her very existence,
making it impossible
to fight the cold.

The lamp she held,
gave off very little light,
making it hard to see
past her own feet.

She held that lamb,
so close to her,
as if she'd never let it go,
looking for its owner.

She died that night,
to save that lamb,
she had succeeded,
in doing what she came to do.
Epic Myst©


UNTITLED

The lady walks at night
No fear as she makes her way
Thoughts of love and happiness
And all that she enjoyed this day.

Unknown to her she was being followed
The beast she grew to know as her lover
Leaped ahead on her lighthearted path
One slash of his teeth and it was all over.

She trusted and loved him with all of her heart
She gave of herself and delighted in his charm
Disguised as a prince with honor and wit
He played her as a morsel to harm

Now my story is over and herewith written
A classic tale since long ago days of old
Of lives and loves that were shredded
By monsters out there in the cold
Kathy_x©


AWAY

Young uninhibited carefree
Following a forbidden path to self-discovery
Outside my much too sheltered life
Escape just to get away from what is known
Dangerous encounters and new places
Luring temptations on every corner
Greed and dishonesty is all around me
Trying to make me fall
Unfriendly scary faces
Teasing promising hungry enough to swallow me whole
Alone in the star less night
Alone with the frightful sight
Afraid lonely and unloved
Maybe someone will come and carry me back
To the life I once left
I was willing to forget
Lizza©


FROZEN FOREST

Deep into the frozen forest I see
There are eyes looking straight at me
They are not eyes of anything I've known
My how this forest has grown.
I came here to play as a child
Back then the weather seemed very mild
I feel as if someone is watching
My feet so frozen I feel like I'm marching.
From the cold I'm shaking in my tracks
Thinking maybe I should be getting back
Instead I keep pushing forward
Can't remember this place looking so horrid.
I keep walking deeper for some reason
Can't remember being here during this season
There is a force here I never knew
The snow carries shades of beautiful blue.
If not for my red cloak I would catch a chill
And could be the wolf's very next meal
This lantern doesn't give me much light
My how things look different at night.
As I stand here in this cold
Wondering how I became so bold
Is this forest as scary as it seems?
Or is it as gentle as this lamb with me?
Angel-In2thnite©


INNOCENT PASSAGES

Red cloaked Cherub
pure in heart and mind
walking the path of innocence
a naive sacrificial lamb

The front let band of knowledge
be it ever within your sight
and your innocence protected
by the breastplate over your heart

''Lord, have mercy''

As you journey thru life's forest
darkened by amethyst skies
hold out a lamp before you
let it guide your way

Choose not the path known to man
of disingenuous demons
hovering silent in the shadows
mocking your whispered prayers

''Lord, have mercy''

Shun the path of false impressions
where mortal men are idolized
and given place among the immortals
wrapped in gold, bound with power

Ivory colored Cherub
cloaked in crimson velvet
continue the passage of innocence
heed the sacrificial lamb

''Lord, have mercy''
Reina©


RETURN FOR LADYLOVE

Awakened by a mysterious roar, outside my window seal.
Lying quiet in amazement, I listened closely for more.
Eager anticipation if what I heard was true.
For from years ago, out of slumber there was you.

Out of the darkness, into life you appeared one night
Just a small babe, in a wilderness lost, looking for the bright.
Pampered and fed, you grew as I watched you hunt and play.
Finally seeking freedom, you returned to the world that day.

Sneaking back weekly, overlooking your playground fair.
Always watching to see if the gracious lady was there.
No more dangers is there now, you protected all those years.
Until this eccentric moment, as her stalker grew quickly near.
Then your spirit began to sense all of the hidden fear.

Running quickly and boastfully into the old lovers path.
Forcefully releasing your stored great wrath.
No harm would come to the one you desperately behoove.
Naught her innocent lamb or the snow white dove.
For your memories of freedom grew deep for the one LadyLove.
Princess LoveStar©


HAVEN

The lady with the lantern
Protects the new born lamb
From the perils of the forest:
Like a baby in a pram.

With the icy east wind howling
Like the snarling of a wolf,
This lady takes her ''baby''
Somewhere harm cannot engulf.

The unfriendly winter landscape
Where the evil monsters lurk,
Holds no demon for this lady:
This is just her job of work.

