Dawn

Dawn



You illuminate the darkness
Insinuating ever so gently
A little ray of hope which shines so brightly
I don’t fear darkness as you light my passage

You herald the genesis of a new day
A chance to start anew a fresh page
To fill a blank canvas, and a diary page
A chance to feel reborn again

I love you best in your nascent phase
I breathe in deeply the misty air
The moon’s silhouette hides behind a nebulous midst
A rich palette of pastels, colors the firmament

I feel more keenly an intimate connection with God
As the darkness evanesces, rendered helpless
Against the splendor of your energy
I am humbly grateful for yet another day

I decree with intent that it will be a good day
As I wash away impurities of the body
I choose with care my vestment for the day
Opting to reject the cloak of fear

A chorus of birds chirps to greet you
If I close my eyes I strive to hear
The music of the spheres
As we dance around your majestic sun






"Dawn" by Michael Parkes

My Valentine

My Valentine


On this cloudy Valentine’s Day, he is seated alone
In the cold kitchen, to pen a poem to his beloved
He is wearing his good suit and tie, which perhaps
Have seen better days - yet his dignified carriage
Overrides such banalities

“My eternal Valentine, need I ask you to be mine?
Perhaps you were also in a past life, for when I
First dived into the pool of your eyes…
I was mesmerized as I recognized the spark…
Of my other missing half

I am a poor man, yet I feel like a millionaire…
For you have chosen my love above others
Your love lightened my backbreaking labor
It is just a necessary means to indulge your fancy
The thought of you infuses joy to the suffocating routine

My calloused hands seem to touch heaven
Every time they wander over your landscape
To support your tear drop breasts
Or when my hungry lips seek those
To suckle and nourish my soul

Is love perhaps a little portal to heaven?
As our spirits soar in flight, as high as the stars
In mutual joy we recognize the special spark
Of the one we promised to meet - yet again
When sent to this valley of tears, fears, and scarce joy

I feel rich because I have found what men search for --
Perhaps all of their lives. With the fervor of the miner who
Toils hunched over from dawn to dusk, excavating
Through the dirt and filth, in search of that very unique
Diamond, emerald, or huge nugget of gold…

Sustained only with the belief, that once he finds it…
His luck will change overnight. I’ve found a particle of
The sublime, which brings such immense joy,
That no other man-made vice, gold bullion, or cash
Can induce - because true love speaks to the soul

Thank you for being my valentine.”


He looks at his watch; he must not be late
With much sacrifice, he has saved for two dozen roses
And contracted a trio, to serenade his beloved
For two weeks he gave up coffee with the boys
And dined on tea, butter, and toast

He endured the cold to keep his heating costs low
Because that’s what a man does and more,
To express his deep love
On the way out, he encounters his neighbor
Gallantly he offers her a long-stemmed rose

“Happy Valentines Day,” he says
Her haggard face is instantly transformed
As her eyes sparkle anew when she is transported
To when she was a young woman, and came home…
To find her senses overpowered by the heady scent of roses

The whole living room was awash in roses of all colors
It resembled a flower shop with the same bittersweet
Scent of a flower market, as her husband smiled expectantly
To gauge her reaction, much like a boy awaits praise for good grades
Her expression, more eloquent than mere words could say

Right on time he meets up with the musical trio
On cue they play her favorite song
As the sky weeps, for it cannot know such deep love
Then stops for a bit as it recalls that not all men are
Blessed with true love - or embrace its basic principle

Her love places lovingly the roses into the vase
He inserts in between those his poem of love
He carefully minds his weak knees…
As he leans on his cane for support
To clean with his handkerchief the marble headstone





photograph "Tendresse" by Michel Pilon

Lovely Lady XII

Sandra looked, and felt splendid that Saturday evening. The glow in her eyes and cheeks was not artifice, as those derived from the love barely contained in her being.

-“What a lovely surprise! Imagine finding YOU here!” Charles’s stepsister spewed with malicious intent. Giving Sandra the once over inspection, she then leaned closer to Phillip to bestow a kiss on his cheek.

