Elegy for Lynched Lives

In shadows cast by somber boughs,
A tale untold, a grief avows.
Red ornaments on a tree of yore,
Echo whispers of hearts, forever sore.

Each bauble, a silent elegy,
For lives unbound, yet never free.
Draped in hues of sorrow's thread,
A poignant tribute to the silent dead.

Like crimson blooms midst winter's snow,
Memories linger, a solemn, steady flow.
In the dance of light, a poignant plea,
For justice, grace, and empathy.

As ornaments sway in the hallowed air,
A poignant hymn, a solemn prayer.
To honor those who found no peace,
In the shadows where sorrows cease.

May red adornments, on branches high,
Speak of unity 'neath the vast sky.
A plea for justice, a vow to sever,
The ties that bind, that last forever.

Twixt Wakefulness and Sleep

In a snuggery of comfort, I recline,
A realm 'twixt wakefulness and dreams entwine.
Hypnagogic whispers softly play,
Guiding my spirit in the twilight's sway.

Between the realms, a tranquil repose,
I find a haven where insight bestows.
Voices ethereal, a celestial choir,
Granting wisdom, foreknowledge entire.

Anon, I drift, embraced by the surreal,
In this cosmic dance, truths unveil.
The physical and spiritual dance in trance,
Harmony found in this sacred expanse.

Third Toast to Two

In the waltz of time, here's a third embrace,
Two hearts entwine, with elegance and grace.
Each step resounds stories, a robust song,
As they embark on love's journey lifelong.

Through life's kaleidoscope, they've danced before.
Destiny beckons them, repeat once more.
From prior chapters, many lessons learned,
In love's rich tapestry, new pages turned.

Their eyes tell tales of the paths they have trod,
A union forged, not by chance but by God.
Weathered by storms, yet they're still standing tall,
In love's grand theater, they take center hall.

Threefold vows, spoken with a seasoned truth,
Commitment transcends ephemeral youth.
Even in the twilight, when shadows blend,
They find love anew, like a faithful friend.

So here's to the couple, resilient, rare,
Testament to love's enduring affair.
In this third act, a symphony sublime,
As two souls converge in the dance of time.

Send a Lover Who Spoils

Oh, divine creator in realms above,
Send forth a lover, a beacon of love.
Grant me a companion, tender and true,
A soul to cherish, to laugh and to woo.

May this lover be like a gentle breeze,
Spoiling my spirit with moments that please.
In moonlit dreams, let passion ignite,
A dance of emotions, an eternal light.

Send a lover who cherishes and adores,
With gestures of kindness and love evermore.
Let his touch be a comforting grace,
That fills me with joy as our hearts embrace.

Through life's winding journey, hand in hand,
Grant me a lover with a love so grand.
Oh, heavenly guide, hear this plea,
Shape a connection, destined to be.

Oh, divine architect of fate,
Craft a love that's truly great.
A lover who spoils with sweet delight,
In gestures grand, both day and night.

Let his whispers of affection be heard in the breeze,
Let him shower me with love, putting my heart at ease.
Let his touch be a pampering embrace,
Spoiling my soul in your tender grace.

May this lover bring me joy in excess,
A dance of passion, love's sweet caress.
Grant me a partner who goes above
To spoil me with a boundless love.

In this romance, let indulgence flow,
With gifts of the heart, let emotions grow.
Oh, celestial guide, let me make it clear,
Send a lover who spoils, draw him ever near.

In the odyssey of life, my time has come,
To seek a lover, a match with a shared drum.
One who comprehends my intrinsic worth,
Reciprocates love that echoes from birth.
I yearn for affection, attention, and more.
Send a companion who’ll meet me at love’s open door.
In this chapter let my desires unfold,
A lover who treasures my heart of gold.

May he mirror the care I've selflessly sown,
In the garden of love, let true partnership be known.
Let me receive the support I've graciously lent,
A love reciprocal, profound and unspent.

Ode to an Old Couple

In twilight's glow, two hearts entwine,
A love enduring, weathered by time.
Through years of laughter, and tears they've shed,
An old couple's tale, where love has spread.

Hand in hand, they've walked life's maze,
Navigating storms with steadfast gaze.
Wrinkled hands, a testament to years,
A love story written, conquering fears.

