Natalie Jeanne Champagne

Man and Wife

The division between
The man and woman
Was so great

The divide so wide

That whenever he bent to kiss
Her lips
It was then he would miss

The woman
Once young
Flowered
Empowered
Now pushed him away
If he touched the wrong way

And the man growing angry
Would turn red in the face
Dangle his hands
Near her pretty white face

It was then that the woman
Once full of great pride
Walked away from the man
Who once made her bride


Artists

Artist’s are makers
And
Artist’s are takers
We are those
Who fear discourse;
Sitting at our desks
Placid pen in hand
Talking with keys
Often fallen on our knees

We walk in circles
Right left, right left
Stalking with our words
Letting go with each curve

We work for what we deserve
Naturally, unnerved
Artist’s we detest
The words that are left
Loose on lined paper

Is nothing left?

It’s always a disease
Always sweet reprieve
When we connect
When we reflect.

{Poetry by Natalie Jeanne Champagne}