http://slow.writerscafe.org/skburke18 The original writings of author S. K. Burke en-us Copyright 2026 WritersCafe.org 1776101777 WritersCafe.org RSS Generator 15 Innocencelost is playing sharks and minnowsWhen youstop to breathe, look around, and suddenlyall theminnows have turned to sharks except for youAnd theyare poised and ready to leap.Suddenlythe shallow end plunges as deep as the ocean.The .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/skburke18/1720318/ Another 2 AM creeps up,She rubs her eyes and puts her readings away.The lights flick off and there he is, peering in,Falling in soft streaks across the bed sheets.Was it so long ago that she looked to the same moonHugging her knees to her chestMuffling sobs and wishing maybeJust mayb.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/skburke18/1713438/ I wonder if they notice that today I didn’t say so muchWhile they giggled and joked at dinnerAnd I toyed with my foodAbsentmindedly spinning downward I wonder if he noticed that the paper I handed in wasslapped together last minute.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/skburke18/1698769/ I never liked the way my hair looked in the morningOr the way my lips aren’t so full I never liked the size of my eyes or my nose,Well, that is, until you called me beautiful. I never liked the way I get too excited about things .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/skburke18/1670040/ I lay my head against the cold brick wallwhich is covered by a carefully chosen tapestry,careful to match the cotton quilt beneath me,and careful to match the bulky, exotic looking pillows,carefully "carelessly" strewn about,made in and reminiscent of countries I have never been to.I am wrinkling an.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/skburke18/1643341/ I hope some day you wake upand the sun is shining and the birds are chirpingand years have pastbut you still haven't changed.I hope your heart is still bigand your smile warm and hands eagerand you've seen it allbut you still haven't changed.I hope you never let goand you still see the good, and put.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/skburke18/1643337/ The plot of land from which I sproutedhad a playhouse in the backyard built by dad. It had only a rock wall separating my best friend and Iand a tree out front that was planted by Papa's boycott troop.Here, there was a rug in the playroom to drive toy cars on with my sister,and a basement sink .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/skburke18/1643333/ A friend taught me that sometimes, after a few years,people are bound to lose interest.And usually there are people who would rather move onthan hang around trying to fix it.I learned that sometimes I have to deal with being ignoredbecause I'm probably not worth their time.Some guy taught me no one .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/skburke18/1643326/ I need space,more space, for all the changes I want to make.I need a memory,a little stronger, for all the knowledge I want to take.I need eyes,big and bright, to see the world all stretched out.I need a throat,strong and proud, for all the thoughts I have to shout.I need time, I think,more time, fo.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/skburke18/1643271/ I wonder how far you'll goin boots buried by snowwith a submerged pontoon and an air balloonthats tether simply wouldn't hold.On a horse thats become too weak to runwith a car thats engine's done,a kite that flew but when the crosswinds blew,suddenly was gone.You're gonna need another method of flig.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/skburke18/1643259/ He marched to the frontof the room and stood smiling,his uniform ironedand belt buckles shining.But when he began, his voice trembled, as he spoke to the class.I wondered how he'd ever hold a gunwith hands shaking like that. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/skburke18/1643256/ My highs and lows, they change with the tidesmy hearts on a coater I'm just here for the rideI'll drop from 1000 to 1 and can't muster the mightI'm exhausted, I'm spent, and the cost is too highmy chest is heavy and my throat closes tightand I've begun to assume that my sorrow's impliedeven when I t.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/skburke18/1643250/ I wonder how much love one heart can hold, it seems no poet can quite grasp the worth,because sometimes it feels my heart's bound to spill over,but still somehow could cradle the world. When I'm in your arms, it flutters and smiles, my heart is abounding and climbs to my mouth.I fear .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/skburke18/1643244/ Thehandle on the subway reminds Mindsmeof a noose as it cradles my hand,  andandas the train departs heartsIsee each independent dependentstopas a station onthatcould have been much more if we didn&rsquo.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/skburke18/1643236/ They should start living for the sake of livingNot to get a picture of themselves livingOr to post an account of how they’re livingOr even for someone to look at them and say, “wow, they’reliving!”They need to start living for.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/skburke18/1643233/ My mind fights with itselfAs a child’s body might, In a futile attempt to find a comfortable position to sleepin My mind flips and boundsAs an interpretive dancer might,Wrestling wordlessly against themselves in beautiful agony .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/skburke18/1643231/