http://slow.writerscafe.org/Danicalifornia The original writings of author Dani California en-us Copyright 2026 WritersCafe.org 1775969730 WritersCafe.org RSS Generator 15 My first attempt at a Sonnet. There's a light switch in there if you can find it. There's always light... http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/1825142/ Tanka http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/1725689/ Tanka http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/1725686/ With grace I move forward, Searching for solid footingOn scorching hot concrete;Once stumbling on a field Bursting with colorful aroma, Where I find momentary comfort,   To soothe my injured soles.Whilst the world keeps turning, I cannot stand in one place; So embark once againAmid the aff.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/1459028/ A close family friend took his life a few weeks ago. If you need help, please call the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). We DO care. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/1019014/ What do you think about.... ? http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/997568/ Her eyes trace the wounds of time, As hesitation oozes from its sores;  This was never really here, it saysAnd she wonders where she’s read that before. Chains are left dangling from her earsWhile she wanders the corridor of new sound;Her captor tugs his c.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/640010/ Comes forth doubtFrom good intentionUnguarded thoughtChanged directionWith a heavy heartShe turns awayNo longer defendingAll she tried to say http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/556607/ Just one of those moments ... ;) http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/500986/ Proceeds for "Hearts for Haiti" Book of Poetry will be donated to the Red Cross and other Haiti crisis relief agencies. Read below for details on how you can help! http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/499523/ Happy New Year! http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/493310/ Amongst the blackened trail, In pondering days gone by;  Sitting on its remains, I found the reason you cry. I lit the path with thoughts, Different from those before;As I waited for you to find us,You stood listening at the door.   You heard my wordy sil.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/491256/ Quietly she waitsWatching the clock.Time is an illusion, Her heartbeat is not.Stopping to listen, Silence tells all.Observing each breath, As they rise and they fall. Moving forward swiftly, Yet always standing still.Wondering what is,  And what never will. Hearing the golden w.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/490281/ Upon my shoulders rests your name, Your face I’ve never seen;I’ve walked for miles to wipe your tearsIn shoes you’ve worn between. I know we’ve met a time before, I heard you speak one day;My back was turned but your voice was clearWhen you asked me to fi.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/444097/  Weaving in and out I lost my way, distorted by my own soul grieving;yearning for sight to shed its lightand direct me to where you stand -- the sun did rise and lit up the skies, not to find you, but to see them.  And before my sight cried one million.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/396043/ Once fancied myself a poet of sort;  Jumbled words I thought tall, now come up short.Humbled through reading the masters of verse, Brilliantly crafted -- each word well rehearsed.   Inspired by true art -- further I read,  Wonderment spilled from the ink their so.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/393521/ Believe in your dreams http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/392821/ Tanka http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/391144/    I opened my eyesThe sun didn’t rise, The birds had all lost their song; The flowers were closed, Only the thorns of the roseRemained on a day gone wrong. The squirrels were hiding, The trees were all dying, The grass laid flat on its s.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/390421/ Haiku dedicated to the first day of Spring http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/390198/   With each new day I see the sunRising over the tide, It may be cloudy, but still I knowIt shines on the other side. Its color bright, its rays are warm, Its faithfulness I hold;Providing light for the day ahead, My eyes have seen my soul. A clash of thou.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/388194/    Fine gravel shifts beneath bare feet,subtly assaulting tender flesh.Sporadic gusts of wind lift single strands of hair, soothing naked skin while stealing a breath;calmly I gasp to retrieve it.Gifts of warmth are offered by the sun;I greedily accept while sta.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/381199/  There’s a song that waitsBehind locked gates, Knowing its freedom is near. It sings of sorrow And of new tomorrow, It sings of courage and fear. It sings of me, It sings of you, It sings of the blind and the wise; It sings of love, It sings.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/379714/  I noticed not how the dew carefully bathes the rose before it trickles from its petals;Or how its limbs reach for the sky when summoned by the sun's warm breath;Or how the gentle breeze provokes the tree leaves to dance without reason; Or the endless compassion.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/367802/ For the PENS FOR PEACE Group http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/359101/ This piece contains a graphic photo and disturbing content. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/356217/  A blade of grass rests comfortably;  resting on my knee, small and green, I stare at it suspiciously.  