Paper Angel

tear my mind and rend my soul
light dancing feet 'round the maypole
tired little troubles, dingy and gray
carve a niche in worlds of clay

screaming furies of heaven above
promises of lust, hate, and love
tortured contours eased in place
mar the eternity of the face

And oft forgotten the remembered past
speaks of what has been, come at last
precious gold of new found leaf
innocent of it's coming grief

unspoiled growth, unshattered dreams
what isn't is, or so it seems
and through it all, mind to mind,
is passed the creation of it's kind

Premonitions

What words are there within me
what dreams dwell within my head
what wind blows to set me free
what visions come upon me in my bed
in the darkness of my mind
I travel the realms of sights unseen
I hunt the golden hind
and create worlds never seen
but once from a deep dank pit
darkness comes like some unholy birth
perverting what imagination lit
tarnishing things of worth
and though the sun banish
them, they are slow to vanish

'Silent clacked the rosary'

A word of explanation: This is a poem that I am constructing.  I say constructing, as I am working at it to get it to follow a plan or blueprint. The meter and rhyme and even the order of the lines changes as the poem nears completion. I thank the Book Club for all their hard work and support in this endeavor. Their suggestions, advice, and critiques are invaluable in this process.
This poem is inspired by a work that will be named later, and aside from the inspiration any semblance to the other work is currently coincidental. I do not seek to retell the story of the other work, nor give it a new spin, but rather pick-up where the author left off, and honor the author in some small way with my words.
Any suggestions, opinions, and ideas are welcome. Thank you.

As the poem now stands:


1.  silent clacked the rosary upon his fettered wrist
2.          battered bloody by the sea they sailed into the mist
3.  slinking through the morning gloom, the darkest part of day
4.          seeking to escape their doom, the good ship sailed away
5.  Swigging droughts from Titan's cup, the Devil threw the dice
6.          and fostered within the Captain's breast, a more sinister self-indulgent vice
7.  the sweet young maid of secret charm, fostered by the night
8.          came unbidden to his arm, and dwelt within his sight
9.  boiling, churning, within his heart, the burning lusts of man
10.          the Devil's demons for their part, valiantly worked the fan
11.  the wise old boson saw the harm, and the trouble that would come
12.          should the young maid give way to charm, and drink of Cupid's venom
13.  a poor young Father knelt by them, then blest 'n set 'em free
14.          And eulogized with mourning hymn their hard-won victory
15.  the battle had raged long 'n hard, their lives for pirate's gold
16.          …