"Quixotic" Original Poem and Drawing by Rusty Harden

Poem and drawing by Rusty Harden

Quixotic

Traveling in the mind,

Gadding about  in place.

Moments of grandeur,

Sputtering in disgrace.

Armoured up for valour,

Battles fought in kind.

Stood against the squaller,

Facing the winds of time.

Progress is apparent,

Only when it recedes.

Vanquish the transparent,

So delusions can proceed.

"The Darkling Sky" Poem and drawing by Rusty Harden

Original drawing by Rusty Harden

"Cease Upon the Midnight"

"The Darkling Sky"

Drinking in the midnight air

The stars above with twinkling glare

Euphoria and endless pain

Reconciling thoughts in vain

The reflection pool is quite deep

The serpents come, in wake or sleep

Hope grows pale but never dies

Happiness visits in disguise

Shameful glories mince and prim

Joyful sorrows to the brim

"Oh, to slip away unseen"

Plaintive cries become serene

The poem was inspired to create by the writing challenge on the Inferno http://theartistchallengeinferno.blogspot.com/

This challenge: "Tender is the Night"   For this writing, I chose to be influenced by Fitzgerald's novel.

I looked to myself and became aware of how often I have conflicting emotions, at any given moment.

There are many things to be joyful about while at the same time coping with dispair.  Few are the moments when we are purely one or the other.

The serpents?  They are another story.

"Envisage" Poem by Rusty Harden

"Heron of My Dreams"

painting and poem by Rusty Harden

Envisage

I'm on a journey, never reaching the end

I see all the people, never finding a friend

Truth is still hiding, just as it did before

Beauty keeps changing, I can't see anymore

I have waking moments, trying to understand

The dream overtakes me, now I journey again

"Counting Butterflies" a story for the mended soul by Rusty Harden

drawing and story by Rusty Harden

 

Counting Butterflies

by

Rusty Harden

The ride to the park was fun for both of us.  We always take the winding country road with lots of small farms.  Every time we'd come to the cow crossing sign she'd  sit up straight and look around for them.  We never did  see a crossing cow.  I loved it that she could enjoy the simple things.  Her early years were full of troubles that  a child should not have had to deal with.  You can't go back and undo those experiences but I've done my best to make up for them and to protect her ever since I've been old enough to figure out how.

I've taught her to accept my love, that the world is a better place because she is in it and that she is worthy of having dreams.  On the other hand, I probably have been too protective.  I can't bear it when other people disappoint her or are unkind.  She has a couple of friends but we spend most of our time together when I am not working.

 

It was her idea to go to the park.  After we walked through the meadow counting the butterflies, we headed for our favourite spot at the top of the hill.  There is a rock that resembles a chair.  It is a beautiful view.  We sat quietly for a little while when I noticed she seemed a little restless.  I looked at her and realized she had something to say.  Finally she began a rehearsed speech with  unusual awkwardness, "You've been taking care of me for a long time.  No one has ever loved me more than you have." Her voice calmed and she continued, "We're not that child anymore.  We can face disappointment with the grace of a woman, now.  Even if you get hurt, you know how to handle it.  You'll be okay."

 

I realized that she was telling me that she was not staying.  I let the tears roll down my cheeks as she finished giving me her strength.  She stood and walked towards the meadow.  Suddenly she started to skip and with a big smile she called back to me, "Remember me in your dreams!"

For all of us who have monsters in our closets....

drawing and poem by Rusty Harden

Phantom Evil

There's a monster in my closet

I closed the door and locked it

Now I keep a constant vigil

To contain the phantom evil

I found myself in a conversation with a person I have great

respect for his insightful expressions.  While discussing

certain past events and feelings regarding them, he suggested

that they could very well be the proverbial "monster in the closet which

might really just be a stuffed animal".  So with great care, I peeked and

yep, its still a monster!!!!

"Stay the Course" Poem by Rusty Harden for the Inferno

"Tapestry"

Painting by Mary Sonya Conti

Coxswain of the Inferno

Writer's Challenge #4

Stay the Course

Fly above the tumultuous sea
Stay the course you have set for thee
Picture thy goal steady clear
Keep thy courage, never the fear

The Sun Poem by Rusty Harden for the Inferno Writers Challenge

                                                        Drawing and Poem by Rusy Harden

                                                 

 

                                                  The Sun

 

                                                  How bright your offerings at early rise

                                                  But the rays that promise warmth are lies

                                                  False hopes that end in tribulations

                                                  -You'll fool me no more with your machinations.

                                                   Remove your mask of light and shine

                                                   Reveal to all your insidious twisted design.