~ my friend ~
love is found in things given up
more than in the things we’ve kept
times shared both in laugher
and times we both have weep
ain't it funny how paths cross at times
in the journey of our lives
how time has found a special place
to share in such delight
and far away is just somewhere
we’ve never been before
and hope and faith provide us
with knowing so much more
I hope that as time passes
you'll remember I was your friend
no matter what else happens
until our sojourn's end© Robert William Sullivan
~ Loneliness is a strange creature ~
Loneliness is a strange creature
Sometimes its seems our only company
Quietly perched on the limbs of our life
It moves from here to there
It lands so close to solitude
It mingles with silence
Yet even on the busiest of days
It still thrives within the crowd
Hiding in the nooks and crannies of our activities
Attempts to share a sighting will only cause flight
It knows you, but is so threatened by others
It hears their approach long before their coming
Timid for that time, it hides, belittled and weak
Then captured, caged, and concealed
Oddly this is when it finds its greatest strength
This is when it grows
Piercing far beyond the bars that seemingly hold it
Finding us with its song
I can fool it with a mirror, letting it examine itself
This works for a time, but too becomes common
It learns it can share me with this new companion
So I will cover it with a blanket of acquaintances
And it remains still for a time
Startled off by sights and sounds of my day
But always finding its way back home
So loneliness it seems is to be part of my scenery
Riding on the cold wind that blows in from time to time
It stays behind when all else has flown south
Yet is it not awakened in the morn by a ray of light?
It's proclamation somehow part of my purpose
In that moment I find loneliness truly takes flight
With the empty hope that loneliness with come to nest no more© Robert William Sullivan, 2003
~ The Prey ~
I crawl into bed knowing that you will come
That I will be pursued, captive tonight
A willing surrender of my loneliness
I clutch my pillow tight between legs
And wait
Somewhere in my night
In this world where the wild thoughts are unleashed
Judgment is suspended
I hear you approach through the jungle
You pounce and I wrap around you
You are not a dream you exist
Not mere fantasy, but flesh
You devour my need
Until none remains
I look into your eyes and still see the hunger
I struggle against my awakening
Lips will become the un-kissed
Illusionary sweat vaporizes
Sentences are now incomplete
Thoughts like poems turn to words I can’t rhyme
And I lay victim to the morning
The prey of a world without you
Longing for the night to return
For the jungle and for your coming
A willing quarry, waiting© Robert William Sullivan, 2003
~ Venus ~
Venus in the eastern sky, a brilliant white
Mars a faint, red sentry in the south
Waning crescent of the moon with quarter yet illuminated
Solitude, the hush of morning about to be given away by a bird or two
Deep cool breath, palms down, releases it, surrender
Palms up, receive it, ah I am there
What a wonderful presence I have found
Reverent silence, quite worship beyond words
Surrounded by the cool breeze
Prayers for so many, search my heart least I forget one
So much more than need, please let this peace be thiers
Enough day to touch each clover top
With a newness of its dew
Seems all the birds are sharing
In this secret I have found
Venus in the eastern sky, a brilliant white
Mars a faint, red sentry in the south
Waning crescent of the moon with quarter yet illuminated
Almost sunrise and the abundance has already satisfied this day© Robert William Sullivan
~ To me ~
Burst of sunlight on a cold winter’s day, your smile to my heart
Delicate hands, your touch; find my soul, I see you
Flowing hair aflame; kindling for my desire
Motley made eyes surround me like a fine jacket
Tailored to suit me, a perfect fit
A provision of warmth in my dark world
Your breasts gently curved as a change of wind
Your waist a river flowing as a sweet stream
To your lovely hips a place of hidden treasure
The fragrance of your body my perfume
Your voice an abyss where I am lost
Your skin soft and pale, a pure and lovely song
Your being, your light, your shadow
All embrace me and permeate all that I am
Wherever you are you are near to me© Robert William Sullivan
~ Retreat ~
We have barely been apart
Yet the world seems empty
Like one that is wounded
We make our way to the forest