-“Hello Cynthia, have you already met Sandra?” Phillip said unaware of Cynthia's diabolic intentions.

-“Why, I have shared the same roof with Sandra when the fool of Charles hired her as his own, on-site prostitute.” Like a cat that’s caught a mouse by its tail, her sinister expression glowed with malevolence. –“I am frankly appalled that you would resort to hire a prostitute for this upscale event Phillip. It really is bad form to do so.”

Sandra felt the blood drain from her face, and her body temperature drop. She seemed to be trapped in a time freeze, as she looked from Phillip’s horrified expression, to Cynthia’s venom slowly dripping from her lips in a slow motion.

-“What? You didn’t know this Phillip? Oh, this is too delicious. Don’t tell me that you didn’t know that Sandra is a common, vulgar whore. She spreads her legs open for any man willing to pay her a stipulated amount.” At that point, Cynthia could not contain a laugh. She laughed so much that her eye make-up ran.

Sandra felt almost lightheaded, as if the ground shifted and swayed under her feet. Phillip grabbed her arm and pulled her outside to greet the cool evening air.

-“Please tell me, is what Cynthia said, even possibly, remotely true? Is she making that up? Don’t you dare lie to me Sandra!” Phillip said through clenched teeth.

-“Yes, Phillip. It’s true. But, that was before. I am now leaving that all behind to earn my living through my business enterprise. I’m so sorry that you had to find out this way.
What I did, doesn’t define ME. I am a human being worthy of love too!
I just want you to know that I love you, and if you love me too, nothing else should matter.” Sandra pleaded with her voice and supplicant eyes.

-“GET AWAY FROM ME!” Phillip yelled as he ran away from her.

Before the torrent of tears broke the damn, Sandra went back inside to ask Charles for cash for a cab. Methodically, she poised her face to be devoid of any emotion, as she encountered Charles. Upon securing fifty bucks for her cab, Sandra then walked with intent to the bar. She sat there, and waited patiently for her moment to act.

Sandra locked the restroom door, as she cornered Cynthia inside a bathroom stall.
She plunged Cynthia’s face into the urine-filled toilet bowl, over and over again, until she gasped for air to survive.

-"You are right Cynthia. This is not very ladylike behavior on my part."









-“Dude are you even going to take a shower today? You are starting to smell like rancid milk.” Cindy stood with hands on her hips, towering over Sandra’s reclined form, sprawled on the couch.

Kicking aside empty bags of Doritos, chocolate wrappings, and empty wine bottles, Cindy made room for herself on the edge of the couch.

-“Mind your own business; just leave me alone to gloat in my misery.”

-“Well, you know that misery loves company.” Taking a moment to reflect on what she was about to say, Cindy then spoke. – “Dude you know this was about to happen sooner than later. You didn’t fess up, and frankly you aimed too high. It is what it is, and the sooner you realize it, the sooner you will snap out of this funk. Life’s too short to spend it reveling in your misery.”

-“I know Cindy. Still, it doesn’t lessen the pain one bit. I love him. No matter how many men I fucked, no one touched my heart. Not until Phillip. The pain is too much Cindy.
I hate myself for fucking this up.” Sandra burst into a heartfelt crying binge that shook her frame, as she sobbed with a pain that came from the depths of her soul.

-“You know what I was thinking today? That we create the circumstances that shape our lives – including the difficulties in our life.
We are, the architects of our lives.
Imagine if instead of hooking, we had gone to earn a decent living working as a waitress, barista, telemarketer, or what have you. Surely we would have struggled financially, but those people earn their money honestly, and at the end of the day, they go home and gather with their loving families, even if they have to do with less.

Because we lived a life of sin, now we have to pay the heavy consequences.” Cindy said with a heavy heart, and hot tears running down her cheeks.

-“Perhaps you’re right, but then we probably would not have met, nor would I have had the seed money for our thriving clothing line.
But why are you crying Cindy? You have it made. You are no longer hooking, and you will graduate in two months.
You are pretty and smart, and you have a knack for design. Your designs are well liked, and how you are marketing the dresses with a guarantee to look two sizes slimmer, is making you well known!” Sandra said as she blew her runny nose.

