THE HEROINE
There are
Many a
Tales
Where
The hero
Is a
Male...
Tall and fair
With
Light eyes
And hair
Or perhaps
Dark, tall
And handsome
A heartthrob
Either way!
The heroes
Fight
The bad guys
And win
Over
Hearts
Leaving the
Impression
That
They are
Worthy of
Praise
And admiration.
Oh but every
Tale
Has a heroine
Too
And in this
Rhyming one
It happens
To be
The one
Writing
This story
Rhyme!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
KITTY TALE
A little kitten
Looked
Up at
Me
While I
Sat under
A tree...
It payed
At my
Leg
And meowed
So loud...
I picked
It up
Holding it
Close
To my heart!
There, it
Soon
Fell asleep
Purring
Contentedly
While
I softly
Sang to
It.
I looked
About me
Realizing
It was
Way past
Evening...
I had sat
Under the
Tree
At dawn
So I could
Paint
A tale, a rhyme
A song...
I did it
All
In picking up
The kitten.
That,at me
Had pawed!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
A REQUEST
Dear Life,
How are you?
I hear
Through the
Grapevine
That
Something has
You low...
O Life
Once again
You
Shall rise!
Just put
Your thought
To it
A strong positive
Vibe
Saying to
Yourself
I'll be more
Tham just
Fine.
Think of
Running,
Skipping and
Jumping
Through and
Over
Hurdles
Life,
Then you
Will be on
Top of the world!
Sing and recite
A song
A rhyme.
Tell a joke,
Laugh...
The world is
Short of
Chuckles
And melodies...
Life,
You can give
It
Both!
Pull together
Stand straight
For you are
Incredible
In every
Way!
So Life
Do we have
A deal
That you will
Kick
That low something
Off of you
And be
Awesome again?
FREDERIKA MENEZES
LOVE TALE
There was
Once
A ring
Who
Was the
Wonder
Of every
Other
Of its
Kind...
It had
A dazzle
A sparkle
A very
Captivating life!
Every eye
That saw
It
Felt
Aww
For it spoke
With its
Beauty
To them
All!
The richest
Ladies
Tried
It kn
But
The moment
It slid
Upon their
Fingers
It no longer
Shone...
They, disappointed
Took
It off
Leaving it
They,
Other rings
Chose.
One might
Have felt
Sad
That such
A beautiful ring
Could not
Be had
But it dazzled
And sparked
As if
To say
A fair lady
Shall
Adorn me
One day!
And so
It happened
That a
Lady of
Fair heart
One day
Of tbe ring
Caught
Sight...
She decided
That she
Loved it.
She took up
And slipped
It on...
The ring
Happily
Dazzled and
Shone!
It exclaimed
That
The
Lady was
The One!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
Master of
My life
What have
You planned
For me?
I am
At
Your mercy!
I sir all
Day
I do what best
I can
With
Talents
Given me
By
Your generous
Hand...
MASTER OF MY LIFE
You willed
Me
To be a
Rhymer
And that
I am.
You desired
I should
A painter
Be
And that I
Am
You see.
I create
In color
Just as
You
Wished me to
I create in
Honor
Of
You!
A photographer
I am
As well.
You indeed
O Master
Gifted me
Well.
I thank
You
But I need
To know
What is
Your plan
Fot
My life
Before my
Eyes
Forever close...
I suppose though
The answer
Is
Yours
Alone to know
All right
Master
I place my
Faith
In
Your decision!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
THE WIND AND ME
I sat watching
Hear the
Wind play
A symphony.
It melted
My heart
It made
Me.
Want ro
Slow dance...
Just as I
Started
To sway
The wins
Its music
Changed!
I got to
My feet
In a
Twirl and
A skip...
This went on
For several
Minutes...
The wind
Yet again
Changed its
Tune
Thus making me
Wear
My ballet shoes!
Eventually
I grew
Fatigued
And sat
Myself
Back down...
The wind
As though.
In sync
With my
Feelings
Dropped to
A whispering
Melody.
I closed my
Eyes
To this
And soon
Fell asleep.
What a delightful
Dream
I dreamed...
One wherein
I was
With the wind
Dancing!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
THE CLOUD FAMILY
One day
The clouds
Were.
