Catinthehat

These are some samples from my portfolio of poetry I've written over the years. Enjoy! I hope they touch you; for this was my purpose of writing.


Will you dance with poety tonight?

By now you've probably realised that poetry and I do not dance at the ball.
We barely shake hands, less than acquaintances,
although not quite enemies. I eye it wearily from across the room.
And yet, it approches like some kind of rock star,
head held high, shuffling those blue suede shoes.

It courts all the pretty girls and boys with sly,
clever smiles, waltzing to the sound of ababcdcdefefgg,
but only fourteen times. I asked it on a date, once,
but after one look at my colloused hands, it declined
with a derisive snort. I have grown since then.

We kept our fumblings to the bedroom, under a sheet
with a torch. An ill-forgotten love affair. It glances at me,
a spark of recognition in its eyes. I can't make eye contact
for long, seeking communion with the floor and/or ceiling.
When I finally get the courage to glance back at that
beautiful figure, someone else has its attention.

They know how to turn a clever phrase.

Jealousy burns like green bile in my throat, stealing
my breath and with it, my words. I choke.
How dare it flaunt its charm at me, how dare it
invite me if it does not intend to play, to swing me
up into its merry grasp. I hate poetry.

I gather my coat and bag, swigging one last drink. I
do not belong here. An outstretched hand enters my vision,
the fingers fine and long. I know. I dare to hope. I know.


I Miss Her A lot Today

I’m watching the sun come up again without you.
Remember staying awake until the sun came up.
Sitting on the rocks in the middle of the river,
I would hold you and keep you warm during the coldest parts of the night.

And when we saw the suns come up,
we would silently stand and walk to your car.
I can no longer base my life on something that doesn’t exist.
I never wanted to say goodbye,
but maybe it’s time.
I guess it’s just time for me to realize that not all good things last.

You put smiles on my face,
and I protected you.
For a while.
And it’s not that I don’t miss you, but I can’t be sad forever.
Other things put smiles on my face now, and I have nobody to protect.
And I know you would be so proud of me.
I am finally free.

Everything doesn’t hurt anymore.
I know what a real smile, separate from yours feels like.
I have learned how to laugh and how to be real.
And even though sometimes I wake up thinking about you,
I know and I understand all that is over and done with.

I will always think of you,
but I will think of the memories we created.
I will no long think of you as something I lost,
because you were something I gained.
You were something that kept me going when I couldn’t hold on any longer.
Even after you were gone,
you kept me going, for a while at least.
Until I forced myself to realize that it wasn’t a dream,
and you were really gone.

Having you gave me so much more than just a person.
I thought maybe I would never feel complete again without you,
but I am complete and you are gone.

You left me with our memories.
And if that is all I can have,
I will be content.
If I cannot show your smile to the world,
I will tell them our memories.
I will tell them,
and through me,
they will see you.


Lost Memories.

The words I tried to speak,
got lost in my heart;
in the darkest corners,
behind closed doors.
The actions I tried to take,
escaped my grasp,
left me behind
to recapture them alone.
The way I felt
confused me,
with no intentions to clarify.
To have them embrace my past,
to allude to my future.
Everything I did,
I did for you.
Everything I lost,
was meant for you.
Everything I held dear,
was you.