POETRY

[To read alt text instead of a transcript, please visit the gallery under the Poetry tab in the upper navigation menu. Even though the images are not reproduced within the transcript below, descriptions of the images from the poetry panels in the Poetry Gallery are included below in brackets.]

SELECTED POEMS 1997 - 2020

[Each poetry image is on either a white or light yellow background with a gold border. Various art is hand-illustrated on each panel and described with each poem. In the bottom right corner of each poem panel is Connie Hunt’s “initials with star” digital signature. In the top right corner of each poem panel is the poem title. On this transcript page, the poem title is Heading 3, and the text is Normal.]

FEED THE CHILDREN

Look at all the people sleeping. Captivated by charisma and bright colors, we fight to remain conscious. See all the people sleeping. Forgotten passions of dead dreams twirling in the ether, yet they do not see. Hear all the people sleeping. Their cackle of discontent steeping stronger than the strongest black tea. Yet, no pinching takes place, for complacency and apathy reign, and it is by far easier to blend in than to stand out. Don’t you see the children weeping? For they see their future dying and have no power in youth to make needed changes. Do you see the children weeping? Their thick veil not yet covering their wide eyes and able hands. Help them to their future so that more lives remain to stand.

[Connie Hunt’s “Heart with wings” is in the top left corner. It is a silver hand-drawn heart with whimsical wings on either side]

MORE

Forever’s in a frying pan. Tomorrow’s on the floor. Yesterday is long gone, and I’m coming back for more.

[A large yellow sun is drawn in the top right corner with watercolor pencil.]

SHINE

Hope keeps a vigil at my house. And the stars all shine, but none brighter than you.

[Three black stars are drawn in the top left corner with black pen. A single X is drawn in black watercolor pencil below the text to the right.]

THRONE

Passers by sing lullabies and fill their wombs with fleas. But I sit steady on my throne and whisper to the trees.

[A single tree is on the left side of the panel. The roots extend along the bottom about half way across the panel, and the trunk goes up the panel. The top of the tree is not visible, but branches float downward from the top across the top to indicate is a large tree. The branches are flowing, have green, needle-like leaves, and at the end of each branch or piece of branch is a pink, feathery-like flower with either a red or yellow center.]

ANGEL

Carry me away without a fight. I am your angel tonight. In sleep, I’ll charge your soul with endless dreams held tightly together by swaddled seams. Finding one truth beyond the stars, taking away all the scars one by one.

[Three streamers with a star at the end dangle from the top left. A swirly line with a star at the end underscores the text ‘one by one’. Both drawings are in black ink."]

PLAYING DESIRE

Little thoughts unwind the kind fortress around my heart, and I begin. In the silence, the dew speaks of a softness. A sweet, sultry breath upon my warm skin, I play desire. As the evening retreats into a starry night, and love returns to me.

[A constellation of stars, dots, and hearts fills the top left quadrant.]

WORTH THE RISK

If faith had but one chance, I’d spend it on you.

[Four tulip-like red flowers grow from the bottom of the page. The stems are strong and in black ink. The petals are heart shaped, outlined in black, and colored in red by watercolor pencil.]

SPACESHIP EARTH

I’m in my Spaceship, and I’m ready to go. My crew at my side, we know what we know. Outside may be forever apart, but inside we stay for love and art. And no matter, no matter what comes, what may — Hearts are all One, Yes, Every Day, and Yes, in every way.

[At the bottom of the panel, there is a smudged grey drawing of of the curvature of the earth as if the panel itself is being viewed from far back in the cosmos. Above the Earth is the poem text centered, and in between the poem text and Earth is a hand-illustrated heart with an “XO”. In the top left corner, five streamers extend downward. The first streamer has an X dangling from its end, the second streamer has the word Love dangling in cursive writing, the third and fourth streamers have hearts on them, and the fourth, an O. In the top right corner, there is a small constellation of five stars. All illustrations are in black ink, except the Earth which is in black grey pencil, smudged for a smoothing effect.]

SANDBOX

My heart jumped into the sandbox to play with you.

[Below the text, there is an outline of heart with a small line on either side. Along the bottom is a wavy base of ocean in various shades of blue with some lavender.]

OF COURSE

YES!

