Sonnet 18 - Finding You

I’ve loved you all my life, it seems. In dark
days I called to you, but did not know your
name. In sadness and shadow, any spark
of light’s a beacon, though no path is sure.

Love calls to love and so we found our way
to a common ground, more by chance than choice.
I had no defense against such beauty.
You were taken, too. First to find my voice,

I selfishly claimed love and prayed you would
stay and talk. To learn I could be the one
you sought while you were still seeking love should
have broken me, but I was not undone.

Your love found late is at least love found. This
was my first halting step toward happiness.

Sonnet 17 - Move Me

There is an attitude in your movements,
a rich promise. The effortless feline
grace, the sinuous sway – a cruel torment
of invitation – both serve to remind

me of late night strivings and of daylight
seductions - these last lost to dull duty.
I love to watch you walk to me while light
from candles, purpose placed, softens beauty

and preludes shadowed sharing. Love must walk
just so. Your breasts swing free of their silken
restraints as you kneel astride me. No talk
now, but heat and need and two hearts fallen

before the magic of our dance. I yearn
to know you fully - where I don’t, to learn.

Sonnet 16 - Words

Words are wondrous to me. Malleable,
they twist and stretch and bend to fit any
need. Properly met in verse, they’re able
to inspire, embitter, delight, deny.

Some are stillborn – such verses will not stride,
cannot speak to any heart. Though conceived
with care, sent forth with beggared father’s pride,
they have no spark and cannot be received.

Others, now, will wind their way down to deep,
darkened places where they arouse ardor,
embolden lovers, bid ill-used dreams sleep.
You are far more wondrous to me, greater

in glory, than any verse. Words are what
I’m given, though, to share my love, my heart.

Sonnet 15 - Cold

There is no hope in Spring – no warmth, no light.
New leaves - new lies - the land’s awash with green
and anguished growth. All seems hale and whole, bright
with the promise of verdant joy. It’s been

a long and lonely season and I need
some sign that ice will not be all my glade.
My dreams have found me lacking. No words read
true - my thoughts are unhomed, my faith unmade.

Find me, free me, heal me – I would not know
Night forever. Grief has been my mistress
so long that I cannot think she would show
mercy now, nor permit kind Love’s redress.

Fresh hope was all the boon I asked of Spring.
I’m mired in winter and warmth’s found wanting.

Sonnet 14 - Variation 2

Here by the fire, we’re safe from the ice and
snow and wind tearing through the town. I take
your glass and set it on the hearth. Your hand
glides down my chest. Shifting your blouse, I make

room for my questing lips and tongue to roam
the landscape of your neck and shoulder as
I seek that spot where one kiss makes you moan.
Forbidden to all but me, your love has

freed me from restraint. Passionate, feral -
nearly frightening – your need drives me beyond
myself. White-hot, wet-hot, we strive and fall
and fly; take, then surrender, higher ground.

At the end - exhausted, exultant, free –
you pull me closer, whisper love to me.


CG's challenge words: passionate, fire, ice, tongue, wet, hot, forbidden
Note: Same words for Sonnet 13 – This is probably the one she hoped I’d write.

Sonnet 13 - Variation 1

Annie’s nose nudges my hand like ice on
the skin. I’m instantly awake. She knows
our room is forbidden to her. I yawn
and stretch. Annie leaps into bed and grows

ever more insistent that I play. The
passionate pup thinks your side of the bed
is hers. All tongue and tail and energy,
she gives me a wet sloppy kiss. Planted

on my chest, she nips and yips and makes me
her own chew toy. Hot doggy breath is not
an early morning treat. I wrestle free
from Annie’s manic tussling. She’s shot

through with excitement. It’s time, though, to fire
up some coffee and hope the puppy tires.


CG's challenge words: passionate, fire, ice, tongue, wet, hot, forbidden
Note: same words for Sonnet 14 - I was being wicked, because I knew she wanted one a little...personal.

Sonnet 12 – Morning Coffee With You

On the front porch drinking coffee, wrapped tight
against the cold and Annie at our feet,
I reach across to take your hand, sunlight
dancing upon your skin. No smile so sweet

or healing to me as yours, Love. Annie
growls at passers-by. Younger, she would have
given chase, unconcerned with whether she
caught them. The chasing was what she most loved.

A black blur, she’d shadow crows across our
farm. Their altitude was nothing and joy
was all. Now, older, she watches, wards her
keep. Once, I thrilled in chasing you, but my

first, best happiness was the catch. Your smile
speaks life to me. Stay here with me a while?

Sonnet 11 - Futility

Plasmodesmata?! What sweet, sick sadist
would challenge me so? How to find comfort
in my pen when such a thing’s required? Dust
is all I know of it. I must resort

to prayer, I think. I pace my cold hallway
like a monk attending vespers, but no
serenity finds me this troubled day.
No merciful muse fights through darkness to

shed illumination. Translucent dreams?
Not for me - there are none that shine. I fear
imminent collapse of reason. It seems
I am not the bard I would be. So here

I stand alone against the poet’s charge:
How to wrest rhyme from ego grown too large?


Piratepurple’s challenge words: vesper, translucent, plasmodesmata, lapse, merciful, joy, comfort, serenity

Sonnet 10 - Faith

You always seem surprised by my pride in
you. I know your sacrifice, can count
your cost. While worthy beyond the telling,
you doubt. As your emotional debts mount,

You feel un-treasured, impatient with your
progress, all chances lost. Others flourish -
no rose is too sweet for them. Sad and sure
that no sharp thorn will not be yours, you wish

for change – a revolution. I would give
you diamonds if I could. But diamonds are
dollars and those in short supply. They thrive
in others’ homes. So I write for you. Fear

should be forsaken. My words, my one true
coin, purchase faith, that faith breed hope in you.

Alwaysjbj challenge words were treasured, impatient, diamond, rose, revolution, home, sacrifice

Sonnet 9 - By The Fire

Seven o’clock. Waving at our snow man
standing in the yard, you come back inside
to escape the cold. I hold you close, then
take your coat. Wet clothes must go now! I guide

you to the mudroom and watch you struggle
to remove your jeans and grin as you blush,
your long-johns slipping down, too. You giggle
as you pull them back in place. You then rush

for the fire and the thermos of cocoa.
A moment of perfect joy – you renew
me, Love. But there is no abundance so
great that I would not wish for more of you.

A final snowflake melts into your hair –
Just so I melt to see you standing here.

appomattoxco’s challenge words: blush, escape, renew, snowflake, abundance, seven, moment

Sonnet 8 - A Resurrection of Sorts

Imprisoned in my personal darkness -
mute, cold, forgotten by those most truly
loved, my legacy a vision much less
than clear - I surrendered just as surely

as though I had left hearth and hold by choice.
Bold lies and fury were all I loved well.
A writer writes. I could find no true voice
to speak with, no new story I could tell.

To one so long denied beauty, your face
appeared to me holy. Your eyes spoke of
healing too long withheld. You held such grace
so gracefully, I felt mercy and love

might yet be mine. Bright hope, too, you restored.
Like Lazarus, you saved me with a word.


Rayne_y_Daze’s challenge words: lies, vision, fury, imprisoned, forgotten, denied, restored