At play...
Chasing Each
Other.
Across
Blue hills...
The ground
Wad
Rocky
So the youngest
Cloud
Took
A tumble.
It scraped
A knee
And back
And bruised
Some ribs!
Ouch! Owww...
I am
Out!
Exclaimed
The young
Cloud.
Stop all
Play
To attend to.
Me
I say!
Aww
We want
To play
Complained
The others
Don't be selfish
In your
Ways.
Rest
A while
Until you
Feel well
Then
Join us
Again!
No, no
Absolutely not!
I refuse
To rest
Without
You lot!
They all
Paused
Their
Game
And sat around
The young
Cloud
Easing her
Pain...
Once she felt
Better
They resumed
Playing
Together!
What ate
Siblings
And best friends
For
If not to
Be there
For one another
When there's
A fall?
FREDERIKA MENEZES
PLAYTIME
Little girl
Sat with
Her toys
Playing alone
Without
A care
In the
World...
She played
Scenarios
Of every
Kind
Even a
Ghost story
From
Her imaginative
Mind.
Thus is
When
She got spooked
When there
Came a
Sound
Up the
Stairs
To her room!
Leaving her
Toys
Alone
Little girl
Hid behind
A curtain.
She stood
Still, eyes
Wide
For a neat
Then, as
The door
Opened
Let out
A tiny gasp
Of feat...
Honey, where
Are you?
Came a gentle
Sing-song
Voice
Come out
Where ever you
Are hiding
From
To play with
You
I have
Come!
Mama
Called little girl
Gleefully
Running
Toward
Her mommy!
Happy there
Was ho ghost
At all!.
FREDERIKA MENEZES
.THE IMPROBABILITY
There was
A loud growl
And I being
Alone
Took fright
Glancing
About me
I found
A place
Secure
And there
I hid!
I stopped
My loud
Breathing
For fear
It would
Reveal
Me...
As I held
My breath
The growl
Came again
From
Right beside
Me
I'd say.
By now
It was
Dark out
And the
Streetlight
Played
Tricks
With my
Eyesight!
I sweated
And shivered
At the same time
I didn't
Want to
Be prey
To the growling
One.
I prayed
In the dark...
As I
Another growl
Heard...
I realized I
Was
Starving...
Then it dawned
On my
Silly head
The growling
Was
Coming from
Mt empty
Tummy!
For where
In the world
Would a
Tiger be
Doing in
A city?
FREDERIKA MENEZES
.MY NEW ABODE
It happened that
I sat
On the warm
Sand...
The waves
Tickled
My feet
With
Caresses!
I closed my
Eyes
To the
Sunshine
Feeling its
Warm
Embrace..
My heart
Left
Of sadness
No trace!
A gentle
Breeze Blew
Ruffling
My hair
Amd picking
Up
Sand.
I basked
In this
Pleasantness!
When ir came
Time
To leave
I wished
I didn't need
To...
I walked
Closer to
The Sea
Wishing I was
One with
It!
I heard
The waves
Sigh
At my
Impending
Departure...
To me, rhey
Called.
Into
The waves
I wear
Happily...
My new home
Ia
Now
Tne sea!
FEEDERIKA MENEZES
WORD ART
I know
I normally paint
A say
But this time
I decided
To write
It down
Drawing
With words
A picture
Perfect.
It shines
Brightly
Warm
Amid
Cotton
Puffs...
I look up!
At my
Feet
Wet kisses
Tingle
Mt toes
Making me
Curl them
In on
Themselves
As the kisses
Grow!
I am
Embraced
From
Every side
I have
Let myself
Go
I feel
Alive.
It whispers
In my ear
I listen
And smile...
I stand
Alone
At the edge
Of water
And earth!
I am painting
With
Words.
Can you
See
My masterpiece?
Tell it to
Me
Tell me
What
It is!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
EMOTIONAL DILWMA
I think
I love you
Saif she
With
Her face
Angry...
I can't be
Sure
Of it
When
You irritate
Me+
She said
So
Leaving
The dear
One
Crying...
Tears flowed
Amisl
Muffled sobs
A heart
Was broken
For nothing
At all.
