Surrender

I gaze into soft brown eyes that smile

as warm hands hold me, melt me.

Slowly ... slowly the clothing falls away

and I am left exposed – delighting in

           my nakedness, in the desire in

           your eyes.

Your kisses reach inside me; touch me

            in wonderful places; soft, quiet

            places of my soul.

Your gentle hands stroke my face, cradle

            my face ...

And my body opens to you, ready and longing

            for your touch.

And you fulfill me – as I gaze into your eyes.

It is you:  your hands; your tongue; your presence –

That bring me to such heights –

             to such delights.

1980

(from the book Discoveries In The Dark by Doris Potter)

© Doris Potter

Survivor

At the flower shop she made her choice.

She'd found the one with nicest bloom.

In her expertise she did rejoice,

This plant would glorify her room.

And then at home, a fine surprise!

Beneath the leaves was another shoot

That had escaped her searching eyes

And defiantly had taken root.

She was intrigued, and marvelled at

This little plant – what could he be?

Exotic species? no doubt about that!

Unique and special she could see.

She named him "Survivor", and sought to tell

His story to all who saw him there.

She watched him grow and thrive so well –

A testament to her skillful care.

And then one day, she learned that he

Was a common weed that had taken root

In another's pot – and shamefully

She'd mistaken him for a special shoot.

"Survivor", she thought, was her claim to fame

But her judgment of him had been too rash.

In the end he had only brought her shame.

She threw him away with the trash.

1999

(From the book Discoveries In The Dark by Doris Potter)

© Doris Potter

Winter Descent

       She struggles forward – her head bent low

       Buffeted by winds and blowing snow.

         Deep drifts and gusts erase her path,

           She vainly battles winter's wrath.

             Strength is lost with every step.

               Finally, there's nothing left.

                 Laying down her head

                   On a snowy bed

                     So soft and deep

                       Inviting sleep.

2019

(From the book Discoveries In The Dark by Doris Potter)

© Doris Potter

River Side Blues

 

The tree stands at the river's side –

Its gangly roots exposed

like the legs of a young girl

with hiked up skirt

to wade into the waters.

But for all her longing,

she cannot enter

to follow its seductive flow ...

for her roots go deep

and she's held steadfast

despite her downstream dreams.

The tree stands at the river's side –

and cannot leave her place

even when the rising waters

entice with playful laps

at exposed ankles.

2001

(from the book Discoveries In The Dark by Doris Potter)

© Doris Potter