[In the lower right quadrant, YES! is illustrated in all capital letters in red watercolor pencil.]

FORGET ME NOTS

Forget me not in orange blossoms arranged in pillars to the sky. I see the beauty everywhere in the light behind your eyes. Forget me not in moonbeams that dance around the night. Know I am in your heart, and I won’t give up without a fight. Forget me not in comfort on puffs of eiderdown. The softness is my promise of the wings beyond the crown. Forget me not at night time. Let us meet inside our dreams, and take refuge in the love that is exactly what it seems. Forget me not in sunshine and never in the rain, or I shall pass before you on this one-way gilded train.

[Three streamers with stars on the ends dangle from the top to the right of the text.]

TOGETHERNESS

Pleasure, to afford. Solitude, I endure. Confidence, I obey. Reverence, and so I stay. Beauty, I adore. Consequence, no more. Honesty, right and true. Togetherness, me and you.

[Two stars in black ink hover in orbit above the text which is centered in the panel.]

FATHOMLESS

Inside, I feel you deeply breathing with me in time. YES! The stillness of our steady rhythm as our air rises, then falls together. Separated by space, but not time. And as you feel, I feel. As you see, I see. And even separated by matter, there is no separation, only love.

[A heart with wings in black ink is floating to the right of the text.]

SOLITUDE

I try, I try to find that one piece of mind who will answer everything my heart doesn’t know. And I wonder, is it a crime to give up this time, this life, this crazy dream, so it seems. I’ve pulled back the curtain and under my skin, I found amazing gifts again. I strolled the heart, and I strolled through wine, and what I did find is that I’m smarter than I ever was since I grew up. Reconnecting with that kid on the playground. Having lunch with Jesus. Watching the monkeys go round. I remember that day like it was a second ago. Alone on my blanket of Truth. I sat there with my sandwich and cup of juice.

[A single streamer with a star at the end in black ink dangles from the top left corner. Along the bottom is a gently sloping, almost flat hillside in a golden hue.]

LA

The people are starving and they don’t know why. Lost in La La Lullabys. I love this town, but it is grotesque; the way all our love manifests. Like locusts we grow and multiply. Evolving slowly, we yearn to die so destruction and hate make us fly. And such is perpetual fate. (To have a good death would be our fate)…until we yearn to recreate..

[A constellation of eleven stars in black ink are in the top right quadrant.]

THIRTY TWO

Sacred lost two and thirty years form the mine field worn tattered dusty ears. I sing a new song found deep from within. I tell a new faith to my heart. Slow train, forgive my lost and angry tears. Become one in our battleship. How do we get past all the anchors in our bones.. Find understanding and a new world to call home. Home is where WE are tonight. Inside our hearts and inside our minds. The fortress of God’s gates can’t keep us sane as long as war is all we see in vain.

[An illustrated anchor in black ink is in the upper left quadrant.]

AMEN

So what if all the fuckers out there lie? Fuck them. They are lost. (until they die). And in that moment, rest assured they’ll live regret and must endure a billion rays of sorry for their wasted gifts spent shouting unabashed shit.

[A triangle with geometric shapes and colors within it has orange and red flames coming out the top of it.]

DEEP MATTER

I feel the rain wash my soul. Freely falling, I let go cos nothing truly matters. A wish unseen. The fateful heart. Despair you feel, no place to start. And nothing becomes matter. Time is gone, and I’m okay. See you smile the other way, and I know that you love me. But time is time, and we shall see what is left of you and me. And fortune’s holding water. (You cannot stand forgiveness). I don’t know how this gift I’m in came about without/within. And seeds I’ve planted need their water. It’s a shame, but I do think I’m smarter. I’ve gotten off, no looking back. This train has run out its track. And you it seems, forgotten. But when you stare into your eyes, don’d you see your countless lies. Instead, let go and feel the matter. Deny yourself, and nothing matters.

[In the bottom right corner, two colorful flowers with fuchsia pink centers rise on thin black stems. Their petals are yellow, orange, and lavender, and coming off the stem of the larger flower on the right is the word Love written in cursive black ink.]

