with waves of mulled citrus mist

warmed by your face watching mine

in the mirror from the hallway

as I lacquer on deep burgundy

candy apple lipstick

before the sun awakes early

April morning.

Memories of orange blossoms

permeating the night sky

on Route 66…

the beige top down on

the old [...]]]> The car engulfed

with waves of mulled citrus mist

warmed by your face watching mine

in the mirror from the hallway

as I lacquer on deep burgundy

candy apple lipstick

before the sun awakes early

April morning.

Memories of orange blossoms

permeating the night sky

on Route 66…

the beige top down on

the old black convertible with red leather seats

When I was eighteen and Steven French kissed me

behind Paradise Mountain

where the sheriff watched

with the gigantic flashlight

and I was told “good girls” never go

alone.

Underneath the auburn henna

graying hair peeks.

Longer jackets of fine silk smooth the hips

and lengthen the torso.

Longer skirts cover the knees.

And still…

I am overwhelmed by emotions

that smother my driving

North on the 605

with one whiff of warm mulled citrus

transferred from your face

to my sheerest pink silk blouse

during our dark, early morning embraces

that still make my knees week an hour later 

my heart pound.

Remembering again how it felt

to be wide-eyed, eighteen

and waiting for my prince.

All rights reserved.  ©2009 by Sara Fryd

My soul was touched at twilight,

     melting my five year old heart

     as first stars appeared on the horizon in winter.

Whispers…

Hold my heart’s attention

     like the saxophone notes

     that breeze past gracing walls

     as sounds drift up the stairs

     [...]]]> I have loved the thought of you since dawn…

My soul was touched at twilight,

     melting my five year old heart

     as first stars appeared on the horizon in winter.

Whispers…

Hold my heart’s attention

     like the saxophone notes

     that breeze past gracing walls

     as sounds drift up the stairs

      stirring my eyelashes

      as sleep envelops me. 

For I have known the thought of you since nine…

When Alan pulled my hair and made me cry.

Not felt feelings this intense since twelve

     when Michael kissed my mouth in darkness

     on my childhood porch;

As she was imminently awaiting me,

     the woman I could hardly wait to be.

I have heard the music of this melting voice,

     my blood has turned to maple syrup more than once.

Whispers…

So intense they’ve since become

     a warm caress of summer sun, ivory sand in late July. 

For I have loved and lost but not as this,

   knowing love and loss go hand in hand.

I still can hardly wait to feel your kiss…

This love of yours will surely be the one

    that lifts my spirits higher than the plains.

Gently held in trust above the clouds,

     time escaped though never lost in vain.

My arms are open wide to grasp the sun as if in reach…

     praying for your touch so warm at dawn

     as sleep surrounds my silent waiting heart.

Joy as this comes only once then may be gone.

For I have loved the thought of you since dawn…

  and I will love the thought of you till I am gone…

All rights reserved.  ©2009 by Sara Fryd  

©2010 Howard Paley "Stillness at Dawn," Sedona, AZ

The photographer calls me

Echoing God’s voice as it reverberates

Against red walls of stone

A sculpture of magical vistas whisper

Dewey dawns of morning light

Amethyst blush of babies cheeks

Ochre shades of foxes’ tails

Raccoon eyes that see the night

Become [...]]]>  

©2010 Howard Paley "Stillness at Dawn," Sedona, AZ

The photographer calls me

Echoing God’s voice as it reverberates

Against red walls of stone

A sculpture of magical vistas whisper

Dewey dawns of morning light

Amethyst blush of babies cheeks

Ochre shades of foxes’ tails

Raccoon eyes that see the night

Become dawn’s glow

Such hidden treasures

Permeate the Arizona landscape

As peppermint canes peaking out

From branches of Christmas trees

In front of the arched window

I love to peek out of 

Sipping melted chocolate

With gummy marshmallows melting

Absorbing the seasons’ shift

Dancing in rhythmic days

Moving softly from one foot to the other

All rights reserved.  ©2010 by Sara Fryd

I will walk away say adieu

Before you…

Before you have a chance to destroy

That of me which I love most

Since you do not comprehend

What is unique about us

In all the world

Or maybe you do…

More than I am willing to let in

For a while…

Eyes wild, heart on fire

Words flowing, arms open

Promises tossed like candy

To small children on Halloween

Capturing you in their net

Requesting your soul for eternity

A safe place…

“Rest assured my Dear,” says the spider to the fly.

