FATE OF DESTINY

On the slender edge
of eternal plight
breeds internal sighs
of an ill-fated life.

Sought but did not find
sturdy shoulders to rest
flowing tears from wilting eyes
which no longer can disguise
severe turmoil churning deep inside.

In the freezing cold of darkness
those eyes now stare lifeless
and forever tell of a sorrow worse
than a fragile soul could ever reveal.


©2005 Lisa Arnold

THE BALANCE

emptiness erodes
eagerness
emotions strangled
and frayed

impassioned screams
fall hushed
against the tempo
of nothingness

a life immersed
inside solitude
a soul gravely entangled
a heart barely beating

agony swallowed
whole
in the hollow
of dry throat
it festers

sullen eyes, closed
still baring witness
to encompassing
bitterness and
ugliness of life

wounds on wrists
the same as
so many others
who didn't make
it through

walked with demons
tasted and fell for
the wicked tricks
of Chardonnay and
demented thrills
of cocaine's high

suffocating on
bile of lies
desperate for
an ending

screams carried
far away
by rushing
midnight winds

calling for
the strength
of angels
while holding
the balance
in the palms
of unsteady hands

©Lisa Arnold

Morning Rhapsody - reveresed Etheree

awakening sun gleams down on blossoming
rose garden, squirrels bathe in cold creek
tranquil waters flow to river
sapphire sky, birds take flight
calm winds blow falling leaves
morning rhapsody
captured in time;
witness to
grace of
life


©2010 Lisa Arnold

THE JOURNEY


Soft moonbeams
illuminate my path.

In unison I walk,
with thyself.

In mourning my soul,
is kept.

In isolation, I allow
myself to weep.

My humble hands,
cradle a trusted cross.

Along winding paths,
soothing winds blow.

Absolution, I pray for
as I whisper His name.

I yearn for solace and
hunger for inner peace.

The craving of my longing,
is graciously relieved.

My inner soul,
is finally unburdened.

I am grateful tonight because
I know I am no longer alone.

Through my life’s journey,
He walks with thee.


©2010 Lisa Arnold

LOVELORN'S HEART


Icy winds
came again
bringing frost to
lovelorn's heart.

Sun rises
breaking through
hard edges of long
since forgotten yearnings.

Sensuous lips kiss
opaque darkness
where a heart
was tragically lost.

Warm gentle hands
caress lovelorn's
beautiful face and holds
it in their sweet embrace.

Giving in to unbridled passion,
lovelorn surrenders
to lustful passions
and succumbs
to blissful elation.

Heaven has opened up
and swallowed all lovelorn’s
fears, doubts and pain.

At last, lovelorn
has a chance at love
and place to rest
a wary heart.


©2003 Lisa Arnold

SHADOWS OF HEAVEN'S NEST

Stripped from my soul,
I struggle to carry on in vain
as I search for a portion of my life to reclaim.

I cower in the protection of darkness
and cling to fading fragile desire,
only to become more entangled inside my life's mire.

I find you waiting for me at the crossroads.
Humbly, I reach for your glorious hand,
but fall at your feet where you stand.

With a breathless whisper, I say your name.
Instantly, I sense your presence enter.
My life, I give over to you. My pain, I surrender.

I am no longer afraid of the unknown.
I accept and embrace my fate
as I kiss the cross of my faith.

In your forgiving eyes,
I witness grace of final peace.
My precious soul, I give you to keep.

Debt of my sins are graciously forgotten.
Behind tired eyes, depth of my gratitude rests.
I am home in the shadow of Heaven's nest.

©2005 Lisa Arnold

SCENT OF LAVENDER


early
mid-summer
morning

bronze-orange
sky
shining brightly

inside succulent
winds lingers
the scent
of lavender

eastern breezes
roll off the sea
gently spraying
nature's mist

upon vacant soul
walking alone
on white-sand
beach

gracious memories
of love's lost embrace
has been awakened


©2005 Lisa Arnold



STRENGTH


From deep beneath
crushing smother,
I pull myself from under.

Sensing myself sinking below
earth’s surface, I grab hold
and push myself on.

Finally, I am coming to realize
I am capable of treading these
many vacant miles.

The depth of my wounds are healing
and my once broken spirit is lifting,
I am a survivor.

Inner wealth, I have gained
and will no longer fall to the knees
of bitter weakness.

The grace of freedom, I embrace
and reject any and all failure.
I will my future to be greater.

Immense strength, I now possess
and have, graciously, found
within my self a savior.


©2003 Lisa Arnold



FOUND


Somber days of agony,
reluctantly, gives way
to serene days of victory.

Sun-kissed skies
erase opaque nights,
revealing inner beauty’s sight.

