Pretti Girl Poet

My Heroes

2009-04-03T13:11:00.000-07:00

(For Shawn Mullins, because it is a blessing!)

My heroes are the beat poets
First words are best words
Only words

My heroes speak
Of unspeakable demons
In perverse fashion

They are heroes
Known for pledges of honesty
Sonnets of truth

My heroes paint indigo
Colors of the earth
Blood like red clay

Their souls open
Like blue sky canvas
Where black earth touches

Sweet dreams in crisp cotton
A Spoken word backed
By slick guitar licks

Words of an unlikely
Hero, afraid to release
For fear of tearing down walls

Please, scream the injustice
Born of the soul place
Where heroes

Dwell frequently
With the beat poets
On the dirt streets

From which we are saved
With their words
My heroes

Susan Ward Trestrail, Copyright 2009
www.prettigirlpoet.blogspot.com

In Life

2009-01-05T15:44:00.000-08:00

In Life

In life, at times, there are endings
Those merge with beginnings

Like strong floral buds
Those grow in brown grasses

New life replaces the loss
Through the changes in seasons

And life goes on
For it is Spirit that survives

And remains forever
In those loving hearts

They remember the beauty
And live with the sorrow

So, we are never apart
From ours, who loved faithfully

Their memory as legacy
Connects us by threads

To the everlasting
And to that one special moment

When our world defines us
By the passing, into another

--Susan W. Trestrail
Copyright 2008

Poem for Patty Griffin

2008-02-16T09:44:00.000-08:00

I wrote this poem for Patty Griffin. I was so inspired by her March concert in Chicago, that I was moved to create as well. Enjoy...

Song Bird

Song Bird please sing,
Sing what we need
Fluttered wings against canvas
Like the girl on trapeze
Those well wishers, pretty ladies
A first starlight kiss
Lights framed in blue velvet
And burgundy breeze

Song Bird, please sing,
Sing what we need
Of your sweet Mary, My Elizabeth
Tear-stained pine boxes
Strong souls beneath
While some search the bridges
For sunrise and love
Your words of release
Inspire the Sun

There are days filled with heaven
And days filled with pain
You wrap them in satin
Pink ribbons and lace
So, Song Bird please sing
Sing what we need
Help us stand tall
And believe in our dreams

Susan Ward Trestrail

Muse

2008-01-31T16:43:00.001-08:00

Muse

Do not idolize
Idealize
Is a muse not meant for flesh
Bathe your feet in precious oils
And dry them with silk locks

I did not mean to save you
Did not believe I could
I buried deep
Your skin in sleek, rich velvet

Must you bring me to your world?
I cannot breathe there
I am hardly fragile
I am only woman

Allow this rock and mortar
To crumble pressed under
Strong hands and feet
Light passes through thin

Cracks in my stone façade
Your muse is pure flesh
Ideal
How else could you allow

Your being to invade her
But do not idealize
Save the image
Of virgin

She will rest at your feet
Press her face against
A force of will
Gentle woman

Flesh will become flesh
Love is entirely human
The woman icon
Will become your idol

Should you not embrace
Her
And allow this statue
Her life

Susan Ward Trestrail

Angel

2008-01-11T21:56:00.000-08:00

On this earth there are many angels
There are those who clothe and feed the poor
There are those with golden hair, joyous blue eyes
There are those who roll stones to uphold
The arms of their heroes in righteous battle

And there are those, gentle ones
Who sing and strum as only angels can
Who fill the world with peace and harmonies
Who’s sturdy, brown eyes and full, long, locks
Left rivers of tear-stained children
Weeping and singing their stories

I know you have said we are not alone
But if feels so, it is a hollow, unending pain
Please Angel, you departed so swiftly
Our sadness has no reason
Our sorrow, no answer

So, we will cover you with a thin layer
Of rose petals, so as not to disturb our memories
And there are many, many memories
Of round cherub faces, laughter and music,
Music, so lovely, it made the angels sigh

Dear angel, when we think of you, help us smile
Our tears like tiny, crushed diamonds on our cheeks
Though there are many, the world has one more
One who will walk beside us, become our music
Help us love like we have never, before, loved

And somewhere in the distance, we will know
Of a purpose greater than our own
We will take our places on the banks of the river
Join hands with the ones we call brothers
And your Peace will wash over us

Until then, Angel, until then…

Susan Ward Trestrail

Brave Traveler

2008-01-05T11:08:00.000-08:00

Brave Traveler

Keep sailing, moving through
The upheaval
The torrential rain, evil wind,
Though they seek to destroy

