Ali Cecilie Sonder Poetry and Prose I consider anything I write works in progress. I hope you enjoy them in whatever pen name I have used. If you would like to use them, please drop me an e-mail with the name of the verse and which pen name it listed under and I will be glad to write permission for you ......... Rennie Lorca (© Ali Cecilie Sonder) c/o: dragonhaime@hotmail.com

WHERE ARE YOU NOW?
ALWAYS BELOVED
FINALITY
FINAL RESPECTS
HAIKU from Ali - FRAGRANT MEMORY
How a stitch in time saved nine long ago . . .
 

By Ali Cecilie Sonder 
Date: 1 May 1998 

WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

On a night of violent storms, 
I would cling to you. 
There were new beginnings in them, 
These storms; and lightning recharged us. 
Each flash giving an instant 
Of your face searching mine ... 
Looking for answers to love's questions. 
Outside, rain was washing our world clean; 
To the beating of our hearts. 
Tonight, I listen in anticipation 
As this storm increases in intensity ... 
And for footsteps I know won't come. 
Rain beats a familiar rhythm, 
And alone, my heart joins in time -- 
Dreading the storm, but needing the memories. 
Where are you now? Where are you now!

Back to the Heart-on-Sleeve Corner 

By Ali Cecilie Sonder 
Date: 2 May 1998 

ALWAYS BELOVED

.... alone now . . . I clutch your pillow, 
soothing it the way I once did you. 
Even with it -- I get the same response, 
silence, cold linen . . . 
I need reassurance. 
Has everything in this bed died, too? 
You said you loved me . . . 
tell me again. 

If only you could, would. 
From the grave, 
your heart reaches out once more. 
Your memory caresses 
me in my grief, 
reminding me I was beloved . . . 
too briefly for me . . . 
but an eternity for us. 

Back to the Heart-on-Sleeve Corner 

By Ali Cecilie Sonder 
Date: 4 June 1998 
FINALITY

Finality? . . . . 

There are days of dealing with feelings 
and what we had, or didn't.

Heartache or happiness . . . 
how was it really? 

Then I gaze at your note 
left on the table for me one day . . . 

"I Love 
you more 
than anything 
on earth!" 

How do I handle the emotion I have 
now that heaven has claimed you? 

Back to the Heart-on-Sleeve Corner 

By Ali Cecilie Sonder 
Date: 24 August 1998 

FINAL RESPECTS

I come awake, alone, to love still gone. 
Heart broken, my heart righteously torn. 
There is sadness here, and I feel wrong. 
Outside, the dove never ceases to mourn. 

I finally murmur a desire for peace here. 
Then woodland spirits beckon me for you. 
I follow a path leading to you, my dear. 
Cool pond, gentle ripples, teagreen hue. 

Algae and fish float close to a nearby line. 
There, even the mockingbird mutes each song. 
'til now, only ashes remain of love so fine. 
And a sweet memory of our favorite lovesong. 

On antique seat, in a bower, shaded by vine, 
Two lovers are again reunited after so long. 
One in body -- one in spirit this last time, 
Paying loving respects and plans to move on. 

Back to the Heart-on-Sleeve Corner 

FRAGRANT MEMORY 
the rose still quivers 
from the memory of his touch 
in the old garden 

 
By Ali Cecilie Sonder 
Date: 16 August 1999 
FRAGRANT MEMORY
the rose still quivers 
from the memory of his touch 
in the old garden 
Back to the Heart-on-Sleeve Corner 

   





   
 
 
I listened to and now remember poignant memories of a survivor. No matter what I think I have seen in my life, I know that I have not experienced a fraction of what others have endured in the way of war, famine and terrible loss. The women of Hitler's wrath, and he hated more than just Jews, were faced with far more than I have ever even imagined ... and yet, some survived to tell their tales ... I did them the kindness of listening well ... I will always listen:  
How a stitch in time saved nine long ago ...  
Today this simple mending chore 
  brought memories of tales from others 
    I have listened to who knitted  
      in the cold to buy food to eat ... 

meager rations from refuse of 
  potato, beet, stale bread ... 
    these starved hardworking mothers 
      ever grateful they weren't dead ... 
    
creative stitches for survival as 
  hands labored to buy rotten cabbages; 
    life-bargaining with far-off gaze 
      while they dreamed of family and heat. 

once young and vibrant women 
  courted, wooed, wedded and bedded 
    with flowers and candy and kisses, now 
      memories locked in stitches to get fed. 
               
"How a stitch in time saved nine long ago . . ." 
© Ali Cecilie Sonder June 2000 
MORE INSPIRATION
  
Just a few sites that are constantly expanding:
DRAGONHAIME: The Poets' Refuge 
Massive site of poetry resources, links, verses 
The dragoncairn on Dragonhaime 
Ali to Ullie and others in verse 
Yours TruLeigh and Friends 
Writers resources linked here ... and some poetry 
INSPIRATION 
Some verses from other poets to inspire 
WindFall Haiku 
Haiku resources, instructions and verses