hibiscus grows beautiful
reds
oranges
yellows
i see them through your eyes
eyes no longer seeing
& the mockingbird sings
no song of his own
as the sun sets
spilling light
over those things
you left
for us to love
© December 2013
Renee Espriu
Image Taken From Morgue File
Google Image
sleepless nights
were in the making
for you but
so were dreams lost
in a twist
of corded fate
fevers ran high
with slips of wet hair
plastered
to your face
against a damp pillow
caressing
even in the storm
i look at you now
‘challenging’
each day as a wall
of obstacles
to overcome
rock climbing easy
in comparison
a shine in your eyes
like jewels centered
in chocolate-brown orbs
‘we pick our battles’
you always say
so casual
in a way
it captures my heart
melts me
into a languid pool
i see you struggle
as night falls
a starless black
moonless sea
every day you continue
to show me how
teach me the way
to love me
into being alive
for how could i
not resist
the tilt
of your head
your nose
like no other &
laughter singing
in my ears
as does the sound
of how you call me
‘mama’ smiling
even now when
you have children
of your own
© August 2013
Renee Espriu
I have two very strong, determined daughters who give back to me every day they are here. My oldest continues to merit my admiration as she battles Lupus on her terms and will not let it dictate who she is.
Google Image
do you look at me through
rose colored glasses
waiting for the
clouds to part in
a display of sunshine
or do you wait cautiously
for the dust to settle
as i pick up the pieces
that fall without
ceremony to your feet
knowing that life cannot
be only black & white
for it is only after
storms the rainbows appear
& love is the tie that binds
© June 2013
Renee Espriu
Google Image
nasturtiums growing
in hollyhock fields
smelling of lavender
& blue whippoorwills
whose song bids me
follow the spirit
of you
entwined as we are
in consummate truth
i see you dancing
beneath the elm tree
with boughs your
dance partner
forever & free
as you slip transparent
from my view
the music plays softly
as it is never adieu
from the lemon bush
filtering meringue
soft dreams
to the orange orchard
citrus scenes
i knew you loved me
before i became a whisper
& held me near
before the dance…
taste of cinnamon cinders
nasturtiums growing
in hollyhock fields
smelling of lavender
& blue whippoorwills
© June 2013
Renee Espriu
Flickr Image
the cat slept in the box
by the stove inside
the kitchen watching
with one eye open
the man who sat outside
watching the chicks
with the mama hen
the man who loved to
watch, both eyes open
now stunned to see the
hen lying dead who
had stepped on the chick
he threw the rock to but
scare her away when it
struck her and now…
the chicks scattered
peeping and then the
man without hesitation
gathered the chicks to
take them into where
the cat lay to set them
inside the box behind the
stove where they settled
a cat watching, one eye open
© April 2013
Renee Espriu
Just returned from visiting my dad in CA to write this per the dVerse prompt, a story dad has told over and over again about his stepdad. The cat raised the chicks as though they were its’ own.
Altered Google Image
you set waiting amongst others of your kind
housing the large harp within your casing
standing upright and waiting for that one
that would love you enough to once again
lovingly ply your ivory keys with passionate
longing to coax musical notes waiting to
escape the dust that has settled upon them
in an effort to come alive, notes chording
to no longer set idle in bitter loneliness
but belong in the midst of those that would
wipe away the weary years with but a touch
of shine from joyous tears that melodies sign
will rise like timeless orchestrated sighs
bringing rays of light into lives one true
measure you will no longer wait in silence
but fill empty hours with unending pleasure
© March 2013
Renee Espriu
Altered Google Image
we might walk along
the ocean shore
to collect driftwood
a carnage
i implore
washed here from
other distant lands
or linger as i do now
in your embrace
listening to words
that will leave
no sign or trace
we have been here as
the wind and sea
carry footprints
away so effortlessly
but tell me only
of your
passion filled heart
and do not share
that which you
should not impart
of secrets once shared
with another heart true
who you left for a time
 so that you
 could walk with me
 here to collect driftwood
 washed smooth and clean
remnants loved and
left by the sea
© February 2013
Renee Espriu
This is for dVerse Poets Pub http://dversepoets.com/category/openlinknight/
Google Image
beside your photo she dances
a tiny figurine of a girl
she twirls ’round showing
how much she loves to dance
reminding me of you as
now you dance with angels
© January 2013
Renee Espriu
I was reminded that January 17th it is five years to the day that mom left but is really never gone. I love that she is yet another angel in my life.
This is for the Small Stone Challenge January 2013. You can find them at http://www.writingourwayhome.com . This is Small Stone #17.
clarity rings true
simply because love
remains where dreams
continue to draw
us in to capture us
in our waking and
sleeping hours
© August 2012
Renee Espriu
she knew her sunsets and sunrises
were firsts and lasts
that tomorrow might not come
that she had cheated fate
but once again
but hope rings true like a
glistening silver bell
to ring in another day’s noises
from the city and the calm
of making choices
she loved life and fought bravely
a battle she could not see
but could feel hidden inside
though the mirror reminded as
though but to chide
her memory of another time a
face someone elses’ now changed
she shows the world a ‘Spirit’
her body but a shell never
able to diminish it
she watches the faces of her
loved ones as they watch her for
a time heavens’ Angels beckon come
she sees sunsets and sunrises
now only she can fathom
© August 2012 Renee Espriu
Here in the Northwest a most gifted, articulate and giving woman gave up her fight with brain tumors and I offer up this small bit of prose for her. Kathi Goertzen was our Channel 4 News Anchor for many years and fought bravely for the last 14 years to overcome tumors that gave her little respite. She managed to connect with so many people, such as myself, just by us watching her report the news. She gave to her family, her community and when all is said and done herself. I wish for you many beautiful sunsets and sunrises where your “Spirit” now resides. Blessings!
reneejustturtleflight.com 