a journey filled with many familiar paths and some not yet taken... all leading to the ever-changing destinations just waiting to be discovered.

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Friday, October 14, 2011

This morning's drive to work shone brightly as I saw reddened wispy clouds moving from a full moon in the west over to the morning sun rising in the east.  It inspired the following words....


scarlet mornings sweep
colorful cadence across
dust-ridden dance floors

while

dancing wallflowers
gaze upon distant faces
freshly painted light

Petrina Lesko
October 2011

hazy morning skies
lend to early hidden light
bursting sunshine bright

days crawling upon
land emerging colors sight
autumn days to night

Petrina Lesko
October 2011

Monday, October 10, 2011

To touch the simple pleasures,
one must look to life's beautiful wonders.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

I Held Your Strength...

With grace you tenderly caught my tears,
let them trickle across your palm.
With pride you held the strength
of the world in the other hand.

And with each moment, through the years,
we nurtured each other like psalm.
Held tight insuring we could go the length,
forever, to be one we stand.

Yet quietly, slipping silently through mirrors,
the days soothed like aching balm.
Slipping past, beyond, out of arm's length,
like a shell buried deep within the sand.

Til one day at last, had to face all fears,
letting my soul come to rest, be calm.
For lost from all my being it's strength,
when left to live my days upon this arid land.

Through grace I tenderly caught your tears,
let them trickle across my palm.
With pride I held your strength
for the world in my other hand.

Petrina Lesko
October 2011

linked to dverse OLN


Monday, October 3, 2011

As We Lay Resting

stillness overtakes
tendered burning moments light
shadows of grey clouds

colorful dances
air-born as leaves change these days
fluttering downward

blankets of firelight
line paths once clear and leading
to thought-filled doorways

lending forth dark nights
scattered stars sparkle upon
simple silhouettes

bringing new beauty
day becomes nights shadow-light
worlds become quiet

reflective shadows
dance upon icy waters
as we lay resting

Petrina Lesko
October 2011

linked to MMWP - Darkness

Monday, September 26, 2011

Yesterday's Shadow

whispered morning breaths
golden fire lies down her path
Willow stands weeping

yesterday's shadow welcomes
Autumn's naked silhouette  

Petrina Lesko
September 2011

linking to dVerse OpenLinkNight

Sunday, September 25, 2011

The Raven's Truth Be Told

Mag 84


She whispers secrets
 into the night
the heavens mourn
the raven's truth be told

Petrina Lesko
September 2011

linked to Magpie Tales

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Just To Be for dVerse Poetics

Today over at dVerse it is once again time for Poetics.  This week Joy has shared with us a bit of Edgar Allen Poe and Charles Bukowski to emphasize the impact that repetition can have in poetry.  Immediately I thought of a poem I wrote years ago that would be just right for this topic.  Please keep in mind, this poem was written far back in the day, before I got into poetry form, etc.  Hope you like it.

Just to Be

I look around me now,

As I sit and wonder how,

Each day I look to find the new,

But all I can want, is free and true...



I look around to feel,

As I sit the free is real,

Each day I look to find the way,

But all I can want, is through the day...



I look around me now,

As I sit and wonder how,

Each day I look to find the why,

But all I can want, is to see sky...



I look around to feel,

As I sit the free is real,

Each day I look to find the sun,

But all I can want, is to have won...



I look around me now,

As I sit and wonder how,

Each day I look to find the me,

But all I can want, is just to be...



I look around to feel,

As I sit the free is real,

Each day I look to find the me,

But all I can want, is just to be!


Petrina Lesko
May 1986

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Is This Not Wisdom

They say that wisdom comes
with age, that it is knowledge
gained over time, through
life's experiences,
yet...

when you catch the wonder
in the eyes of a small child
as he examines the
delicate lines and
soft colors of
a butterfly

or when his stride hesitates
to sip in the beauty of the
solitary rose in Mom's
flowerbed

or she unearths the vines,
roots and all, of Dad's
prize pumpkin, just
to see what makes
it grow so much
bigger than all
the others

she runs excitedly in declaring,
"Mom, the skies on fire!"
you step out to behold
the most vibrant sunset
you have ever
seen

I ask you then...
is this not a wisdom
that so many of us
can learn from?