STAND BY

Little wing standing by. Carry me upon the tide. Sing of chances far and wide. Fear not this little lullaby. Graftly edging onward upward to the sky, the buzzard’s buzzards circle overhead patiently waiting for the time of desecrating. But no one here seems forgiving or takes the time to be really living. Greed and hate and competition drive most in ambition, but the dumbing down is in remission.

[An outline of a heart with wings in black watercolor pencil is in the top left corner.]

BLOOD MOON

Forgotten passages of time wriggle their way around my dark mind thoroughly regretting every second unused. Sanctity expresses its own hand through a show of dynamic force. Untold stories of forgotten youth locked away to be opened today for the purpose of convoluted catastrophe. There is nothing more. OH. What for? Ask yourself divine questions. Carry not the burden of injustice for perfection holds the path in place. Lighter sorrows melt away while darkness lingers on the bloody moon as I come home to my lonely room alone. In silence, fades.

[A deep purple watercolor moon is in the top right corner. A grey smudged pencil path extends from the bottom of the panel upward and to the right.]

FLYING HIGH

Light and dark dance the shadows of my soul, and both the dawn and the night lead me as I go. Enhanced integration. Balanced bliss. Incongruous circuitousness. I see the pitfalls of my worry. No one says they’re sorry. I am surrounded by complacency, apathy, and gleeful celebrations of antipathy and mirth that have no boundaries here on Earth. But as I sit upon my throne and to the stars bemoan, with my ancient gifts I see just how, just how I am completely free.

[A black ink outline sketch of a flying dove with a black spar under its tail feathers is on the right side of the text.]

LOYALTY

Just tell it like it is. Tell it like it feels with sharp barbed-wire edges not rosy-coloured kisses. I’ll fight ‘til I am done, stand up when I’ve won. Never give up. Keep loving one by one. No one said it would be easy living life this way.

[The word Amen is handwritten below the text in black watercolor pencil with a period after it.]

CLARITY

Little girl, you’re so concerned about your freedom. Don’t you know what your heart is for?

[A red heart can be seen flying off a tall cliff with sharp rocks and big blue waves crashing against the cliff below.]

LOVE SHADOW

Carried me away your heart saw my sleeve and ran found my soul and rose met your hand and froze. Called my name will you? See my shame embracing love my pain erasing the black shadow of a lonely youth.

[A large red rose with green leaves grows from a single stem from the bottom of the page. Behind it and offset to the right is its shadow in grey.]

WISHES

Wish I may, wish I might on the first star I feel tonight. Be bright, be joy, be full of fun, and bring that soul to everyone.

[A yellow crescent moon outlined in black hangs in the right corner. There is a single black star to the upper right of the moon.]

A THOUSAND

A thousand times I asked a thousand angels for a thousand blessings. A thousand times I received a thousand gifts from a thousand sources. A thousand times I gave a thousand souls a thousand wishes granted. A thousand times, I look at you and smile a thousand ways. A thousand times, I adore you.

[A rainbow with white clouds at each end hovers above the text. At the bottom of the text, XO is written in black watercolor pencil.]

SOFT RAIN

I might thought to try to hide, but I feel you coming in on the tide. And no one, no country, or Word of Hate could stop me from claiming this fate. For we are One, this I know for sure. A love, a bond, that can endure any amount of wait or pain. Feel me softly, like the drops of rain (RAIN).

[Blue and grey rain drops fall from the top right corner next to the text.]

SECRET LOVE

Two secret hearts in secret love beating in time with the Sun. I doubt that nay have come before this moment. I see your face inside my soul, and softly, I cry as I know the truth of a thousand years of washed away and abandoned fears. My love, hold me gently and softly. Sing my name in the quiet whispers of the night.

[Two hearts outlined in black intersect so that part of each is in the other.]

TIME MACHINE

I wish I could go back. I wish…if only to see…If there ever was a moment back then when I was brave enough to be Me.

[In the top left corner there is a rocket ship with a red nose, red and blue lines on it, three black dots for windows and three black lines because they are cool looking. There are yellow and red flames coming out the bottom of the rocket as it blasts back in time.]

HELLO

Somewhere, in between, not in the ether, or the dream exists in space and time so free a little bit of you and me. Followed by the hands of fate, and seriously not a second late, our eyes and thoughts and hearts will meet, perhaps outside on a common street. What shall be said I’ve imagined now, and high (and low) and down below grounded in my center night — what if all we said was Hi.

