The Invitation

Ruthanne Baxter
8.24.2008

Somewhere along the way
I traded in my crown of jewels
for Cinderella’s rags.
I look in the mirror to see
skin once graced with beauty
now smudged with ashes;
long hair curled and elegant
now spun tightly back so as not
to be in the way.
The hem of my skirt
painted black
drags the dust from my master’s feet.
It follows me through
every room.

Every day I kneel, not to pick beautiful roses,
but to begin the great deal of scrubbing
it will take to get clean,
I wonder, how did I get here?
but I blush with shame at the thought
of wanting something greater,
and pick up the wash cloth.

Much preparation has been done for this day.
The ladies of the house wait,
eagerly on the drive; they line up.
I take my place behind them.
The Prince approaches.

Today is the day
the Prince of all Princes comes
with an invitation to be His.
He’ll call on every maiden fair
and every maiden worthy.

As if from some sweet dream,
upon His arrival to bring an invitation,
He stoops down from His horse
walks towards the line of beautiful women.
I wonder which one He’ll choose.
But He looks displeased.

I see Him look at me
and my head drops
not wanting Him to notice me.
But to my surprise He calls me by name,
extends to me His hand, and says,
“You’re the one I’ve come for.”

Me? The servant,
dressed in rags?
It was then that He took His
hand and gently lifted my chin.
With tears streaming down my face,
He looked in my eyes,
“I choose you to be my treasured bride.”

Suddenly, I felt every reservation flee.
I placed my hand in His
knowing, somehow, I have just become…

Princess again.

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your drowning soul

I don’t know why, but
I’m drawn to you.
I wish I could save you
but every time I try,
I just sink deeper
like a mass weighted down

I see you drowning
and I wish I could save you;
come and give you more breath

but I cant because each time
I jump in
I just get pulled under;
I always sink. and
before I know it
I need someone
to save me.

I can’t rescue you
this time.

10.4.2006


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~Ruthanne

This Night

Trees sway
Their leaves rippling
At the touch of the brisk breeze.
Flower petals yawn in exhaustion
From the sun's long hours.
Blades of grass
Bid farewell to the day.
The sunset has hidden itself
Behind the moonlit sky
And the water stands still
Waiting
For all the stars to be accounted for.
I lay at my window
Gazing upon the art work,
And I begin to wonder
Why You made me
More significant
Than the beauty of this night.

coloring book.

he was the boy who loved to play.
with his brothers as his best friends,
he was always accompanied. and his father taught them
everything he knew. he was their hero.

in the family,
he was the smile on everyone’s face.

but it all became too much;
with sports and tests
and rules and friends…
have you ever watched the color
drain out of someone?
he had started losing signs of life.

would someone save him,
or was he left to his own?
____

Monday morning
the article read,
“young boy [nearly] drowned
in father’s shadow.”
____

for a while, someone drew the lines for him
but now
“with a notebook and a crayon”
he scribbles down
his own pictures for others
to see where he’s gone.

11.3.06
rcb

the dance

with a bow and curtsy,
he takes
her hands in his.
the red of her dress
blushes the room
as they take their first step.
he leads her petite frame
across the floor
with his frame
strong and secure;
back and left and
forwards and right.
her hips turn
and he meets her stride
with his hands on her back.
letting go of one hand,
he twirls her away from him
in boast to bring honor
to her beauty-
and then she surrenders
as he pulls her back
to his side.
she’s the reason
he steps
back and left and
forwards and right.
she follows her escort
to the end.

dance floor-
the chandelier
twirls in wonder

9.9.2006