Melissa Greener

I'm learning about small things. Giving up the fight. Bow and curtsy to what hurts me. Bullets to bite.

I move quickly. I'm rough and prickly. I never hold my tounge. Through with dwelling on farewelling all the hearts I've stung. Bullets to bite.

I'm awakening, forsaking, the flaming pieces left behind me. It's just growing pains, this regret and shame. But looking back it just reminds me; I've got bullets to bite.

I learn my lessons quite slowly, I make and break my plans. No more running. Trust what's coming. It's out of my hands.

There's a beauty shooting through me. Call it giving in. Getting stronger stripping armor. Fitting in my skin.

I'm awakening, forsaking, the flaming pieces left behind me. Through with dwelling on farewelling all the hears I've stung. Bullets to bite.

I'm learning you're no small thing. I'll do what I must. Stay with me babe. Teach me to make gold from dust.

© Melissa Greener

One more hour on the plane. Engine humming with my seat back, baby. Coming home this time is strange. The generations go and come on the same page. Coming up one time for air. I hold my breath till I get back down there. And they'll be waiting at the gate. Baby's got a little more grey hair now. On my way back home.

They always made me the black sheep. Isolated in a fortress of my minds deep. When those gates did open wide I fled the city for somebody else's place and time. I jumped the white fence, ran to the present tense. I rushed the cops at the gates of the holy land to providence.

I was good when I arrived, I crossed the line and I survived and I aint never going back again. But then the phone rings through tangled apron strings. Next thing I know I'm on my way back home.

This aint the first time or the last time baby's got to run, baby's got to hide. I never meant to be this way. I really got to go. I really got to stay. But here comes the big surprise; another sun is sinking into another ocean rise.

Now it's time to say goodbye. Big blue swollen heart, now don't you cry. I'll leave you right here on the ground. I'm going back up there where it's safe and sound. But I'll bring you gifts and souvenirs the next time I come back 'round here. On my way back home:

© Melissa Greener

Quartier Latin, le tois de l’atelier. We met in a flash and I left the same way. The lights of the Louvre were the line of our gaze. No time to lose, just one day to paint. We discussed and debated, and anticipated of art and of love and provisions there of. Sienna sunset with umber and wine, it haloed your hair, and it halted the time.

Lovers don’t meet everyday, even in Paris. I haven’t greeted a stranger this way in forever and a day.

Lovers come and lovers go in and out the studio. The viscous liquids ebb and flow through body parts and parts of clothes. Pour out your heart a great master piece until mine bleeds vermillion all over the sheets. Oil and mineral glass and bone, lead and lye; canvas that’s latticed with crosses pulled tight. Hung on the mantle in gold-leaf brocade. Perched on the pillow to view what we’ve made.

All this will be gone in a day, my portrait to follow. Oh Paris, I’ll return one day, after forever and a day.

River Seine winds below the rooftops I’ve come to know a distant train is moaning. Through the open window, I depart for the old depot over coble stones through the city. Porous, my skin dilates, paint rippling my wake. A century - one day together. Oh Paris, I swear it, I’ll return one day after forever.

© Melissa Greener

Wednesday afternoon

deconstruction

What ails the PhD? She’s more depressed than me. Let me soothe her.

Serotonin

where ya goin?

Don’t leave me here with the shrink so near – pawning off her past, fawning for a chance to soothe me

Mellow drama is

underrated.

So what’s the diagnosis? Tell me what do you see. Am I crazy or is it just me?

Soothe me


© Melissa Greener

Flowers bloom outside the room, the perfume keeps my mind astray.

I thought too soon to go today and so I’ll stay till May or June.

Out in the country driveway car, the eastside star a wondry show.

They hide way low and far to go from where they were to where they are.

All in time this season, this reason will provide a shaded canopy.

Papers pile in the hall way wall on shelves that call them where to stay.

And there they lay too soon so late and I can’t bathe or bake or talk.

All in time these files for miles will recycle a forest of their own. And all in time my weight in paper will take on a life that I have known.

Now the equinox is here, my dear the maples cry for brown.

And my friend might just come around and I will lie to hide his tears.

Glory green the lively scene, my country home in summer glow.

Against the screen south window where blossom smells do move like steam.

© Melissa Greener

All I know about a flower’s will to grow through the ash and snow, her only purpose to oblige intrinsic flow I know.

Up on the hill of our nation’s capital there’s a single daffodil who knows not to repose. Even through the weather, there she grows.

And every now and then I wonder what went wrong with our lot. We used to be so strong. And every now and then I wonder what went right with our life, because we have it for a song.

But I must confess; I’m an awful optimist. In times like these on bended knee I often loose the meaning but I always try my best. I confess. And I do believe in dharmic destiny, and whatever else that means. I do believe.

And every now and then I wonder what went wrong with my lot. I used to be so strong. And every now and then I wonder what went right with my life, because I have it for a song.

And that daffodil is sure as summer rain gonna see the weather change it always has been and will ever be that way, I know:


© Melissa Greener

Vessel, sail me away, wherefore I might find the light of day. Save me from the waves. All my friends and family have succumbed. I am only one.

Venture, find the gold, where the gales of plenty spill and fold. Follow through the years, all the tears and laughter the pride and fear.

When I have become only words on paper, thy will be done. Remember, come the time, whereby I have traveled tack and jibe, ten thousand nights.

So vessel, sail me away, wherefore I might find the light of day. Save me from the waves. All my friends and family have succumbed. I am only one.


© Melissa Greener