With every sunrise and each sunset,
They've built a life that they won't forget.
Through seasons changing, a love so true,
In the warmth of age, their bond anew.

Shared memories, like stars in the night,
Guiding them through each joy and plight.
A dance of hearts, an eternal song,
In the rhapsody of love, they both belong.

So here's to the couple, weathered and wise,
Whose love has grown, a beautiful prize.
In the tapestry of time, their story told,
A celebration of a love pure, and gold.

Love’s Second Chance

In life's second act, where shadows part,
Two souls converge, a brand new start.
Both once alone, now hand in hand,
" Embarking on love's second strand.

A dance of joy, a chance to heal,
In shared laughter, new vows they seal.
Ghosts of the past, gently laid to rest,
As love rekindles in each other's chest.

Their eyes, like mirrors, reflect the years,
Whispers of loss replaced with cheers.
A tapestry woven, threads of resilience,
In this second chapter, a vibrant brilliance.

Fingers entwined, weathered but strong,
A melody of hope, a lifelong song.
Through the autumn of life, love blooms afresh,
In the embrace of this second chance, they mesh.

Here's to the couple, resilient and bold,
A love story rewritten, a treasure to hold.
In the twilight of life, a flame burning bright,
As two hearts find solace in love's second light.

Pathological Liar

Truths distorted, a superjacent web,
Reality eclipsed, pseudologia weaves,
Underneath the facade, a deceitful thread,
Mendacious tales, where honesty bereaves,
Perfidious whispers, a liar's creed.

Convention Schwag Spree

In the heart of a bustling convention hall,
I sought schwag, freebies that would enthrall.
Amidst the collogue of eager nerds,
A salesperson's pitch, sweet as canorus birds.

"Behold," he proclaimed, a gadget so grand,
A marvel I'd never held in my hand.
He spun his tale, convincing and sly,
I succumbed, though my budget asked why.

I envisioned its use, a tool of allure,
Yet doubts lingered, obscure and unsure.
With a swipe of my card, a purchase so fleet,
I left, schwag forgotten, my heart's new heartbeat.

Yet reality struck, remorse like a song,
Had I been dazzled, my judgment so wrong?
A treasure now mine, though I pondered its worth,
Perhaps I'd been swayed by the allure of the girth.

Back in the crowd, schwag-laden and gay,
I clutched my new trinket, excitement in sway.
For a moment, satisfaction in my eyes,
But a whisper of reason, a regretful surprise.

In the glow of convention lights, I weighed the cost,
A canorus tune of overspending embossed.
Yet there, in my hands, a gadget unknown,
A tale of collogue and purchases overblown.

Message of the Night Sky

Amidst the vast expanse, where whispers weave,
The moonlight bathes in its argent sleeve.
At midnight's throne, a spectral ballet,
A serenade unfolds at the dock of the bay.

The stars, like diamonds, on black canvas splashed,
An astral symphony, where moments sat.
Beneath the canopy, shadows prance,
As dreams take flight in a trance.

A cascade of echoes, a cosmic spat,
Resonates through the celestial strat.
At the nexus of time, where destinies begat,
A kaleidoscope of hopes in a whispered chitchat.

In twilight's splendor, there's much to look at,
As the cosmos dances with much eclat.
The universe sighs, an ethereal song,
You have purpose on earth; this is where you belong.

Toothsome Tea

There once was a gastronome with glee,
Whose appetency sought toothsome tea.
In pots of potation,
He found edacious elation,
And became drunk for all to see!

Seeking Belongings

In the emptiness of borrowed time,
Possessions lent, a subtle crime,
A gallery of absent goods,
A quiet theft in misunderstood hoods.

Silent whispers in the air,
Tales of items lost somewhere,
Lent with trust, a binding thread,
Now severed, lost, or left for dead.

Conversations tinged with ire,
Borrowed moments, fueling fire,
Yet, in the tempest, calm I stay,
My belongings to reclaim, I say.

A dance of words, a fragile trance,
As I inquire and advance,
Through the veils of borrowed claims,
Seeking solace, not the blames.

They deflect, attempt to sway,
In the quarrel's bitter fray,
Yet steadfast, I persist, my plea,
For possessions lost, to set them free.

Broken, used, or profits gained,
Reasons varied, truth constrained,
Not my concern, I gently state,
Return what's mine, the rightful fate.

