POEMS BY JUDE

 Kaleidoscope

 

His grey eyes fixed on mine

Not understanding my heart

Not comprehending my reason

 

He asked, and I listened

"How can you love me?

How could you even?"

 

Words were there but lost

Between my gaze and soul

Words were not enough

 

"I'm broken, he said.

Completely without anything

I'm not who you think I am"

 

"You are broken," I answered

"Not like an umbrella 

One would cast away if so,

 

"You are broken like stained glass

Which after it is gathered

Becomes a Kaleidoscope"

 

 

- Jude Stringfellow 

December 10, 2022

 

Raku 

 

Choosing tolove him was not my choice 

The firebroke everything I believed I controlled 

The air thatsurrounded me disappeared 

I was left tosmolder in the coals 

 

Formed, Iwas. Treated as mere thick clay 

Never givingmy consent, only shown the end 

Told, morethan asked. I was led, I was worked 

Milled andshaped, pounded even, hardened 

 

Why me God? Ibeg to know Your mind 

Why should Icontinue rolling in searing flame 

To become thepot, the vase, the urn? 

WillYou use me then? Will I hold? Embrace? 

 

You are thePotter. I am your clay. I know this 

You choose, Ilisten. You will, I bow 

The prayers,the time, the years, the faith 

I understandYou’ve planned, I follow 

 

Until thelast pyre I remain incomplete 

Knowing therewill be blessings, I agree 

Knowing heneeds me to continue  

To lift hissoul through the pain of my own firing 

 

You are thePotter. I am your clay. 

My destinedcolors will forge with time 

Your strengthis given in my making  

I am who Youhave decided to create  

 

If my missionis to pray, I bow my head 

Your commandis well within my power 

Power givenby the One and accepted in whole 

Raku me. Tobe the vessel You desire 

 

 

-JudeStringfellow 

April 92022 

 

Entreated 

  

What colorsdo I see? 

When I thinkof you? 

Could therebe a shade 

Sweet enoughto be expressed? 

 

Am I bound bya veil so lovely 

At the verysight of you? 

Are youcaptured by my  

Heart’s eyes– unimaginable? 

 

What sound isit that I hear 

As your voicedances on air? 

As yourpresence leans upon 

My soul torest. 

 

How I amlured by the melody 

By thesymphony, by the lyrics 

By the chordsplayed evenly 

By ourhands. 

 

What anchorsmy very being 

To thethought of you each time? 

Each time Iam drawn without force 

Held captiveby music, by love. 

 

 

-JudeStringfellow

March 26,2022 

 

Him

 

I could tell you that I love you

Or maybe write it in a poem

I could wrap my arms around you

Or whisper a sweet hymn

 

Will you ever truly be mine

Is my soul to ever rest

My joy is the hope

My happiness – your bliss

 

Could I mention you in passing

Would it be of any use

I’m not sure if you could love me

So why go through the hurt

 

I could tell you that I love you

Or let the days pass on

I could be there when you need me

If that is all you want.

 

I wear the mask completely

No one would ever know

I must be like a sidekick

I may even be a joke

 

I could tell you that I love you

Would you even hear

Could you ever understand

My heart is not my friend

 

 

-Jude Stringfellow

November 29, 2020.

 

Empyrean  

 

One, two,three, four, 

One, two,three – fly 

I chase theillusion 

Dream –fantasize 

 

Drawn to thevelvet 

Thick themotions scroll 

Clearfloating breezes 

Line myheart’s soul 

 

Oh, do I seehim 

Is he here –just there 

Dance for me, kind king 

Spin yourservant fair 

 

Long I’vedreamt to find you 

Entice, comenear I pray 

Take my hand,my every breath 

Give yourstrong embrace 

 

Drawn tothis, my trance 

An escape tobe with you 

If only in myvisions 

Until a dayso new 

 

So new withits beginning 

Unearthed andset above 

Heaven holdsmy waiting 

How dare Imention love 

 

 

-JudeStringfellow

November 29,2021 

 

Reflections of the Eve 

 

Pure, theechoed silence 

Forced tohold its breath 

Gently pricksmy soul 

I resign toyour request 

 

Touch,creating motion 

Heat movesnow within 

Strong and soassuring 

Flow, caress,we bend 

 

Embrace theswollen air between us 

Let it lingerthrough the night 

Tantalizingspirits  

Radiant aslight 

 

Yourkiss, my cadence 

Trailsbetween my lips 

Your mouth anendless river 

Deep andsensuous 

 

Stay with meforever 

Day throughnight we live 

Devotion isyour heart’s beat 

Ardor isyour gift 

 

 

-JudeStringfellow

November 29,2021 

 

 

Shut Off – Shut Down 

 

I look atyou, I see your walls. 