Brutality of endless emotional rattles
have lost push and pull battles.
Finally, beauty has won and pounds the gavel.

Witness jubilation’s magnificent sound
as at last peace of this restless soul
has been, graciously, found.


©2003 Lisa Arnold

Angel’s Breath – an etheree


death
defeated
life granted
another pass
hope given rebirth
angel’s breath on shoulders
gift of sweet sanctuary
rests inside humble callous hands
dawn awakens October morning
gracing an intangible existence


©2010 Lisa Arnold

OCEANSIDE - a Senryu

honey lip kisses
wanton skin tastes so divine
love-lust, oceanside



©2006 Lisa Arnold

REBORN- modern haiku

summer sun cascades
off northern seacliffs;
faith is reborn


©2005 by Lisa Arnold

CHOCOLATE DIAMONDS - modern senyru

chocolate diamonds
red velvet rose petals
allure of candlelight


©2010 Lisa Arnold

VICTIM

Behind veiled darkness,
I struggle to exist.
My life is shattered
among the remnants
and ruins.

My eyes no longer see.
My voice has been silenced.
Inside the depths of my being,
I taste semblance of freedom.

Vacuous thoughts enter
my weary mind.
Inside the vise
of uncertainty’s fear,
I grapple.

Beneath the smother
of nonexistence, I am trapped.
I am no longer strong enough
to resist destiny’s fate.

I am rendered
helpless and
to myself,
I fall victim.


©2010 Lisa Arnold

ALIVE AGAIN

a swim in cool

indigo waters

grace of sunlight

upon my face

breathing in glory

of another dawn

renews my passion

for life, I am

alive again

©2011 Lisa Arnold

BEAUTIFUL MEMORY: For My Father


within an awakening dawn
or an amazing golden sunset,
I sense the graceful presence of you

in the blush of an afternoon breeze or in
the song of a red robin perched on a twisting vine,
I feel the grace of your presence

inside the hum of a late night wind
I hear your encouraging words
delicately whispered in my ear

within my thoughts your voice echoes
I sense your hand guiding this pen I hold
as it's tip stokes this blank piece of paper

my struggles are not over, the road
leading to my dreams will not be easy to find,
but I am whole again and will strive
to cradle success in my hands

dear father, as I mourn the first year
of your passing, I celebrate the precious gifts
of will, strength and determination
you have, graciously, instilled in me

forever, I will remember
all you have taught me and will
always hold your beautiful
memory within my longing soul


©2011 Lisa Arnold

ACROSS SEA

lace
satin
curtains, calm
breeze drifts across
sea

©2011 Lisa Arnold

CAGES

lions roar
in cages containing
their anger

©2011 Lisa Arnold

DAWN of MOON

dawn of moon
temperature rising
cool waters flow

©2011 Lisa Arnold

ACCUSATORY EYES

dance hall girl
ten dollars a dance
dingy back room
sells soul to pay rent
accusatory eyes stare
back at her through
broken dusty mirror
salvation sought in bottom
of eighty-proof whiskey bottle
sun rises, another work night ends
on her way home she passes
street corner preacher man and lays
a few dollars in his out-stretched hand

©2011 Lisa Arnold

BLIND FAITH - an Etheree

voice

calling

snowstorm looms

cold winds echo

enfolding shadows

mingle with moonlight’s glow

along winding road wolves howl

headlights splinter through dense darkness

vast unknown quietly beckons…this

lonely winter’s night blind faith is tested

©2012 Lisa Arnold

This poem was recently published by All Things Girl. It will be included in my poetry book

http://allthingsgirl.com/2012/02/blind-faith-an-etheree-by-lisa-arnold/

July 21, 2012,

I have been working on the completion of my poetry collection manuscript. I feel it is very nearly finished. I should have it completed by the end of August, if not before. I am happy to announce that my book is going to be published soon! At times, it is hard for me to comprehend that this lifelong dream is abut to come true, but my sister keeps reminding that it is indeed about to happen.

My poem “Christmas Morning” will be included in the soon to be released book, “Holiday Word Gifts,” by renowned poet and writer, Janet K. Brennan. It is a true honor to be included among so many talented and prominent writers and poets.

Two of my new poems have just been published at JBStillwater.com

http://www.jbstillwater.com/DisplayPoem.asp?id=1493

http://www.jbstillwater.com/DisplayPoem.asp?id=1492

Next year, Casa de Snapdragon Publishing LLC will publish a collection of my poetry tentatively entitled, "Echoes of My Soul.”  Many of the poems here will be included in the collection as well as many new ones.

Be sure to check out my Red Room profile page:

http://redroom.com/member/lisa-arnold

More exciting news is yet to come!