The powers
Who rule from mechanical moon
Artificial sun
Do not rule all
Do not submit

Keep sailing, until the end
Is met
And the ship collides
With the blue, painted canvas

Man made waters meet
White washed skies
Mind and spirit
Revolt

What lives within walls
Only dreams beyond
But somewhere, some thought
Exists, that it is all a lie

And Truth be found
Outside the painted clouds
Inside the heart
Of this brave traveler

--Susan Trestrail

Dearest

2007-12-14T07:05:00.000-08:00

Dearest,
I have learned all I care to
I have drawn out
This Petition to the universe
Like suits shuffled
And dropped, one by one
Through an open window
Falling between white stripes

Dearest,
I have followed the Sufi poet
Wrapped myself in words
As wise and fruitful
Beloved and believed
Until my form
Dissipates in complete
And final Submission

Dearest,
I have questioned
Will I find my Sun
Will it warm the tiny
Place, a soul left lonely
Now full like streams
In rainy seasons
Pushing drops into the sky

And dearest,
I have known little
I have become more
Prayers received like postcards
Our heavens praise their return
While the circle closes
And all things end
As they have begun

Susan W. Trestrail

Cover Me

2007-12-08T07:53:00.000-08:00

You can free yourself
Racing down a gravel, urban path
But is it enough to cover you?
I offered my hand, my thirst
To a man, homeless
Who told me
He was just five steps from Home

What of this thing that says worth?
Can it cover, replace, erase?
A thin banjo strum
Carries over a mountain,
Smoked and gray
Explains without words
The value, of a simple song

Like our brothers, transparent
And draped in white cotton
As they travel to the pool
Of recovering waters
I search for answers
Just tell me, please, Is it enough
To cover me?

Susan

The River

2007-10-28T15:08:00.001-07:00

The River

If I never have another day
At least I had my day
By the river
Sun streams in, knocks lightly
On the blue horizon
Friends, fireworks and
First sounds of motors

Washing waves against
Moss covered cement
Further south, the river moves
A lucent moon scatters
Over broken waters
While moving pictures
Light limestone walls
And I had my day
By the river

The brick frame sun-kissed
Walls built from years
Of well worn memories
Bare foot fishermen
In the distance a white
Flowing gown and faux
Flower petals line the green
Carpet path, at least I had

This day, over my rainbow
A little faith blowing gentle
In the breeze and I know
If I never have another day
I have had this day
By my river

Susan Ward Trestrail

Diamond

2007-10-28T14:29:00.000-07:00

Diamond

You are
A diamond
Not rough
A note in eight
A minor fifth
Suspended mid air
Like falling
Soft crystals
In summer wind
You are

Delightful
In charcoal
And pastel
Color days
Where the water is
Like glass
And your eyes
Like blue iris
You are

Abundant
In style
Like harps and
Violins
And full choral
Image that
Fills the sky
When gem capped
Waves
Rush in to
Meet the day

You are
My diamond

Susan Ward Trestrail

Art in Life

2007-08-15T06:49:00.000-07:00

It is time
to put the printed word
to rest

Cathedral caverns cover
our whispers
Buried

Time and shadows
release the essence
of nature

It is time
to experience life
in splendor

We travel
over granite and gavel
To find

The sounds
And the buried treasure
It is time

Susan Colby

Passion Tea

2007-08-02T09:30:00.000-07:00

Passion Tea

Sitting in the sun, strappy sandals and
Passion tea
Reflecting, recounting
I know I will never
Find myself in a place that
Discounts, disregards, disenchants …
There is something sexy and alluring
About a woman who sees the future

Burnt orange silk drapes the skin and
The tiny brown spots on creamy thighs
Nothing is perfect, how many years were
Wasted in self doubt?
Passion tea in strappy sandals
This body in fifty years
Has felt the joy in each
Remembering the sweetness
Of being

Sun burnt with hard candy
Casting shadows on the blacktop
Playground summer ‘s day
And the music that is as fresh today
As it was in the moment
There is something wonderful
About this woman
Who understands her and this feeling?
Only fifty years can explain

Passion tea in strappy sandals

Shadows Cast

2007-07-26T22:09:00.000-07:00

Shadows Cast

Arms lifted upward
Cast shadows
Against burnt blacktop
Summer sun blazes
Like the jewel you
Placed on her hand
And placed in her soul
This heart reaches

Only you see
The salted tear
That makes its way
Down stone faced
Expressions
To the cracks in the
Cement walkway
To the blue-green floral
that presses past prayers
and pushes with the
same strained hardship
This life has dealt

