LINDA IMBLER

LINDA IMBLER

OPEN SPACES

It feels great

to be out from under

rolling carpets of steel and stone.

I’m standing with outlying anonymity,

breathing in the glory of solitude.

Enjoying the simple subtraction

of so much weight from shoulders.

It’s so easy to forestall deep sorrow here

while feeling the deepening rumble

of a wet, thunderous afternoon

within my chest.

The wind battering from all sides,

turning my hair like the Medusa,

as I wait for the open spaces,

and the nighttime canvas of midnight blue

to be painted across the sky.

SOLDIER

What he saw,

what he did,

indecent and horrific.

He talks about it

in that circular fashion

that avoids facing reality.

That would break him,

so he skirts around

what was required then to do the job.

What else rent him in two,

that conjunction of love for his brothers

and dehumanizing one’s enemies,

in corresponding time and space.

The doing was easy.

He intellectualized the task.

But the aftermath was not cerebral.

Feeling it was so much worse,

yet not having done it

would have been the real atrocity.

The tearing does not mend.

Repellent memories

overshadow knowledge

of crucial guardianship.

He’ll live out

the rest of his days,

not whole.

MEDITATION

A Tribute to Maharishi

We, removing stresses,

heartstrings feeling caresses,

our inward attention

gives illness prevention,

aids all your memories,

providing healthy remedies.

The way out is through calm,

easy breathing serves as balm,

our spirits always mindful

for quenching pain, there is no rival.

Let go of negativity,

embrace your creativity,

stick your mantra in the keyhole,

unlock the strength of your soul.

LINDA IMBLER

LINDA IMBLER  is the author of four poetry collections.  Since writing her first poem four years ago, her poetry and short stories have been published in numerous journals. In addition to putting pen and paper to inventive use, Linda is an avid reader and budding illustrator. This writer, yoga practitioner, and classical guitar player lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband, Mike the Luthier, several quite intelligent saltwater fish, and an ever-growing family of gorgeous guitars.