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

 

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

https://www.amazon.com/Phyllis-P.-Colucci/e/B00VMU8B44

 

            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 "Cupboard".

 

                                                            (PINTEREST PHOTO)

           

        When “The Cupboard is Bare”, are we talking about food or life? What lies behind closed doors often times teaches us lessons about life that may truly satiate our hearts and souls, and sometimes sadden us deeply. Life is a metaphor which we recognize as we age. Once we figure out the message, our “Cupboard” is no longer bare. It is full of emotions, both happy and sad, that will take us from childhood to adulthood. It’s all about the journey.

                                                                     Cupboard

As a child, I recall hearing it said

The term that frightened me so

But I was too innocent and shy, of course

Too unsophisticated to know

The term which echoed “The Cupboard is bare”

Turned my joys into worry and woe

 

I pictured it dark and void of fare

I would only peek inside on a dare

I was a juvenile - simple and so unaware

But I guess I needed to be right there

 

I feared no food for the family to eat

I feared we may never rise up on our feet

But my fear turned to strength

as I coped with defeat

and I learned rather quickly

‘twas not always a treat

 

My heart was sad, the tears did fall

Yet I had no understanding of it at all

So curiosity pushed me to open doors wide

My stomach panged; I stood there and sighed

But my soul was hungry; I felt denied

 

All was forsaken in the “Cupboard” I’ve known

How I wished I was taller and fully grown

I winced as I smelled the awful decay

I prayed to the Lord it would all go away

Instead I was chilled right down to the bone

Surely something had died there, scared and alone

 

Something was wrong inside those doors

My skin cried out from bleeding sores

Tarnished handles  -  Sticky and aged to the hilt

Such dampness, such dust, eroded to silt

In childlike manner I looked within

Chipped paint, rotted wood all wrapped in sin

 

But open it wider, I surely did do

In hopes I’d find something bright and anew

Oh Yes! It was dark – to my chagrin

I was forced to embrace it with a grin

My soul taunted me to see with wide eyes

To understand truth and to understand lies

 

Then one day the term “The Cupboard is bare”

no longer meant what I originally thought

It was all just a metaphor, a lesson in life

To learn as I should; to learn as I ought

Which details of life had suddenly left me…

Wildly curious; painfully distraught

 

It had nothing to do with tarnished handles,

So sticky and aged to the hilt

It had all to do with existing on earth

full of love, full of woe, full of guilt

 

It had nothing to do with dampness and dust,

chipped paint or rotted wood

It had all to do with aging and fear

As I entered a world of Adulthood!

"A Christmas Angel" (Spillwords Christmas 2021 Theme) (POEM)

 

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

https://www.amazon.com/Phyllis-P.-Colucci/e/B00VMU8B44 

 

                                                                (Pinterest Photo)

        The below Poem, "A Christmas Angel", was submitted to Spillwords Press (Spillwords.com) as part of their Christmas 2021 Theme:

 

A Christmas Angel

She came softly with the fallen snow

And kissed the earth with lips aglow

Her wings she spread so far and wide

She danced within the Christmastide

She frolicked in the Winter’s chill

From tree to tree

From hill to hill

A smile she wore upon her face

She swept past horizons in total grace

The clouds did part, with sun afire

The heavens sang

In this Celestial choir

The birds, the lamb, the deer in sync

She pressed her hands ‘cross skies of pink

She embraced the melodies of joyful song

She danced, she sang, she hummed along

Holly bells chimed from her dainty hands

A stunning Angel, she blessed the lands

Her full skirt of satin and lace

Swayed to and fro in magical pace

Her eyes sparkled like the yuletide glow

Her slippered footprints grazed the snow

She made a final bow to all

She whispered sweetly, her final call

Her voice echoed ‘round the world

She circled fiercely in windspun swirl

In Angelic manner she faded away

A Christmas Angel

Came calling today 

NOTE:

(If a Christmas Angel comes to visit, you will recognize her in the beauty of the Season and on the faces of your beloved friends and family.)

 

"Treasure Chest of Words" (Poetry/Ebook Anthology by Phyllis P. Colucci) FREE ON AMAZON SUNDAY 10/17/21 - THURSDAY 10/21/21

Hi All:

"Treasure Chest of Words" by Phyllis P. Colucci - A gift of Poetry, from ME to YOU, for anyone who enjoys the magic of words, verse and rhyme. This ebook is an anthology of poems I have written over 35/40  plus years, covering love, loss, friendship, nature, dedications and miscellaneous subjects. There is something there for everyone. I have added some personal notes and Author comments in the book, as well. Feel free to accept this free book (link below) on Amazon, Sunday 10/17/21 thru Thursday 10/21/21. HOPE YOU ENJOY IT. 

Would love to read your comments on the poetry and/or the entire ebook. FEEL FREE TO LEAVE A RATING AND REVIEW ON AMAZON, if you'd like.

REMEMBER THAT  POETRY IS SIMPLY MAGIC THROUGH WORDS. Enjoy the magic, enjoy the journey...HAPPY READING! Have a wonderful day!

