R. David Fordham 

Arnold, Maryland 

Dave is a Distinguished Member of The International Society of Poets. Since 1972, he is a Maryland lawyer. Dave has found that writing poetry is a great way to reduce mental stress. He also enjoys photography. Dave has written several poems, one he co-wrote with his daughter. His poems appear in several poetry anthologies by The National Library of Poetry. Dave has also been published with the Sparrowgrass Poetry Forum and The Famous Poets Society of California. He dedicates his poems to his wife, Doris Schriefer Fordham, and their children Ben and Anne, and his mother, Frances Fallon Fordham, deceased. 

Night Watch 

A large white-veiled cloud, floats by
Giving the appearance of a ghost, riding in the sky

The stars burn like so many lanterns in the dark
Some so small in size, they resemble the glow of a spark

The moon goes through its phases, masquerading with its disguise
Usually making its appearance, long before the coming sun rise

Nature's spirit, the wind, some times makes the show
Depending on its course, it moves the clouds to and fro

This nightly entertainment, is shown almost every night
Just keep looking up, to that dark and distant sight.

The Divinities 

Mercury and Hermes, the messengers of the gods, carried the invitation to all
The invitation, from Zeus and Jupiter, rulers of the gods, was for a grand ball

The Greek and Roman gods and goddesses, were expected to respond to Zeus' call
Their presence was requested, at the gathering, in the grand hall

First to arrive, were the goddesses of love, Aphrodite and Venus
Their beauty surpassed all, never showing a sign of meanness

Apollo, the god of light, medicine and poetry, arrived on time
Then came Bacchus and Dionysus, the gods of wild behavior, and wine

For the night, appeared the gods of the sea, Poseidon and Neptune
Leaving their duties, and the tides, to be guided by the moon

Eros and Cupid, the gods of love, were seen milling around
While Hypos and Somnus, the gods of sleep, made no sound

Aries and Mars, the gods of war, made passes at the ladies
While being watched, by the gods of the underworld, Pluto and Hades

Artemis and Diana, goddesses of childbirth, were summoned to center stage
Along with Gaea and Terra, symbols of the earth and mother, to write a new page

Upon completion of dinner, Zeus and Jupiter, declared the purpose of the feast
Standing before all, they ordered that Earth, was to be the new goddess, of Peace.

The Dancer 

The music begins, as the dancer expresses her skills
Performing as if a swan, the audience experienced sudden chills

Her shoes were black, dull and worn
Even the costume that she wore was a little tattered and torn

The young girl's posture was as straight as straight can be
Showing with every movement, that she possessed dance ability

With a ribbon in her ponytail, so it would stay
She made a jump, a kick, a leap and a plie

Her performance included all the dances she could do
She often thought, a career in dancing, she would pursue.