Maker

The sauce goes on top
not inside
they tell me

Stone pushes back
on the force of a hand
gripping the muddle

Smile overshadows lip quiver
in present company

Another lime may break the spirit
of the dish

a past life
of the maker

Where are you now?

Where are you now?

You look past me toward the kitchen sink inside

as you wait for an answer to your question.

I pause, say nothing

and wonder briefly what you’re looking at.

You’re usually preoccupied

with thought

your next venture 

who will look your way;

impressed by the gold and white hue

to the new wooden floor

and the placement of the roasted tomato

on your plate

surrounded by dainty edible flowers.

So this is nothing new.

Kids play in the yard below

sword fighting with metal sticks

typically used for roasting marshmallows.

I look past you, at the one with golden locks

barefoot—her toes in the creek

that runs through the manicured yard.

She smiles,

looks up, and catches my eye.

I forget to answer

and make my way down to her

the keys of your grand piano echoing

through thin glass windows.

© 2017 d.c.p.

Propel

Cold world catches

the morning sun on my face

creased by a silk pillowcase.

Sometimes we take what we’re given --

maybe it’s time to throw back

the excess of what we never really lacked.

Last time I checked

there were no eyes

on the back of my head

so I’ll keep staring straight ahead.

To the death!

I raise my glass
and forget.

© 2016 d.c.p. 

The Scene

I arrived at the scene

carrying my weight

in Russian vodka

in case of a storm.

The ominous sky

threatened to close the deal

when you showed up swinging

after a day of hard labor.

You took the flask

and pounded what was left

threw the empty toward the clouds

and drew in a cold breath.

You are the type

who would never admit defeat

in the presence of strangers

as the sky came falling down.

© 2016 d.c.p.

From a Distance

The star is lit

plastered to the side

of the snow-dusted mountain.

Headlights navigate the switchbacks

From a distance

A woozy back and forth dance.

The night here is calm and silent,

Unlike the rest of the world.

From a distance I imagine

grabbing the top of the star

and dangling my legs down in free motion

swinging from side to side

body reliant on stubborn trembling arms

head tipped back

in line with the moon

glowing in the light.

At that moment

apathy sets in

and I do not care

whether or not

I would be seen at all

from a distance.

© 2015 d.c.p.

Over Dinner

Defiance misspoke

and spilled a platter of words

clear and whole-hearted.

© 2015 d.c.p. 

The Sound of Rain

Left ear to window
rain falls onto the wicker chair
weathered from days of this
months of this.
Steady drumming meets
violin on the tiny speaker
perched on the porch swing.
No TV tonight.
Only rain to fill the void...
and so effortlessly
succinctly
with each drip
into the glass 
that will remain left
outside
throughout the night.


© 2015 d.c.p. 

Chocolate and Gold

A tight noose around the base

of the finger

changes the color

all the way up

to a chipped coral nail.

Only a week ago

the coat was fresh

flesh pink

breathing steadily

with each grasp

of fig truffle coated in gold

placed delicately in the mouth

held there to melt

on the tongue to savor.

There is really no way to loosen

the hold of platinum

unless you cut it off

or smear it with

dark chocolate gold

until it slips back
into the box.

© 2015 d.c.p.

Women, Work, and the Web: How the Web Creates Entrepreneurial Opportunities~ Edited by Carol Smallwood

An exciting new book out now! Edited by one of our contributors, Carol Smallwood, with a contribution by yours truly (Ch 2): http://www.amazon.com/Women-Work-Web-Entrepreneurial-Opportunities/dp/1442244275

Synopsis: 
In a tight economy women entrepreneurs are making progress in a field that has been traditionally (along with science, math, and engineering) one which women haven’t been well represented—technology. Women, Work, and the Web: How the Web Creates Entrepreneurial Opportunities is by contributors from the United States and Canada sharing how the Internet has opened doors, leveled the playing field, and provided new opportunities. How the Internet has helped women with young children, caretakers of disabled family members, women with disabilities. How it has helped female veterans gain employment, put women into work boots, publish in a male dominated world, become editors, online instructors, and hold the First International Day of the Girl. 

The Weight of Worry

The weight of worry

clips securely around the waist

a heavy chain of links

meant to maintain buoyancy

underwater.

Hips

shoulders

neck

submerge into the cool blue

liquid womb of a hotel spa.

Air bubbles disturb the peace.

Hair coils and flows in slow motion

around the face

revealing closed eyes

avoiding the burn.

One-by-one, weights

drop and sink.

Body rises up

and breathes again

as the weight of worry

falls on silent peaks
of snow white marble.

© 2014 d.c.p.

Writer's Craft Box Article

Recent publication on The Write Place at the Write Time:

http://www.thewriteplaceatthewritetime.org/writerscraftbox.html

How can you be silent?

How can you be silent?

Just sitting there

lonely with your silence

while the chord that connects

breath to breath

loses blood.

Unspeaking desperation 

tightly and adequately

twists 

into your sheet of will

I just may

still try

to uncoil you

out into the open.

© 2014 d.c.p