For the lady is an angel:
She saves souls which go astray.
And helps everyone who seeks her
To banish evil on its way.
Peter Jones©


SOMETIMES

Sometimes in the dark of dusk, her mind plays wicked tricks.
She shivers to the sudden chill of numbing needle pricks.
The evil beast who possessed her still lurks out there somewhere.
She can run but she can't escape this hellish cold nightmare.
Sometimes in the dead of night, she wakens with a scream,
Her body drenched, her fingers clenched, to ward off this bad dream.
She clutches close her puppy dog to ease her pounding heart.
She can't avoid his haunting face; he ripped her world apart.
Sometimes she hides; his demon soul will never disappear.
Courageously she fled from him but she still lives in fear.
KathyK©


SAFETY

Unsuspecting and unaware
Inches away from the wolves' lair
A lamb so innocent, young and pure
Oh the tragedy that could occur!

Quiet now, don't make a sound
Perhaps the wolves are not around
If only we can make it past
Safety will be ours at last

Each step we take
Leaves tracks in the snow
Such an easy trail
For wolves to follow

Still we move deeper
Into the night
The burning lantern
Our only light

Safety lies
Within our reach
Protected by walls
Wolves cannot breach

Just follow the light
And you will see
Safety lies
Inside of thee
Shadow Whysper©


BEGUILED

I've been warned of this dangerous path,
still in darkness, I continue to walk.
You lurk there in the dark shadows of wrath,
while I become the object you stalk.

They tell me.. ''go back!'', with fear in their eyes,
for they see the beast I do not.
But onward I trod, searching your disguise,
determined to uncover your plot.

So what if they're wrong, and there is no plan,
and it is not my heart you seek to devour?
If behind that mask, there is simply a man,
who wishes only true love his last hours.

But if they are right, my eyes blinded by need,
and your game merely the thrill of the chase.
Will a rescuer come and his call I then heed?
Or will you win and my heart be laid waste?
blushin©


HER WALK

Caution in her steps
Determination in stride
Path narrows and twists
Evil risks abide

Keeping on the path
Continuing headway
Her heart does not linger
Wishing not to stray

Certainty prevails
Of the master plan
Darkness has fled
With His light in her hand

Through the trail she goes
With her warmth aglow
His strength will get her
Through this fearsome snow
egm©


THE FORBIDDEN FOREST

Walking within the forbidden forest - blindly.
Fingers of death awaits shrouded, anxiously.
Scraping long bony prominence 
across the naked chest of the dormant majestic Old Oak.
Etching a horrific warning for all to see.

Skeleton branches brambling, 
caressing nesting creatures of the night.
Deep within the sepulchral of the cadavered old oak.
Wailing banshee's serenade - lashing out!
Cross bones of macabe laughter, echo's warnings of the site.

Snow clouds vastly hovering, over the frozen hard ground.
The Alpha and his grotesque sardonic smile,
becomes one with the Oak!
Reigning with in the skeletal closet,
intertwined in the lifeless brayer.
The Earth now dying for a reason - the season.

Red Clocked Mistress clutching purity to her breast.
Clinging to the facade of the precious little Lamb.
Fleecing the flocks arrival,
linking to the depths of the old Oak.
Dangling lamb like carrots,
teasing the minds of the Alpha One's prey.

Drawn to the concept of purity.
Alpha's prey advances onward within - unknowingly!
Throat artfully slit - one sweep, drinking thirstily.
Consorting, the Mistress in Red
the Alpha One, a union ...... a marriage!
LongLeggedTxn©


POWER

The dark forest holds the cold fear of evil
that will be conquered this night with kindness
and the violence of love that mocks the devil
Knowing that the fangs of ugly wickedness
have no power over compassion's fire
Evil is weak, for it can only destroy
Not create beauty from humble desire
nor lift the tired sprit to peaks of joy
Twilight comes in purple velvet cold
but the lamb of peace will rest invincible
For the bright glow of a heart, pure and bold
guides the path of strength incorruptible
Evil now trembles and cowers in fright
when the power of goodness walks the night
dixiechat©


CASTLE OOzak

Alas, the lady heard the cry
And wandered into the night
Eerie was the purple sky
As her mind filled with fright

Shadows cast upon the path
Turned the world a subtle blue
As she suffered terrors wrath
Her castle left from the view