That is when your tender
hand reaches
picks the bud from the
frozen stone and rescues
Her from the winter cold
And brings her to the
Sun and it warms
For this day
And forever

Susan

The Only Sun

2007-07-22T05:10:00.000-07:00

The Only Sun

This branch grows no different
For me, for you
Knotted twists black and coarse
I love you in my distance

I forgive me for my judgment
We are so very much
The same
The emptiness we see beyond

Gives little comfort to the stranger
Who awaits explanation
What I cannot say
Is how I am changed

So my eyes will search the heavens
And my heart will come back empty
The grey mist engulfs the day
Black twists on harsh evenings

This body no different
The same hollow soul
Reaches for love and kindness
The only Sun, we have ever known

And his beauty saved us
So my promise is this
Our love will move mountains
It is the honor of a good man

With a body of devotion
That reaches each branch
Like long arms and hands
The tips of gentle fingers

And truly, my heart is no different
It loves with the same sweet sadness
And believes in a sunny day
The only Sun, we, have ever known

Susan

Beauty

2007-06-28T07:48:00.000-07:00

Beauty

Beauty does not live
On the surface
It is born in the
Deep silence of
Utter humility
It takes special eyes
To see beauty
Eyes that have seen
Just the opposite
Eyes that have shed
Unwanted tears
For beauty lost
In the world

Beauty does not live
On the surface
It is hidden
In the soul
Of a broken man
Who has surrendered all
To his Spirit

Beauty lives
In this knowledge
That nothing created
Is beautiful
That only love
Given in it purest form
Is beautiful
And all that the heart has
Suffered
Is beauty

--Susan

Father's Day

2007-06-20T15:49:00.000-07:00

Father’s Day

It’s Father’s Day
I haven’t seen you for awhile
Freedom, strange that it lies locked
Beneath soil, in iron urns
Blinding light, a jazz piano underscore
The last pleasing smile
I recall

It’s Father’s Day
And I have come to visit
Your sad little stone
Just one letter, save your name
Save for another day
The one that held your kindness
I knew

It’s Father’s Day
And I need to ask you…
Thank you… beg you…
to talk to me
and tell me
Who shared your happy days?
I didn’t

It’s Father’s Day
And the sun shines bright
The sky a brilliant blue
They ignore the dead grass
And dried floral,
As I do, as I believe, and
I am

Susan Colby

Friendship

2007-06-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

Friendship

Friendship is a rare gift
That is often replaced
By pale offerings to strangers
Not since I sat in tall grass
Blowing white dust
From dead flowers
Have I truly felt this
Now it is easy to lie down
And share the not so precious
With the not so special
I remember the porcelain girl
Twirling in grandmother’s
Golden taffeta
with her same sister
Something was lost
In the stone lot beneath
A starry night
When I felt hard gravel
On my back
And the tearing of cloth
Caused my gradual retreat
Into myself
Now flesh is no longer prized
Simple kindness forgotten
We seek returns
For what is given
But if a true heart is offered
It shall not be in vein
And this gift is pure
As lovely as the vessel
That brings it.

Susan Ward Colby

Picture

2007-06-13T10:36:00.001-07:00

Summer Blue Sky

2007-06-13T10:30:00.000-07:00

Summer Blue Sky

Sometimes I lose myself
In the time it takes
A black wingspan
To cross a summer blue sky

Sometimes I am soothed
By the pain that lives
In the hollow place
Great desert plain

Sometimes I cry for a friend
I never met
But loved without fail
From a life past

And sometimes I know
That I am lost, and I am
Hurt and I am alone
And no one knows

That sometimes you leave
And I lose myself
In the spare moment
That the black wingspan moves

Across the summer blue sky

Image

2007-06-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

Poetry

2007-06-13T09:23:00.000-07:00

Buddha and Bob Dylan

What a rare and wonderful thing
To hear a croon like old motors
And know that you are not
Of this world

To find that you will never find
Your direction home
Only retreat into its mystery
It will find you

And to sit with legs crossed
Attached to your instrument
Release to the smoke and lights
Your God-given name, your life

It may be fear that keeps feet
Pressed firmly to dirt pebbles
The stones that make the roads
Too familiar

Take these words from Buddha
And his minstrel
Leave this place, exit lights hanging
In mid air, leave it here

For there is no reason
That gives permission for the morning fire
To explode in mid day heat
And release its hold on your earth

What emerges from the lonely rubble
Is the span of a white dove
With wings arched across misted blues
She rises, in faith her journey upward