stained

"I've witnessed all suffering,"

the jaded one spoke,

"no one escapes - 

season to season

reasons for living 

made prisoner by 

hope." 

"I've swallowed all sadness," 

the jaded one mused, 

"joy heralds darkness,

anger fells peace, 

reflections of lives 

we've squandered 

and used." 

"I've heeded each silence," 

the jaded one thought,

"with eyes wide open

eternity sleeps for 

paradise dreamed, 

resurrection 

bought." 

Poem © 2010 by R. Burnett Baker 

Photo by Tess Kincaid, "Magpie Tales" 

Tis The Season

we are risen




the animus 
of our lives, 
boxed shelved faced
fronted gimmicked
disposable new
improved door-busted
values; 


praise the lord 
along the aisles
between shelves 
of pietistic fervor,


for we are risen
and paid for: 


the season of 
our cross to 
bear.


Poem © 2010 by R. Burnett Baker 
Photo © 2010 by R. Burnett Baker 

Magpie Tales Photo Prompt 44: Slay The Beast

crossbow

against a wall

a crossbow, 

I thought.

from a

hilltop trigger

I'll pierce

the heart 

of winter,

slay the 

beast of 

white.

                                                                             

Poem © 2010 by R. Burnett Baker 
Photo courtesy of "Willow" at Magpie Tales 

Winter Settles In

December 1st, the beginning of meteorological winter, did not disappoint.  Western New York is snow covered.  More is on the way throughout this coming week.


I don't really like the idea of re-posting previous poems, but here goes.  This is one of my own favorites and since it is nearly two years old, I've decided to share it again.  

______________________________

______________________________________________

wind sun snow

my breath cloud

rides 

on frozen        wind

warmth 

clings 

to winter's       sun 

fearful of 

the virgin 

                       snow. 

Poem © 2009 by R. Burnett Baker 

Photo © 2009 by R. Burnett Baker 

Photo taken by R. Baker in Highland Park, Rochester, NY, February 2009. 

meditations




there were
prayers and 
meditations.


watching,
I whispered
to my 
curious soul, 
"be silent." 








Poem © 2010 by R. Burnett Baker 
Photo © 2005 by R. Burnett Baker 
Photo taken by R. Baker at Wang Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong, 2005

Six Months Later

the gloaming




half a year
is twice a 
lifetime


and I've 
tried to 
remember
the last time
I heard your
voice. 


when you 
left us we 
celebrated 
you and 
carried on
with our 
lives. 


now 
the precipice 
of the gloaming
taunts the 
memory of 
our yesterdays, 


but not 
the strength 
of your 
presence. 


(To the memory of Eugene M. Baker, 1923-2010)




Poem © 2010 by R. Burnett Baker 
Photo© 2010 by R. Burnett Baker 

Magpie Tales Photo Prompt 43

two steps 

virgin snow 

dares footprints.

I want to peer 

inside your 

windowed door,

to leave my mark

two steps at a time.

Poem © 2010 by R. Burnett Baker 

Photo courtesy of Willow @ "Magpie Tales"