A blade of grass sits quietly;sitting on my knee, small and green, I wonder what it wants from me.  A blade of grass weeps silently; weeping on my.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/342180/ Taunting, you summon me. Drawing me with thought, whispering between words; seduce me, steal my soul;my fingers slip.     Falling into endless fantasy; desire is all I feel, empty spaces are all I see; catch me, silence me,  as I spiral. &n.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/337711/  Dancing alone, to and fro, between the notes I find your name spelled out in intervals.Swaying to the ballad of my bewildered soul,half steps guide my feet, lightly tapping the floor; highs and lows balance consecutive beats, directing the lyrical drummer of my weary heart... http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/333418/      Peeling away dried skin of purple iris and roses red;exposing inner bulbs, left to die, in unmade beds;wilted leaves curl up in corners where hopeless assemble; thorns draw blood from passersby whose fingers tremble;hardened soil se.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/332616/     From promised wings, she sees your pain; reaching for you, unnoticed,  her efforts in vain. Through clouds of grey, speckled with blue, you search the skies, lost,  as she cries for you.  “Close your eyes&ldq.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/331595/      Oil paint and fine textured fabric,strewn in skies of dusk, veils understanding;mere sight is relied upon as faith prays behind the big picture.  An illusion of senses create beliefs, cloaked in flesh and arrogance; seeing is believin.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/330295/ This is a new version of a poem I wrote when I first joined the cafe, or thereabouts http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/329349/ Werewolf Folktale http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/327617/    Play, oh Sarasvati, music divine,while we dance in the light of the moon;as spirits ascend from mortal dreams, singing sweet sounds of her mystical tune.  Night's Titan Goddess halts her chariot,glittering steeds are harnessed in blue; h.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/324351/ Inside a wooden box, notes and pictures rest; the scent of her perfume, remains;Fading, yellowed letters, project passing years, as I recall all the memories, they contain; Fingers trace edges, outside of a photo, where she smiles forever, once more; A vase containing flowers, hers and m.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/323380/       Bouncing off your reflection, You become smudged, As the ripples change direction In the face of what only appeared to be.  Drifting away in pieces, Transparency allows tainted vision to find the bottom, Where I plant .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/321639/   Intently, she veers off a path of gloom, wandering into a meadow, soft hue, full in bloom.Tossed sporadically, flowers shading tomorrow, amongst strangling weeds, breeding yesterday’s sorrow;she picks a flower while wandering through, its fragrance familiar, a sc.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/321578/ Didactic Cinquain http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/318270/  Secrets talk amongst themselvesKeeping me suspended, Longing to hold youIn the dark.   Do you sense my shadowBehind your eyes, Begging you to seeWhat I feel?   I whisper to your mindCome to me, Hoping you will hear Where to turn.   .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/314337/    I’m watching the clock,Tick tock,The clock,As seconds forward bound.  I’m watching my fears,For years,My fears,Keep hindered solid ground.  I’m watching my love,Void of,Your love, Is lacking heart.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/314262/ For the Albert's Poetry Cafe 'LONELINESS' contest http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/312165/  I want to see you, Know you, Gaze into your eyes,See beyondYour protective disguise. I want to feel you, Touch you,  Caress your face, Safe within Your tender embrace. I want to kiss you, Taste you, Trace your lips, With gentle Loving finge.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/311863/ For Albert's Poetry Cafe "Keeping the Dream Alive" LONELINESS contest http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/311014/  Can you hear meAs I whisper your name?Across the ocean It travels in vain. Can you see me As I stretch out my hand?Across the milesTo a distant land. Can you feel me As I caress your cheek?Across my mind It’s you that I seek. Can&n.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/305715/    Watercolors Run carelessly off of your canvasOnto the floorCreating a slippery surfaceWhere others may fall. Blind To what lies beneath their feetFollowing only your words Through an array of tainted colorsTo the pictures you’ve painted. .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/305190/ This was another form challenge from Mike LaSalle (see details in author's note). (The formula used was invented by Michael LaSalle). Copyright 2008. All rights reserved by Michael LaSalle. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/302372/ Was there a shred of truth to the madness? Were the words spoken, though distorted in its portrayal of events, perhaps worthy of listening to on some oblique level? Am I the less than perfect person I have always feared myself to be?   Action and reaction at its base lev.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/301403/ This happens frequently. Just... be careful. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/298324/ This poem was inspired by Michael and his Repeating Quisset formula, which I followed to create it. (see author's note) http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Danicalifornia/294232/