Lights were
Turned
Off
And all was
Dark
While weeping
Went
On
In the
Dear one's
Heart!
Night turned
To morn
The dear one
Awakening
To kisses
And I love yous...
Too late
The hurt
Was imprinted
Upon
Her heart's
Memory...
I love you
Were now
Only
Words
To her,
Words
With no
Feels!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
TRUE IDENDITY
I was standing
Atop
A hill
Looking below
At all
That
Went on...
Children
At play
With
One another
While
Parenta
Worked
The fields
And gardens...
Carriages
Went by
With pretty
Faces
Hidden from
Sight!
The child
Catcher
Sneaked
Around out
Of
Children's
Sight...
Ever at
The ready
To catch
And take
Away
Any that
Misbehaved!
I smiled
For I knew
The truth...
Soon
I'd have
Company
Of one or
Two
Little ones
Near me.
Tne child
Catcher
Was
Mt second
Identity!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
TWINKLES
They dance
On her
Fingers.
Little stars
On
Fingers
Of
Heaven...
They capture
Sights
With
Every twinkle!
When she
Moves
Her hands
They in
All directions
Twirl and dance...
Even if there's
No music
Their own
They make
With help
From
The bracelets!
Yes, you
Guessed
Right
I talk
Of
Diamonds
On finger
Rings
That catch
Every eye.
Twinkling
Stars
On
Heaven's
Fingers
Dazzle and
Twinkle
Forever!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
TWIRLING IN SILENCE
I was dancing
When
The music
Stopped...
I kept on
Twirling
Through
The silence
So loud.
In my head
I head
The sound...
A Thousand
Guitars, harps
And drums!
Everyone
Watched
As I danced...
Stunned
By the
Clear unseen
Romance!
My gown
Sloshed at
My feet,
Creating ripple
After ripple
Turning me
Into a
Wave
Of blush
At being
Watched
By so many
Eyes!
I twirled
Until
I could no
More
I danced
Until
My feet
Were sore!
I, then stopped
Taking
A bow
As I so
Did
Applause
Rang out...
Shoes in hand
I walked
To my seat
And sat.
It had been
The best
Dance
I ever
Had!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
O INDIA
O land of
My Fathers'
So verdant,
And hued
I am
Honored to
Be a part
Of you.
The many
Costumes
That
Adorn your
People's souls
Is like
A saree
From the
Himalayas
To Coinbatore!
So intricately
Woven and
Worn.
Every custom
And tradition
Is rich
In beautiful
Variation.
The peacock
And
The tiger
Dance to
The rhythmic
Songs
Of your
Many different
Folk!
All living
In
Chaotic harmony...
What a
Legacy!
How wonderful
You are
O land of
My
Fathers'
Land of
India!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
DREAM MUSIC SPELL
I drifted
On an
Enchanted
Sleep...
I lay on
A cloud
Lined in
Gold.
It was fluffy
Where
I sprawled!
Mouth open
Snoring
Lightly
I was
Witnessing
A jolly
Party!
Champaign flutes
Clinked
As the
Cool drink
Was sipped...
Laughter
Rang out
In peals...
I saw
The guests
Mingle and dance
To the
Delightful
Music
From the
Moon bans.
Then
I, from afar
Spotted
A fairy...
She was
Clothed
In merriment
And on
Her feet
She wore
Twirling heels!
Her hair
Was flaming
Red
And her eyes
Grey-blue
In hue...
She twirled
Round and
Round
All over
The room!
Approaching her
I smiled
Feeling happy
For
Tha first time.
I watched
Her twirl
Closet and closer
To me
Until we
Became one
With the music!
We laughed
As around
We
Twirled
Feelings of
Happiness surrounding
Us!
Suddenly
The faiy's
Dancing
Heels feel off
And slipped
Out of
My grasp.
Twirling away
She went
On tiptoes
Until
I could
See her no
More...
I awoke!
Tagled sheets
I was caught
In
While my legs
Conrinued
Moving!
What a dream
Indeed,
Magic
In music!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
HUNGER CALL
Awakening hungry
I dashed
To the
Kitchen
For a glass
Of milk...
As I neared
The door
I heard
Commotion!
Pots and pans
Being
Used.
