Liar, Liar (A Sonnet)

Photo by Morgue File © 2015

Liar, Liar (A Sonnet)

The sun bows to you in grand reception,

Falling prey to your charms, walking through fire,

Caught in your wicked web of deception

while you smile… pathological liar.

What’s your excuse, were you dropped on your head

Or pinched by forceps in your great escape?

Unleashing demons ‘til the world has bled;

The bile on your tongue tastes like sour grapes.

Say what you will, for nobody believes

Your rhetoric.  Here’s a word to the wise:

Your crimes are far worse than beggars and thieves.

Your half-truths are the most cowardly lies.

You refuse to live by the golden rule…

But six feet of earth make us all equal.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2015

October 20, 2015

Refrain (A Kyrielle Sonnet)

"Park City Sunset" by Colleen Breuning © 2015

Refrain

Night echoes in my heavy heart

Painted darkness, my work of art.

Words and anguish mingle with rain,

My soul released with each refrain.

Voices clash, intentions aground

When everyone has his own sound.

Sing out chorus, relieve this pain,

My soul released with each refrain.

Hope abides in blue skies and seas,

The mountain range, the forest breeze.

Harmony restores, peace sustains,

My soul released with each refrain.

Night echoes in my heavy heart,

My soul released with each refrain.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2015

October 12, 2015

Black Betsy

Black Betsy

I am obsessed.  Her hypnotic ebony eyes pull me under, taking me to a dark place deep inside my soul.  She is my greatest case study, she stokes my male ego.  Resistance to her charms proves more futile each day. 

“I’m sorry.  Not tonight, Betsy.”

Tomorrow is an early morning at the lab. With a sigh of resignation, I switch off the bedside lamp and roll over.

But sleep eludes me.  Studies, trials, deadlines, unrelenting pressure from the pharmaceutical company…  Thoughts tumble in my brain like an endless dryer cycle.  Development of this breakthrough painkiller through extracting toxins from poisonous spiders is an elephant on my back.  Success could mean fame and fortune for a lowly arachnologist like me.

 My mind clears as I drift off.

She appears before me in full glory, arms extended.  The bright moon glows behind her, bedroom curtains fluttering in the night breeze.  The chilling strains of Saint Saens fill the room. 

“Come to me, my love.  Embrace me, seal our destiny,” she whispers.

Beads of sweat break on my forehead.  I struggle to move away, but my limbs are dead weight.  Lips paralyzed, my voicebox emits a mere faint moan.

“No more experiments!  Now revenge is mine….”

The music swells in a climax.  She wraps her eight arms around me, fangs descending. 

The venom spreads through my bloodstream like wildfire.  So painfully sweet.  Muscles give way to beckoning warmth.  Choking, my lungs heave to take in gasps of breath. 

One last kiss…

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2015

October 8, 2015

Original Word Count:  246

Revised Word Count:  249

Amethyst Sky

Photograph by Colleen Keller Breuning © 2015

Amethyst Sky

Rain has fallen five days straight.

The levee breaks, hope comes undone.

Tears from heaven flood the grass,

Sparkling like diamonds in the sun.

But it’s all right, I hear your voice

Whispering as twilight draws nigh.

Your smile beckons from distant stars

Twinkling in the amethyst sky.

Now westward winds stir restless,

whipping up the anger and wrath.

Flames shadow dancing in the dark,

the fire casts its light upon my path.

But it’s all right, I hear your voice

whispering as twilight draws nigh.

Your smile beckons from distant stars

twinkling in the amethyst sky.

I don’t want this pain anymore,

It’s been far too many years.

Give me shelter from the storm,

Ease my anguish, dry my tears.

But it’s all right, I hear your voice

whispering as twilight draws nigh.

Your smile beckons from distant stars

twinkling in the amethyst sky.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2015

October 7, 2015