Alabaster Storms

I'm  adding a link here to dVerse ~Poets Pub for their first session of Meeting the Bar: Crit Friday.  Looks to be a great place for writer's to get feedback (honest, evaluative feedback) on their poetry. 

Alabaster Storms

The orange sun sinks beyond
A barriered horizon,
I slip into your caress,
Warmth embraces my soul's ache,
Soothing me into the depths,
Beyond alabaster storms.

Tender pulses lift me out,
Beyond the coming darkness,
Into glistening moments now,
Floating above starlit skies,
Bubbling kisses so tender,
My heart settles to serene.

As your touch reaches beyond,
Easing the toughened moments,
Embracing the quiet... da dum,
Beating hearts slow, calming too,
Washing the days motions off,
Come to rest in your embrace.

Whirring worlds roar dim this night,
His voice beyond, who hoo hoo,
Cast iron gates fence apart,
Another howls in response to,
Saying it is I, who calls,
This night my place, echos...

The alabaster stillness,
Fragranced air tickles darkness,
Gardenia's matching tender,
The water's whir goes silent,
Rising above, tenderly step,
Beyond embraces into night.

Petrina Lesko
July 2011

Today is the final OSW over at One Stop Poetry as this wonderful sight comes to an end, closing today.  (It will be around as an archive for all the fabulous poetry that has been shared there.)  In it's finale, I will be linking this poem, written, experienced as I have sat relaxing in the warm waters of the hot tub nights, remembering days not forgotten.

In the Moment's Darkness

In the moment's darkness,
And in the moment's light,
The earth warm as the morning night,
The sky dark as the night's moon bright.

To each day held in starkness,
And the night beneath the days,
Earthen beds bring planting ways,
Shadows dance upon reflecting rays.

The fire ignites though be spark less,
Ashen walls bear birth within plight,
Generating new fruits in sight,
Feeding upon the earthen fight.

To one day begin all new ways,
Organic growth, recycling plays,
To bring new light for gentle days,
And hope to generation's theys.

For in the moment's darkness,
Begins hope of moment's light,
To change the ways of being might,
Lend to days and years, beaming bright.

Petrina Lesko
June 2011

Linking this over at One Stop Poetry for this week's One Shot Wednesday.  Check out the party there to read some fabulous poetry of both up and coming poets, as well as some truly seasoned artists of the word.

Sweet Dreams said...

'Sweet dreams' said as I laid to rest,
Into silence, await the screams,
Evil speaks there within my dreams.

Welcome friend, please come be my guest,
For in this night, you'll lose your sight,
Evil speaks strong, evil speaks best.

For in the darkness, so it seems,
'Sweet dreams' said as you laid to rest.

'Sweet dreams' said as I laid to rest,
Hot is the fire to burn the beams,
Embers carry, the ash it gleams...

Hollow remains of nights their test,
Embers spark light, shadows dark might,
Suns setting east, rising due west...

In the darkness, evil yet screams,
'Sweet dreams' said as we laid to rest.

Petrina Lesko
May 2011

This an attempt at a dark piece, set in high octain as offered by One Stop Poetry on Monday, a lesson and form shared/created by Luke Prater.  Not sure how well I have done, but this was my first try at this fascinating form.  Stop by over at One Stop Poetry for OSW to read other fascinating poetry shared there.

Side by Side

Though we have walked side by side,
Oh for so long... years its been, hasn't it?
Still we must go our parting ways now,
I, long tired of your deceitful ways.

Though we have walked side by side,
You understanding my weakness...
Always there like a true and dear one,
Still, forever tempting into darkness.

Though we have walked side by side,
A false bravado given, then left alone...
To pass the time delinquent of mind,
Truly... now... a habit, an addiction.

Though we have walked side by side,
You shall leave with a roar I am sure...
Screaming in the headache of my mind,
Doubting once more, please can we still.

Though we have walked side by side,
An eternity it seems, many a mile left...
Yet now, I no longer wish this bravado,
As time calls forth in new directions.