[An outline of a street with dash marks in the middle denoting lanes winds from the bottom to the top up the page to the right of the text.]

PATIENCE

Magic hand, magic eye, I feel your heart like a spy. Though I not hid or temper chatter on patient petals I await this matter.

[A flower with seven flowing red, orange, and yellow petals stretch out from a deep red center. This flower is large encompassing half the page and is below the text.]

STICKY

You said once that you were pretending. A neverending moment of you is unwinding in the vast precepts of my dark unfolding. I should have seen it coming. The fast train that slowed on its tracks. Oh the inequity of youth. Misspent summers, misdirected mail, misinterpreted meanings behind your light eyes and dark hair. The way your brow crinkles when you are deep in thought. No one said you’d know for sure. But I do, and it’s all about you. A nothing moment, a casual glance. Heart on my sleeve to take a chance. Love is a banquet of dreams built one castle tower too tall. Crumbling, but not to worry, not to fall.

[Up the left side of the page, a grey and white castle tower with a window rises above large grey boulders.]

DANCE WITH ME

Uncharted, deep waters flow through this night as the fog rolls over the valley bright. And somewhere deep where I dwell I Feel you waiting: our tale to tell. I feel the moment growing closer. And somehow, in the vast knowing of my soul, IAM thwarted by a yearning I dare not acknowledge lest it rain teardrops at my feet. Oh, this life is sweet. And I know nothing, really, of your world. But somehow, I feel this feeling unfurl, and I enjoy a quiet confidence, a reminder that I am both new and old. And I can dance.

[A silver heart with black outlined wings is below the text.]

NEVERLAND

And in the heart of the black moon the fairies dance and play. The turtles swim and angels swoon and God wipes the tears away. And soon we’ll see the Star’s great might when days unfold it true. That glory comes before fight if there is no anger between me and you. Call to stand oh honored one. Call and sing my prayer. A monkey’s on the tambourine, and the unicorn’s in the air. Goodnight my heart, goodnight my love. See the dew on the morning doves. A charitable rest upon the sand as beauty takes my other hand.

[A unicorn outlined in black ink with a wavy mane dances in the air on the upper left. An outlined sliver of moon is in the top right.]

THE BATTLE

A thousand times I’ve asked for more. A thousand times you yawn. A thousand times I’ve wanted more, but acted like a pawn. A thousand times I’ve shown you fear. A thousand times you’ve slept. A thousand times I’ve held you near, but alone I sat and wept. A thousand times I’ve made it known. A thousand times you’ve cried. A thousand times love should’ve grown, but never even tried. A thousand lonely years. A thousand lonely times to work and play through our fears and make up silly rhymes. A thousand lonely times I’ve cried. A thousand times I’ve screamed. A thousand times you’ve smiled and lied, but still I loved and dreamed. A thousand lonely nights I’ve prayed a thousand lonely prayers. A thousand times my heart I weighed but found it shriveled scared. How does one fight the battle for the thousandth lonely time? How does the cock destroy the hen? And always end up fine?

[Three streamers drawn in black ink hang from the top to the right of the text. Each is a different length, and a small star is on the end of each one.]

CRYSTALLINE

Tide rolls in like my ever-intensifying desire. Rolling in and out, building up to cool my fire. With its wet tongue relaxing blue crystalline sparkles of joy digging in the sand to find a cooler place to dwell.

[A blue wavy ocean flows across the bottom of the page.]

NO REGRETS

Regret is a flock of birds flying away. Never to come again. Not today, nor tomorrow, no way.

[Simply drawn flat wings in yellow and grey resemble birds in flight. There are seven sets of wings of varying sizes on the bottom three quarters of the page.]

SOUL RIPPER

I’m gonna rip right through your soul cos I got nowhere else to go. Slinking up the street you feel my beat. Lonesome woes won’t plague me or hold their fangs too long. Excuse me, where’s your manners? I’m freaking way too strong.

[A single black outlined fang or scythe blade dangles from the top of the page.]

