Twisted Legacy

by Cheryl Merrick

Lacking a sense of self,
the child-mothers
cling to their daughters.

Frightened by a world
they have no skills
to cope with,
like drowning persons,
they frantically claw their way
up the souls of their daughters.

Lesson from the Elephant

by Cheryl Merrick

Firmly tied to a stake,

the baby elephant

struggles to free himself.

After days of effort, 

the exhausted baby,

surrenders to the belief 

that it can never 

free itself.

Finally grown,

though the adult elephant

now possesses 

immense strength,

it still allows itself 

to be bound by,

its now non-applicable,

childhood memories. 

Saying Goodbye- For Now

(Death of a Parent)
by Cheryl Merrick

How can I say goodbye?
This is too soon.
I'm not ready to live
without you.
How can I go on
without your support?

You, who have unfailingly been there
loving and supporting me,
have left an emptiness in my life
where you have always been.

When I look into the mirror,
how can I not be filled with 
reminiscences of you?
How can I not see reflected 
the heritage you have given me?

A Candle

by Cheryl Merrick

Most flames join
the blazing hearth fire 
adding to 
its merry warmth,

But a few choose 
solitary candlesticks
bringing light to even
the darkest night.

A Poet's Longing

by Cheryl Merrick

In a quiet room with a comfy chair
and large windows overlooking the world,
I found my poet's heart.

Within is a craving to experience 
the hours of intense focus,
and the exquisite beauty 
in the flashes of inspiration 
which connect me to the divine.

I long to be warmed 
by the energy of creating,
and to, at last, enjoy that tender moment
when I gently hold my new insight lantern high
filling it with light and hope,
then watch as it slowly rises 
to sparkle in the world's dark night sky.

Restricted or Nurtured?

by Cheryl Merrick

Feeling restricted 
and concluding that my dreams
were being frustrated,
I begged to be freed.

If only I could get out more
and do the things
"normal" people do,
Then I would be happy.

Years passed
as I quietly sat in my home
longing to be out,
but occasionally,
when I'd be "out and about"
for a few days, 
all I'd feel was an intense longing
to be still and rest.

Being Me

by Cheryl Merrick

Looking through others' eyes,
I tried to be as they saw me:
"sweet little Sherry"
endlessly giving love and support;
the ever "busy homemaker"
rushing around nurturing everyone;
or the "friendly neighbor"
chatty and helpful.

Continuing my act,
I'd push myself 
trying so hard to make myself into
what I thought others wanted and needed;
till, exhausted, my facade falls away
revealing a sensitive idealist
who thrives in those quiet moments
when I touch the heavens
and feel its power directing my words. 

Sunlight

by Cheryl Merrick

Into the cold dark corners

where despair and fear cringe,

Sunlight floods

filling my soul with hope

and surrounding me

with the joyful warmth 

of His love. 

The Law of the Harvest

by Cheryl Merrick

So many times,
reading about
sowing and reaping, 
I bravely reached out
creating new friendships.

But there is more to this law.
Now, sensing of the justness
of the Law of the Harvest,
I no longer surrender
my harvest to another.

Heads Up!

by Cheryl Merrick

Clumsily, I walk the earth.
Awkwardly, I try to do tasks
as their heads wag 
in knowing "sympathy".

Flustered, I try to remember 
so many details.
Exasperated, I try to get 
all the steps in proper order
as their heads wag 
in knowing "sympathy".

Beaten down and overwhelmed
by all my "inadequacies",
I finally remember who I am,
and spreading my wings,
rise into the sky
as their heads look up awe.