Though we have walked side by side,
Today we must stand apart, stand tall...
To find our own strength, to go forth,
Into the destinies of days, free with will.

Petrina Lesko
May 2011

Linking up with OSW over at One Stop Poetry to share in this and all the other fabulous poems linked there.

In Hopes...

As the day becomes night, the sun falling
beyond hills, gentle breezes grace my skin,
the leaves dancing against the dim colours.

The slight glimpse, feeling you just to my right,
I find myself turning, believing for...
just for an instant, I begin to share.

Realizing the cliche rising beyond,
wanting just this once to tell you my day,
knowing 'God needed you more than I did.'

Still, as the moments flash memories here,
I am drawn to sharing my special thought,
Just one more time, if only it could be.

The years of travelling through life's journey,
all the unanswered questions collecting,
yet the mind knows, 'It was your time to go.'

But the heart still feels, a breeze touches my cheek,
and still from the corner of my eye, I...
well up, ready to ask, to share this thought.

Yet I know this cannot happen, not now,
reason begins its climb, reaching summits,
telling me you are not here, not really...

Yet somehow, a calmness envelopes me,
my breathing slows, contentment of my heart
knows... knows that somehow you were listening.

Somehow, though I can not see your eyes tear,
still the embrace, comforts as you once did,
celebrates those special moments, in hopes...

Petrina Lesko
May 2011

A couple of weeks ago would have marked the 27th year since my mother passed on to better things... a better place.  With Mother's Day being just around the corner (and it landing on her birthday as it often did), I have found myself deeply engrossed in thoughts of her... of all the things and the time that we missed out on.  Over the years, periodically, as I'm sure most of us do when we miss someone dearly, I have wanted to share special moments in my day.  Or ask that all important question... and have found myself turning to speak to her, then reality strikes like a lightening bolt, reminding me she is gone.

This year has been a very exciting year for me.   It's been almost eleven months of a very strong, empowering experience here in blog land.  With each post, a little voice asks, 'Where would her red marks be?  What would she tell me to phrase differently?'   She was an English Major in college... smiles... I can remember as a child, her even taking red pen to our shopping lists and correcting our grammar.  At the time, I was not very impressed, but boy do I miss it now!  One of my posts, a poem from back a bit (find it here ), was actually a rewrite of a short story she had written in college for the school magazine.  (I wrote it from the child's perspective as it was a true story based on a very difficult decision she was faced with making.)  Now, being that the writer in me has been so prolific for quite a while, probably one of the most profound questions I find myself pondering... 'Would she truly like what I have written?  What would she have thought of my poetic version of her story?'  Then when moments become calm, and my heart stills for a bit, I know that since I knew her, I know already... what she would think.  But now, as an active writer, I sure do miss the Editor, always available to teach...

So hopefully you all don't mind my sharing this, but...  this one's for you Mom.  Happy Mother's Day, Happy Birthday!  I write this in hopes...  that you truly like it...

Follow this link to read other wonderful poetry posted for One Shot Wednesday over at One Stop Poetry.

To Touch with Grace

Over at Jingle Poetry this week for the Poetry Potluck the topic is "Muse, Art, Music and Poetry".  Giving much thought to this subject matter, it has brought me to this:  the task of the Muse in creating all Art, Music and Poetry....  This is what I came up with:

To Touch with Grace

Delving into places to reach,
Reach within the depths of the soul.
Touching tenderly there to breach,
As whales above the waters roll.

Leading the reader to a place,
To a place beyond simple words,
Connecting with their soul through grace,
Deeper meanings than mere thoughts spurred.

Like the artist placing his hue,
On the canvas layered with paint,
Yet the masterpiece dost ensue,
Catenation boldly or faint.

Thus leaving ever the footprint,
Embed within another heart,
The unforgotten touch of glint,
A spark ignites, the passions start.

Feelings... thoughts beyond the mere muse,
Tenderly touching deeper skin,
Simple selections, words I choose,
Gathered and placed like in my tin.

Treasures and wonders all are here,
Sharing with others, this we do,
Special gifts placed with care my dear,
These things written from me to you.

