Once

A line in the flesh barely visible,
the faint scar the only evidence
that once this heart
was tethered to another.

Strong hands once held a fragile soul
contained within a wild fire
masterfully manipulating the flame
like an artist, kindling the passions
that set the spirit ablaze.

Once, an uncompromising will
held an unruly heart joyously captive
in the tender bondage
of love.

****

Another old favorite. I find that I am particularly poetically prolific when filled with angst... Happiness steers me more toward cinquains.

C'est la vie.

Cruelty

Cruelty comes in so many forms
a slap
a harsh word
a demeaning name.

It can come in the form of manipulation
self-pity meant to inspire guilt
devious and intricate webs of deceit
lies and untruths.

Or sometimes
it comes in a more quiet way
without words
or sound.

Sometimes
it is a silent turning away
leaving behind the remnants of a loving heart

laid open like a wound.

Badges

A finger slowly traces

the tiny badge of blue.

Once a symbol of love,
a badge of honor,

a sign of the fragile filament

that connected one soul to another.

One move

and the badge is revealed,

seen clearly for what it is

a source of pain

just... a bruise.

*****

This was one of the very first poems I ever posted publicly. The response is what inspired me to continue writing. I've been told I expose too much of myself when writing poetry, but I think that's the purpose of writing. If you don't expose something, why bother?

2010

A new year - and a determination to post here more frequently. Below is one of my favorite flashers. I've also added a link to the reviews for "Enhanced" that I wrote with Mackenzie Cross.

Although the book is no longer in print, we're most proud of the reviews. And there's always the possibility of re-publishing with a sequel so ... who knows?

Happy New Year,

~DB

Masterpiece - A 100 word flasher

With a satisfied smile, she stretches languidly as her toes point and her arms stretch overhead, wrists crossing instinctively as if bound.

"Don't move."

From the foot of the bed, he slowly pulls the sheets, exposing her body.

He silently appraises the marks on the canvas of her flesh. From the faint bruises on her wrists to the light purple love bites on the creamy softness of her breasts, to the blue thumbprints left by his powerful hands on the rounded swell of her hips.

In the morning light…

He, the artist, drinks in the colors of her... his masterpiece.

© Copyright 2003, Dani Benjamin. All rights reserved.

More Cinquains

Liar
Call me pretty
Tell me I’m beautiful
In the darkness as we fuck, I
Believe.

**********

Whispers
Stranger's hot breath
A naughty suggestion
Of an impromptu diversion
Shiver.

**********

Arouse
Slowly nurture
The fire that burns within
Building, stoking the embers of
Desire.

***********************************

I am currently working on my own collection of alphabetical erotic cinquains. This is an addictive form of poetry - that rhythm draws me in. However, there are some letters that do not lend themselves easily to erotica... like X and H...