I hear the roar of the train,
Rushing by in the distance.

The pulse of its movement
seizing my attention.

In the tranquility of its aftermath,
Every sound becomes strangely poignant.

The laughter of children becoming more defined,
Until I can feel the joy emanating from every excited squeal.

I hear the birds, speaking a language all their own,
And I imagine all the tales they must be telling one another.

The wind dances with the trees, creating together,
A gentle harmony of whispers.

It is peaceful here,
In this moment of clarity.

I sit and breathe it in,
Elated by the pure simplicity.

As the breath fills my lungs,
I am renewed; my focus awakened.

I sit here, recognizing,
That this swiftly fleeting moment,

Too easily dismissed,
Is, in fact, the epitome of life.

Alisha Jael 2007

An Enigma

(The Death of Mrs. McDermott)

Here ye, here ye the battle is about to begin

Between Mrs. McDermott and Ms. Thompkins

A fight to the end

Ms. Thompkins on one side clothe in strength, femininity, and grace

Mrs. McDermott on the other clothe in depression, despair, and disgrace

Take arms you warriors, so the battle can begin

Mrs. McDermott was aggressive as she started the attack

But Ms. Thompkins was clever; you see she had a counter-attack

She moved exceedingly swiftly and smooth with out lack

She pushed Mrs. McDermott with optimism against her back

Mrs. McDermott was startled but did not sway

She came at Ms. Thompkins with envy and hate

The crowd couldn’t believe the anger they saw in Mrs. McDermott’s face

What happen to this woman what made her this way

The battle raged on, both warriors an expert in their field

Mrs. McDermott with negativity and Ms. Thompkins with her optimistic appeal

Both were exhausted, but each standing strong

It was an intense battle; I guess that’s why it is taking so long

Oh wait, look can you see

Ms. Thompkins must got her second wind

She just displayed and amazing burst of energy

She just punched Mrs. McDermott in her face with awareness

Then she kneed her in the stomach with self-respect

Ms Thompkins just stabbed Mrs. McDermott with self-confidence multiple times in her chest

Mrs. McDermott collapsed with tears in her eyes

Pleading with Ms. Thompkins to let her survive

But Ms. Thompkins just started to kick her

With dedication and discipline, in her side

She bent down and whispered in Mrs. McDermott’s ear

She said it loud enough that some could hear

This is my life and you are welcome here no longer

With that said, she choked Mrs. McDermott with truth and honor

Now Mrs. McDermott lay dead

The last glimpse in her eyes were filled with dread

A new champion and the crowd was pleased

A woman who understands her destiny

This poem is an enigma as you can see

Because it is about the death and renewal of me

Jamie Thompkins

02/08

I can only speak of where I am now,
Perhaps where I was yesterday,
And maybe where I will be tomorrow.
Trying to pull myself out, above, and beyond
The standstill of the train wreck
That is my life.
I live in slow motion
Attempting to survive what’s lost:
A husband, a daughter, and a brother
Gone instantly
Without even considering if
I would recover.
“Does anyone recover?”
I ask myself as I contemplate on whether I should
Wave my white flag
Or jump in and fight.
For what I am not sure!
So I live day to day
In a somewhat vague state.
Scared of what might become
My new life
Somewhat altered.

Darlin do I have a fighting chance

To sweep you into My romance

Tell Me honey, what will it take

Cause these feelings will never shake

I want you now more than ever

Together we can run forever

Do I have a fighting chance

I’ll wait till you take your final breath

The moment you become one with death

At that time we will see

If you ever truly knew Me

So honey let us dance

And begin our romance

Please don’t hesitate

Right now its not too late

Just give me a shot

Give it all you’ve got

Do I have a fighting chance?

Will you fall in love with me

I can give you eternity

                                        -AMD-

                                           -07-

Aka “Lady J”

I am beauty undefined

Which resides permanently in my mind

Eccentric, exotic, unique is only a few words that describe me.

A passionate women that know her self worth

An image of elegance naturally rooted from the earth

Organic and intellectually crafty is the core my mind gives birth

I am an intelligent woman with an exceptional style

Enhanced With mental fortitude which makes life worth while.

My strength in femininity is to such

That no man made religion can touch

That teaches a women place in is beneath a man

Not equality so that together they can stand

Yes man and woman are different

But in the mind we are all the same

So there is not need to confine myself

To society’s visual ways

A mother of two

To whom my mind is true

Teaching and providing a legacy

That will survive generations

Inputting ideas that might even touch nations

Optimism is what I teach

To open their minds

So they can stand on their own two feet

To believe in themselves

And not worry what others might think.

Love your self from the to of your head

To the bottom your feet.

This pretty much sums up my ideal of me

Rare, Eccentric, unique, and exotic beautiful woman.

Miss Thompkins aka “Lady J”

That’s me.

Jamie Thompkins

01/08

The shadow presses hard against my soul tonight
It’s warmth, caressing my mind
Making all the wrong things feel so right

Whispering sweet nothings in my ear
Making my memories disappear
Until I’ve forgotten all my fears

Now I desire to abandon all I know
For just a moment follow the flow
And let my inhibitions go

The shadow’s darkness clouds my vision
So blindly I make the decision
Whether to forgo this mission

Seductively it takes control
Convincing me that all I know
Is just a story I was told

With sweetness it feeds my doubt
That consumes my spirits drought
Restless within and now without

But as I see the source from whence the shadows cast
Though not quite changing fast
History tells me that it will surely pass

So I leave with this confession
Shadow is obsession
Wholly understood by all who possess it

Ó Alisha Jael
01/27/2008

Fountains

Sometimes I focus on fountains of fortune…

First comes work then comes play

Say do you know a way to skip to the payday?

I really don’t want to, but I do what I do

Stay true to my clues and moderate booze

I lose the fasad, quit playing God

Remind myself that I still came from a clod

Of dirt on my boots cause I’m staying astute

That means I’m alert to the wonder of work

Let me explain the minimum main

Line to my rhyme, I’m a little bit vain

Focus on fortune, focus on fountains

Make your mind up to get on up the mountain

Understand…yourself and then plan

Make a demand then stick to your stand

I crawled, then I walked, then I ran

Get up if you feel me, stay put if you don’t

I never been the kind to whine and I won’t

Start a bad habit now

I got enough somehow

Find a way to break the chains

Then I put down the plow

I’m hiding behind a cow

The guard gets his gun and, “POW”

He missed and he’s pissed

I’m running faster than the law allows

That’s why I rattle the cage full of rage on the stage

Before I take a bow

While I focus on fountains of fortune

I don’t understand these feelings

Which are plaguing my heart

These once buried emotions

Are becoming my art

I can’t get away

From these emotions once hidden

I feel like I’m bringing life to

What I told myself was forbidden

I said I would never write of love

But its all that comes to mind anymore

I have not found anyone yet

But my heart has finally opened the door

So now as I begin this journey

Writing about these feelings of love

I give my honor and Praise

To my God above

                   -AMD-

                    -08-

In case you were considering calling…

I’m falling for another girl.

I’m living in a different world.

The gold and the diamonds with the mother/ baby charm

Keep it…I mean no harm.

Maybe a tat on my left arm.

To replace the ring that I thought I’d buy.

When the knot was finally tied.

You and I, what a lie.

If the tears weren’t gone I’d cry.

If it weren’t for naught, I’d try.

Good-bye.

I wish to God that it weren’t this way.

But, I can make it from day to day.

Probably in more than one way.

Terrified angry sway

Part of you will always stay.

The best of me walking a straight line.

Mine by design but today I resign

In case you were considering calling, don’t I’ll be fine.