Treasures and wonders all are here,
Reached within the depths of my soul,
Special gifts placed with care my dear,
To touch with grace another soul.

Petrina Lesko
April 2011

Being that it is about time also for OSW over at One Stop Poetry, I shall be linking there as well.  Hope you all enjoyed this interpretation of the wondrous Muse.

Who Be the Lady



Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci
as shared by Magpie Tales


Who be the lady he doth paint,
He strokes the canvas lightly while,
Captures the essence of your smile,
Setting here, are you feeling feint?

But of the knowing just might taint,
Histories wonder of your guile,
Who be the lady he doth paint,
He strokes the canvas lightly while.

Painted lady with such restraint,
Eloquence shared, be this your style,
Mystiques held, such doth sooth and rile,
Demure, composed... a little quaint,
Who be the lady he doth paint?

Petrina Lesko
March 2011


Thank you Tess, for another fabulous challenge with Mag 59, this weeks challenge for Magpie Tales.  And as this is another attempt at a Rondel, I shall also link this to One Stop Poetry for this weeks OSW.

Tea Time, Tea Time



Illustration by:  Jessie Wilcox Smith, 1914

 Oh, it's tea time, tea time,
So please, please, write me a rhyme.
Cuz it's tea time, tea time,
For a nickel and a dime.

Oh, it's tea time, tea time,
My monkey is just my mime,
Cuz it's tea time, tea time,
Down from the trees he will climb.


Oh, it's tea time, tea time,
Be it lemon or be lime,
Cuz it's tea time, tea time,
Gardens of clover and thyme.

Oh, it's tea time, tea time,
So, please, please, write me a rhyme.

Petrina Lesko
February 2011

This poem was inspired by this fabulous illustration by Jessie Wilcox Smith from 1914 as shared for this weeks prompt over at Monday's Child:  fair of face hosted by bkmackenzie.  IT is a fantastic blog created to inspire the creation of children's verse.  Check it out to read other wonderful poems or to share your own writings for children.

I am also sharing this post with One Shot Wednesday over at One Stop Poetry.  Hope everyone has enjoyed this post as much as I did creating it.  Have a wonderful rest of your week. 

Salted Time



photo prompt for Mag 53

Time, like the salt of the earth,

memories together, a bounty

held in cellars of the heart.

A dash added, subtly

creating delicacies

shared with

sentiment.

The spice of life, brining

years of experience.

Flavoring the soul, 

savored days

blended by

moments

of time.



Salted time.

Petrina Lesko

February 2011

Thanks Tess, for another fabulous prompt offered...  This poem inspired by Magpie Tales as hosted by Willow.  Also shared with One Shot Wednesday.


You Asked of Me

Today, in the still quiet moments,
Shared in hopes of easing the pain,
You asked of me... I knew not if...
Could I give you this, this glimmer,
Of hope, of a pain free moment.

Today, in the still quiet moments,
Shared in pain of not want for loss,
You asked of me... I knew not if,
Could I give you this, this glimmer,
No pain, of a hope filled moment.

Today, in the still quiet moments,
Shared in darkness, challenged my soul,
You asked of me... I knew not if...
Could I give you this, this glimmer,
Of peace, of a better moment.

Today in the still quiet moments,
Shared in love, friends till the end,
You asked of me... I knew not if...
Could I give you this, this glimmer,
Of life, of an eternity.

Today in the still quiet moments,
Shared together the struggles,
You asked of me... I knew not if...
Could I give you this, this glimmer,
Of victories, success in you.

Today in the still quiet moments,
Shared for all whom you touched,
You asked of me... I knew not if...
Could I give you this, this glimmer,
A reflection, gracing this world.

Today in the still quiet moments,
Shared by all who felt your love,
You asked of me... I knew not if...
Could I give you this, this glimmer,
A legacy, your moment in time.

Petrina Lesko
February 2011

One Stop Poetry offers a great venue, One Shot Wednesday where we can share with other writers, other poets the art that is our work.

