pictured words

a simple pairing of pictures and poetry

A River Sighs in Silence

Image created by AI

Inspired by “ … and the river spoke in a language without words,” from The Dead of Night, a Measure of Rest after Karaoke by Mike Bayles

A River Sighs in Silence

Once the sky emptied itself,
moved on to another town,
and the swollen river below it
stopped chugging trees
and gorging children,
and the once-bawling waters waned,

the river’s shame released a sigh
too soft
too late for children’s ears
to hear.

© Marie Elena Good 2025

For the children of Camp Mystic, and all whose lives have changed from the recent flash floods.

PUMP THE BREAKS after Bob Odenkirk

PUMP THE BREAKS

The whole week is jammed
with to-dos and to-don’ts,
so now is the time
for I can’ts and I won’ts.

I can’t do that thing
I’ve been wanting to do,
when clearly too much
is crammed into my queue.

I won’t take a nap,
‘cause I can’t squeeze it in.
My schedule’s so full,
don’t know where to begin.

To just lollygag
is unthinkable now.
Where once I could loaf,
now my time won’t allow.

No time for some rest,
and I’ve no time to rhyme.
A stroll with a friend?
I’m so sorry – no time.

I think what I need
are some scheduled blank days;
some nothing-to-dos;
some okay-to-delays.

Then maybe my head
and my heart will be free
to do all I need do,
and still spend time with me.

© Marie Elena Good 2025

“The whole week is jammed with to-dos and to-don’ts” from “Lollygagging,” by Bob Odenkirk