The MADRIGAL format

-----------------------------------------------------------

RAIN DROPS

They patter, these rain drops, on leaves still green
with summer’s breath, recalling dreams of you.
But then, again, the sun and snow do, too.

The nightingale is friend and sets me free
to weather days of clouds and changing hues.
They patter, these rain drops, on leaves still green
with summer’s breath, recalling dreams of you.

When morning comes, your image fades.  I wean
my thoughts and wash away your voice, renewed.
And then I am reminded by the dew.
They patter, these rain drops, on leaves still green
with summer’s breath, recalling dreams of you.
But then, again, the sun and snow do, too.

----------------------------------------------------------

SEEN

The dirt is dug; the box is slowly hauled
to this, his resting place where grass is green,
and though the flag will fly, his life’s unseen.

The husband, dad, and son who had been called,
who answered with a conscience proud and clean.
The dirt is dug; the box is slowly hauled
to this, his resting place where grass is green.

Crossing enemy lines, the chaos stalled.
He heard his baby cry across the sea,
the fatherless who honors land that’s free.
The dirt is dug; the box is slowly hauled
to this, his resting place where grass is green,
and though the flag will fly, his life’s unseen

to all but those who honor land that’s free.

-----------------------------------------------------------

TIME

The pages turn to when I’m in my prime.
I sigh.  Reality is hard to face
when knowing you’re gone and can’t be replaced.

Sons grow—already five-seven, five-nine—
these teens, who kiss me still before they race.
The pages turn to when I’m in my prime.
I sigh.  Reality is hard to face.

What happened to the future that was mine?
You chisel away at such a quick pace,
and as you pass, I pray I age with grace.
The pages turn to when I’m in my prime.
I sigh.  Reality is hard to face
when knowing you’re gone and can’t be replaced.

--------------------------------------------------------

LIVIA:  MY HEROINE

Together we discovered who we are.
And yet, dear friend, it's time to set you free.
I need to live beyond our history.

Your character became my shining star.
Your conflicts kept me from much needed sleep.
Together we discovered who we are.
And yet, dear friend, it's time to set you free.

Still flawed, it's true, but I will leave you marred.
It's what we learned about ourselves, you see;
a perfect world was never guaranteed.
Together we discovered who we are.
And yet, dear friend, it's time to set you free.
I need to live beyond our history.
---------------------------------------------------------