Listen

sometimes in the evenings when
everything is still
with nothing but the sound of
wind in trees, and the call of birds is
faint and far away,
ideal thoughts fill my mind
pipe dreams of many things
of love and life and
wondering
where I’m bound.
flights of fancy tickle
my brain
spin me around with never
a sound
in their coming and only
a trace in my memory when
they’re gone.

© Perle Champion

New Year's Reflection

Old ‘n’ gray – tired ‘n’ worn,
many died – more were born,
much was said – so little done,
with the rising ‘n’ setting of each sun.

Farewell to thee with tears we say,
and greet the new with laughter gay.

A million things – could, should
would have been done;
but alas, we’d just started and
the year was gone.

And so we make firm
resolution
to do much more by next year’s
conclusion.

© Perle Champion

En Garde

The meekest among us, scared but not
witless, takes pen in hand
and swords beware!

There is might in the word well written
no armament
can deter.

© Perle Champion 1995

Here’s to Saving the World

As girls,
how many times
did we save the world
over a glass of wine on a barstool
or a couch in front of a cozy fire
or in bed with a lover?

Solutions
to the world’s problems seemed so simple
so fluidly obvious - so readily at hand, and
if we ruled the world, what a wonderful world it would be.

As women,
standing sober
in the bright light of day
those carefree, easy
interludes are so very far away.

Solutions
to the world’s problems are not so simple
not so patently obvious - nor are they readily at hand, but
if we wait to rule the world, that wonderful world will never be.

© Perle Champion

Where To Now

emptiness
unlike any i have ever felt
when i doubt
the god to whom once i knelt

it’s as if
tomorrow is forever in coming
if indeed
it comes at all

the once
ideal and noble thinking
slowly
fades and then does fall

reality
is such a void
escape
is all i know
i want
to run and hide
but
where is there to go

the answer
comes, but oh, so slow
as pain
subsides, i finally know

on
is the only way that I can go.

© Perle Champion