Petrina Lesko
September 2011

Shadows Transform

touch simply one heart
reaching beyond just the words
make differences
in each day that our words pen
carrying messages forth

this reason to write
sharing thoughts with the vast world
left like shadows of our self
for discoveries by you
leaving impressions, questions

 possibilities
new, changed, altered mark this day
futures to discern
meanings of shadows transform
in each interpretation

as does the sun's light
rising over the mountain
casting forth brightness
night becomes day in beauty
gifts left to grace all the days

Petrina Lesko
September 22, 2011

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

In Honor of Alzheimer's Day...

disjointed pictures
fragmented bits of this life
scattered through my day

Petrina Lesko
September 2011

This post is PURPLE in honor of those that I have known, and those still suffering from Alzheimer's disease.  Please find something purple to wear to remember and honor those you have also known.   Thanks!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

The Fluted Charmer

With flute you played your charm
enticing each soul forth,
from the darkest of depth,
beneath the trees like roots,
winding to, fro, coming out
into light of day to hear.

Witnessing life's toll to hear
these words, lived without charm.
Secrets kept, none spoke out...
dig within pockets forth,
seek to plant seeded roots
of aid.  Reaching new depth

for those burdened, in-depth
help, from hearts... cries to hear
their pleas.  Long buried roots
hidden to the world's charm,
beckoning to us, forth-
coming need to be out

these lives untold.  Call out
to believe 'tales tell depth'
and lonely hearts bear forth
wisdom, sadness we hear.
This music plays of charm
and helping hands' treed roots,

of giving planted roots
to society.  Out-
numbered, yet your heart's charm
raises from pocket's depth
to change the song, to hear
and carry their hurts forth.

Into the light shine forth,
no longer lost like roots
searching beneath, now hear
this hand be given.  Out
of torment and dark depth,
bestow your tale, do charm!

Theirs brought forth, this your charm,
to share roots, both this depth,
lift and hear...  help them out!

Petrina Lesko
September 2011

inspired by this week's Magpie Tales.

This was also my first attempt at a new to me form - the Sestina.  It's end words repeat throughout each stanza in the following pattern:
     1. ABCDEF
     2. FAEBDC
     3. CFDABE
     4. ECBFAD
     5. DEACFB
     6. BDFECA
     7. ECA or ACE (envoi)
       sometimes including BDF within these 3 lines as well.

now also linked to dVerse Poets Pub... FormForAll
new days dawn lightens
upon a world bringing joy
to new beginnings

Friday, September 16, 2011

grey skies lapping down
to taste the tender moments
misty morning wakes


Thursday, September 15, 2011

Meeting the Bar: Crit...

I wrote this a couple months back (July), have worked on a little technical stuff, but wondering what else could/should be tweeked a bit.  Thanks for any/all input you might have.

Life Played Silently

From within our shores of sunshine plays,
upon the land and upon the sea,
basking in the days of carefree ways,
games played silently, we all could be.

Simple words spoken within the hands,
havens cherished, explored, be thus shared,
Martha's vintage language of the sands,
a language evolved beyond presence cared.

Evolving days of lessons to learn,
schooled in hearts beyond from shores to main,
French signs transformed yet may we discern,
blending worlds within the hand explain.

To bring to this American shore,
become these words spoken - ASL,
from island families long before,
words shared with hands and spoken by all.

As all could be, no barriers would see,
for in those days, hearing spoke with hands,
to share and be a community,
to work, to play, joined upon these sands.

From within our shores of sunshine plays,
upon the land and upon the sea,
basking in the days of carefree ways,
Chilmark people... life played silently.

Petrina Lesko

linked over at dVerse Poets Pub for the Meeting the Bar: Crit and Craft




Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Lost Little Soul - Updated - FOUND

Good morning everyone!  I'm hoping everyone is having a wonderful week so far.  I'm looking forward to a busy week of preparations for the annual fundraiser where I work with developmentally disabled adults.  It is our mission to aid them in being as independent as they can possibly be, yet still provide guidance and services to enhance a wonderful life amongst their friends. 

