Easter

I saw Your beauty in the dawn, 

rain crashing against the window and I couldn't sleep so 

I took in the storm from the back porch and 

watching the branches bend but remain firm, yet 

swaying in the gusts 

I remember that on this morning, so long ago, 

life changed forever. 

 

Life's storms were over and replaced with only 

the most brilliant, brightest light

and while the cool mist of rain 

wets my face I realize now 

I am thankful, grateful, and I can dance knowing

I'm firmly rooted and 

You were my saving grace. 

Paper ____

The paper was blank. I stared at it- for five minutes, then ten. Then I looked at the clock. I'd been staring for an hour. And still, the paper remained: blank, pen resting next to it. I could hear the freeway outside, sirens in the distance. Someone across the hall was shouting into the phone.

The story- whenever it came to me, would be good. I just knew it. It was always like this, it seemed.
But when he had broken my heart, I thought for sure this would make my creative piece for class soar.

I was wrong.

The microwave beeped. I walked over, ripping open the bag of tea. Calming, yes. But it wouldn't help me write the amazing, creative story I knew was going bursting at the seams.

Cliche. Horrible language. Writer's block. Bored.

The piece of paper blew in the gentle breeze, settling onto the floor. One last glance was all I needed.

Delicate

Delicate, unfortunate and missing a piece of
paper in my journal where I once kept wishing
you would see and notice that I had cut my hair
for you
that I had worn winged eyeliner, for you
and still you never noticed me--
never looked at me twice
your voice always lingered in my dreams
and Wonderland was only complete when I took the
chance to follow you
but somehow now, this isn't good enough-
my hairspray can is empty
my eyeliner is smearing
and I'm still delicate
but standing on my own two feet.

New Year's Resolution

the list gets longer every year-- will
the year be kind, will it cruel will it be
the moment when my spotlight shines on me
or the moment where my lifeline unravels and
everything falls apart
and nothing is ever what it is again

worries, fear nothing left for me to understand- this year
will be whatever it is meant to be
because there is nothing left for me to believe in.




by Ashley Dodge©

Perfection

Out of the ordinary
outside of redemption
the players play their pieces
in the game of perfection
bodies are chiseled
eyes are opened

but no longer the sight of innocence
something deeper lurks

in a hollowed tunnel
visions of white
painful opinions
cut deeper than knives

a poem once true runs cold and
false now
as perfection has entered extinction
when love was the same but
less involved,
now.

by Ashley Dodge©

Imaginary Friend

Take me down to the river where I watched you
skip rocks in our childhood
and swing from the trees
never understanding what this adult life would bring

bills and paychecks and other things
that will eventually lead me away from you
my special river friend

you're all grown up now, long flowing hair
sparkling like the sun but you're only a
glimmer in my eye now
a shadow by my side

oh how childhood ruined us
our imaginations change into definitions
and theories of why we're living
when it was so uncomplicated
those hot days down by the river when you
would show up and we would
skip rocks all day.

by Ashley Dodge©

Writing.Love.Magic Blog

So in relation to this blog, I felt inspired to create a new space to share not just my poetry but to create a space where I could share with you my new start on living a happy and healthy life!

While I will still often update this blog, Writing.Love.Magic is another wonderful space where I can linger on all sorts of different thoughts-- the latest recipes I adore, the day-to-day thoughts that cannot be written as poetry.

Here's a link to Writing.Love.Magic.
Also, I write a column for a wonderful magazine dedicated to women sharing their thoughts about nearly everything-- science, photography, lifestyle. WildFlower Magazine, created by one of my good friends, is another wonderful place to visit if you're looking for a community of beautiful, strong and talented women and friends sharing their thoughts about the world.

As the lifestyle columnist for Wildflower Magazine, I encourage you all to stop by and say hello, or take a moment to read some of the amazing stories we have been sharing.

Happy Tuesday!