parched

parched

lillies raise leaves
silent plea to distant gods
please send us rain

scorched earth sends message of dust
only waves of heat reply

Michelle Balletto-Wooten
© 5-30-11

MONUMENT

MONUMENT

Let the guns cease to sound
and cannons cease their roar
So many lions, once caged and starved,
let them no longer find nourishment
on life's peace-filled shores.

Let all Bubble-heads surface
to breathe air fresh and clean.
Jar-heads, return home now,
live life fully, and dream!

And when there are no bombs dropping,
you Flyboys, come on home.
We will fly banners, sound trumpets,
now there is no need to roam.

Leathernecks, oh Leathernecks,
come face your new day
in a true monument to war's end
where in safety children play.

Let the night skies now shine
with every newly found star,
each one, a brave soul who once
fought long, fought hard, then
died, in some other man's war.

Let the sun proclaim vict'ry,
let the clouds witness joy,
let the rain come and cleanse us . . .
wash away pain, wash away guilt,
for all girls and boys.

Yes, let the guns cease,
let blood cease to spill.
Let our monument to war's end
be the last one we build.

If we just imagine it, it will.



Michelle Balletto-Wooten
© 7-7-07

MEMORIAL ... COME HOME

MEMORIAL ... COME HOME

It's time to come home.
We'll not forget the price that you've paid,
nor the sacrifices you've made ...
It's time to come home.

We must lay down our arms, now.
We mus wake up, get out of this trance,
with open hearts, give peace a chance.
We must lay down our arms, now.

It's time to come home.
It's time for peace and prosperity
now that you've fought for liberty -
It's time to come home.

We must all cease to war, now.
Hate and fear breed alienation,
peace and love bring salvation.
We must all cease to war, now.

It's time to lay down our arms
and cease making war.
It's time, for us all, to come Home.

Michelle Balletto-Wooten
© 5-29-11

night haiku

Night

darkness
spreads out like a blanket
covers us all

slowly light fades
shadows lengthen in silence
then all is dark

Michelle Balletto-Wooten
© 5-26-11

heat

heat

heat scorches
grass too new to be green
baked earth is silent


Michelle Balletto-Wooten
© 5-29-11

RAGE tanka

RAGE

blood pounds brain
trembling hands can't hold a pen
the heat is too much

without a way to leave
rage slowly destroys


Michelle Balletto-Wooten
© 5-29-11

sunflower

SUNFLOWER

Yellow dot blue sky
Guardian of the garden
Praises the sun

Michelle Balletto - Wooten
© 5/22/11

WORLD'S END

THE WORLD'S END

A soft blush fills the horizon
Sunrise comes to dazzle again
A random light sparkles on the waves
Of morning.

In a blink, gulls arrive and call
Splashing and crashing, wild waves fall
Green grass dances at sands edge
In the morning.

Amethyst dreams come to an end
A lovely way last day to spend
Grass, sand and waves ... world's end a lie
Another morning.

Michelle Balletto-Wooten
© 5-21-11

more waiting

more waiting

mockingbird flight
grey line over grey sky
waiting for rain


Michelle Balletto-Wooten
© 5-21-11

more drought

more drought

thick humidity
quiet distant birdsong
still no thunder


Michelle Balletto-Wooten
© 5-21-11

waiting

waiting

grey clouds hang
rain scent dances in the air
the grass waits


Michelle Balletto-Wooten
©5-20-11

birdsong ...

twitter reply

beautiful birdsong
nature's gentle reminder
again comes the sun

...

morning breezes rise
anticipation lifts heart
one note calls us all

Michelle Balletto-Wooten
© 5-19-11

ahora

ahora

este momento
ve a un botón abrirse
lágrima caer


Michelle Balletto-Wooten
© 5-18-11

now

now

in this now moment
somewhere a blossom opens
a new tear now falls


Michelle Balletto-Wooten
© 5-18-11

EARLY haiku

early

morning song
chorus reaching crescendo
light explodes the dawn


Michelle Balletto-Wooten
© 5-8-11

A SHADOW FROM THE PAST

A SHADOW FROM THE PAST

She dances through life
with a smile
a kind word
a gentle touch
a laugh that lightens
any dark day.
Eyes sparkle
strong hands
and effervescent presence
that bubbles
with pure glee.

She is
the joy you can count on
the strength you may lean on
the courage you may call upon
the wealth you may rely on.
So ...
when you see
one single tear
traipsing down her check
just remember
it is only
a shadow from the past
and in your light
it will fade away
to nothing.

Michelle Balletto-Wooten
© 8-11-2009

WHEN WATERS SWIRL

WHEN WATERS SWIRL

She stands at water's edge
waves lap at her feet
wet puppy tongues of loyalty
and trust.
The waves,
the waves would never betray her.

Tides rise and fall
foam curls around her ankles
soft sweater of comfort
belonging.
This foam,
this foam will never leave her.

Sunrise, moonrise
light reflects from all around her
water envelopes her in birth
in death.
Warm water,
warm water will never leave her.

But
when waters swirl
all is lost
and all is gained
by the sea.

Michelle Balletto-Wooten
© 5-2-11.