This morning I woke to a sad report of an eight year old missing autistic boy.  Yesterday morning he ran off from his schoolyard fleeing into the San Bernadino Mountain woods.  It is with a burdened heart that I share this news, hoping that someone, anyone, is able to locate and assist this young soul back to his home and family.

to seek safely those
who love the world with eager
eyes and open hearts

to see things with eyes
differently yet the same
to simply seek love

to feel the scary
things in life, yet know in hearts
unburdened of fear

to feel the longing
of hope for this lost soul now
please bring him today

into the arms of
loved ones burdened missing him
back to his safe world

The weather where he is lost is beginning to rain, with thunderstorms present.  Due to his autism, typically, he would be afraid of strangers and loud noises.  May we all hold him in our hearts and prayers... may God hold him in the cradle of his love... may those who are searching be gentle in their hearts and bring him home safely.

UPDATED:

Local News just broke that little Joshua has been found and is eating and drinking.  The area he was found in was very rugged terrain.  They are helicoptering in a medical team to evaluate his condition, but he is ALIVE!


THANK YOU ALL FOR KEEPING HIM IN YOUR PRAYERS.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Revenant Painter

The Revenant, 1949, Andrew Wyeth
shared as Mag 82
Tap, tap, tap sounds beyond the open door,
yet he has relinquished his wait no more,
easing beyond the paled world we here see,
glides effortlessly... this reality.

For he is a shadow of yesterday,
touching upon lives now of those that may,
inhabit his world of delicate hues,
searching places where he once found his muse.

Inspirational souls that came to him,
close at heart and close to this his world's rim,
tendered moments found silently kept close,
speaking beyond the rhetoric verbose.

Never to seek the final event known,
focused as taught by NC to ill shown,
painted in 'abstraction' for depth and tone,
for seekers are lost when focus for throne.

Such was his way, to find strengths in beauty,
looking for depth, meaning in objects he,
beyond the obvious, what you would find,
giving deeper essence, this was his kind.

For always the soul lingers beyond grave,
to carry forth as the wind or the wave,
past the boundaries of this world's known rules,
to grace those left with gifts of these jewels.

© Petrina Lesko, September 2011

I have always been very fascinated with the depth in the works of Andrew Wyeth, one of the best known artists of the US in the mid 20th century.  Though his work is considered predominantly to be 'realist' he considered himself to paint in more of an 'abstractionist' manner looking beyond the basic obvious meanings of simple objects and the world around him.  He truly believed his works went beyond the landscape or portraits, that they expressed a deeper nuance of feeling and depth.

This week over at Magpie Tales, Tess Kincaid has offered this fine example of his work, The Revenant, as the prompt to inspire us writers and poets.  Thank you Tess, for a fabulous prompt... truly inspirational.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

With Simple Grace

To touch each one with simple grace,
bow our heads with fear on our face,
of times in need, planted each seed,
fought for rights together would plead.

To see the world for what its worth,
looking beyond the dried up earth,
to nurture now, these plants some how,
tend heartened souls for all allow.

To walk today in remembrance,
for the ones lost and those still hence,
within your grasp, this place was clasp,
touched forever, free of their rasp.

Freedoms given beyond the day,
nurtured ways, come to you what may,
for tendered nights, and soulful sights,
given freely, encourage rights.

This always the voice of your ways,
to touch the world in such a blaze,
then the hours, we lost towers,
to grace upon our pure flowers.

To leave you lost, in his dismay,
crumbling beyond the words at play,
still in the fight, angel wings this night,
then lifting on morning breaths.. flight.

To take this soul with simple grace,
tears shed from eyes, love on our face,
of times in need, planted each seed,
embrace her gently now we plead.

Petrina Lesko
September 2011

Linked to dVerse Poets Pub for this week's Poetics...  In Memoriam


Thursday, September 8, 2011

Red Dawn Days

sunlit skies cascade
beyond worlds rising moments
puppies playful call
tell us red dawn days have come
bursting forth to share pure joy

© Petrina Lesko
September 2011

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Just Moments Ago

Just moments ago with a gentle hand,
Tears fell here for were we to understand,
With softened ears you listened to our pleas,
Tenderly sifting hopes from simple dreams.