-“I had a big fight with Ronald. He’s recently found out that he is HIV positive, and told me to get myself checked. I just found out today that I am too.” Cindy’s hot tears, became uncontrollable sobs.

-“Oh my God Cindy!” Sandra sat up on the couch and embraced Cindy as both women hugged and cried together.

-“I was thinking when I left the clinic that I brought this on myself. If I had just stayed in school, gotten a regular job, I might today have my own family and perhaps a few kids too. I was a single child; I always wanted a large family. I was looking forward to that when I graduated, you know? To meet a decent guy since I kicked Ronald to the curb.”

-“You wanted like fourteen kids? That is ….idealistic, although a bit impractical.” Sandra joked.

-“Shut up! Like I would want those stretch marks.” Ceasing her sobbing, Cindy wiped her face with a tissue. –“Sandra, you have to get out of this funk; I don’t need you to drag me down. Look at me! I have my days counted, while YOU have your whole life ahead of you. You have a promising future, and you have to look forward to new opportunities.” Cindy renewed her crying session once again.

-“Now you shut up! Look, we are all going to die someday. The only difference is that you are sensitive to that fact, and must learn to take good care of your medicines and diet. And you must live your life to the full. Look at today’s papers. Read how some poor son of a bitch met his or her death unexpectedly, without having truly lived their life fully, fearlessly, and with love abound!

Tell me Cindy, where would you like to travel to? Which is your favorite place in the whole world?” Sandra asked excitedly.

-“Hmm…I think an ocean cruise in the Caribbean. Yeah, that would be my dream destination, to splash in the crystal clear waters and kick the white sands, while the hot sun, toasted me to a golden brown.” Cindy said while she ceased to cry for a bit.

-“Okay! This is the plan. As soon as you graduate, we will take a ten day cruise on the Caribbean – my treat! Let’s live and appreciate every single day we are blessed with Cindy. In fact, I’m going to shower right now, and clean this place up and we will go out to eat a nice dinner.

You are right Cindy; there is no time to dwell in misery. Life’s too precariously short.”









-“Do you have your passport, tickets, and credit cards ready?” Hurry up the airport shuttle will be here in thirty minutes!” Cindy said excitedly as they were about to depart on her long awaited cruise ship voyage.

-“Yeah, I’m ready. I’m just going to the potty.” Sandra said as the door bell rang.

Opening the door, Cindy is met with a delivery boy holding a large bouquet of roses.

-“It’s for you Sandra, there’s a card with it.” Cindy said, as she carefully placed the floral arrangement on the coffee table.

Reading the note enclosed, Sandra’s face registered shock. –“It’s from Phillip. He says that he loves me too, and that we all deserve a chance to redeem ourselves. He writes, that ‘if I want him back, to meet him at eight at our favorite place.’ Oh my God! I can’t believe this!” Sandra sat on the couch dumbfounded.

-“So, what you are going to do? If we don’t take our plane on time to Miami, we will miss the cruise ship people at Miami’s airport. We'll miss the ship!” Cindy silently pleaded with her eyes; she had looked forward to this trip with anticipation. If Sandra didn’t go with her, it would just not be the same for her.

-“Dude, I understand. Whatever. I’ll wait outside for the shuttle van. If you want to come, do so, if not, I'll understand.” Cindy hauled her luggage to the elevator while hot tears formed in her eyes.










"Tuesday's Child" by Michael Parkes

Lovely Lady XI

Sandra knocks on Cindy’s room to wake her up. –“Cindy, I need to talk to you.”

-“Why so early man? Why do you look so pissed?”

-“I had a thousand dollars in my petty cash box. I was going to use that cash to pay several bills, and to buy merchandise. It’s gone! And you know who took it.” Sandra said with an expression that would not easily be placated.

-“Why do you keep so much cash on hand? You should have that in the bank. I don’t know what to tell you, except that it wasn’t me.” Cindy said this with a sinking feeling.

