Monday, July 29, 2019

...On Poetry and Fiction – Just “One Word” Away (Guilt)

http://spillwords.com/author/phyllispcolucci/      






                                        
            One word becomes one idea, becomes one sentence, becomes one poem, becomes one story. It must start from just “one word”. Today my one word is “Guilt”.

                                                                    GUILT

            You will find “Guilt” in your morning coffee. It will be staring up at you with each and every sip. It will glare at you until you look away. It will escort you to wherever you are going each and every day. It will interrupt you at work, ruin your lunch hour and never allow you to have quality time or simple conversations with friends. It will accompany you home in the evenings and sit on your lap while you are trying to have dinner. It will hold you hostage as you try to break free in order to enjoy the company of your wonderful family. It will even stop you from appreciating the unconditional love of your loyal pet, who sits at your feet looking confused. You can try ignoring it, slapping it away, cursing at it, screaming at it, but it will remain with you. “Guilt” is relentless. It is strong and it is one big irritating thorn in your side. Just when you think you might have pushed it away for a while, it remains seated right there on the couch with you as you try to watch tv, phone a friend, or take a nap. – And then, it will jump right into bed with you, hogging up the covers and leaving you cold and awake most every night. The only way it will leave you alone, is when your mind and heart both agree that it is time to let it go, while you make amends and right your wrongs.

GUILT

It’s in the morning air we breathe
The first to greet us with open eyes
The breakfast coffee
The eggs and toast
The morning commute
“Guilt” is there to boast
It speaks of sadness
and vicious lies
It holds us hostage
while in disguise
It reminds us of
where we went wrong
Who we hurt
Where we didn’t belong
Why we did and said
those awful things
Such harsh, evil words
Served with all that stings
It tags along throughout the day
There is no peace
as it leads the way
You’re finally home to
your humble place
While “guilt” still wears
its smirking face
It sits at your feet
while you pray it will go
It slips into your bed
It dims your evening glow
It stays for the night
Torments you with your past
It beams in delight
and cuddles you at last
Happy to taunt you
for all you’ve done wrong
“Guilt” is relentless
Your night just grows long
Until suddenly you realize
All can be fine
It is time to make amends
Time to cross that fine line
Change sadness into sweet songs
Tell guilt “be gone”
Let apologies speak
And right all your wrongs

"GUILT" remains with us every day, until we are ready to let it go. We can only do that if we allow our hearts and minds to come together as we decide at that point to let "Guilt" go; to right our wrongs and to make amends. It's as simple as making a choice.
                                                                                        

Monday, July 1, 2019

...On Poetry and Fiction – Just “One Word” Away (Ambrosia)

 
 


 

                                                                                                                                
        One word becomes one idea, becomes one sentence, becomes one poem, becomes one story. It must start from just “one word”. Today my one word is “Ambrosia”.

                 
                                                                        AMBROSIA

  Never did I think “Ambrosia” would become my friend and savior today. I’ve always heard how special it was. Ambrosia was considered the food of the Greek gods. It represented longevity and/or immortality for anyone who consumed it. Today, I made it for the first time and I brought it over to my neighbor’s home. The irony here is that this food of longevity and/or immortality was my spur-of-the-moment choice to prepare and take over to a friend’s house during his time of loss and mourning. “Ambrosia” looked so beautiful today, like a princess waiting for her prince. “Ambrosia” suddenly took on a delightful feminine persona, which captured my heart. She was as stunning as she was delectable - and I created her. She smelled like mandarin oranges and pineapple, with a hint of coconut. I bathed her in whipped topping and magically spun her around, then garnished her with maraschino cherries. She looked up at me from the fancy flowered ceramic bowl that was her home, and simply smiled through the waves of whipped topping and marshmallow bits that majestically surrounded her. I smiled back proudly, lifted her gently, then carried her over to my grieving friend and neighbor.

 AMBROSIA

A guest unknown to me
       greeted me at the door and welcomed me in
I saw my dear friend,
       sitting in a corner with his two children 
He grieved for the loss of a young wife
“They” grieved for the loss of a wonderful Mom
I grieved for the loss of a special friend

I walked past them and nodded quietly
He acknowledged me with a sullen smile
His children remained silent in his lap
I headed toward the kitchen
       and placed “Ambrosia” in an empty spot,
             high upon the top shelf of his refrigerator

I felt like a stranger in his home – in her home
…Walking in “their” kitchen
…Opening “their” refrigerator door
…Just like his deceased wife, and my best friend, would do
This was still her home
She was still his wife and his children’s Mom
She was still my good friend and neighbor
She was gone, but her spirit lived here…

He soon joined me in the kitchen,
       but did not utter one word
Our eyes met and I felt his pain
Our eyes met and he felt my friendship
He placed his hand upon my shoulder
       while the tears rolled down his cheeks
I removed the silk handkerchief from his chest pocket
       and placed it in his hand, as he dried his eyes

The dining room was bustling 
       with loud conversation and faint laughter
It was time for “Ambrosia” to make her appearance
I removed her from the refrigerator
       and placed her on the table in front of him
He grabbed a spoon
       and gently lifted the essence of Ambrosia
        to his quivering lips

He smiled and winked at me through his tears
       as I kissed his cheek 
I carried “Ambrosia” to the dining room
       and set her down on the long mahogany table
              for all the family and guests to see
There she sat for all to admire, enjoy and consume
Today “Ambrosia” became a friend
Today “Ambrosia” became a Savior
- - For me, for them, and for my grieving neighbor




NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

"Ambrosia", which was considered the food of the Greek gods, represented longevity and/or immortality; Yet, ironically, it brought comfort to those in mourning.
...So, in life, the simple gestures may become the greatest gifts.