Wow, Aquaman, I think that's probably some of the highest praise I've ever received for my writing... For almost anything, in fact! And it's been a long time since I've inspired any poetry (other than my own) --- I'm so touched, I really don't know what to say, except of course THANK-YOU! *kiss*

Radies, thank-you so much! More is on its way...

Xanne, I'm glad you like the poems as well. Most of my pieces actually move around on the page like 'libertad' does, and the sense of space and movement is very important in terms of the writing process for me --- I tend to write very quickly and scatter the lines all over the page --- but these forums don't allow enough formatting to preserve that, so I'm making do... Just use your imagination as you read them and let certain lines reach out to you more, and certain lines break away entirely from the surrounding piece, and you'll get the idea.

Tammi --- I love the sense of play and sheer joy that comes through in those poems of yours! So different from the mood of the piece you posted here before! Keep writing, and keep sharing with us here!

Nubian --- That last Haiku you posted is so vivid! Amazing how a few words can be so incredibly dramatic. It brought back some very powerful memories for me, and actually would fit rather well with some of my poems, but I'm not sure that Pixies' forums are the best place to delve into my whole history of social phobia and panic attacks, yada yada yada... Still, I'd love to know what the background to that particular piece was!

And to all you guys and your humourous poems --- LMAO!!!! (I especially like your Pixies' limerick, Glyndwr!)

Anyway: here's a poem I wrote last night, during the looooong bus ride home from Ottawa. My boyfriend fell asleep against my shoulder at one point, and I wanted to capture the wonderful sense of calm and love that comes from drifting off to sleep together, so I dug out my notebook with my free hand and started scribbling. I don't usually share poems when they're this new and 'raw', so please be kind!

*

afterglow

peace
together
after passion

sprawling warmly
into one another

my ear to your heartbeaat
your hand heating
the naked intimacy
of the small of my back
legs and feet
a happy jumble

and the rise and fall
of your chest
floats me along
the contented curve
of your gentle
smile

into fulfillment

and sleep

and life