-“I hope that you haven’t given the loser boyfriend of yours, a key to my apartment. Sometime when you were not looking he broke into my room, come take a look. The lock was forced open since the door frame is scratched.

Cindy, you have to cut ties with losers which are only going to drag you behind. Where was he when you were in the hospital and needed to replace a broken tooth? You can’t rely on that loser, who you know would not hesitate to rob from his grandmother to get cash for drugs!”

-“I’m sorry Sandra. I will talk to him and ask him to return it. Just let me handle this okay?” Cindy said with the sinking realization that Sandra was right. He was not moving forward, just idling the motor, while time passed by.

-“Look Cindy, I’m not one to interfere with your personal life. If you want to continue seeing him, do so, but please don’t ever let him come in here. I will change the lock to the door today.
If you want to sleep with him, just go to his place. Although I would suggest that you wear sandals if you plan to shower there, since those guys never clean.”

-“Oh yeah, I guess he too should look for a subbie to come clean his place, just like you let that rich guy come here to clean while naked, and to even iron your clothes.
It’s ridiculous! Besides, I have no secrets with Ronald. He knows what I did for a living, and he accepted me just the same. What about you Sandra?
Does your well-to-do lawyer boyfriend know that you hook on the side, besides working on your clothing like?”

Seething from being questioned, afterall she was the victim, Sandra said: -“I have ulterior motives for cultivating my relationship with Charles. He is just one of the few selective clients I cultivate to make ends meet while I strive to make this project work.

I am not on the streets or in bars hustling for any new business Cindy. Your accusation is unfair considering that I have to hustle to pay for all the bills, and for your salary as well.”

-“I see, so are you going to throw your help on my face. I am contributing you know, and I am only three months away from obtaining my associates degree in fashion design and marketing.
I am just this close to getting there Sandra. I hope that we don’t throw overboard the entire advances we’ve made over a petty amount of money.” Cindy said with hurt in her eyes.

-“I know Cindy. I’m sorry if I came on too strong; I guess I am just afraid. I am in fact terrified, that if Phillip found out about my side enterprise, that he would grow to despise me.

It’s my fault too. I should not have mixed business with pleasure, nor let this evolve from casual flirting to a deeply loving relationship. I just don’t know what to do, except that I do not want to lose him.” Sandra said with internal agony replacing the anger in her eyes.

-“You are risking too much, especially considering that he works in the law office which represents your subbie Charles. I hope this doesn’t come to back to bite you on the ass.”

-“I know honey, I know. I have created this image of the new me I am becoming, while still not fully detached out of sheer necessity, of the impedimenta which hinders my progress. Regardless, please don’t allow Ronald back in here ever again. He will simply never change.”

-“I know that Sandra, but I keep hoping. Yet, sometimes we think we don’t deserve any better, and it beats being all alone.” Cindy said.

-"This reminds me of something I heard once. There was a man used to cheating at gambling. One day he was found out, and the men playing with him threw him out of the second story window, where he incurred multiple injuries.

So he went to the sage master and told him of what had transpired. Then the master said to him, “Next time my son, make sure that you play on the first floor.”

The others came back to the master and asked him why he did not reprimand the cheater, and even helped him to do so in the future. Then the master said, “Because he will not change his ways. That is the level where he is now.”

Embracing once again, the two women dissolved the brewing animosity among them. Each had to give up what had become a burden, to lessen the baggage on their individual journey of self discovery.




Later that evening Sandra’s cell phone rings. She smiles when it reads Phillip’s name.

-“Hi!”

-“Missed me? I have.”

-“A little bit. How are you?” Sandra inquired.

-“A bit overwhelmed with so much work. Just for that reason, I forgot to tell you that there is a corporate event which is black tie affair. I am short of a lovely woman to take with me, so I thought that I would call on you. It’s this Saturday evening; can you be ready by seven?”

-“I guess so. Yes, I’d love to go with you.”

-“Good, It’s a date then. By the way, I can’t wait to see you.”

-“Me too.” Sandra said with a big smile which was perceived through the airwaves.





