Patricia M. Twining-Obarski
Works

Contemplating Shadows

Nights of television static

Flickering cobalt blue

Floorboards creak

With the slightest movement

Be still,

Silent in sequestered rooms,

Close the door

Like a box of summer clothes

Stored in the attic

Under the door frame,

A yellow light seeps


Into the light or

Into the dark


Sitting on the kitchen floor,

Cold ceramic,

Surrounded by old photographs,

In black and white,

With edges bent,

Pale skin, red lipstick,

Drinking bitter, iced coffee

Mourning

The loneliness of a motherless child

Yearning

For touch

From long, lissome, lovely hands

Embraced, wide-opened arms,

Swallowed up in perfumed dresses


Into the light, or

Into the dark


You study the shadows:

Fine, French provincial furniture

Cuts into the white walls

With sharp, serrated edges

You are the only one still awake

Finding sanctuary in the darkest hours

Relentless impulses

Of meandering ideation

Quell the urges

With pretty thoughts

Flights of fancy

Imaginary places

So full of words

Too far gone

In a world of striving for

Something More

The Uselessness of Regret

There is nothing left to do

Surrender to the feathered pillow

The keeper of heavy heads

Solace sought

In dreams


Into the light, or

Into the dark