So manyvaried bricks 

 

Layeredinjuries stacked inside 

Hardened overtime 

 

I think I seeor feel a way 

A way toguide you through it 

 

I hurt tohope and wish I knew 

A path toshow your mind’s heart 

 

You don’tdeserve the world today 

You’ve paidyour dues in spades 

 

Each stoneupon the other paves 

Protectingyou from freedom 

 

If prayerswere chisels – only if 

To breakthrough would be best 

 

The sorrowbound within your eyes 

Reflects myprayers for rest 

 

 

-JudeStringfellow

November 26,2021 

 

Amethyst Sky 

 

I lay beneathHeaven at her dusk 

Hues too vastto hold 

Lifts of paleblue, turning mauve 

Eventidesings his song 

 

Grace, for anhour, accompany me 

Teach me tobe still 

Patientevening bear with me 

Letconscience guide your will 

 

Share allmanner of meditation 

Finesse andpoise my thought 

Ease yourgentle-mannered ways 

Throughmy senses, giving hope 

 

Ornate vaultof heaven, gloss 

Your hours ofcolors pass 

Amethystblankets hold each star 

In place, intime, en masse 

 

Sleep beginsher soft barrage 

Inviting meto dance 

Invasion ofthe sweetest sort 

Two steps andI am gone 

 

 

-JudeStringfellow

July 24, 2021

 

You 

 

 

How canI sleep when 

Fairies aredancing  

When the keysof your piano float 

 intothe sky? 

 

How will Idream when  

Your touchlingers in my soul 

Your fingerstickle my very breath 

            Each stroke new 

 

Where will myslumber take me 

“Dancingon the Light?”  

“I’m MissingYou Now” 

 

Touch isdeeper than your kiss 

Air becomesmy song 

Music,coursing through my veins  

            I want you. 

 

Slowlydrifting, slink into one 

Our bodies feelingevery note 

No words, soft saxophonescry 

            We are one 

 

 

-JudeStringfellow 

July 5, 2021

 

My Jesus 

 

Grace, grace,God’s grace 

Grace, Idon’t deserve 

I peer uponthe King’s face 

And to knowI’m heard 

 

I come toGod’s throne 

With bendedknee so low 

I can knowHe’ll always 

Welcome meback Home. 

 

Faith, faith,God’s faith 

Faithabundant, free 

Held withinmy heart’s heart 

I know thatHe loves me 

 

Never will Iunderstand  

The price Hepaid that day 

Why a Kingwould leave His throne 

To end up inthe grave. 

 

Erupting fromthe grips of death 

To put it allto rest 

No other namelives on and on 

The King, myKing, Jesus. 

 

Praise,praise, God’s praise 

Blessings Iwill sing 

Endless daysof singing 

Endless loveHe gave 

 

 

-JudeStringfellow 

June 5, 2021

 

Dolor Dream 

 

When youare close, I lose control 

"Holdme”, (I wish), no, don’t stare 

Protestescaping into dream  

Only duskcan bring you nearer 

 

I won’tpretend I don’t pretend 

Knowing fully, itis my curse 

Visions,dreaming, wishing 

So easy towrite each verse 

 

Truth inmuffled whispered gasps 

My pillowholds my secrets 

Etiolate intobliss; (unrest) 

I fade in andout of existence  

 

Touching you– you holding me 

Bathed infire’s dolor pool 

Breathing on my wetskin 

I dare notcool your soul 

 

I dare notstop my vision’s quest 

Nor wake tofind you’re missing 

If dreamingbrings your love to me 

I’ll neversee the morning 

 

 

-JudeStringfellow 

February 15,2021 

 

 Con Amore 

 

