Shannon Davidson

San Ramon, California

Poetry has always been a part of my life. I find myself mentally writing my poetry at odd times, usually just before dosing off to sleep, or on long trips. I have been greatly inspired by several people in my life, including a close friend, and a college English professor who greatly enjoyed my work. But perhaps the greatest thrill and inspiration has been the knowledge that my Great, Great, etc. Grandfather was the well known poet, John Davidson, of England. I have found that many of his poems are written in the same style I enjoy, and feel somehow connected to him through our love of poetry.

Candlelife...

At the flaming candles stare,
four in the middle and eight beside.
Burning on the nightstand there,
I wonder where their souls reside.

In single motion the wild flames burn,
their warmth reaches over to lean on me.
My eyes blink and tear, so my head must turn,
the smoke fills my head from burnt out three.

And at these three I lend my gaze,
to study the remaining red-rose flame.
To my surprise they're still ablaze,
in different form, yet the fire's the same.

At the flaming candles stare,
four in the middle and five beside.
Burning on the nightstand there,
I wonder where their souls reside.

The three I've lost still keep me there,
for it seems to me they're still alive.
Then these three candles, and one more pair,
finally fade, while seven survive.

Seven remain, burning bright as day,
unaware that their deaths draw nigh.
Each glow and shine like the sun's golden rays,
as the wax smothers two with a heavy sigh.

At the flaming candles stare,
four in the middle and one beside.
Burning on the nightstand there,
I wonder where their souls reside.

One candle smolders and curls into ash,
the others jokingly spew and sputter.
Another chokes off, but rebounds with a flash,
its brush with death a silent utter.

This leaves the center four, smiling bright,
the smoke from the others whispering by.
Each burns brighter with glorious might,
impressing its neighbor before it dies.

At the flaming candles stare,
four in the middle and none beside,
Burning on the nightstand there,
I wonder where their souls reside.

One, two, and then one more,
with a dying gasp three die away.
With a silent cry they find the door,
which begins a new life, another day.

Alone stands the victor, proud but meek,
champion above the other eleven.
Finally it fades, tired and weak,
and I watch its soul ascend to heaven.

Ode To Equus

I'd always thought I wanted one,
it always looked like so much fun.
But now it's all so clear to me,
it's not all it's cracked up to be.
She cost a fortune just to buy,
a purchase I can't justify.
And now I've got her, she's all mine,
she takes up all my extra time.
I clean, I feed, I make her grain,
I brush, I bathe, I braid her mane.
She looks at me like I'm insane,
then trots out in the pouring rain.
I'd love to take her to a show,
but I'm not sure that she would go.
"Pamper Me" is her "M.O",
never "Let's get up and go"!
I think her doctors' greatest thrills,
come with sending weekly bills.
Two months pay? For sixteen pills?
That would give a penguin chills!
But after all is said and done,
I know I have finest one.
I love her feel, her smell, her touch.
I love her caressing brush.
She knickers softly every night,
as I leave and dim the light.
Her glowing spirit fills the stall,
casting shadows on the walls.
An angel someday she will be,
I only hope she waits for me.
She's won my heart, and my affection,
we've made the human - horse connection.

Color-Fast Beach

To some, the sand along the shore,
Is sun-bleached white, and nothing more.
To others the colors seem to be,
The hues of all humanity.

All poems Copyright © 1996 Shannon Davidson. All rights reserved