“Come stay awhile, rest your weary heart

I sleep in sheets the color of the Caribbean Sea at sunrise

Remember a midnight green sky full of stars falling

As I travel fast, West on I-40 towards Arizona

Since I can’t sleep in New Mexico

At least not well.

Pale autumn colors cover me as

My olive skin [...]]]>

Sandra Elizabeth Larson's Photos

I sleep in sheets the color of the Caribbean Sea at sunrise

Remember a midnight green sky full of stars falling

As I travel fast, West on I-40 towards Arizona

Since I can’t sleep in New Mexico

At least not well.

Pale autumn colors cover me as

My olive skin glows

In shades of ivory, peach, apricot, blush

That lights my face from within…

Though when I dream, I dream in blue.

Agave blue aloe vera arms heading towards the sky

Waiting for the monsoon’s moment

Waiting for God

Wedgwood plates with touches of cream

Robin’s egg blue stripes over dark shades of teal.

Turquoise mined in Kingman

Shared with a universe of admirers

Absorbed through the pores of my skin

Held dear in my heart and soul

Worn around my neck, on my wrists, dangling from my ears.

I love in ivory, in peach, in blush, in apricot

Though when I dream, I dream in blue.

All rights reserved.  ©2010 by Sara Fryd 

*Two months ago I am perusing Facebook and some of the fabulous photographers that post and viola I see this photograph that will not leave my heart.   This poem is for Sandra Elizabeth Larson and her Blue Agave.

Fill me up to saturation

Desert storm deluges

Soak my soul

As two scoops of Hagen Dazs coffee ice cream

With peanut chips and hot fudge.

Do faucets like wells ever dry up completely?

Will these fingers ever stop talking?

Or run out of things to say

To discuss or argue or [...]]]> Words nourish me

Fill me up to saturation

Desert storm deluges

Soak my soul

As two scoops of Hagen Dazs coffee ice cream

With peanut chips and hot fudge.

Do faucets like wells ever dry up completely?

Will these fingers ever stop talking?

Or run out of things to say

To discuss or argue or feel about?

Will Hagen Dazs ever run out of coffee ice cream?

Now that they know how much I love

A spoonful on my tongue?

I think they call them

Bought by some at a car wash

            or an airport.

An afterthought, not a real present

            purchased by someone

            who remembers

ahead of time

            intending to watch

            your eyes light up the room.

Afterthoughts…

            …like reasons and excuses

                        [...]]]> Last minute presents

I think they call them

Bought by some at a car wash

            or an airport.

An afterthought, not a real present

            purchased by someone

            who remembers

ahead of time

            intending to watch

            your eyes light up the room.

Afterthoughts…

            …like reasons and excuses

                        forget intention.

Though the one receiving

            always knows the difference.

Somewhat, like the difference

            between the flowers one buys at the market

            and the ones delivered

                        as a surprise

            to the office by the florist.

Last minute afterthoughts

I think they call them

Given unconsciously

            always by someone…

…with one foot out the door.

Look at me in navy skirts with parochial blouses

Long flowing skirts in flowers of spring is what she sees

For all my shyness she’s outgoing, an explorer

Where my weaknesses lie, she becomes strong

I cried for me

For the little girl I saw in you

Who was me

And all the little girls

That have come and gone

The little ones who will be

Tears for those who didn’t receive

What they needed or wanted

When they needed her

Or wanted her

Of unconscious feelings

Carried so long

So far, so deep

Toss them aside

In blue recycling containers

Like plastic bottles

I pick up hiking the glorious desert

So worshiped and adored.

For who would wish

To leave it messy

Messy outside

Like me inside?

Permit him joyous entry

Knowing I’ve been

Waiting for [...]]]> Disappear fear

Of unconscious feelings

Carried so long

So far, so deep

Toss them aside

In blue recycling containers

Like plastic bottles

I pick up hiking the glorious desert

So worshiped and adored.

For who would wish

To leave it messy

Messy outside

Like me inside?

Permit him joyous entry

Knowing I’ve been

Waiting for him too long

And I will share the real me

Open me, all of me

Then maybe

Maybe…

He won’t move on

All rights reserved.  ©2010 by Sara Fryd