“Con Amore”,she called to him 

Allowing herintent 

Though herheartbeat brio, brio 

He seemedquiet, seemed content 

 

His glancetoward her showed interest 

Adagio, atfirst 

Perhapsa furia waits beneath  

The greysteel stare for her 

 

Unique thesubtle movements 

Drone, a bassbeat lingered 

Lifting slowly,falling fast 

Acceso -burning 

 

Bend to love,sweet melody 

Pick up yourvoice in chord 

Harmoniousbeating, their two hearts 

Dolce sweetand strong 

 

En retenant,holding back 

These notesso fast so splendid 

Hammer on,slowing now 

Decrescendo –waning 

 

Thunderouschords strike again 

Breathlesstempo rising 

Pluckingevery imagined chord 

Music for thewriting 

 

Silence now,as music lives 

Flowingsoft Calore 

Mutedintonation as, 

She whispers “ConAmore” 

 

 

-JudeStringfellow 

February 14,2021 

 

As Dawn Wanes 

 

Whispersprick the belly of my ears gently 

Sinkingdeeply in their pools 

Laughingwhiskers tinge my soul’s tongue 

Lick thesteam as coffee brews 

 

Morning liftsher skirts, awakened 

Dawn slipsaway, he dares that smile 

Robins singtheir distractions 

Allowing Dawnto hide a while 

 

He willreturn to rage the battle 

Dreamersfight within his snare 

Clutches giveand thrust their bedsheets 

Morning fearsDawn’s final stare 

 

Give to meyour hour so longing 

Bring backheaven, hold me fast 

Care not ifthe hour is waning 

Squeeze mythighs, renew your grasp 

 

Grey-eyedstare veiled delusion 

Scrape myheart and gouge my faith 

A fantasy, areason to 

Keep Morningoh, so far away 

 

 

-JudeStringfellow

July 17, 2022

 

 Say Goodnight 

 

There’ssomething about this feeling 

Somethinguntrusting, raw 

Thought itwould be easy to resist 

Again, Ifailed myself – that's all 

 

Not easy tofall this hard and survive 

Suppose I’vehad practice before 

What I wish Icould do is scream 

Not lettinganything show 

 

What Iwouldn’t give to smile 

Simplywalk away - waving 

Nothing lastsforever, but this  

This pain,this hurt, this craving 

 

You’ve takenmy heart 

You don’teven realize my ruin 

Just a fool;standing silent - alone 

Knowingyou’ll never return 

 

Could I tearloose – break away 

Hitch a ridewith my own future 

A place youwon’t find me 

A place you’dnever venture 

 

Too broken toask for help 

My noumenonexposed 

Too worn fromyears of injury 

Self-inflicted;perhaps cursed 

 

What could Ido with me anyway 

Keepsentiment wrapped up tight 

Never sharinglove again 

Smile, wave,say “good night” 

 

 

-JudeStringfellow 

February 13,2021 

 

 

Sagacious Submission 

 

I will neverbend  

I shall nevermove 

Strength willleave me first 

This stand Imake will prove 

 

All sagacityheld firm 

I sense whatyou are doing 

My soulrejects all lures 

My veinspulse with fury 

 

Brave myheart holds guard 

Not moving,no allotment 

Stay from me– be gone 

The tearingis but torment 

 

Wisdom,insight, vision 

What good arethese tonight 

Love hastricked my very core 

So lost inyou, my plight 

 

Given to thefear of loss 

Abductionfrom within 

Loosen these,damned lover’s chains 

Forced toyield again 

 

 

-JudeStringfellow 

February 12,2021 

 

Whisper in My Ear 

 

Whisper in myear, love 

Penetratingsounds coo with each breath 

I relax inyour arms, held bound without ties 

Captive for youwithout snare 

 

Your wordshushed with anticipation 

Half air,half promise 

No one nearbut you love, no one closer 

Swear thesewords you use 

 

Twirlingpastels in my mind 

Yourlavenders within my lilac 

Myimagination no longer alone to dream 

You are myspirit, you are my breath 

 

Burningwithout flame, consumed without fire 

Leaning in, Iwant to know you 

Panting skinagainst your hardened form 

Racing heartstop - I can’t hear him 

 

Whisper in myear, love 

Say all youdare to say now 

I holdpledged your promise 

I await yoursilenced mouth  

 

 

-JudeStringfellow  

February 6,2021 

 

Lover

 

Endlessembrace!

