haiku #19

sun shines on my face
brightens my sourest mood
all's well in my world

by Shawn Ann Murray © 2011

Out There

out there, for the world to see,
out there, just little ole' me,
striped, naked, bare -- free?
whatever may be, will be,

my soul stretched taunt,
looking as if to flaunt,
but really ready to daunt,
and wishing rather to haunt,

my heart, my soul, my being,
without ever really seeing,
while my mind continues dreaming,
and seeks evermore ways of fleeing,

my words are out there
and just to show you care,
publishing my work, you dare,
my soul, on show, I must now bear,

by Shawn Ann Murray © 2011

Semblance of Normal

I've never been normal
not even for normal's sake
 forty-something female
 never married, no kids
people wonder what is wrong with me
even I, at times, think there's a screw loose
 but just what is normal anyway?

I spend my time doing what I love
crafting words into sentences, or sentences into poems
 maybe, maybe not, so eloquently, at times
 and maybe this is not one of those times
but at least I'm trying -- or doing -- or being
who and what I want to be
 but just who is normal anyway?

you may pity me -- or despise me
for my seeming lack of commitment
 I try to minimize my time constraints
 but even I still have bills to pay
maybe soon -- maybe someday
writing will nourish more than my soul
 why is your life normal, who can say?

by Shawn Ann Murray © 2011

pride & vanity

snap, snap, crack and pop
twice in two days
my fingernails snap
from a hand of five perfect nails
looking manicured, pristine
that had hopes of entertaining
a wedding ring

by Shawn Ann Murray © 2011

haiku # 18

wake to thunder rains
Mother Nature's angry rage
tears of frustration

by Shawn Ann Murray © 2011