Guiding souls onward throughout all the days,
Empowering children, showing them ways,
To build their seeds into towering lives,
Able to reach goals if only one strives.

Never need raise the staff or the voice,
Integrity, morals for all the choice,
Twas dignity and grace forever shown,
Lending little ones space to be grown.

Just moments ago with a gentle hand,
Tears fell here, for were we to understand.

Petrina Lesko
September 2011
 
linked to OpenLinkNight over at dVerse Poets Pub

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Stuck...

abandoned farm, Dublin, Ohio
photo by Tess Kincaid for
Magpie Tales
Stuck...
in the quagmire of
economic insecurities.

Stuck...
in muddy roads of
life's hazy days, worlds
washed loosely from
earthen crusts.

Stuck...
in the endlessness of
rain, pouring down
upon this place.

Stuck...
beyond hope of today,
tomorrow's freshness gleams.

Freed...
from everyday boundaries,
now flowing beyond deed lines.

Freed...
to begin anew, cleansed
by nature's tender mercies.

Freed...
from yesterday's limits,
inspiring new found strength
in oneself... worlds changed.

Petrina Lesko
September 2011

Inspired by this weeks photo prompt #81 found over at Magpie Tales.  Come share in the fun, write a short poem or vignette... or just read some wonderful writes by others.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011


regal wise white owl
perched high in life's branches waits
greeting night and morn

message carried forth
or waiting in hunt of babes
regal wise white owl 

Petrina Lesko
August 2011

While walking my dogs the last few days, we have again been greeted by the very large white owl that hangs near our home.  He had seemed to have left for a couple of weeks, but has again returned.

Linking also to dVerse Poets Pub and their OpenLinkNight.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Looking Through Windows


Red Umbrella, Christopher Shay
as shared at Magpie Tales

looking through windows
waiting for rain to bring home
those loved ones missing

still missing today
kept late by the storms passing
not yet home this night

looking through windows
waiting for rain to bring home
those loved ones missing

childlike wonder still
awed by the powerful rains
hoping for their return

looking through windows
waiting for rain to bring home
those loved ones missing

man passes windows
his red umbrella  reminds
time takes no heart loved

looking through windows
waiting for rain to bring home
those loved ones missing

creaking doors startle
branches banging the eaves too
long rainy days... wait

looking through windows
waiting for rain to bring home
those loved ones missing

Petrina Lesko
August 2011

In writing this piece,  I tried to capture the feelings when I was young...  When storms would pass our way, I would arrive home before everyone else in my family and then I would wait... searching the windows for signs of any of them to come home.  I would often times spend hours pacing window to window, wondering until one by one they would arrive home from their busy days, complaining of the delays the rain had caused.
This wonderful picture prompt was shared over at this weeks prompt #80 at Magpie Tales hosted by the talented Tess Kincaid.  There writers and poets come together to share their creations inspired by her weekly prompts.  Come join the fun, share your thoughts and get to know the most fabulous group of writers and poets.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Beyond the Moment: Poetics

Over at dVerse Poets Pub Brian Miller has challenged us for his Poetics post to explore what can only be seen with a 'third eye', those things that can only be known, beyond our true ability to see or touch something.  His post reminded me of the tenderness of this interaction with a dear friend from a few years ago.

She sat lost somewhere
beyond the moment,
not connecting to
the drivvle of her
favorite show...

Somewhere far
beyond our words,
drifting into the darkness,
"Momma is that you?"

Stillness filled the room
as she looked up, around...
smiling at what was there.
"Her dress is beautiful,
did you see it?"

"Don't go yet, it's been
so long..."  Silence engulfed
us, filling the crevices
of the space around us,
momentary glimpses...

"She died when I was
five.  Wasn't her dress
beautiful?  I'll be with
her soon, you know."
She sat smiling, looking
upward...

A calm slowly overtook
her fidgeting hands.  The
television continued to
drone on, noting the
world of victims of
the day's burdens.