Thenight chills—I dream

Whatcould better calm me

Yourarms enclosed—love

 

Palefixed eyes

Gazeinto my ginger pools

Holdingfast this last twinkling

Dawnthreatens to steal

 

Whiskeredsmile

Ticklingpast my tender skin

Lingeredpoints—brief touch

Dancingelves—each one

 

Awaken!

No,let me lie with you

Holdingon to night

Togive in—to lose

 

 

-Jude Stringfellow

November11, 2000

 

Green

 

Green the grass rollsyonder
Setting fragrance free
Breezes flower, blooming
Bursting at their seams

Honeysuckle, Daffodils
Roses, creep like Myrtles
Draping. Swing. Mad Willow
Bend and show the world

Bend and show to everyone
The Oak is not so strong
She holds her ground,
But breaks to Wind's harsh song

Sing your songs, sweet Sparrow
Counter speak the Doves
Listen Willow, feel them
Hiding in your gloves

Green your leaves drape covering
Busily sweep the air
Not for me to question
Not for me to care

Creep the Myrtles purple
Bloom and give to green
Willows kiss the future
Winter hands off to Spring

-Jude Stringfellow
March 11, 2010

 

Ruled By Heart

I couldn't ever start to know
The cravings of my heart
Her drum in me beats on its own
She lays out her own desires
I am forced to do her bidding
By fear that she may stop
If left alone she'd harden
Her need for me is soft

We fit together - harmonized
True, she rules us both
If she decides to fall again
If she desires to love
I won't fall, but have to wait
Wait until she frees me
I won't fall, but have to hope
Hope that she releases

I have but one heart to serve
She has but me to rule
Strange, our timing always off
Her silent beat abuses
Clinching to the next dreamt scheme
Silent beats - such thunder
Serve I will, devoted warrior
Pray she does not wander

 

-Jude Stringfellow

October 27, 2010

 

 Symphony of Love 

Is my voicea symphony 

Do I ragewith song 

When ourhearts are melding 

Two becomingone 

 
Are your notes of tenor 

Forced withbreathless thrust 

Are thewhisperings of woodwinds 

Leaping frommy tongue 

 

Quickenheart! Hold time 

Surround thesound—silence 

Mewl for noone else to hear 

My lover’slips shall thunder 

 

Rage, lift upmy very soul 

In crescendo—rapture! 

Deep inside,harmonious tides 

Melodies—captured 

 
Songs for only our ears 

Sweet inevery note 

Panting—exhaustedrefrain 

Music is yourstroke 

 

Sing sweetlover to me 

Your song akind surrender 

Symphonicpleas, submission 

Orchestra inmotion 

 

-JudeStringfellow 

 

 

Fire’s Breath 

 

I arch mybody toward the stars 

To feel yourhand in touch 

Towhisper words you cannot hear 

But wordstransform in love 

 

I reach tohold your firm strong arms 

To press youeven closer 

To hold youfast within my loin 

I celebratemy lover 

 

Tonight resoundswithin my mind 

Avision—impressions 

Tomorrow’slove soon foretold 

With sweetanticipation 

 

Keep mesheltered in your soul 

Your thoughtsdear—caress 

Strength tocarry through the day 

I wait foryou—your presents 

 

It won’t belong until we love 

Until we kissimpassioned 

Fire’s breathshines through your eyes 

Revealinglove—unquestioned 

 

- JudeStringfellow 

 

 Me Mutter

Well, there she goes Just ‘a walkin’ down the streetSinging this and that andWhatever else she wants - - BECAUSEShe is me Mutter.Some may know herSome know her smileSome don’t give a damn butIt’s OK because she don’t eitherShe is me MutterThere’s another poem out thereOne about a momThis is one about mine andNo one else’s, except my sibs She is OUR MutterI love the stuffin’ out of herThink she’s pretty daftThink she’s smart as hell tooAt the same time, she’s all thatShe is me MutterNot one to mess or fart aroundMaybe just a toot or twoShe can paint and laugh and singBut mostly she just smiles and lovesShe is, and will always be…Me Mutter.-Jude StringfellowJune 27, 2023