The Road to Lake Koocanusa

Pool of waste reflects bitter mountains,
as green paints brush on flat land.
Burned out trees golden with life.
Black haze drips down on the windshield.
Trucks pass, dogs in the back for a ride.
Clouds make images above.
Crosses mark the deaths of couples,
children, people. Covered in flowers
and gifts where loved ones morn.
Red barns stand tall in the lush grass.
Planes fly high over us. Lighting
stricken trees still stand.
Blue water towers mark the town.
Sun lightens the valley. An Indian
girl standing alone, waits to pass.
Dirt roads lead to broken houses.
Bright colors catch my eyes,
a dream plastered on a billboard.
Over the horizon to see four
island stretched in the mirrored
lakes. Flat as the world.
Blank signs indicating the road
a head. Dead ground soon to become
full. Just like me, just like us.

Deidre Grotbo

Tapping Fingers

Sun drenches my hair,
as vapors of rain stain
my face.
Alone, far away
you laugh. I forgive you,
honesty will let me sleep.

Deidre Grotbo

Spring epoch

Birds sing and fly.
The weather
chills me. Warmth,
no, winter still.
I want to face the sun.
I want to turn to gold.

Deidre Grotbo

Salty

Taste the outbreak, reeling
in the flames, eating the city
one street light at a time.
The gothic scene scrapes
the nail polish off. Pulling
hair one strand at a time
to feel the true grief, evolving
in a state of pleasure. Licking
the lips of an era, caressing
the bosom of a toughened
soul. Wrapping the present
in the rhythm, I kiss the neck
of a blurred an anticipation.

Deidre Grotbo

Owl

Clouds blanket the sky
moon reflects winds
leaves scatter by.
An eye forms
the beak of an owl
sings to me.
I can't hear you scream.

Deidre Grotbo

Locks, Keys, and Numbers

The keys dance around
the rings, patiently
waiting. I change
the locks, ironically.
Bewildering copper
melts and molds,
forming an endless
doorway. I, the crow,
searches for a exact
combination. Castles
and legions, prisons
and criminals, life.
The dynasty shows
its only secret, I crash
into it's walls.

Deidre Grotbo

Grains

The clock chimes hour upon hour,
and I drift into the sands, time
greets me with a kiss. Eclipsing,
I suffer. A space, I inhale, buried
among the ruble. Left with nothing,
blank. Leave, I am pure, itching
to hum the grains of life. Too late,
mauled by the naïve.

Deidre Grotbo

Elements

Sand storm faces appear in thorn
pierced cactus, as winds of western
coasts brush agents their cracked lips.
I wait with shadows in hand to cast
them upon the beautiful. Champagne
glasses sipped generously into a state
of nirvana, as the rain of the East
travel into the brown eyes of Nevada.
Corrupt ideas intoxicate human flesh,
black rose petals form a pillow of comfort.
Minds shatter with numbed arousing
reflections, as the bitter snow of the North
drowns the heat. Hawks circle innocent
prey, hovering over the murdered . As evil
tattoos their treasures behind your ears,
fire balls of the South burn scars.

Deidre Grotbo

Justice

It will take my lifetime,
to understand me. Tolerance
pores through my pulse.
Pleading cases of mistreated
people, not myself. Strong
on justice but I’m mute.
Stand in the X on the stage
as I state my theories,
but I’m no Statue of Liberty.
I’m unable to yell wrongs
and rights. Agreeing
with both sides. When
to believe? Don’t judge,
pity, look differently
at me because of honesty.
Hissed at for beliefs,
applauded for others.

Deidre Grotbo 

Fat Girl

I see you standing, fidgeting.
Tugging on your loose fit sweatshirt.
Watching everyone pass by, judging
every move. Hoping they won’t even
glance up. Staring down at the body
of hate, you cry. I stare, wondering
how can someone feel like you do.
Yelling, hitting, scratching at your
body, you cover up. Eyes blood shot
you walk down the hall, sleep is all
you need, right?  Let’s try again
tomorrow.
Deidre Grotbo

Cycles of Mars (version II)

Remember you, all
the faces you see.
We are the future,
the clouds moving
around the world.
Disappearing in the sun,
holding the rain to feed
the ground, making
the storm to see you
shutter. The star winking,
falling, crying, crashing
to the ground. Burning
a hole into a mind.
Day time, smile, act
like we’re not there.
Ignore us touching
your spine, stroking
your hair. Night falls
laying in bed alone,
surrounded by us.
Watching, waiting
for dreams to come.
We’ll be there, taunting
you.

Brown Christmas

Fertile sun whips through
lifeless plants marked
by winter, summer skies
brushed with numbing winds.
Window shades block the sun,
lines demarcating white walls.
Mother Nature sleeps, her lips
pressed firmly together.
Mountains rise to block the city
in a time warp of pine
and ornaments. Blinking
lights distract a driver,
colorful trees set aflame,
cheap gifts betrayed
in snowless streets. Dried
leaves scrape against
the cheeks of autumn.
As ruby red dies to brown,
I watch the rewind of spring
to winter, to this: frozen
rain pounding from smirking
skies. Every breath hatches
fog, and the city falls into place.
Will autumn’s cold ever rise into
a newly born world?

Deidre Grotbo

Acid Rain

Poisoned soil takes away

life. The forest is bare, naked,

fading from rain, snow, mist,

and fog. Smoke creates a wall.

Acid rain threatens survivors.

Unforgettable destruction,

sulfur intoxicates the beauty.

Deidre Grotbo

Alone

I am tired, I am lost,

about to cave in. A world

that is nothing but stereotypes,

I hate being the person

that wants some super model

figure. Decry! Love my mind,

soul, body. Ignore, forgive,

humor, hate. Questioning will

you answer me?

Deidre Grotbo