In the saga of possessions lent,
A battle fought with calm intent,
For in the storm, my claim is clear,
I seek my things, and have no fear.

Culinary Delight

In a land where indulgence took the stage,
Lived a gastronome of enormous gauge,
With vast appetency, edacious desire,
For toothsome delights, a feast to acquire.

Surrounded by potations, a gourmet's dream,
A symphony of flavors, a luscious stream.
Delicious and delectable, a tempting display,
The tables adorned in a sumptuous array.

He savored each delicacy, a culinary dance,
A palate's adventure, a gourmet's chance.
From the savory to the sweet, a gastronomic trance,
In this realm of feasting, a hedonistic expanse.

Yet, as he reveled in the banquet's delight,
Reality nudged him from the dream so bright.
A sudden awakening, hunger's cruel scheme,
For all the feasting was but a fleeting dream.

Dance of Words

In twilight's embrace, where shadows sigh,
Whispers dance 'neath the celestial sky.
A symphony of stars, a cosmic ballet,
In the tapestry of night, dreams find their way.

Moonlight weaves through the branches' embrace,
Silent echoes of time, a delicate grace.
Nature's poetry in each leaf's soft hush,
The universe whispers, a mystical brush.

The river of time, a gentle flow,
Carving tales in the rocks below.
Mountains stand as ancient sentinels high,
Guardians of secrets 'neath the azure sky.

In the garden of silence, where echoes bloom,
Words unsaid, like petals, softly consume.
A serenade of thoughts, a poetic trance,
A dance of words in the language of chance.

Emotions cascade like a waterfall's song,
A river of feelings, tender and strong.
In the mosaic of moments, a masterpiece unfolds,
Life's poetry written in stories untold.

So, let your heart be a poet's quill,
In the symphony of existence, find your thrill.
For in each fleeting moment, a verse unfurls,
And the universe listens to the poetry of the world.

New Orleans Massacre

In the sweltering haze of a July day,
New Orleans bore witness to a dark ballet,
A dance of hate, where history's stage
Was stained with blood, an ink of rage.

In the shadow of the Mechanics Institute,
Where voices gathered, seeking justice to meet,
Black and white, a Constitutional quest,
But the air was thick, a storm in the breast.

Delegates marched, a solemn parade,
Behind the flag, hopes not to fade,
Yet Mayor Monroe, with a tainted past,
Led a mob, a die already cast.

A hundred and thirty, footsteps strong,
Marched to change, to right a wrong,
But the mob, a tempest of hate,
Blocked their path, sealed their fate.

Intent claimed noble, to quell unrest,
Yet truth lay hidden in the mob's dark chest,
As shots echoed through the Crescent City's air,
A prelude to a massacre, a nation to scare.

To the Institute, they pressed ahead,
A sea of hopes, a tide to be bled,
Inside, safety sought, but outside they fell,
A symphony of chaos, a descent to hell.

Windows shattered, a hail of lead,
The mob, a torrent, filled with dread,
Delegates beaten, lives undone,
Innocence lost 'neath the southern sun.

The Institute, a fortress besieged,
By hate's storm, the innocent squeezed,
Amidst the gunfire's deafening sound,
Heroes emerged, the desperate found.

But ammunition waned, and the mob returned,
Doors shattered, lessons unlearned,
Delegates fell, a tragic cascade,
Justice abandoned, in the riot's shade.

Flee or surrender, the choices stark,
A city plunged into the abyss, so dark,
Some who yielded met a swift demise,
A sacrifice to hate, beneath Louisiana skies.

Street by street, the violence spread,
As if the city itself bled,
Union veterans, black and bold,
In the chaos, their stories told.

Streetcars halted, freedom denied,
Humanity withers, and innocence died,
A stain on the South, a scar on the land,
A massacre scripted by hate's cruel hand.

And as the echoes of gunfire subsided,
A nation shuddered, its conscience divided,
Repercussions, a political quake,
A republic's foundation began to shake.

In the aftermath, a nation's eye,
Turned toward justice, reaching for the sky,
Reconstruction's call, a healing balm,
In the ruins of New Orleans, a hopeful psalm.

Heartless

In the darkness of despair, where empathy should find its place,
How can you be so heartless, so devoid of grace?
A soul laid bare, wounded, left marred,
Yet your indifference stands, unscarred.

