April Poetry: Denise Wolf

In recognition of Poetry Month, and to celebrate and highlight our treasure trove of Orcas Island poets, Orcas Issues is pleased and honored to again offer daily poetry during April.

Mourning

— by Denise Wolf —

Numb

Blips of emotion
Suppressed

Caught unaware
Sadness

I’m doing fine
Thank you

I think I am
Denial

Tackled by grief
Relentless

Emotional fortress
Crushed

Tears unabated
Drowning

Gasping under water
Survival

Pounded by waves
Surrender

I think I am
Hopeful

I’m doing fine
Thank you

Caught unaware
Sadness

Blips of emotion
Suppressed

I miss you

Surrender

 — by Denise Wolf —

My fists are clenched
………around the fears I dare not hold.
My eyes are shut
………against the truth I dare not see.
My body is bowed
………against the pain I dare not feel.
My hope is shattered
………against the hopelessness I dare not believe.

I lay
………in supplication on the ground of surrender.
My body light
………enough to float above the vortex of my illusions.
Experience
………has plundered my defenses.
Particles
………of dust deserve more grace that I desire.
Thankful
………for the forgiveness unleashed with my repentance.

My Mother

— by Denise Wolf —

A little girl was born
And
Much was asked of her,
Responsibility
Service
Selflessness

She married and had children
And
Much was asked of her,
Wife
Mother
Sacrifice

From whom much was asked,
Much was given.

Out of
Scarcity came abundance.
Out of generosity
Had grown community.
Out of faithfulness
She had found grace.

On Mother’s Day I celebrate having been
Blessed by your gifts.
That which
You gave
Can never be repaid
Except with love.