The forbidding forest chastened
She plunged into the wood so deep
Her footsteps briskly hastened
As she searched for her lost sheep

The wolf came quickly upon her
With a sharp insidious grin
Her thoughts began to reel and blur
She knew she could not win

Behind her the footsteps quickened
The Warrior drew his sword
And with a blow that sickened
The wolf received his just reward

Into his mighty arms
The warrior held her firm and tight
Protecting her from harm
In this dark of night

The light beckoned them home
The castle welcoming them back
From the path that they did roam
To their life at the castle OOzak
Miss Debbie©


FEAR

Fear travels disguised with many faces
Growing deep within our recessed places
In order for you to disperse fears power
Your very soul you will need to scour.

Preconceived fear will serve to hold you back
For failure should be seen as only a setback
Turn aside from your inner fear to be truly free
Then in your hand you will hold freedom's key.
Redd1st©


SYMMETRY OF SEASON

Deep within a lonely valley,
On top of fertile ground
Lies a legendary creature,
Unseen and unfound

Breaking through the morning mist,
A maiden meets the sun
Stepping through winter's bleakness,
Unseen by anyone

Searching among drifting apparitions,
The seeking of life therein
Casting glimmers of first light,
Amidst the howling wind

The lamb she holds brings forth,
Untold succulence of new birth
A symbolism of Mother's heartbeat,
Forever vibrant within the earth
Kat©


UNTITLED

The darkness closes in
Bringing terror in it's wake
And the cold and snowy night
Wakes old nightmares from their keep
So easy to let panic in
And start to doubt ones heart
The wolves hide in the shadows
Insecurities abound
But I won't give in to silly fears
That try to freeze my soul
I've found the secret key to life
Will never let it go
This person that I've come to know
Brings love and peace and joy
For I finally found her warm embrace
In finding love for me.
NeecyD©


WINTER'S END

Comes in like a lion, goes out like a lamb
The season draws to it's close.
Mother Nature, lantern in hand,
Signaling winter's repose.

Beneath this snowy blanket
The buds of springtime lie.
In weeks to come they raise their heads
To greet the pale blue sky.

In the warmth of her candle glow
This lamb of promise basks.
Heralding the reborn earth
Which this snowy mantle masks.

Comes in like a lion, goes out like a lamb
The days of winter are numbered.
A storms mighty roar, then the lambs gentle bleat
And Eden is no longer encumbered.
Trev28©


PERILS

I hear you
And oh how I seek you.
I want to be near you,
And yet something holds me back
I sense danger as I walk down this path
I fear a wolf in sheep's clothing
A fear of the unknown looms.
What could happen?
Should I give in to you
Your words excite me and penetrate me
And they lure me closer to you.
Oh how do I find you
How do I reach you or touch you
For your spirit calls to mine
Come entwine our souls as one
Come fulfill me
Embrace all I offer to you.
Yet I hesitate to run to you and give my all.
What holds me back.... deep sigh.
Then I hear your words
You are mine
I am yours.
Take my hand all will be ok
And instantly as our hands meet
All fears flee.
I've made it home
Safe and sound.
HOME at last with you and I as one.
Lady Valor©


MYSTIC WOOD

Fair warning I say to all that stray
should you dare to wander there
all you fear awaits you here
nothing is good in the mystic wood

Lanterns glow soon will show
what an erie place that you face
shadows slink and make you think
each step you take a bigger mistake

Creatures of the night the kind that bite
prowl close by to keep sharp eye
no where to hide even if you tried
screams of fright vanish in the night

This hound of hell knows full well
your no match such an easy catch
lost your way now you will pay
frozen in fear footfalls draw near

Soon the prize before my eyes
unleashed the beast is ready to feast
teeth start snappin it's about to happen
as I attack you stumble back

The lamb goes first to excite my thirst
a bite or two then I pounce on you
my intentions revealed your fate sealed
I howl with delight what a delicious sight

Such tender meat a tasty treat
quench I must this blood lust
tear at your chest savor the best
devour your heart before I depart

Your little red cape over a branch I drape
and just below blood stained snow
a proper end to the message I send
nothing is good in the mystic wood
Riverrun_7©


