It’s not that the people
with nice shiny attitudes
have not been banged up—
but they buff out their
dings and scratches with
gratitude and positivity,
perspective and grace,
resilience and courage,
with purpose and faith.
—Terri Guillemets
popular
Killing nature
the wilderness died
of a broken heart —
from bad decisions and
evil battles of grown men
—Terri Guillemets
blackout poetry created from Rafe Martin, Birdwing, 2005,
Water cycle
to cry is beautiful —
the beauty of one’s pain
leaving the heart
—Terri Guillemets
blackout poetry created from Maud Casey, The Man Who Walked Away, 2014,
None excluded
Prayer is for the grateful and for the grateful-to-be.
—Terri Guillemets
Whole body, whole spirit
We thank on our knees
with folded hands
for full bellies
and fuller hearts.
—Terri Guillemets
Arise
Morning isn’t just the sun coming up anew over the horizon — you are, too.
—Terri Guillemets
Cold is relative
When you’re shivering with loss, let love keep you warm with memories.
—Terri Guillemets
Awake & alone
Night is filled with our loudest fears and a silent courage.
—Terri Guillemets
Shields & grit
If life throws stones at you, crush them and throw back glitter.
—Terri Guillemets
Censorship
To kill words with fear,
It’s a dreadful thing.
—Don’t.
blackout poetry created from Charles Dickens, “The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain,” 1848, as published in The Complete Ghost Stories of Charles Dickens, edited by Peter Haining, 1983 edition,
—Terri Guillemets
Perspective through the window
Health is a journal your body keeps about you.
—Terri Guillemets
Scoresheet
No volume of history is insignificant, even the worst chapters. Especially the worst chapters.
—Terri Guillemets
Seamless
the vibrant green-yellow-pink blossom-life of spring
the watery-blue radiant sunshine-breath of summer
the metallic-earth-toned glowing-decay of autumn
the grey-white holly-festive slow-motion of winter
—Terri Guillemets