Special Victims
contrasting the quietness
of her breath as it eased
from her lips, tender as
the child's hand.

Innocence of childhood,
a heart broken, a
mother's love stolen
from her on that
lonely dark road some
sixty odd years ago.

Tomorrow we would
need to drive that endless
road to nowhere, the
scarred bark branching
out to hold her.

A single tear trickled
down to catch the
edge of her smile,
her knowing one
day soon they would
be together again,
forever.

Petrina Lesko
August 2011

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Stillness Overtakes...

Walking, the soft damp sand slips
between our toes as we approach
her beauty.  The pilings stretching
to touch the blue skies, billowy
clouds lying there like satin pillows.

Further we stroll along the shore,
arriving... the sun drenched warmth
firm... yet roughened by the misty
breezes.  She is splintered almost,
beneath our steps, ever enticing.

The length of her lines narrowing
as she reaches forth to meet the
icy white waves in the distance,
longing for us to tread there, just
at the horizon's razor sharp edge.

Come, walk with me, feel the misty
breeze brush against your paled skin,
gently embracing your soul.  And in
this place feel her engulf with the
softest silk cloth, burning now...

The sunlight scorching the damp
wooden path, grooved by days
gone by.  The air ever so thick,
showering the suns warmth as
the sea completes her stretch.

Yet in this ever moving world,
stillness overtakes the essence
of this place.  A comforting
serenity fills the dimming skies,
lit on fire like a burning log.

Petrina Lesko
August 2011

submitted to Poetics - Texture over at dVerse Poets Pub   while enjoying a great cup of Jo at Latte 101.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Today's Item up for Crit: Elusive Remains...

I posted this poem almost 9 months ago, when I was a bit closer to a situation that freed this poem from deep within.  It had been waiting years to be written.  Now that I have been able to put some time and distance from its words, I would love to have some honest critique of its expression.  Today, over at dVerse Poets Pub is this weeks Meeting the Bar: Critique and Craft.  I think this poem really seems to fit the topic and would love the input on its form.  I've done a couple of slight tweeks already...   Hope you all don't mind another share of this one. 


 Elusive Remains...

Somewhere in the darkness of the night,
should I answer, could this be the day,
that wonderful day when you just might,
might be standing beyond the doorway...

The phone ringing, please let it be you,
'Unknown Caller' across the display,
my heart in my throat, skips a beat too,
if only someone, somewhere would say...

The news that you have been waiting for,
I called, saw him earlier today,
it was here in town, down by the store,
he asked to see you, if not he may...

Elusive remains, mysteries too,
what happened on that long ago day,
everyone searching, looking for you,
at a distance, I guess you must stay...

One day, somewhere in time, I will know,
whether or not, that you are okay,
for now my heart breaks, I can not show,
always to wonder, where do you lay...

Hoping and praying, this I must do,
searching myself to find a new way,
wondering always, could that be you,
beheld in my heart, always this day.

Petrina Lesko
November 2010



Wednesday, August 17, 2011

sun light beams beyond
mountaintops usher the day
new beginnings yours

Petrina Lesko
August 2011

written for dVerse Poets Pub

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Standing Tall Your Light

I'm sitting in a little coffee place totally enjoying the atmosphere... not far from the shores of the Pacific... you can tell where my mind is drifting off to.  Thought I would share an attempt at a Ghazal, a form new to me.

Standing Tall Your Light

Through the darkest night, one struggles beyond, deeper into and more.
This beacon shining bright, upon the sandy shore, standing tall your light.

When into the night, one sits outside a crowded shop alone.
Musical ebbings etching stars in the darkest skies shone, standing tall your light.

Mystical magic flows within this place, coffee brews for all.
While cool breezes playfully slip past chairs, her shawl, standing tall your light.

Warmed by the flow, the swirling winds dancing there.
Still into darkest night, a comfort touches down for all to share, standing tall your light.

This the bricklayer's building blight, as he lays the stumbling blocks of life.
A pillared starkly sight, my harbor from misty strife, standing tall your light.