SELF-PRESERVED

I must confess you excited me
I felt a thrill inside
When first we met along that path
In the woods where you did hide

You tempted me with words of love
But I was full of fear
So you devised malicious plans
Designed to draw me near

You rushed ahead to devour my past
My heart, my loves, my life
You cloaked yourself in my history
Your plans, an unsheathed knife

At first you seemed familiar
As you lay upon the bed
Of my memories and fantasies
I hoped were not yet dead

But your mind could not conceive
Of symbiotic bliss
You had to have the whole of me
Digested in your kiss

So in my fear I cried out loud
And The Axman did arrive
Dispatching your desire for me
To keep my Self alive
Weaver©


DE'S FLIGHT PLANS {SONNET}

await my rising wings of fright
swoosh from darkness disregard
for all will see this flight tonight
and hear me bellowing hard
up to where heavens tears begin
circling above the vanishing clouds
with talons sharpened razor thin
slashing meaty bloody shrouds
a transformation will take place
between this world and the next
bringing change by loving embrace
and leave this soul often vexed
that when I hit this blast of light
a singular dove will be seen in flight
De_scribe©


WELCOME TO MY WORLD

I've grown
but not grown up as you assume
I never want to lose the child inside of me
that which finds laughter in the eyes of a silent clown
one that drives forever trying to find the rainbow's end
along with my growing I have faced many challenges
the darkness holds me, but I am not alone, nor stumbling
for I walk with the gentle grace of a lamb
that big bad wolf thought he had me for dinner...
but the menu changed when I faced my fears
what a good actress I was
I played the part in our little nursery rhyme just perfect
I smiled, laughed and never let the audience know
that their world was so far away in my mind
one that I only dreamed of
but now I am a part of
keriblue©


INNOCENCE

Innocence frail and trembling
traveling through the wild winter of the world.
hope the guiding light
through murky grays and deeper blues.
sharp icy teeth of hatred and fear
scales hardened by ignorance and neglect.
such are the dragons awaiting,
devouring those wandering unawares.
keep to the path, follow the glow
wrapped in it's warmth of peachy-gold.
not all lambs are for the slaughter,
not all innocence is lost.
der_girlo©


PRINCESS SPRING

Princess Spring in cape of red
walking through the frozen night
holds the lantern o'er her head
feels Sir Winter's frosty bite

Lamb of Spring she gently holds
seeds of life within her womb
locked within Sir Winter's folds
in his grip there is no bloom

As she wonders through the dark
light of love doth softly glow
here and there she casts a spark
melts through ice and crusted snow

Sparks catch Winter unaware
statue turned and froze in time
eyes retain his icy stare
faintly hears yon death bell chime

Warmly wrapped in hooded cloak
northeast wind blows cold and raw
single word the Princess spoke
Winter's heart begins to thaw

Winter melts into the spring
songbirds circle high above
mating calls through woodland ring
single word she spoke was...
Love
Sir_Sun©


CHILL

determination to make the journey
though the elements
appear to deter
this night is frigid
your breath lingers
leaves a smoke trail
while you utter words
aloud
a blanket of snow
now disguises
the path
with each step
prompts a crackling sound
which breaks the silence
yet causes the heart to beat harshly
against your chest
the lantern to assist the vision
casts surreal images to form
as the mind
plays games
with silhouettes
which form beasts
formidable
urges a retreat
pleads with the
mind
to cease this journey
MiNN1©


LANTERN'S GLOW

Lantern's luminescent glow
reveals to us the world it knows,
when hidden in the shadows' depths,
the obstacles, to falter steps.
The path, it is not always clear;
the voices of the world we hear.
We cling to what we hold most dear
and tremble with the present fear.
And as this fear takes hold in us,
we remember in whom we trust.
We set our mind, the truth to know...
walk safely in the lantern's glow.
Linda2001©


SCALES OF DESTINY

Bathed in the light of my own conscious thought
That is where my battle for good and evil will be fought
The beast that roams the boundaries of the dark
Will challenge me in hopes of smothering my faiths spark
Then innocence would no longer have meaning or reason
No definition of youth, no changing of the season
But by force of will shall I master all that I will ever be
And once again balance the scales of destiny
As did the lion lay with the lamb, good and evil living hand in hand
So too can I accept my faults and still proudly stand
Bear1Mage©
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