THE INFINITE SELF

I’m older than I oughtta be, and younger than I AM. I’m twice as old as yesterday, but four times younger than sand. Find me a reason, and I’ll take up and give. Cos no one knew anything who ever really lived.

[A gold crown with five spikes is above the text. The center spike is the tallest, and it has a heart on it. The other four spikes have a single star on the top of each one.]

HALO

Can you see my halo? It shines more brightly than most eyes can see.

[A small gold ring of a halo is above the text to the left.]

NONSENSE

According to the weight of my tongue, I am undone. My next fitting should be sometime around four thirty. Pass the nonsense with the jar (of jam). Do NOT ask what for.

[Four black ink streamer ribbons dangle from the top left corner. At the bottom of the first one is the letter J. At the bottom of the second one is the letter A. At the bottom of the third one is an outline of a rectangular sign, and inside the sign is the word NONSENSE. The bottom line of the sign extends slightly out to the right, and it creates a perch where a little red bird with gold beak appears to be squawking. The fourth streamer ribbon has the letter M on the end.

HONESTY

This is what you say to me, but that is what you meant. Nothing will undo the currency you spent. You tell me all your secrets from the height atop your throne, but I look at you with wonder — Oh my how much you’ve grown. Before me I see the image of all I’ve come to hate. Forgiving is the hardest thing, but our fate is what we make.

[The text is centered in the middle of the page. Below it is a single star drawn in black ink.]

WEIGHT OF THE WORLD

Sometimes I feel like the smallest person. Sometimes, the biggest. Am I here to save this world or merely here to give it?

[Above the text is a round globe. The oceans are blue and the land masses are green. The view is of the Pacific Ocean, and the Hawaiian Islands appear disproportionately large in the center. From the location of the Hawaiian Islands, Antarctica is to the south, Australia is to the southwest, Asia is northwest, and North America is to the east.]

TRUTH

I stand before you naked, naked as can be. You have my heart. What will be will be. I am not afraid to tell my tales of woe and ache. I am not afraid to give that which I know can break. Because the fear of loss is just not real. Fear is a choice, and what is true, I can tell, is that we are all alive inside our inner voice. No dam will burst, no rushing flood, no electric shock, or any blood can alter that which IS. Life goes on for eternal bliss. Now some may choose to see an end. For them, the whole Truth is about to begin. And what a joy it is to see such youthful ignorance in the sea. To prove the point is the great expansion. To hold fast in Love…is our only conviction.

[A single streaming ribbon in black in dangles from the right top edge. A single star in black ink is at the end of the ribbon.]

COSMIC THREADS

Caught behind the drum, not having too much fun. But if I harbor any grief, sorry won’t leave me in my sleep. And so I wake to Dawn with my sights set upon your aching smile, I’ll walk the miles for more of your sweet kiss for more eternal bliss. I feel you in the place — the One who holds my heart in space. From my fingers to my toes, I feel the love within me grow. The love within me grows. And drowns the pain way down below. And as I call to you, I hear you calling to me too. I believe and close my yes to dream of your sweet loving cries and feel your love released inside. And so I wait for YOU — Before I ever even knew. Before I ever even knew.

[The word Yes is written in all caps with an exclamation point and underlined to the right of the text.]

FATE

Tonight I sit as you fly the sky. I dream of moments passing by. And although I know that nothing for us shall pass away — I think of you and smile. Somewhere a fateful hand has dropped this dream on my plate, and though insanity may rule the day, I still believe in fate. And that our love can do, be anything. That we exist outside of time and space. And the precipice is stretched out ahead, preparing our bed. I see our future, it’s not a race — And you will know me when you see my face.

[An outline of a heart with wings in black is to the lower right corner of the text.]

SEWING SEEDS

Write me some words. Sing me to sleep. Let me know that you love me, and what’s sown shall be reaped. Lend me a lullaby while I fly through the air, and know you weren’t alone that day caught in that stare. I feel you inside me. My mind might cave in. But your smile I feel with me as this romance begins. When shall we meet — I dare ask, don’t tell. I know it will be soon because my soul feels you well. So love me in daylight. Love me at night. Love me forever. Love me right.

[Along the bottom is gently sloping hill. There are black seeds strewn across the Earth of the hillside.]