Do you not sense the cries of pain,
As hearts shatter in an unrelenting rain?
In the silence, where compassion should reside,
Your apathy prevails, a truth to hide.

How can you turn from the pleas of despair,
As if kindness were not yours to share?
In the chill of your distant gaze,
A mystery unfolds, lost in a heart's maze.

Seek the warmth within, let compassion bloom,
For in its embrace, we dispel the gloom.
Ask yourself, in the stillness of night,
How can you be tender, bring forth the light?

Handled, Not Cared For

In shadows cast by fleeting years,
A widow's heart, brimmed with silent tears.
A caretaker came, a wolf in guise,
To steal her solace, beneath disguised lies.

He claimed to tend, to nurture and guide,
Yet plundered treasures, with deceit beside.
Her cherished relics, swept away,
For greed's cruel dance, in the light of day.

He rearranged her world, a callous hand,
Ignoring whispers of the soul, in a heartless stand.
Her needs, concerns, cast to the wind,
Handled and manipulated, a trust rescinned.

A puppeteer of possessions, he played his part,
Leaving her adrift, with a fractured heart.
The sanctity of care, a mirage unmasked,
In the frailty of trust, a cruel task.

So, she stands alone, a resilient ember,
In the chill of betrayal, she'll remember.
For love should bloom, not wither and fade,
In the tapestry of time, a sorrow laid.

Delivered

(I am)
Torn into pieces
Ruined by evil
Almost to the point of no return
Under siege by a barrage of emotions
(With) Mounting fears and worries
(Oh the) Anxiety
(But I know that I am)
Delivered
(Yes, I am)
Delivered
Eternal life awaits
Living proof of His goodness
(I am)
Inspired by his grace
Victorious by His blood
Enduring with his strength
Resting in his promise
(Praise God for)
Ending cycles
(I am)
Destined for his purpose to be fulfilled
(Yes, I am)
Destined for his purpose to be fulfilled
(I am)
DELIVERED

Compilation by Angela Moss Poole and Doris Trueheart

Let Truth Be Told

In the pages of our shared chronicle,
Where truth and history enthrall,
A symphony of voices, diverse and raw,
Yet some seek silence, a censorious flaw.

Oh, let not the erasers touch the truth,
For history untold is a stolen youth.
In the tapestry of time, threads so bold,
Each tale of injustice, a story to be told.

Efforts to expunge the stains of yore,
Whitewash the pain, deny the core.
Yet, in the echoes of those silenced pages,
Resides the wisdom of countless ages.

Do not succumb to the soothing balm,
That numbs the conscience, causing harm.
Let the records stand, unblemished, clear,
For only in truth, redemption draws near.

In the mosaic of our shared reflection,
Every shard, each truth, a vital connection.
For history's mirror, shattered or whole,
Reflects the journey of every soul.

So, resist the urge to obscure the past,
For in facing it boldly, we're free at last.
Let the books speak, unbridled and loud,
Against the expungement of truth, we're avowed.

Inhumanity: Love Triumphs

In decaying hearts, where darkness lies,
Inhumanity, a cruel disguise.
Supremacy, a fleeting claim,
Yet kindness reigns, a higher aim.
No glory dwells in hearts of stone,
Empathy, the truest throne.
To rise above, in love we find,
Humanity, the noble bind.
Not in cruelty, strength is shown,
But in compassion fully grown.
In every soul, a spark of grace,
In unity, we find our place.

Childhood Trauma

Tangled memories linger, haunting the past,
Reverberating pain, shadows that cast.
Aching hearts carry burdens amassed.
Unseen wounds, silent echoes remain,
Moments shattered, innocence strained,
Altering lives with an enduring refrain.

Take Courage

In shadows cast by sorrow's veil,
You stand, both strong and frail.
Loss has woven threads so deep,
Yet within you, strength does seep.

Through the echoes of goodbye,
Your spirit, though wounded, will not die.
In the tapestry of pain, you'll find,
Resilience, gentle and refined.

Your mother's love, a guiding light,
In memories, forever bright.
Though parted from your husband's embrace,
His love persists in time and space.

In-laws' disdain, a bitter sting,
Yet within you, courage takes wing.
On this day, let strength arise,
New chapters dawn, where hope lies.

