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SECRET

I know the secret you
keep inside
I know the secret that
you hide

It doesn't change the
way I feel
It only makes me
keep it real

It keeps me on my
knees at night
It helps to keep my
vision in sight

It makes me pray so
fervently
for your soul to
be set free

From the snares of
the fowler
From the hand of
the prowler

To the world the
Savior gave
No more to be the
enemies slave

Ella Valentine (c) valentine.6@osu.edu

===============================================================

LEAFY DARKNESS

In the time of twilight
I glide with
the leafy darkness,
sometimes sauntering
a well known track
that leads me towards
my occluded destiny.

Cesar Vargas (c) dragon1legion@hotmail.com
===============================================================

        just

just when I had given up
you came and knocked
I couldn't answer
my soul had stopped believing

you persisted
and you, I resisted
with all my might

you said, "I just want to be your friend"
but my mind only showed me
how it would end

I chose not to see
the love you offered me
why won't he go away
to my friends I would say

I said, "no way"
he's too young he won't stay
in my confidence you grew
cause I had no fear of you

you were twenty three
six years younger than me
you would just be a friend
cause I knew that love always ends

you peeled my layers like a grape
and eventually my heart
you did take

now eight years later
I couldn't imagine a
love any greater

you are my sun
and my moon
I your earth
warm to your touch

you are the gentle breeze
that I needed
and your call
I am thankful heeded

When I think of the end of my life
I see the porch
and the rocker
And I see you there
your special love
especially your care
your gentle touch in my hair
the way you stir my soul
and my passions
It was always you I was after............ 

Karen Roberts (c) KAYC918@aol.com

===============================================================

SELF DENIAL 

Standing in a puddle of darkness
Searching for a light.

Reaching out to grab anything
Relying on my sight.

Thinking I can do anything
Touching what I can.

Breaking out of bondage
Bleeding, there I stand.

Looking for the one to help
Latching on to heal.

Mastering the art of love
Making myself kneel.

Hunched over in a pool of tears
Holding in my hands,

Sorrows that I rid myself
Searching for the man 

Silas Swaim (c) sswaim1@poloralphlauren.com
===============================================================

THOUGHT'S BEFORE DAWN

Who was there outside my window
where autumn draped moonlight
over the tree’s

was she crying for the one lost inside
as nature listened

I tried to reach out 
but cold steel
was between us

still as your image caressed my dreams
I was free from trial or confinement
until the chill of the awakening hour

and now 

some nights when sleep won’t come easy
I wonder if your out there still
does another feel your presence

as the night dreams to remember

Jim Roche (c) coralash@juno.com

===============================================================

SUMMER HEAT

A secret hide-a-way
where time has all but forgotten
candles, wine, and you
are all the essentials I desire
to bring under control this raging fire

Soon drenched in the waters of passion
heated to its breaking point of steam
slowly cooled by a lost, but welcomed, evening breeze
it brings me slowly back to my knees

Shimmering in the distance
the moon smiles upon our nightly games...
through the window it curiously peeks,
watching,
as it gently lay you down to search
for a vacant field on which to play hide-and-seek

I slow and hover, to admire the view
of a rich and fertile land,
like the expedition of Lewis and Clarke
Every inch I will explore on demand.

Christopher "Valentino" Hare (c) poetic_joker@yahoo.com

===============================================================

           TASTE OF RAIN

Thank you, as I look up and embrace the rain.
You're the sounding board which keeps me sane.
You, who understand and know my pain.
Thank you again, as I taste the rain.

In the silence of a soft rain, I find my listening ear.
As I rage and curse my life's past year.  
I welcome the rain to hide my tears, 
to dampen my sorrows and shadow my fears.

My tears are a child not forgotten; my open wound.  
Tears for the times I found myself consumed 
in his love I lost the me I, was...misused, abused.  
Dear rain, cleanse me, for I stand accused.

Thank you, as I face and embrace the rain.
You, the sounding board which keeps me sane.
You, who understand and know my pain.
Thank you, as I inhale and smell the rain.

I'm accused of loving &breaking my heart.
Of leaving my soul and mind from the start.  
I'm accused of letting my head fall south, 
Neglecting to stand and open my mouth.

Guilty of loving with none in return.
I cherished a man who felt no concern 
for me, my feelings, heart, love and soul.
All that's left of us, a gigantic hole.

My body is in a place, but my spirit is lost.
My heart has become numb, ice cold - frost.
I hate this feeling and I want it to end.
I welcome a new love to begin, again.

Thank you, down on my knees I praise the rain.
You, the sounding board which keeps me sane.
You, who understand and know my pain.
Thank you again, as I taste the rain.

Sonya Swanson (c) sonya.swanson@icl.fi

===============================================================

WHILE YOU SLEPT

While you slept
I crept
From under cold sheets
To look at myself.
Gazing at my face
But not able to look
Into my eyes
To see what I've become.

While you slept
I wept
Knowing I've lost myself to you,
And all that you stand for.
Knowing I cannot come back
Until you are out of my life.

While you slept
Dreaming your fantasies
I put mine into action.
And while you slept
Once again I crept
To your side of the bed
Listening, to your
Mumbled words of passion
And resenting you
With each passing second.

While you slept,
I grabbed my pillow.
My lifeline and salvation
And while you slept
I helped you sleep
Into oblivion...
And out of my life.
Freeing me,
My soul,
My spirit.
Freeing me to heal and live again..
All while you slept
That peaceful sleep of the Dead.
Sleeping
Dreaming
Only to realize it was
I
Who dreamt wonderful fantasies.
So while you slept,
I dreamt;
Fantasized a dream out of my reach
And rudely awakened,
Knowing that you are still in my life.
And I'm unable to look into my eyes.

LaShunda Colvin (c) queen_nzhinga@hotmail.com