POCKETS OF LOVE

Pockets full of love. Reach in and take some of all you’ve dared to dream. Yes, it’s exactly as it seems. Feel the truth within — This life, it now begins. Let go and have some fun. Relax, this is the One…shining as brightly as the Sun.

[A yellow sun is in the top right corner, and a red heart outlined in black is above and to the right of the text.]

COUNTING SHEEP

I find my way back home. Another night, alone. I never wished you would call, but then that wish became my all. Another moonlit night not by your side. I try to count the sheep, but they seem to hide.

[The text is toward the bottom of the page. Above it is a constellation of stars in black ink with seven large stars and sixteen small dots representing stars.]

BUSINESS ETHICS

Crackling tones of indifference feed my soul this night. I feel the desperation and the strength of myself, and I am unafraid against the trials of life. Yet, so suddenly, I become impatient with the trivialities of it all: Academic, attitudinal discharge, arrogance of knowledge, misguided determination — all seem to be the blood in the veins of the arteries at the heart of this universe. Skeptics unite as cynicism becomes the new religion! In order to survive, one must persevere. But to the quality of life? Mine ain’t so bad, so why do I dare declare those things which are a pest? No, no questions my dear man, for I don’t even know where to begin! Your ramblings is all that I hear; the many words of a fictional society where math is the spoken word and perfection the reality. There is no such thing! Nothing is in perpetuity (except time during your lectures). So why do I bother? Why am I here? If effort and proven ability and understanding go unrewarded, then what, pray tell, is the point?

[A small constellation of eleven stars in black ink is in the right upper corner.]

THE PACT

A quiet little cat found a wriggly little mouse, and they formed a little pact to build a little house. And through all the wandering, she found her way outside to eschew all the pondering. No more alone she cried. She found the strength to form the sound, and the lighted path magically unwound.

[A hillside scene is at the bottom of the page. In between two hills, a golden path winds up to a little house. The house is simple in design as it has a single door and a window with a box of red flowers growing beneath it. There is a chimney with smoke coming out of it. Behind the house is a small tree with pink flowers, and in front of the house is a small sign which has the word US written in red on it.]

BODY PARTS

I feel it all inside, all within my soul. But sometimes, I just don’t know which way to go. My heart drives me on through the cavernous streets. The journey is winding like our legs in the sheets.

[A solid black heart is above the text.]

WHERE I DWELL

Labor’s fortune, dare I dwell, to squeeze the universe out of hell.

[Red, orange, and yellow flames grow and flicker from the bottom of the page.]

CONFESSION

Light creates the shadow. I look and see the outline of my soul hiding all the perfect pieces of where I’ve been and where I’ll go. Softly focusing, encased in light, I’ve wandered aimless through the night ‘til I found you standing there, and I couldn’t help it — had to stare. Your shadow in the full light of the sun. My heart — I knew — you are The One. Thin and tall and full of grace, no words define this time and space. Except, I know. And I love.

[The text lines have more space between them than on other pages. In between these lines are faint shadows of the words offset slight below the line.]

THE GIFT

I sit outside alone. She comes my way with a smile, a bone. I’m off on a gravelly road again. My story’s too much of me, I dive in the quiet reservation of the darkened planet called The Past. But nothing lasts! Moments gone by in a flicker, and I wonder and snicker at the cold, universal glow of the raisin in my shoe. And none of this makes any sense to me, but I sit and write and live faithfully the poetry in my soul and heart. And from this Shy City, I shall start, again. A thousand kisses unfold the wandering hands of time unleashed on their cool fabric of soft, sweaty tears of indifference. Oh do not ask the daring question or spend one second in earnest contemplation of a single moment. For what is in a grain of sand or a teardrop anyway? Only the soft caress of a mother’s love can change the heart of a man. But to be both is the truth. Forward, fearless, out of control. At times, obtuse, but not open to more abuse. I go, I go forward, fearless, with a new sound (but over the same ground). How it feels so new! And I thank you for your Gift. Life’s pleasures sacredly reflect the gentleness of one’s breath. To say — I seek not revolution, nor war, nor uprising. Out of love, I proceed willingly. From my heart to yours I speak softly and carry a large brain. So return to me again, as I to you without a clue as to why (but it is more than to pass the moments by). Peace of heart, piece of mind, wherever to find? A lonely night lost, a stolen glance. Around the corner, another chance. Separate passion from vanity, impulsion from arrogance, divinity from union. Substitute care for regret, compassion for understanding, fairness for equity, love for fear. And freedom is found and cheered.

