Sunlight stings my eyes
Previously sealed by pain
Digressions forfeit
This badge worn for mortal sin
I’m but the latest felon
What feeds man’s deceit
Is it character’s weakness
Or evil’s prodding
A mystery eternal
Just as it has always been
~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
A glassy eyed stare
Into the heart of your soul
Yields me no solace
Swallowed into a darkness
Which has never seen the light
~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
This solitary tree,
Utterly alone amongst the brown grasses.
Nary a leaf can I see,
iIgnored by the traveling masses.
~
No birds find cause to seek shelter,
No buds rise to show you love.
Dry and brittle in the noonday swelter,
Limbs raised to Heaven hoping for rain from above.
~
What have you done to be shunned…an outcast,
Sentence too cruel for such an innocent one.
Punishment levied you’d hoped you’d outlast,
With each passing day a new days begun.
~
I look on with sorrow and the shedding of tears,
As I see myself in you, one and the same.
With scarcely a friend after all of these years,
I’ve no one to place, except me with the blame.
~
I too just as you have my soul laid out bare,
A wish for companionship to stay.
Broken and weak I expose to the air,
The longing for love I keep locked away.
~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
The heart grows fonder
Absence, distance amplify
Plucking at the soul
Loneliness tears me hollow
I long for your warm embrace
~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
Scars, fresh raised and red
Born of stainless razors edge
Bleed…to make me feel
Numb, I do not understand
What flawed design produced me
Sleeves long– Hide the shame
Attempts for naught this hollow fill
Am I all alone
Left to cut and poke and prod
To wake up the walking dead
~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
Scavenging,
Through trash bins,
Rubbish heaps,
Loitering beyond alley doors,
Waiting for “the good stuff”.
Jagged nails,
Through fingerless gloves,
Sort through treasures,
Maybe a doughnut,
Scrap of bread,
Half eaten burger,
A meal fit for a king.
Seen on steam grate mattresses,
Fetal curl for warmth;
Passersby arc wide birth
To avoid their touch.
Rain draws trash bag slickers,
Doorways, cardboard,
Rags for umbrellas,
Taxi’s thrown sludge sprays the invisible
With cities dirt and grim.
Will they be here tomorrow?
Will anyone notice their absence?
As their shopping cart sits idle
Ravaged by fellow unseen.
~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
I beg of heaven for light of day
For night fills dreams of you with fear
On bended knee in tears I pray
~
What can I do, what dare I say
To break this darkness with love and cheer
I beg of heaven for light of day
~
This deep despair I keep at bay
In hopes you’ll return my cherished dear
On bended knee in tears I pray
~
I never would your heart betray
My passion felt I have made so clear
I beg of heaven for light of day
~
Were I to change would then you stay
Anything I’d do to mend heartbreak severe
On bended knee in tears I pray
~
To you, I promise to never stray
Your honor I’ll guard and never besmear
I beg of heaven for light of day
On bended knee in tears I pray
~~~~~~~~~~~ // ~~~~~~~~~~~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
** I thought I would give a new style a try. The Villanelle is in the form of A1 B A2 / a b A1 / a b A2 / a b A1 / a b A2 / a b A1 A2. It is very structured, but was interesting to write. I would appreciate any feedback you may wish to provide. Thanks.
Awakening to the first rays of day
Filtered through muddled panes;
Thankful for each cherished breath,
The perfection of the day,
My wife, children, friends, acquaintances,
Those whom I have not yet met,
Perfect in just their existence.
This happiness is born deep within;
It can not be projected on one by another
Nor given as one would tender a gift.
This joy must live of it’s own volition,
In unison with the body temple,
Expelling that which festers melancholy.
Would anyone not choose happiness over misery,
Relaxation over stress, Peace over violence,
Love over hate…I think not.
This ability lies within each of us,
Active or in hibernation;
Only a nudge is necessary to awaken it
Often we bury it under rubble;
Forged from the drama surrounding us.
Though unavoidable,
It must not be permitted to loiter.
Rather it must be cast out as a leper,
Burned at the stake,
Sacrificed to the gods,
Guaranteeing the health of our mind,
Our body
And our spirit.
~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
Sorrow fills my heart
These tears with anger replaced
I can cry no more
As sadness succumbs to rage
Hoping to exact revenge
~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
Maybe I’m naive
Always looking for the good
Instead of the bad
Pessimism taints the soul
Leaving it to die hollow
~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
Dom DiFrancesco 