terminus ad quem II
she raised her hands
as if to catch the words
flung at her
from across the room
the echoes of the syllables
bounced from wall to wall
settling at last
in her heart
then the silence
within the language
spoke to her spirit
breaking it quietly apart
his outraged look
landed squarely on
her face
convicting her
the air was electric
with all that had not yet
happened
could never happen
as the door slammed
her face was washed
with a baptism of tears
regrets forever unspoken
copyright© 2010
by Terri DeVries
last words
a nefarious disease
kidnapped the body
of the innocent child
as she played
and grew
now the margins of
her life
were filled with symbols
wires, tubes
machines
the prognosis was written
on the doctor’s face
stark and cruel words
concatenated
into garble
they watched and waited
each moment
wrapped and contained
within their hearts
as the days stole her away
leaving nothing for them
to hold
except the love
this miracle left behind
in her last words
copyright© 2010
by Terri DeVries
Thanksgiving
the family gathers
a once a year occasion
everyone tentative
reacquainting themselves
with siblings
children run about
noisemakers
distracting the adults
covering their unease
until dinner is served
conversation is surface
how wonderful the food tastes
what a lovely centerpiece Mom made
how about those Tigers
deciding if dessert should wait
at the football game kickoff
the men escape
taking refuge
in the family room
freeing the women to clean up
children go down for naps
crabby and crying
not ready to let go of the fun
rubbing eyes and clutching
stuffed animals
the cadence of women’s voices
undulates
as they clear the table
stuff the dishwasher
reveal issues close to their hearts
how are you coping with the job
it’s hard to balance work and children
are you planning to be engaged soon
tell us about your family
we’re glad you are here
copyright© 2009
by Terri DeVries
memory lapse
it dances across my brain
tickling, teasing
almost there…and then it’s gone
I knew it, I knew it
why does it dart in and out
leaving me frustrated
I’ll find it
hiding in a dusty corner
when it becomes useless information
no wonder I can’t find a thing
too much inane clutter
taking up brainspace
copyright© 2009
by Terri DeVries
managers of pond scum
agendas tucked conveniently
in their pockets
they walk along
vultures waiting to swoop
on unsuspecting targets
managers of pond scum
busy at managing
pond scum
they strew fabrications
like seeds
in a field
copyright© 2009
by Terri DeVries
writer’s block
the poet works words
into the landscape
painting thoughts onto the pages
creating alphabet images
sitting at the keyboard
ideas circle around
the spaces on the page
evading the writer
mocking creativity
thoughts become muddled
and watered down
like diluted paints
poems begun with enthusiasm
lay dormant
evidence of frustration
in the creative process
blocking the muse
little devils steal words
hijack ideas
paint over the poem
remix the colors
reclaim the muse
allow words to flow through
poetic fingers onto the screen
it’s all in your head
copyright© 2009
by Terri DeVries