- Phyllis P. Colucci aka "FictionTarot"   :-)

 

 **********************************************************************

 

#Free #promotion on #amazon (SUN OCT 17th thru THURS OCT 21st) - #poetry #poems #anthology #ebook #books (Poems written over 35/40 plus years) - "Treasure Chest of Words" by Phyllis P. Colucci (Easy reading/just one click below for a #freebie):

 

https://www.amazon.com/Treasure-Chest-Words.../dp/B01FL0SJSS

 

 

 

 

...On Poetry and Fiction - Just "One Word" Away (Secrets)

 

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

https://www.amazon.com/Phyllis-P.-Colucci/e/B00VMU8B44             

 

            

            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 “Secrets”. This piece of fiction is an excerpt from my novella “Secrets and Lies” (on Amazon). (Submitted to Spillwords for their "Poetry and Fiction" Series):                                                             

                                                                      

 

 

 Secrets

(An excerpt from Chapter Six of my Novella, “Secrets and Lies”, titled “SUPPER, CONVERSATION AND MR. GRECO)

 

…As the house remained quiet through the “sleeping” hours, Gina lay awake in bed.  Her unsettled mind kept her up.  The thoughts of her Dad’s unconscionable escapade with the boss’s daughter and the fact they produced a child together, left her numb.  She couldn’t sleep.  The alarm clock read 2am.  Gina got out of bed and tiptoed into her brother’s room to check on him.  She found him fast asleep with his soft breaths and low snores bouncing off the walls in the darkened room.  She smiled to know that he managed to fall asleep peacefully through all the family turmoil.  “Amazing how kids can do that,” she thought to herself.  Then the sadness rolled upon her, once again, as she thought about her Mom.  She wondered how Grace was truly coping through her father’s infidelity; through his lies and through his betrayal.  Tears rolled down her cheeks as she made her way into her mother’s bedroom.  She crawled into Grace’s bed, and hugged her Mom from behind.  Grace wasn’t alarmed.  Gina often did that whenever she was scared or upset.  This time she was scared for Grace.  Grace grabbed her daughter’s arms and held them tightly, as Gina softly wrapped them around Grace’s body.  Grace whispered, “We’ll be okay Gina, I promise.”  Gina brushed her face against Grace’s satin pajamas and closed her eyes.  They both took comfort in each other and rested soundly, until they were harrowed by the loud ringing of the doorbell! 

“Mom, who could that be at this hour?”  Gina whispered.  Grace’s body vibrated from nerves.  She replied, “I don’t know, Gina.  I’ll check by the window.  You stay put.  If your brother wakes up, keep him here with you.” 

Grace made her way across the floor towards the front window in the small foyer.  The soles of her feet grew cold as she glided across the bare wooden floors.  A haunting chill caressed her body from head to toe, and unwelcomed fear stood by her side.  Her apprehension at opening that window to see who was at her doorstep at this crazy hour of the night, left her shaken and frightened.   “Frank should have been here to do this!  He was the man of this house!  He was supposed to be here to protect us!  Damn him!” she murmured.

As she raised the window up with weakened arms and hands that were still asleep, she yelled, “Who is it?  Who’s down there?”  To her chagrin, a male voice replied, “It’s Mr. Greco, darling Grace.  So sorry to disturb you at this hour, but I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by to check on you and your family since Frank is still in the hospital.”  Grace said, “At this hour, Mr. Greco?  What game are you playing?”  Mr. Greco answered, “Oh, no game at all Grace.  We’ll all be one happy family soon.  Just wanted to let you know I’ll always be around.  By the way, you have a lovely daughter, Grace.  I see her peeking through the other window.  The light from the lamppost is highlighting her young glamorous face.  Maybe one day she’d like to work for my company.  I’d be happy to show her a good time on one of our business trips like your husband showed my daughter.” 

Grace was flabbergasted.  She yelled down, “You stay away from my daughter, Mr. Greco!  She has nothing to do with this.  She’s an innocent child.  You need only deal with me and my husband.  Do you understand me, Mr. Greco?  I will go to the police if you harass me or my family!  Do not come to my home ever again, Mr. Greco!”  Mr. Greco laughed maliciously, and stated, “Really, darling Grace?  You are in no position to make threats to me dear.  I will be watching that lovely little girl of yours.  If your husband doesn’t do the right thing – well then, I guess I won’t either.  I know where she attends school, Grace.  Maybe one day I’ll pick her up with my chauffeur and show her a good time.  Good night Grace.  Sorry to disturb you at such an inopportune hour.”  Mr. Greco tipped his hat in a demonly fashion, then blew a kiss towards Gina who was still looking down at him from the other window.  Both Grace and Gina watched as Mr. Greco stepped into his limo and disappeared into the night. 

Grace slammed her window shut, ran over to Gina, and clutched her in her arms.  Gina shook pitifully while Grace struggled to comfort her as best she could.  They walked back to Grace’s bedroom, climbed into her bed, and fought hard to fall asleep next to each other.  Grace promised Gina that she will protect her.  She also promised her that her Uncle Joe will protect her too.  Grace then promised herself that she would call Joe first thing in the morning to let him know about the intimidating visit from Mr. Greco tonight.  Grace looked up at the crucifix on her wall, made the sign of the cross, and thanked “God” for having Joe in her life.  She and Gina both fell asleep, sedated by a large dose of fright; courtesy of the big, bad Mr. Greco.