[The text is presented in two vertical columns. At the bottom of the first column is the silver heart with outlined wings logo.]

THE PATH

Outside, there’s a wanting. Inside, only shame. Haunted by the sadness. Yearning, not everyone is the same. Up there, some see answers. Down here, only blame. But what if no one knows or had an inkling. What if — we are one and the same. What is lost can be found. For nothing lasts forever (this is true). But so does Love. And so I’m walking the only Path that leads to You.

[A grey path winds up from the bottom left to the top right, ending just before the poem title in the top right corner. The top of the path is more narrow than the bottom indicating perspective and journey, and the top of the path has speckles of red and golden light around it.]

THE PHOENIX

Finally, the tired and the meek shall know God. For she is at the threshold of her own presence, standing in the black light of All that IS and all that will be. And no longer shall she know blindness or deafness, but to the sound of cause, to the crying, she shall respond. To the Love, she shall bestow, and from the ashes she will grow.

[At the bottom of the page is a colored pencil drawing of a phoenix bird. The feathers of this bird are like sparks and flames, flowing dynamically off of the bird’s feathers. The bird is a menagerie of flame colors: red, orange, pink, yellow, fuchsia, silver, grey, and purple intermix to create an image that appears burning with the fire of life.]

LOVESONG

It’s a little bit crazy how all this sounds, but is it really fear that makes the world go round? I thought it was money or maybe hate. Now it seems that war is our only fate. Let us hope that it’s not too late to stop the bulls at the gate. Keep the lamplight shining bright, and go softly into the night.

[A black lamp post with a lantern at the top is in black and encompasses the left side of the page. The light inside the lantern appears to be a yellow flame, and there is a soft glow casting within the lantern because of the strong flame.]

BALANCE

Maybe it was just a dream cos something with it seems so far out of reach. Maybe you dreamed it too, but an apoplectic view (commanded its own way, like that’s something new), and drowned the light from you. Letting go is hard cos it shows you face the naked scars. And nakedness surrounds you. With the flicker of a light, the soul can’t shine as bright.

[A straight brown board is slightly off balance atop a round brown and gold wooden log with a peace design in the center of the round log.]

HELLO SUNSHINE

Death to closure. Fuck the vain. I see it now, sorrow’s reign. Goodbye Chaos. Hello Sun. Love has come; WE have won. And what we’ve gained shall forever remain.

[A golden sun in the left corner has rays shining down reaching toward the text which is in the bottom right quadrant.]

ONE MORE

Is there one more second spared for my life? Is there one more word to confess, one more moment to digest? Is there one more kiss to give, one more love to quest? I suggest, well, YES!

[A kiss transferred in red lipstick to the page is in the top right corner.]

TRUST

When I’m all alone and by myself, the whole world makes sense. No one can harm my soul. No need for recompense. My spirit’s safe and happy inside its little shell. It’s a perfect understanding, so it’s my place to dwell. But if I stay inside my own skin, I’ll never test what’s true. And I’ll never mend my broken heart, or find my way to you.

[A self portrait sketch in colored pencil of a young Connie resting on a hillside is in the right corner. She has big blue eyes and a solemn, contemplative expression as her long hair with gold, red, brown, and black strands blows in a breeze.]

BROKEN MAN

Floating around like a drifting breeze, I see your sorrow, and it brings me to my knees. Yesterday is a long gone ride. And now it’s time to swallow pride. You say it’s your mark of survival, but I only see it as denial. Your lack of emotion haunts this space, and I see your expressionless face. And I quiver. Be kind to your heart. Open to the glory that belongs to you. You may think that you cannot Be. But the world is yours if you’ll set your mind free.

[An outline of a heart with an arrow going through it is in black ink above the text.]

INSIDE TIME

The gate is open. Inside I am waiting patiently. Inside the garden is ready. Inside magically growing just for you. Inside your heart is ready. Inside, though you may feel anxious. Inside, breathe in, breathe out. Trust inside. Now. It’s time.

