Sharon is very much a today’s woman and thrives on poetry and music. Her work has appeared in many internet journals and magazines worldwide. She has several chapbooks published online in 2004 by Tamafyhr Mountain Poetry, Mood Magic and A Slice Of Life. MAG Press will be publishing her chapbook Reach Beyond the end of 2005 as winner of the 2005 International Chapbook Competition. In April 2005, twenty-three of her poems were presented in the play, Soldier’s Heart in Portland, Oregon to sold out audiences. She is a poet-in-residence at The Argonaut's Boat and soldiersheart.org.

Sharon Rothenfluch Cooper
Portland, Oregon USA
coopersd@worldnet.att.net


Tangles

The moon, thatched by branches,
cowered in the fleeting light,
morning - just a hint away.
Lips parted, eyes widened,
stared at silhouettes
that seemed to glide silently.
I awoke damp and tangled
like that seaweed blinded moon.



Guard Duty

Sunset sweeps across the sand,
a painted sky smears pomegranate juice
in streaks against blackened sand
forming inky puddled silhouettes.

Waves thunder a goodnight,
gulls finish supper,
swoop low then wing away
looking for a shadowed nest.

Fire drops its flames
into a darkened sea,
birdsong disappears leaving
the ocean to stand its lonely watch.


Commonality

Solitary gloom surrounds
me in this empty place,
bare arms prick with goose flesh,
I'm reminded to a funereal pall.

Eyes catch the flutter of wings
against the vaulted walls.
A creature trapped, in endless motion,
reaches for the beam of light,

follows upward only to find
the entrance sealed.
One with my feathered friend,
I find a commonality.


Passages

Child, young woman, bride,
mother, grandmother
and back to the beginning,
this journey of pleasure
and tears, a bittersweet trek;
a series of transitions
and memories.

Stargazers

Eyes scan the heavens,
drink in twinkling skies
that fascinate with intricacy,
survey the limitless expanse
of time and space.

Beauty, graces
the universe for those
who take a moment
to pause and be thankful
for God's splendid gifts.


Arpeggio To Largo

Tempo is relentless,
moments pulse into monotony,
strike with never-ending
rhythm to mark the days,

turn to a quicker motion,
accelerate the ticks
and count the minutes
as if to taunt me.

Steps race to match its pace;
a lifetime passes in the blink
of an eye as wicked beats
thrust faster with roguish smiles.

Too late to keep stride, my
measured gait slows to a shuffle;
these feet, no longer in sync,
don't march with time.

In speed warp - the music fades
and slows to a largo.
The metronome of life
rushes to a crawl.


A Drop Expanded

Everything we do forms
the never-ending ring of life
that drops, resonates and expands
through our lives forever.

Changes occur creating new patterns,
choices indelibly marked in time,
ours to mold and regret, or view
with the pride of accomplishment.

Traced through time,
decisions reflect our past deeds,
satisfied or saddened.
Destiny is held like that drop of water.