Without

You ask me
what I cannot live without.

Trite answers filter up
but the truth revealed
upon examination
is that I can live
without most things
and without most people.

I am a product of having gone without.

What I am today is
strength born
of weak moments
when no one helped me to my feet.

Determination created
of graceless times
when others told me failure was mine.

Honesty honed
by faithless fires
when loved ones yielded to their demons.

I cannot imagine
what I would be
had I not been tried
by the things and people
that once had me
that I have since done without.

The better question is
what cannot live without me.

_____
Copyright 2014 Femme Malheureuse
@ApparatusMag #NaPoMo 2014 Prompt 12
Graphic: David Singleton via Flickr

Le Rêve

Before a mirror
naked
Without context
exposed

Wrapped around me
arms
Grasped my belly
hands

Pressed upon me
man
Warmth from behind
breath

Fecund.

One word alone
whispered
into my ear

What could it mean?

So shocking
it woke me
rousing from torpor
jolting awake
like lightning
in my soul

No more babes to come
it meant not this
My flesh would be slack
ever empty

But what would be birthed?

A decade later
I know the truth

Not all my bearing
is done in labor

Not all my fruits
are born
from my hips

_____
Copyright 2014 Femme Malheureuse
@ApparatusMag #NaPoMo 2014 Prompt 11
Graphic: babymellowdee via Flickr

Green Death

Innocuous, leafy,

tendrils like young girls' curls

tease among the stems

Golden, silky,

Blooms like brass trumpets

announce a change to come

Verdant, greenery,

fruits like fingers stretching

hide beneath the leaves

Enormous, deadly,

enclosed like a bomb's bay

zucchinis in brown bags

The neighbors will never know

what hit them

when they open the payload

left silently in the dark

at their door

_____

Copyright 2014 Femme Malheureuse

@ApparatusMag #NaPoMo 2014 Prompt 10

Graphic: outdoorPDK via Flickr

Schooled

Yellow vest, orange straps, service cap, whistle poised between pursed lips

We're late again, security nonsense corralling too many cars, too much traffic

Sorry, mom (unconvincing)

First row a dozen deep, unmoving

Gloved arms wave, futile overkill like a wind mill in a gale

Second row half dozen stacked, stalled

Arms flop in resignation while the angry whistle blows, wind wound up by waving

Grim black set with pale blue lights, clock on the dashboard whittles down to bell's ring

Throw the dice with the spin of the wheel

Taking the empty third row and all the glares that come with ducking the masses

They'll watch for me tomorrow and harass me, get up on time instead

Yes, mom (unpersuasive)

He jumps from the car and runs as the whistle and gloves are aimed at us

Secure this, I think as I pull away into traffic beneath a fresh green light

Damned kid

We'll do this dance again, too soon

We haven't learned

_____
Copyright 2014 Femme Malheureuse
@ApparatusMag #NaPoMo 2014 Prompt 9
Graphic: Leo Reynolds via Flickr

Time Traveler

The machine built
Calculations made
Dials spun
He sent her forward
His most trusted friend
His life's mate

The machine shook
Computer churned
Travel done
She had come backward
His helpful partner
His new wife

What did she observe
He asked her, excited
Hoping for news
Of the future's marvels

You're still quite selfish
She noted, discouraged
But worse, data shows
Our sons are, too.

_____
Copyright 2014 Femme Malheureuse
@ApparatusMag #NaPoMo 2014 Prompt 8
Graphic: CityGypsyII via Flickr

Facts

That April began
With a plane's crash
Hundreds of thousands dead
Somewhat fewer killers

That July ended
Such pathetic reaction
A stunned world's witness
In ridiculous silence

This April marks
With sad resignation
Twenty years of
Inaction and ignorance

These facts are
Stubborn things

_____
Copyright 2014 Femme Malheureuse
@ApparatusMag #NaPoMo 2014 Prompt 7
Inspiration: Speech by Robert Kagame on Rwandan Massacre's 20th anniversary
"...[L]es faits sont têtus."
Graphic: washuugenius via Flickr (modified)

Nyx and Eos

Laurel rimmed
Glossy darkness
Limns dusk descending
Fading
Night's fall

Womb dark
Warmly embraces
Blanketing, time's pall
Sleeping
'Til dawn

Saffron led
Rosy lightness
Brightens light rousing
Waking
Day's song

_____
Copyright 2014 Femme Malheureuse
@ApparatusMag #NaPoMo 2014 Prompt 6
Graphic: Femme Malheureuse