Seeker Magazine

Terri Rolan

My interest in poetry has been life-long, but I had stopped writing for many years. When my husband, David, and I started dating,I began to write again. His interest in my work and appreciation for it opened a floodgate,and I have found my voice after a very long silence. Poetry also helped me through his long fight with cancer and gave me both an outlet and a reminder that beauty and joy were always there.

ANSWERING
Children,
I have many voices –
I sing in chorus
or whisper
in the night.
You can hear me
only
in the stillness
of an
open
heart.

GROWING
I used to think
that everyone
could see
the rainbow....
Color fading
into color
in soft precision.
I used to think
that everyone
would taste
the same delight
in cloud creatures
and slow,
quiet
rivers...
flow and change
in a constant mystery.
I have learned
to be a little secret
now,
sadly,
not so quick
to share.
Is it "growing up"
or
"growing in?"

LIBERATORS
They are so sure -
the strident voices
crying "Shame!"
Champions of our cause,
convinced we are
subjugated souls
deprived of dignity,
piteously begging
for our freedom.
It is well
to care,
to try
in justice's name
for equity
and right -
but it is wiser
to be aware
that some of us
can face a crisis
better
from a clean kitchen
and change the world
one home
at a time.

TEA PARTY
Tiny china cups,
flower-patterned
dishes
placed with care.
Little cakes
waiting for
the ladyfingers
and the smiles
that women use
to compliment
a perfect hostess.
Silver teapot,
to mirror
soft summer dresses
and gently wicked
words.

WHITE ROSE
Antique white roses
breathe perfume...
seeming fragile,
easily bruised.
Antique white roses
live and thrive
in sheltered gardens
rustling in the stirred air,
as silken skirts
and velvet coats
stroll
tended paths.
But sometimes
antique white roses
grow
in hostile soil,
send deep roots
and survive
their thorny
thirst...
strong enough
to wait
for rain.

ASKING
Father/Mother
Source and Refuge –
help me hear
your voice.
Let me know
the center
and the heart.
In my search
I am confused -
so many paths
to follow,
which is mine?
Other pilgrims,
map in hand,
beckon,
sure they know the way;
do I follow them
or seek my own
direction?
I am not strong enough
to lead,
nor am I sure enough
to follow -
Father/Mother
Source and Refuge
help me find
the way.

(Copyright by Terri Rolan, 1999 - No reproduction without express permission from the author)

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Letter to the Author:
Terri Rolan at TRolan@aol.com