To be continued…


"The Creation" by Michael Parkes

Lovely Lady X

Sandra swallowed an aspirin, and rushed it down, with a gush of water.
She simply had too many things on her plate, which depleted her energy, and the sadistic play Charles requested at night, was getting to be a chore for her.

She found it perplexing that such an interesting man, who wielded so much power in his everyday life, would seek the need to be humiliated and castigated like a bad child.

Reflected on the vanity mirror, Sandra could make out Charles standing naked by the ironing board, except for a collar and leash attached to his neck. He was industriously ironing Sandra’s laundry at this time.

-“Charles, that is enough for this evening. I think that now I could really use a deep tissue massage.” Sandra said as she thought to employ Charles in a more productive way.

-“Yes Mistress. Please allow me to hang these quickly, or they will get wrinkled again.” Charles hastily proceeded to hang the ironed garments, and to place those in the closet.

While Charles massaged thoroughly the sole of her left foot, he had the temerity to request a sounding spanking.

-“I’ve been a very bad boy today Mistress. I really do deserve it.” Charles said as he licked and sucked her toes.

-“Okay. But, first work on my right shoulder and arm again. I am overworking my right side.” Sandra conceded.

Her arm throbbed from exertion. She brought down the paddle on Charles’ buttocks over and over again, until she thought the routine boring beyond expectation. Charles squirmed and braced himself, a glutton for more punishment. When the sensation became numbing, he called out for more.

-“Tell me that I’m a stupid, bad boy. Tell me that I’m good for nothing, and that I deserve this and more. TELL ME!” Charles pleaded once more.

Something snapped in Sandra. She dropped the wooden paddle on the floor and she leaned over Charles’ prone form. The images of Charles’ scarred backside, and of Cindy’s battered face juxtaposed in her mind.

Sandra could not endure this anymore. What was happening to humanity? She simply could not perpetuate the punishment to another human being. She desperately needed to retain a sliver of humanity to save herself.

-“Charles, turn around and look at me. LISTEN to me!” Sandra said this as she gathered Charles in her arms, and ran her hand through his hair. -“Listen to me Charles. You are not a bad boy. You are NOT stupid. You are a wonderful, lovable boy.
From now on, you must block out of your mind all the abuse that mean and vindictive people inflicted on you since you were a little boy. They simply manipulated you into thinking that you are bad.

You are very, very lovable, and I care so much for you. I care so much, that I can’t hurt you anymore. I can’t hurt you because you are precious. You are a beautiful, precious being, and I can only hold you, and help you feel better.

Our minds and bodies can be powerful tools for destruction, as well as they can make love, and create life, and beautiful thoughts.
I can’t hurt you anymore Charles. It injures me, to inflict pain on you. Let’s just lie here and hold each other close for tonight.” Sandra said with intent.

Charles didn’t say anything for a long time. He allowed Sandra to embrace him, and to soothingly caress his back.

After twenty minutes, he broke the silence. –“Can I still iron your clothes, and be of service you?”

-“Hmm…yeah. I guess you can. Besides finishing ironing my laundry, you can refer me to your attorney and accountant to help me set up my start-up business.” Sandra asked since he insisted on being of service.

-“Yes, mistress. I will do all of that.”

-“Just one more thing. Please stop calling me mistress, that irritates my nerves. From now on, simply call me by my name, and know that I love everything that you do for me.

You are such a good boy, and you make me very happy.” Sandra thought that she could live with this amended type of play.

-"Yes mistress. Oh, I'm sorry, my bad."

-"What did I say? Just so you will remember this, I want you to write out one hundred times, 'I will call Sandra by her name.' Next time you forget to call me as I have instructed you, I will double the length of lines which you must write."






To be continued…







"Puppet Master" by Michael Parkes

Lovely Lady IX

Sandra stood on the doorway when she was met by the grisly sight before her. She suppressed a gasp, as she stood in front of Cindy’s apartment door.

Tentatively, Sandra inched closer to Cindy and looked for a place to rest her lips to bestow a soft kiss on. Not finding any part of Cindy spared victimization; she opted to take hold of Cindy’s right hand.

-“What happened Cindy? Who did this to you?” Sandra softly whispered still in shock.

