Epicurean

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I arrived at the zoo, incognito, and followed signs to the aviary. The staff escorted me into the enclosure for the Arbor Day event. A conservation group organized it to raise awareness about humanity’s impact on Earth.

The itchy wig was necessary. My favorite diva-shades helped disguise large almond-shaped eyes, and the “Keep the planet clean, it’s not Uranus!” t-shirt was sure to avert suspicion.

A lecture about responsibility to the planet and its animal inhabitants preceded a meditative time to commune with nature, during which I snacked on Parakeets and stuffed a Macaw in my knapsack.

Being a celebrity on my planet afforded me exotic experiences, including cosmic delicacies.

– Written for Microcosms 18 weekly contest. Related to Arbor Day with prompts celebrity/zoo/comedy. WC 110. Photo by Eric Kilby. “Epicurean” won Judges Pick for this contest.

Depraved

You steal my breath
and hold my life within your grasp.
I fear my heart should burst
with the lack of you.
My blood flows
at your touch,
exposing me for all that I am.
Your light shines upon my face
and uncovers my sin.
Darkness
no longer conceals
that which is despised –
within the shadows hidden.
My skin trembles
as your breath
reveals my humanity.
I long for you to discover –
unveil me before you.
With your departure,
you undo me.
My secret belongs to you.
To wither in the sunrise
is a deserving sacrifice
for the gift of
your ambiguity.
I choke on my confession
and you dare not hear it,
for I am destined to depravity.

– Originally published in VoiceNet.com 2004. Subsequently published in SickLit Magazine 4/28/2016.

Gently, Carefully

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– Originally published in SickLit Magazine 4/28/2016. Photograph from Pixabay.com.

Open me gently.
Open me carefully.
I am laid bare before you.
Open me gently
with hands made strong by years
and soft by love.
Open me carefully –
as I bare my body, I bare my soul.
Open me gently
and feel my passion,
until now held at bay.
Open me gently.
Open me carefully
and behold me with weary eyes
made new by the adoration so clearly
displayed before you.
Open me gently and feel what you have begun.
Open me carefully –
you have captivated my heart.
I tremble, yet you come inside.
This fury that you created
threatens to consume us,
so open me gently
and carefully come inside.

Truth

truth

desperation tears through the veil of reason
that so valiantly fights to disguise despair.
logic retreats and fear commands acknowledgement.
fatal weakness gives the darkness rule.
reigning over trembling lies,
disease destroys the false calm
and rage releases its fury
as truth plunges deep into the soul
like the mortal blow of a poison tipped sword.
the sharp blade cuts cleanly and precisely
through thin attempts to save a dying deception.
drops of reality flow with determination
from a gaping wound.

– Originally published in SickLit Magazine 4/28/2016.

And Love Remains

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– Originally published in SickLit Magazine 4/28/2016. Photograph ©2007 Leara Morris-Clark

Those blue eyes raining tears of love and pain
watch over me
and find no fault,
though it is fault I see.
The sun shining amid the morning grey
brings revelation
to another day and here beneath its warmth
we find though night has faded
and the morning light
exposes those dreams made true in the darkness,
my love is for certain
and though I may have fault,
I find none with you.
Through foggy morning thoughts
I see those blue eyes
emanating the love
that could not be hidden should you even try.
I rise to meet your kiss and
we linger somewhere in the middle
where fear disappears
and that love remains.

Route 42

rainbow-prompt-purple_42Singing along to Purple Rain, I accelerated to maximum speed. The inconspicuous purple brick wall dissolved as I broke through the portal. I slid onto the landing pad before the song ended. Welcome to Alia Terra, home sweet home.

– Written for Shapeshifting 13 #51 weekly writing contest. Color purple & photo prompt. WC 39. Photo by dancsecs and modified. “Route 42″ was awarded 3rd place winner in this contest.

Depraved / Truth / Gently Carefully / And Love Remains – by LEARA MORRIS-CLARK

So excited to have some of my poetry published in SickLit Mag today!

sicklitmag's avatarSICK LIT MAGAZINE

Depraved

You steal my breath

and hold my life within your grasp.

I fear my heart should burst

with the lack of you.

My blood flows

at your touch,

exposing me for all that I am.

Your light shines upon my face

and uncovers my sin.

Darkness

no longer conceals

that which is despised –

within the shadows hidden.

My skin trembles

as your breath

reveals my humanity.

I long for you to discover –

unveil me before you.

With your departure,

you undo me.

My secret belongs to you.

To wither in the sunrise

is a deserving sacrifice

for the gift of

your ambiguity.

I choke on my confession

and you dare not hear it,

for I am destined to depravity.

Truth

desperation tears through the veil of reason

that so valiantly fights to disguise despair.

logic retreats and fear commands acknowledgement.

fatal weakness gives the darkness rule.

reigning…

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