A Red Feather

(I just finished this. There are a few things I'd like to change, such as word choice, but other than that, I am happy with this.)

The glowing ambers are silent,
But inside still burns a fire.
Born not of rage, burning and violent,
But love, true, without strings or wire.

Like the Phoenix, with wise old gaze,
Eyes shine full of truth and passion.
For you, I soar, with wings ablaze,
Till my heart finds words to fashion.

The time we share, precious and dear,
Memories slip by, specks of joy
Like sand in the hourglass, held so near,
Between the two, this girl and this boy.

Like the Phoenix, fire anew,
Glistening brightly; I love You.


-Jeff Dougherty

The Carousel

From a tinny box with the usual schmaltz
Comes the bittersweet tune of Musetta's Waltz.
Around and around the Carousel turns
And carries to ears who, remembering, yearn
For the giddy laughter of a starry-eyed girl
As she sat on a horse trimmed in ribbons that curled
A marv'lous steed with expression untame
And jewels on its browband, gold tassels and reins.
Now a tear trickles down a long-wrinkled cheek
The horses lilt softly, their eyes seem to speak
As lovers tarry hours, riding hand-in-hand,
Beside babes held steady by parents who stand,
'Till Carousel slows and Music winds to a fin -
Some get on, some get off, and again it begins.

-Siri Hammond