Looking out of her one good eye, Cindy responded, -“A new client. Someone I had never met before. He was one crazy son of a bitch. He broke one rib, and fractured my left wrist. Last, but not least, he broke my nose and lips.

He practiced his boxing technique on me, as if I were his punching bag. Don’t take a picture of me know OK? That’s why I didn’t go to the photo shoot. I lost a front tooth, when the crazy psycho kicked me on the mouth.
I think…I think that he would have shown more mercy towards a dog.

There are some crazy motherfuckers out there, who really hate women.” Cindy said through her swollen lips.

-“I’m so sorry about this Cindy. Why didn’t you call me before to see you in the hospital?”

-“I was in acute pain. I didn’t want you to see me this way. I’ll be Okay soon enough; it’s just the hazards of the job. Although, I do want you to help me get a new tooth; I can’t work like this you know.” Cindy almost managed a crooked smile, though it turned into a comical simile of one, and then it vanished when Cindy burst into tears.

Sandra gently embraced Cindy, ever careful of her multiple fractures and injuries.

-“I’m so sorry Cindy. Cry if you need to, but know this: He broke your nose, but not your spirit. No one can hurt you, if you don’t allow them to. Perhaps this is a sign that we are not meant to continue with this life. As soon as you feel ready, I want you to work for me.

I can’t give you a lot of money, but I can give you the tools for you to fish with. If you leave prostitution behind, I will help you with your tuition costs in a community college. You can also move in with me, and we will work from home.

This is no life Cindy, no matter how easily you think the money is. Just look in the mirror and you will see that it is not easy money at all.” Sandra persuaded Cindy to grab hold of the lifeline she offered.

-“Thank you Sandra. Thank you, for not giving up on me. Were you able to get a model for your free photo shoot?” Cindy asked once calmed down.

-“Nah, I had to do it myself. Well, one must improvise and wear different hats. The catalog will be out in two weeks, and there is lots of work to do. So, I hope that you get well soon, and we will go shopping for a faux gold tooth for you.” Sandra said between tears and silly laughter.



To be continued…

Lovely Lady VIII

-“Marta, do you know why there is animosity between Charles and his stepsister? What’s the deal with them?” Sandra asked Marta while she had breakfast in the kitchen as was customary for her, so that she would spend more time talking with Marta.

-“All I can tell you is that since his stepmother died six months ago, the feud escalated between them for the fortune Mr. Charles feels rightly belongs to him. It seems from I have overheard here, and there that when his father widowed, Mr. Charles was a very young boy. His father remarried his stepmother, and she already had a daughter from a previous marriage.

His father died a few years into his second marriage, and left the bulk of his estate to his son, yet for his wife to manage until he became of legal age. When the old woman died, there was a dispute for the fortune, which in part his stepmother had always had a majority of control.

She lived in this house too until her dying day, and ruled the house and the companies with an iron hand. She was extremely abusive to Mr. Charles all the time. She would severely scold him, as if he were ten years old.

-“I see that pattern with his stepsister too. The verbal abuse, I mean.” Sandra said with a little understanding as to why perhaps Charles relished the physical and verbal abuse inflicted upon him.

-“How is your catalog coming along?” Marta inquired to change the subject.

-“It’s beautiful, and very professional. It should be ready in two weeks. I just need to tie up loose ends, and form the corporation, and a myriad of other things. It’s hard though to do it by myself. I don’t what’s happened to my friend. I am very worried about her. She had not gotten back to me in a week.

-“I’m sure she is fine. You could always call the police and place a missing person’s report.”

-“Yes, but calling the police is the last resort. I will wait a few more days.” Sandra said weighing her options.

-“WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN?” You disregarded our appointment for the catalog shoot, and didn’t even bother to call me to cancel, so that I could have found a replacement?” Sandra said into the telephone receiver.

-“Can you just please come over to my apartment Sandra? I could use a good friend.” Cindy said.

-“Where were you all this time?” Sandra inquired.

-“I was in the hospital. Please come see me Sandra.” Cindy begged.


To be continued..