ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS

That summer day, I caught the bouquet,
White roses, blue ribbons, given to me,
Unseen hands lofting the flowers caught so easily,
As if meant for me, a gift to Myself.

Artificial flowers, captured in a glass vase,
Sit on my bedside table, by a photo of a man from OZ,
Distance keeps our love on a shelf, and I wonder
Why can't he be honest with himself?

Too many irons in the fire, allowed to quench his desire,
Time zones away, my heart aches, life again,
Slams on the brakes, reality slaps him in the face,
His commitments keep me in my place.

Artificial flowers, lasting beauty,
Real love sacrificed to duty,
This conundrum of the heart,
With no choice, keeps us apart.

Time As Perceived

Time for me to find my own song,
Time to get off the shelf,
Time for me to get along,
Time to find myself.

Time in two zones, can make you mad,
Time with you makes me glad,
Time alone can make me strive,
Time with you makes me alive.

Nearly four years, who would have believed,
Nearly mad with things misperceived,
Feeling proud with what I've achieved,
Feeling glad with all I've received.

Time is nearly over this year,
Time as future isn't here,
Time has passed, beyond my fear,
Time is NOW, to get in gear.