[A white round clock face with black numbers and hands. The hour hand points to six, and the minute hand points to nine. Along the bottom, there are eight flowers growing from the bottom on single stems drawn in black pencil. Four of the flowers are pink and tulip-like. Three are short blue flowers, and one is taller than the rest and has a yellow round and puffy shape.

VALLEY OF FEAR

As I walk through the valley of my fears, skin and bones show the skeletons of tears. No one can tell you how it’s gonna be. Only you can set your mind free. Regret is wasted on youthful charms. Only sorry drowns the soul’s alarms. So be ready, take aim, and believe. And know this love of mine will never leave. Chorus bells chime in the night. To my chagrin, I’m bleeding white. Cut only by the hand of fate, see the solace of branded hate. And so be now, the end divine. Lay to rest the cooking wine. And follow heart and soul today. And the universe, the Will, we shall obey. For nothing’s lost and nothing’s gained. Cos all is All, as was ordained. In your eyes, I see the rain and soot. And I wonder how you ever could light the world with shallow care, when you are so delightfully unaware…The End.

[The text is place in between two tall grey mountains which are on either side of the panel. At the bottom and in the valley between the two mountains, a golden glow rises from the bottom of the valley.]

ANGEL DUST

I am a loving soul in kind. Born not of hate or of lust, but in a magic twinkle of two angels in some dust.

[Two images of an outlined heart with wings in black watercolor pencil connect at the top inside of their wings. Below them is a constellation of stars, dots, and hearts in black ink.]

THE PROMISE

Drink you in my love divine like water or cherished wine. You of Earth and sweat and pain endured — Heal me now; you are the cure. Drink me up, my soul divine. I am yours; for you, I shine. Of dew and rock I am made. Branches for your eternal shade. Feasts are all before us now. Of faith and joy, because we know how the secrets of the mind portray to draw us nearer every day.

[A grey tree on the right side with branches that flow across to the left rise above a rocky ground filled with large, sharp, grey boulders.]

PRIVACY

See the light cast its glaze on the mountain, as if to say “how high you must go to win favor.’ But light deceives; dependent on perspective. Nothing’s real, save for what we feel in the moment. Anger, pain, judgment reigns. All are deceptive. What we feel may not be real. But if not, then what is? This love of mine has to shine. For you, for me, for all to see. Yet kept private under lock and key where no one else can touch it.

[From the top left corner, sun rays beam down diagonally across the top left quadrant while three red hearts outlined in black dance among them. In the bottom right corner below the text, there is a black ink outline drawing of a padlock.]

DAY DREAMS

The sweetness of this custard reminds me of your taste, and all the moments not spent in waste. Thinking, dreaming, conceiving of the idea and the energy that brings me to you. Dancing around each other, it’s like a dream. I know you see, but am I seen? I do believe I AM.

[The text is floating above a watercolor grey cloud that has splatters of moisture floating around it.]

YUM

Some say I’m a loner. Some say I’m a queen. Some say I’m a goner, or something in between. But no one knows just where I stand. Because their foundation is made of sand. No one can see the Truth, because they seek no such demand. But I am not alone here. I feel a heart that’s pure. A one who gets the silence who feels me in the cure. A match for this life time, and maybe for the hours of ALL. Let’s meet tonight in dreams and have ourselves a ball. And tomorrow, our eyes shall meet. And whoa, it will be sweet. And together, we will Stand. Together, cheek to cheek.

[A black line representing a mouth smiling has a flirty tongue sticking out. This image is at the bottom of the text.]

IN THE DEEP

And suddenly, it occurred to me that I was many more things than just a ME. A depth beyond the swallowed sea. A height above the highest beam. And in the ALL, I find YOU there waiting for me, a life to share. To grow, create, and grow again. Let love and love and love begins.

[Along the bottom is a serene scene of ocean waves in various shades of dark and light blues wit ha hint of lavender and yellow.]

THE NOW

Just be yourself, as you are now. Stay in that moment of Now and write from that space…This is where the Magic IS.

[A small constellation of stars, hearts, and dots in black ink is in the upper right quadrant. The text is centered vertically and slightly offset to the left.]