Petrina Lesko
August 2011

The other day over at dVerse Poets Pub for their FormForAll the form explored was a Ghazal.  I think this somewhat falls into how it 'should be written'.... obviously I am late in my attempt, but I was rather intrigued by the form.  Hope you all enjoyed my attempt.

Monday, August 8, 2011

A Brief Update about my Absence

My apologies to my regular followers for not having been on much as of late.  I took a spill this past week and injured one of my hands/wrists as well as a knee.  Though I have not commented much or posted as of late, I have been browsing minimally through all of your posts.  However, having difficulty with the creative juices flowing like they normally do.
Please bear with me in my absence, I hope to be back writing and visiting soon.  Miss you all very much!

Reflections
aka Petrina Lesko

Monday, August 1, 2011

Rusted Sunshine


Image by Skip Hunt
as shared at Magpie Tales


























Of clouded moments thickened stagnant air,
like towers of cumulonimbus dreams,
filled droplets of time, memories lie there,
yet sunstripped days wait to slice, thus it seems,

      showering this moment in fantasies,
      of your touch, cutting deep into the heart,
      always...forever, til death us do part.

Rusted sunshine twirls the blade so neatly,
cuts deep in time, of a long ago day,
the soul dies with a love shared once sweetly,
leaving pieces of dreams sprinkled this way,

      showering this moment in fantasy,
      of your touch, striking deep into the heart,
      always...forever, til death us did part.

Petrina Lesko
August 2011


This poem was written for both Magpie Tales which provided this wonderful photo prompt and for this week's Poetry Potluck over at Jingle Poetry where the topic is Love... and it's not being there.  I was also attempting my first try at the Rhyme Royal form, however, I think some of my feet are not in true iambic pentameter.  The rhyme scheme for this form is a-b-a-b, b-c-c or a-b-a, b-b, c-c.  I really like the possibilities of this form so I will probably continue to work on it.

Adding a link to dVerse ~Poets Pub for OpenLinkNight.

Monday, July 25, 2011

She Juggles Stars

I wanted to get a little more input on this one so I will be linking it over at dVerse ~Poets Pub for their OpenLinkNight.  Enjoy everyone.

Riding high there in the skies,
Magpie Tales #75
tightly roping within this world,
she juggles stars naturally,
as if this was her solemn place.

Eyes bewildered as Sirius flies,
her magic shines hot, up and twirled,
dancing aloft the world we see,
as before, this a new world's face.

In her efforts may come surprise,
for if she slips, from ropes be furled,
juggled there for those who will be,
upon the wires of fun we trace.

Eyes bewildered as Sirius flies,
riding there within the skies,
juggled there for those who will be,
dancing aloft the world we see.

She juggles stars naturally,
as if this was her solemn plea.


Petrina Lesko
July 2011

Here I offer a second take (inspired by thoughts of a friend's son who is in Australia, in school to hopefully become a part of Cirque du Soleil) on the wonderful prompt by Tess Kincaid, at her fabulous meme, Magpie Tales.  Come join the fun and see what flies for you.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Petals of Rose

soft petals of rose
sprinkled on waters for thee
his last goodnight kiss

Petrina Lesko
July 2011

Over at Jingle Poetry the theme for this week's Poetry Potluck just happens to be on Nature and Life so I shall also be linking there as well.  Hope you all have a fabulous week ahead.  I expect mine to be rather busy.

Sirius Cycle Rise


as offered by Tess Kincaid

























as does the rise of Sirius say
cycling westward for day by day
just before the sunlit skies,
your Heliacal rise
draws forth all of eyes
on ropes these ones,
horizon's
edge to
play

Petrina Lesko
July 2011

This wonderful picture prompt was offered up today by Tess Kincaid for the 75th Magpie Tales prompt.  This is a fabulous place for writers and poets to come together and share.  To see what inspiration others have found, please follow the link and join in the fun.

Friday, July 22, 2011

New Day's Dawn


Blankets of misty
mornings clouds,
folded back
by a rising sun,
welcoming the
world to a
new day's
dawn.

Petrina Lesko
July 2011

Linking over at  Theme Thursday where this fabulous photo was shared.  This is about how our valley looked this morning as well.  Beautiful offerings for the day.