My child, let not despair define,
For stars emerge in the darkest line.
May your day's be filled with gentle grace,
Bring solace, courage, and embrace.

Twinkling Stars

In the heart of the city, where the shadows sat,
Two cats, leaders of rival clans, were to meet at a shack
To discuss who'd control their habitat.
Surely, there would be an argument about that!

These warring clans never agreed much before.
A tomcat named Pat, was first to arrive at the door.
He entered in and sat on mat.
He had with him a gat and a bat.

Pat was ready to battle if it came to that.
Then he heard at the door a rat-a-tat-tat.
Entering in was a fat house cat named Matt.
He wore a hat, looking like an aristocrat.

Matt said, "Pat, I see you came ready to attack.
I hoped you'd be more of a diplomat.
Surely, we can enact an agreeable contract."
Pat said, "Only if it were fair and one you won't infract,
Because you are well known to do just that."

"Well, let's not begin with such brickbat.
Perhaps, we can have a little chitchat."
"Perhaps, not. That would only detract from the matter at hand.
Could that be just what you had planned"?

Like an autocrat, Matt unfurled a plat
And said, "Here's where I'm at.
Here's how we will divide our habitat."
Pat said, "This plan is whacked!

Just like a plutocrat, I see you have stacked
All the best land for your clan and did subtract
All that is barren for us.
Do you really believe that this is just?"

Matt said, "I won't retract, I won't be attacked,
Our clan's claws are sharp, and our defenses intact."
Pat, calm and matter-of-fact, replied with tact,
"We need a plan to enact, not constant combat."

The thermostat of tension rose
As the unfairness of Matt's plan was exposed.
Pat said, "Our gang won't be treated like mere doormats.
We need a pact ensuring we can coexist without a spat."

Thereat argument ensued,
But eventually, it was sudued.
Emotions restrained
Allowing reason to reign.

With a copycat's precision and a technocrat's act,
They crafted a pact,
That gave every cat
A shared space under the moon's welcome mat.

And in the dim light, they signed the mutually agreed pact,
Then shook hands and gave each other a pat on the back
As they acknowledged the great impact of shared habitat, where both clans sat
Under a sky whereat stars twinkled in fact.

Pain Comes; Use it for Purpose

(Verse 1)
In the shadows, where we used to roam,
Chasing solace, but purpose called us home.
Pain pursued, an unwavering guide,
Now we embrace it, in purpose, we confide.

(Pre-Chorus)
Through the storm, we find our way,
Scars tell stories, in the light of day.
Running towards purpose, courage reborn,
Past's pain, a testament, in every dawn.

(Chorus)
We'll endure the pain for purpose,
Turn the page, our story's chorus.
In the echoes of where we've been,
Our testimony, a song within.

(Hook)
Oh, the pain, it wears a face,
But purpose beckons, we embrace.
Through the trials, we'll find our voice,
Past's pain, our anthem, our choice.

(Verse 2)
Beneath the moon, where shadows fade,
Purpose guides us, through the masquerade.
Every step, a dance with destiny,
Pain transformed, in our symphony.

(Pre-Chorus)
Through the storm, we find our way,
Scars tell stories, in the light of day.
Running towards purpose, courage reborn,
Past's pain, a testament, in every dawn.

(Chorus)
We'll endure the pain for purpose,
Turn the page, our story's chorus.
In the echoes of where we've been,
Our testimony, a song within.

(Hook)
Oh, the pain, it wears a face,
But purpose beckons, we embrace.
Through the trials, we'll find our voice,
Past's pain, our anthem, our choice.

(Bridge)
With every heartbeat, a rhythm untold,
In the tapestry of purpose, our stories unfold.
The pain we faced, now a canvas of grace,
A melody of courage, in life's vast space.

(Chorus)
We'll endure the pain for purpose,
Turn the page, our story's chorus.
In the echoes of where we've been,
Our testimony, a song within.

(Hook)
Oh, the pain, it wears a face,
But purpose beckons, we embrace.
Through the trials, we'll find our voice,
Past's pain, our anthem, our choice.

(Outro)
As we stand in the light, shadows behind,
Purpose our compass, a journey defined.
In the harmony of pain and worth,
We sing our song, a testament of rebirth.