http://www.writerscafe.org/Iona%20Nerissa The original writings of author Lori Carlson en-us Copyright 2013 Aresta Enterprise LLC 1369288453 WritersCafe.org RSS Generator 15 You have access to all of life's troublesWith simple codes --You know these waters with all their twistsAnd turns, navigating them with easeYou make a metaphor out of fishingLetting it guide your day and feed your nightA few beers to wash it all awayLife, you say, is easy down on the bayou, &nb.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1179591/ You kneel and prayPlease, God please, take this pain away!     All is bleak; there is no hopeEven tourniquets can't stop the flowCrimson swirling down the drainYour screams pealing through the streets     The knife still stuck in your handYour madness claims u.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1179276/ What is it?A letter from Tommy.So the deceptive sibling repents his sins?No, but it is all in here. Every last detail of what he did to me. Even how he made me feel like worthless trash. And I still feel that way, Em. Like falling and spiraling into nothingness. Into some great void. And I try to ca.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1179218/ ~For Tanya~ http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1179120/ Sweet Sis,You think you know it all. Don't you, Diana? Mother's perfect little angel! I've always hated you. I was Momma's angel once too. She called me that until you came along. But who's laughing now, b***h? Momma hates you for leaving. She thinks you're a pervert, and I aim to keep it that way. .. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1179009/ Bright colored presentsballoons, and candles illumCelebrating you http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1178965/ I sit, anticipating the sitting sunMy desire rises, the need burns     I gaspDarkness ensues --I feel your cold skin against mine, heated by lustIcy fingers trail the curve of my neckThe sting of your nails, blood flows     I arch my backI pull you closeInhali.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1178953/ O Vesta, sacred goddess of the hearth, town of my childhood nightmares. How I wish the earth would open up like a huge chasm and swallow you whole. Every corner and crevice of your cryptic city. Would I then be whole again?My sweet Diana. My troubled spirit child. Is anyone truly whole? Am I whole j.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1178901/ For my paternal Grandmother http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1178804/ I can't do this anymore.What is it?A letter from Mother. She wants me to come home. She wants me to make peace with the family. I can't Em. I can't make peace with those people.But you must.Please, Emily! If your father was still alive, would you make peace with him?That isn't fair. He isn't here an.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1178013/ A letter from Lillian to Diana http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1177979/ Darkness overcomes me as I step into our roomThe closing door casts a thin silvery glow upon your faceIt lasts mere seconds--PeacefulAfter hours of a raging storm, tantrums left me shakenYelling and screaming, verbal abuseItems crashed against the wallsYour maelstrom finally subsided, but not before.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1177871/ My heart twists in trepidationas I watch you turn down the wrong street again.You keep going left,as though chasing that dream will bring clarity to your life.And then you tell me of all the horror stories:relationships that peel away layers, layer by layer of your womanhood,until all that is left o.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1177395/ Life on the bayouthe swamp teeming with crittersCrocs awaiting their meal. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1177160/ Fear, rushes in,longs for me with cold hands,twisting my souland tearing at the loveI want to dream with you.Underneath it's dress hidesan amazing hearttempting me to let you go,a heart so pure like an emotional gripsqueezing me tighter and tighteruntil I lose all consciousness.It would see me dead .. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1177125/ Indigo morningMoon bows to the rising Sunbirds ring in the day http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1177106/ Lightning strikes fiercelythunder rolls across the skythe earth trembles http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1177102/ Metamorphosis:a butterfly emergesbeauty is within http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1177090/ Gazelles rushing byat the speed of light, they glideescaping life's foes http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1177087/ I see you standing there,in the park by the swings,waiting for me like always.I blink once, twice,and then you are gone.You are such a beautiful mirage:your ivory skin shimmers as the sunlight dances to the beat of a summer day,and your true-blue eyes sparkleas you turn and look my way.If only I had.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1176046/ There are days that silence rages so fiercely,I fear the panes will crack and cave.O how I long for your witty exchanges once more.We spend hours, lingered in poetry,conversations enlightened with articulation,and then your mind snaps;Silence.I learn to entertain myself between silences,to sift thro.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1173387/ loss of love http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1173362/ What have you done?In a haze of agony, memories scream.Once we drank of innocence,wide-eyed and untainted,but your thirst perished.You desired the worldwith all it's debased splendors,to drink of tainted winewith butchers and w****s.And then you'd return to mein a feverish pool of lies -emotions fol.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1172867/ The sun disappearsand a flock of cawing birdsdarkens the pink sky http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1172845/ An old birch tree standsits white bark peels off in stripsLove notes to the Earth http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1171937/ Bright-colored songbirdsinging to me so sweetlywaiting for the sun http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1171916/ she hears each his lies  a child cries in the jungle  small prey shake, hidden  .. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1171910/ ~Cherished Love~ http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1170569/ ~1997~ http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1169866/ I am strong, yet limberand sway easily in the breeze;Your lithe body blends easily here.I relax. The morning sun feeds my soul.I have become the perfect resting placefor one such as you. As you sing,my whole being delights in your melody.We share this symbiotic relationship:I shelter and shade you, .. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1167593/ My name is Kendra, I am bisexual, single, and lonely. My therapist has suggested that I keep a journal of my life since I have become a hermit. If she only really knew how many days pass before I get out of bed for more than a bathroom break. I still miss my last lover, still harbor some dismay for .. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1167421/ For months, I played it your way:church on Sundays and Friday fellowship.It didn't always suit my Buddhist ways,but I respected you. You gave me a homewhen I had no where to go.For well over a year, we shared a bond.I believed in our friendship;why did you have to prove me wrong?Just because I retur.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1166845/ It's been nearly three years since I've been in a relationship. It feels just like yesterday. And forever. I cannot forget you and I cannot remember you either. I grow more and more frustrated every day. Without pictures, I would barely remember you at all.That's the hardest part of my illness... Me.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1166225/ A woman desperately tries to hold on to the memories of relationships. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1166220/ Without thought or care, I dropan olive into a martini glass,cover it with a tangy mixtureof orange juice and gin, stirlightly with a finger and lift it to my lips.On nights like this, I drinkto chase away the ghostsof memories' past. Snapshots, cryptic scenarios linger.I should hate you, despisethe.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1160869/ You want to knowwhat is beautiful about meand I scramble aroundinside my chemo-fogged brain for answers.It shouldn't be my bald head,I whisper,but I no longer avoid the mirror.It shouldn't be this bodyfalling apart day by day,but I've grown accustomed to the changes.It shouldn't be this deranged min.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1160805/ He is not a substitute for you;no one could ever take your place.But the loneliness, O the loneliness!Such sad eyes tugged at my soul:love me; they sucked me right in.I still cry at night from the loss of you,still remember your beauty and charm.You were too young to die;we'd only spent a few years .. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1160684/ Close by, I sit in vigilwatching as you breath,your lungs desperate for air.You've not much time,the doctors keep sayingAnd I shall not leave your side.Standing, I extend my wingsallowing them to unfurland then close softly about my body.Head bowed, I send my report.It's time, says the Heavenly resp.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1125187/ You are flushed and ripe.My fingers caress you gently,lovingly,teasingly,in adoration.I nibble at your skin,rolling my tongue on rounded curves,savoring,swallowing your sweetness.Such succulence!My need for you grows,I can no longer contain my passion...In one grand gesture,you are deliciously devou.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1075768/ When I was a young lad, Papa used to say,You can tell a lot about a man by the way he ties his bow tie.Front and center was a sign of dignity.Papa lived his whole life that way,dignified to the very end.When the draft came, I took my dignified bow tie to the jungles of Vietnam,but this was no place .. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1075542/ ~© 1996~ http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1075500/ We were gray, lifeless zombies,walking in rows from our houses to the factory.Each day stole more femininity from us.We became faded memories -Elegantly-clad ladies, dresses swirling the dance halls,and afternoon tea on the front porch.We traded in our country estates for promises -Big cities filled.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1066989/ and then just like that, we are monstersready to devour one anothers' souls.I've warned myself before,don't get too comfortable; stay vigilant.I should know by now that good thingsdon't last for bad people like me.And I must be horribly bad;I've been picking up shoes all my life.This time it is mere.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1062612/ In the morning, the children practice zazen --In the fields, by the well, on the front porch     For one hour, they sit and breatheThe silence overtakes the camp like a thick woolen blanket.     I too succumb to zazenSoon all resume their morning duties,Gather.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1061678/ ~t'was but a dream~ http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1061494/ I am your dirty little secret,Your weird child, the "something's not right" child.I creep through the night-shadows of your mind,such heinous images you carry of me there.You've branded me monster.I gather shame to me like a warm blanket,wrapped tightly and tucked under my chin.I hide in a blackened.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1059650/ For Jim http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1059254/ ~To St John and Rosamond~ http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1059141/ ~For Lisa, My Sis~ http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1057148/ I enter the bedroom, so exhausted from livingand see you lying there, ebony strands on ivory,your comforter-encased body clinched around my pillow.If only I could tell you the haunts that keep me from you.Trembling, I sit upon a corner of the bed, fear crawls in,leers back and forth between us.I beg.. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Iona-Nerissa/1057006/