Becky Oatway Sexsmith, Alberta, Canada

Becky has been writing poetry since age twelve, making homemade greeting cards for her family, with her own verse inside each card. At twenty years of age, Becky is currently enrolled at Athabasca University working toward a Bachelor of Arts degree. Over the past few years, Becky has had poems published by both Quill books and the National Library of Poetry. She has received the Editor's Choice Award twice from the National Library of Poetry and last year was given an Associate Membership in the International Society of Poets. Becky says, "Poetry heals the soul. No prescription required."

Magician I am inept... Seeker of the means to justify But not to be held accountable. If reality is only an illusion behind Magnification, what then is left For the eye to see? Exposure is condemned to darkness By the scrutiny of brilliance. Sweet revelry is abandoned And assumes nothing of the shadows But that which is lurking ... Blind reception lies dormant In the eyes of a fool.

February 29th Sweet zephyrs beckon ... Return to youth; abandon weariness to the unpredictable. Take refuge in the arms of peaceful compassion; Abide in strength. No need to reflect, question, or doubt. All is sanctified. Scatter upon the wind your wisdom, That it may gather and bloom anew. Labor only in the joyousness that surrounds you. Cast aside the modern shackles that grip the downhearted; Exalt in freedom. Emerge from the depths into flight. Hover amid sorrow and despair; Relish the assembly of refreshed memories, As one lone breath in he stagnant air.

Gray Purity It is not matter... What is verified in deception You falsify in truth. Demystification lies as a fault, Unable to withstand your quaking courage. Do not fear the subtleties of this world, But fear the brutal realities that do not 'Guise themselves in your presence. See what your eyes are watching now... Are you bewitched By what you cannot comprehend? That which begs itself to be recognized Is never worth the realization.

All poems Copyright © 1996 Becky Oatway. All rights reserved.