of latching onto
an idea that might stop,
or slow slightly,
the spinning chaos
of the world around
and allow
me to catch my breath.
Even if only temporarily.
F. Kate Langan 2022.

Or are these human values,
Given to honour
Their wondrous existence,
Just a salve for our collective souls
Before we poison them
Into extinction?

F. Kate Langan. 2020.
Previously published in the Journal of Wild Culture, 2022.

Do they feel vain
Garbed in such finery
As they flit around
On a summer's day,
Outshining all other
Aerial acts they encounter?
(cont'd)

Do butterflies dream
As they emerge in glory
From their secure cocoon
To face an unknowable future,
Even as they carry traces
Of foregone generations
From which to draw
Strength and courage?
(cont'd)

So, please pull me close
even if I lash out and push
you and try to sit alone
and moon the clouds
with wistfulness.

Patch my smiles strung
of broken heart strings.
That way I will learn
to remember that you
feel too the sadness.
F. Kate Langan 2015.#loss#grief#healing#love

Some days bring spuming
angers, followed by nights
of spongy sorrow, or misting
eyes of smiling gladness.
(cont'd)

Waves of days crash me
back and forth
against the jagged rocks
of newborn insecurity
and self-worthlessness.
(cont'd)

I love it. Nice strong images and emotions. Thanks for sharing.

Be alone as you are
Bending, gorgeous and free
Until winds blow constant
And fierce
Winnow lessons from memories
And build only with those.
F. Kate Langan 2010.
#love#risk#chance#certainty

Contentment with The home and hearth And love you have;
Be in the now. It is the only way.
F. Kate Langan 2009#buckthetrend#ownpath#gratitude

Force them to silence With glowing thoughts Of memories Of children building Sandcastles at the lips
Of waves, gratitudes For the lottery-win That birthed you in This time and place.
(cont'd)

False! Do not heed. They will lead You down the path Of malcontent and leave You wanting, needing, desiring More and more. And more.
So stop! It is enough!
(cont'd)

and, please leave the plug
in the electrical socket
'til I'm done.
Oh, why do you need
to make so much noise
to do what you do
and be who you are?
You make it so hard for me
to hear myself think!
F. Kate Langan 2018.

so that we can get
this last bit done.
Please, just squeeze around
the legs of this chair,
so I can reach the dirt
right over there.
Please, don't knock the vase
off the table while
my back is turned,
(cont'd)