Leaving Winter Behind...

The Highline NYC 2011

Old Neighborhood

Looking back,
Taking the first step forward,
Inhaling the old neighborhood
Deep breath...sigh...
Visual memories are like photographs
Some make me laugh,
Some move me to tears
While others tug at the heart strings
Slight smile turn the corners of my mouth…
Thought about you and
The way you would lie,
For a free smoke or a dime
Paper tigers and fireflies…
Led us down a potpourri of alleyways,
To the innocence of youths
Beautiful indiscretions
Turquoise eyes glowing in neon nights,
Making love in the back seat
Of abandon cars,
West Side Highway,
Or floating down Riverside…
I noticed you out of the corner of my left eye,
Still riding life on the flip side…
Reading postcards from another time

Looking back ~

Patty G lived in Apt. 2 B…
Anthony on the 9th floor,
Fire escape was a long way down…
Endless after midnight~
We shared the loss of our virginity,
And who’s who doing the 10th Ave shuffle…
Never quite making the grade,
But always a good time along the way~
Mrs. Vignetto chattered in Italian
As Mrs. Eisenberg would politely nod
Common bond Mothers united
As their son’s marched off to war
Your side, my side not much in between
Life in the 60's
Bitter sweet and indifferent -

© 2011 Trilby Yates

Mid February...2011

Heaven, Hell or Limbo

I don’t know what God
stands before me
and can’t recite the prayers
that slip
through fingers
bead to bead
saints to sinners
Act of Contrition
is a fear factor
while at the end of the day
my indiscretions
are my own
chipping away
at the norms,
man made rules
and regulations
yet my heart holds
what’s true
what is pure
and decent
about humanity
and what surrounds me
day to day

Heaven, Hell or Limbo

© 2011 Trilby Yates

Valentine’s Day 2011

Valentine I know

Vignettes strung together
precious pearls of delight
gently rest close to the heart
filling in the quiet spaces with wisdom
and while the smoke rises
from distant passions and fire
my dreams will never fade…
memories unfold gingerly
pages of cherished love letters
tender stories are told
a silent witness to one more sunset
recall the sweet songs we sang
and whispered promises that lovers make
when forever has no expectations
and tomorrow is a shared last breath...

You are the only Valentine I’ve ever known

© 2011 Trilby Yates

February Blues

Early AM Thoughts:

Holiday music and evergreen in the distance sounds of bells and chimes and with all that we shared I find memories of you hanging like delicate ornaments in the oddest places as if they belonged there with intent and the purpose for me to tap into when ever I need to feel you surround me shades of Tiffany blue and silver make my heart ache and I recall the promises of new hats and endless love and that you would never leave me as I walk alone down the boulevard passing by those gifts I would have bought for you and catch myself being pulled in that direction as tears well up at the check out counter and there aren’t enough words to explain away or time to catch another falling tear that are all for you along with my commitment to love you until the end of my time…

Dreams chase me from what seemed real to what has turned away with a smirk on the mouth of the norm and common mistake for loss or grief makes people uncomfortable and as unaware as I am to those around me and their shift from right to left and the way they stand outside the bubble of my sorrow I don’t welcome the newcomer to a club of widows and widowers with black veils that set the mood and comfort doesn’t come in shades of gray it tucks itself neatly in each crease on a tired face and teardrop that slowly trickles down the cheekbones and drops to the floor with a splash that echos and bounces off the silence of your exit…

Silence Of Sound

Uttered sounds
Formed,
Some
Worth listening to,
Some
A waste of energy,
Breath…
Sometimes
They miss the target,
Sometimes
Right on track,
Bulls eye…
There is no place to hide
From the fall out,
Intended infliction,
Pain,
Humiliation,
Purely
For laughs,
Little darling…
A cluster of letters,
Verbs,
Nouns,
Everything in between
And than some…
Strung together,
Thoughts,
Melancholy monotones
Words,
Power spouted from lips,
Full pout
Or thinly veiled
With age,
Wisdom,
Authoritative,
Gospel truth,
Little Sweet Heart,
High pitched,
Shrill,
Vibrating,
Inner ear…
Carry the tune,
Hold the note,
Cherish the song,

Silence,
It isn’t always what you hear,
Sometimes it’s what you don’t…

© 2011 Trilby Yates