Overwhelmed with longing
Love found us both thirsty
And so we drank
Each hungry
So we partook
Filled we rested, until time stalked
Another day awaits us
Routines to follow, needs, survival
Yet the bond exists
As we move along
Something, which will never be gone© Robert William Sullivan
~ Like the ocean ~
Like the ocean it can appear smooth
Yet deep within it is a stirring, an undertow
My eyes follow the curves of the waves
As they embrace the shore
And run their fingers over her body
I let the water tease my feet
As each wave reaches out
Drawing me back, beckoning me back
To her lips
To her kiss
I wade into the rhythmic waves
They travel up my legs
Rising higher and more quickly than expected
Soon be covered, then submerged
Surrounded
I am inside now
Just another part of her
My arms and legs using all their strength
But finding no boundary No direction as I swirl within her deep tempest
I feel her all around me
She is powerful and sensual
A woman, my lover
I feel myself being pulled deeper
Deeper within her depths
She controls my every movement
Pressure pushes against my skin
As she makes her love to me
She crawls over me
Her body raises and lowers me like the midnight tide
Time leaves me without bearings
Sounds slowly become familiar once more
I find myself prostrate on the seashore
Passion and tenderness leaving me beached
Missing and waiting once more
For the invitation that overtook me© Robert William Sullivan
~ Closer yet to Heaven (for Tammy) ~
I asked if I could come along
You warned me of the task
We started down the steep decline
Until we found a pass
Closer yet to Heaven
Each footstep that we drew
And all along the fellowship
Of Him, with me and you
To suit up for the battle
To understand the war
You helped me seek His special gifts
You showed me so much more
So often it was you that led
As we undertook this trip
Your faith the illustration
Of how to keep my grip
The walls I'd made to keep Him out
You helped me topple down
I found our Lord was limitless
With joy we did abound
Then times You'd take the unmarked path
Where only Two could go
You'd meet me on the other side
Oh how His strength did show
And dare not look directly
At His glory as it passed
But light upon your smiling face
Revealed Love unsurpassed
And now I know that I must wait
As onward up you climb
I'll meet you once again my friend
When He decides its time
Closer yet to Heaven
Through valleys oh so deep
With tears and joy we traveled
To reach this Highest peak© Robert William Sullivan
~ Another day ~
God takes His time with mornings
Each gentle drop of dew
Gradually turning earth and sun
Another day anew
Provision once in silence
Now altered as I hear
Fish that stir the waters
Fowl signal, “Yes it’s here!”
God takes His time with mornings
What detail He defines!
To comprehend that done with ease
Too vast for this one’s mind
The Power of His actions
All by His Hand they move
To bring about His very will
And of His glory prove
God takes His time with mornings
And desires for our lives
A shared delight in all He’s done
As each new day arrives
Take time to see the moments
He made for you and me
For in them He’s designed Himself
To share, to praise, to be© Robert William Sullivan
~ Every Night ~
Every night you lie within my dreams
Your sweet, subtle presence arrives like the morning dew
You cover me, mesmerized I hold tightly
To the delight, I have captured between my arms
You are anew to me as is every night
As the ever-changing midnight sky above me
A mystery among the many stars
A rare moment, in the still before the dawn
The wind now sets the clouds into a hurried race
The sky is gray and shadowy
There is dampness, a mist, and now rain
The rain-washes over your soft skin
My thoughts as birds arrive, then elude me
Each trying to master the wind
The power of God surrounds me
He is the Tempest that whirls the sky
You are here, held within my arms
You lay before me open, exposed, vulnerable
You cling to me, your grip tight
All is swirling yet our eyes remain still, focused in each other’s
I long to know your scent, your hair against my chest
The taste of your breasts, your moans
My mind flutters about you, exploring
I hunger, oh how do I yearn
We have only begun to know each other
Yet you are a part, connected
The cruel morning sun now sneaks into my room
My eyes now open, my arms are empty
My words and thoughts must be my hands
Gently stroking your fragile soul
Evening will come again and again for us
And you will be mine once more, every night© Robert William Sullivan