Ansel's Footprints



Penumbrant dreamworld

Luminous branching shadows

Ansel's footprints left





Original photo by Tess Kincaid
prompt #50 @ Magpie Tales

Poetry written by

Petrina Lesko

January 2011

I am linking this post over to Magpie Tales where Tess Kincaid has offered an original version of this wonderful photo this week as prompt #50, as well as over to One Shot Wednesday.

A Beacon of Hope

Though the beacon has
long been dimmed, still
I watch the cliff side shores
of my journey, searching

for your light which has

guided so many before

me to their resting place.



photograph by Petrina Lesko



Brought home to lands

filled with beauty.

Home to a land waiting,

offering a life free of

the shadows of time,
shadows of souls once lost
to this journey of hope.

Still I search o'er the seas,
this vessel trying to
stay afloat amidst storms
of turbulent waters.
Like many before me
journeying to far off lands
in hope of a new life.

Your beam renders prospects,
hope shining, like the hand
outstretched, points us in the

direction of safe harbors.

Inlets wrapped in arms,

moorings that anchor us

to the bosom of the land.



Ventura, CA
photograph by Petrina Lesko



Distant cries of lost souls

thunder down, shadows

stirring the past, the distant

silhouette sailing near

the horizon's end, closer

to that everlasting place

where the sea meets sky.

Though the beacon has

long been dimmed, still

I watch the cliff side shores

of my journey, searching

for your light which has

guided so many before...

home to their safe harbors.

Petrina Lesko
January 2011

I am linking this post over at One Shot Wednesday.  Hope you all enjoyed this poem and are having a wonderful week, the beginning of our journeys into 2011.



I've just discovered Watery Wednesday and thought this post would be appropriate.  Think I will drop in, link up and check out all the other great photos of watery places.

'Til Then, New Beginnings

I've spent much time over the last couple of weeks pondering the passing of 2010 and the coming, the arrival of 2011.  Many feelings have bubbled to my surfaces, then fizzled back into the waters of my thoughts... drifting along, awaiting the dawn of new beginnings and new days.  This poem or parts of it have bubbled to the surface and drifted back away until tonight, before spilling onto the pages of my thoughts in yet this form.  I am linking them over at One Shot Wednesday.  Hope you all enjoy this one.

'Til Then, New Beginnings

Stepping forth into this space, this time,
Your outstretched hand guiding, leading,
Lending direction, journeys unexplored.

Still, in the small quiet spaces, rhyme,
Tales unfolding from the depths pleading,
Yet untold, springing forth from hearts implored.

Touching tenderly all the sublime,
Begging forth the peaceful seeding,
Of new paths, awakening within all stored.

To the end, the sour good-bye tastes lime,
Tart, sweet, all the more want of reading,
But dost the words here lie forth not be bored.

For in here lies the beginnings of mime,
Inspiration awaits, yearns are bleeding,
The red putrescine of words, words adored.

Bursting forth with new days, new time,
Waiting, exploring of words, needing,
Words lifting upward, higher they soared.

'Til then, new beginnings will be rhyme.

Petrina Lesko
January 2011

Flight

Like wings of a dove

Lifting to unending skies

Bound at last for home.

Petrina Lesko
December 2010

I am linking this short Haiku to One Shot Wednesday where you can find many poems by many others.  They accept all types of poetry from anyone.

Choices-Changes

This is a poem that I wrote many years ago when I was going through a difficult time, however, I also feel that it can apply to changing times in our lives as well.  I'm going to post it over at One Shot Wednesday.  Hope you all enjoy.


Choices-Changes


We see something we want, desire,
We make a choice...

We expect something in the choice,
We see the change...

Or at least in the choice, our choice,
There is a change...

Is what we expect the same change,
Or yet a new...

Can we expect only specific,
Or only change...

Can we deal with another change,
Or just our choice...

Can a change be used to destroy,
Or choice for strength...

Must it be choice that becomes change,
Or change our choice...

Must change always be a battle,
When choice was us...

My choice was to love you always,
What is our change?


Petrina Lesko
May 1986