POETRY by SUPPORTER KAREN E. LILE

Can You See Me?

by Karen E. Lile

Dedicated to survivors who use their pain

to create their art for us to experience
 

Can you SEE me in the painting?

There is a butterfly
perched on the wing
of a hawk which
is grasping a caterpillar
in its claw.

“How can that be?”
you say,
And you see the
impossible
that was accomplished
in this still life,
And wonder
at the unrealism
of butterfly resting on bird.

And I ask again, Can you see ME?
But you don’t hear
for now you are praising
the form and the style
of my creation,
“Oh how talented you are,
I wish I could do that!”

You thought that I was
the hand that painted this.
But, I am not.
I am the butterfly
whose wings cannot fly.
I gave
their dust
to create the shimmer
in the paint
that you marvel at.

DO you see me?
You thought that I was the
one you are talking to
who seems so suave and
developed and sure of herself.
But, I am the caterpillar
who got caught by the hawk
while I was waiting for you.
And it is my heart
that is bleeding
to bring you
beauty.

Can YOU see me
And set me free?

 *  *  *
 

A Lamp on the Porch No More
by Karen E. Lile

I have been suspended
Like a lamp
On the porch
Through the long nights
Knowing,
Watching
People come and go from this place.

This place is not mine,
But, I am its lamp.
I serve to ward off the dark
And illuminate
All that might remain hidden,
So that secrets will not be kept
And the inhabitants can be set free,
One Day.

I have seen…
Oh, I have seen
          things you would not want
          to tell your children
Done to children in the night.

And those who hurt them
Did not know
That I was more than a lamp.

I remember every shadow
Forever.

I have seen too many shadows
And too many nights
Fixed upon this porch.

I will be a lamp no more.
But, I will continue to shine
In the body of light
Inside this place.

There is risk, I know.
But, better to dry the tears
          than to watch them fall.
Better to cast out the abusers
          than to watch them destroy.
Better to feel emotions
          than to be numb to what is happening.

I have watched
Written
And spoken the secrets.

Now I will feel
Act
And protect the children
So that they might play safely,
Even in the night.