Ladles
And knives
Chopping
And stirring
Away!
Who could
Be
In there
I wondered
A bit scared.
It was still
Dark
Outside
The doors
Locked
Windows
Latched.
Who could be
Inside?
Had a thief
Broken in
And was
A breakfast
Cooking?
I shuddered...
Grabbing a
Flashlight
I crept
On tiptoes
Forward!
My stomach
Hungrily
Growled
As I breathed
In the
Mouthwatering
Smells coming
From
The kitchen.
I moved
Closer to
The door...
It stood
Ajar!
I leapt in
Torch
In hand
And an
Aha
Expression...
The kitty cat
Frozen!
The table
Was laden with
Everything wonderful
To eat
I could see...
Trembling
The chef
Brought me
A glass
Of honeyed
Milk
And finger sandwiches!
We ate
And it was
A feast...
So glad
I am
I awoke
At the time
I did!
Hungry!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
A COUNTRY GIRL'S DREAM
.
I took
A look
Around
Seeing nothing
Much
At all...
There was
A sack
Of gold
Coins,
A silver
Spade,
A hen up
Above
My head
That lay
Golden eggs!
Underfoot
Was
Golden hay.
The barn
Itself
Glittered
In the sunshine
Haze!
I circled
About
On the
Spot
Eccastatic
At it
All.
I stepped
Out
And looked
Up
At the
Shimmering
Barn...
What a
Sight it was
To behold...
My mind
To me
Ideas
Told!
Then
A dull cloud
Covered
The sun
Blocking its
Rays
From hitting
The barn...
I blinked
As everything
Turn to
Grey.
Even the eggs
And hay.
I let out
A groan
It had
All been
A sun
Show!
I trudged
Sullenly
Back
Home!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
GRUMPY
There was
Once
A grumpy
Woman
Who
Frowned
Upon everyone.
Good morning
Pretty
They'd wish her
Only to get
A frown
In return!
How do you
Do
Ma'am,?
Asked some
Her reply
Was a grunt
What troubles
You
Do tell
They'd say
Only to get
Glared
At
With
Disdain!
One fine day
Upon
A good
Looking mam
She came.
She smiled
Wanting to befriend
Him
And she did...
He saw
The smile
And backed
Away a
Mille...
Goodness
I must cross
Myself
For the devil
I've just
Seem
At me grin..
Thi muttered
He as
Left the
Grumpy one
Giggling
Misunderstanding
Everything,!
She frowned
As she
Watched him
Go
Grumpier
Than ever before!
So she
Remained
Grumpy
Till the end
Of days!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
THE SETTING DEBATE
The sun
Was
Setting
As clouds
Moved
Across
Its face...
No
Please
Do not
Veil
My eyes
Just yet
Said the
Sun
For I wish
To see
Thus part
Of the world
Moments
Longer
Before my
Nap.
Why bother
With
Napping
When in
Minutes
You
Shall be
Again shining?
The clouds
Demanded
To know.
I need my
Shut eye
Time
So I don't
Tire
When shining
Do you
Not see?
The sun
Responded
Sharply!
The clouds
Giggled
As they
This explanation
Heard...
Oh, it is
All right
If you
Doze off
A short
While
They said
In unison.
And give
You all
Free reign?
Said the day
Star
In a huff.
Never will
It happen
Under my
Watch,
You all
Hear?
Never will
You all
Reign
For as long
As I am
Awake!
So saying
The sun
Blew heat
That sent
The clouds
In a
Vapory mist...
Ha!
Now let me
Get
Shut eye
At ease
Only after
Seeing this
Part of
The world
Too
Turn in!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
THE TELLING OFF
A little
Girl
Sat on
The floor
With all
Her toys
About
Her...
She sat
Playing
House
And other
Games
Besides!
She was
Having the
Time
Of her
Life!
Then came
A sand storm
And carried
Up
All her
Toys.
The girl stood
Grappling
With the
Force of
The wind...
The two struggled
For
Long Moments
Before
The girl
Grabbed
At a fat
Something
And turning it
Made the
Stop blowing.
Once the
Dust
Had
Settled,
She looked
Around
Her...
All toys strewn
Everywhere
Tne maid's
Fat arm
In her hand!
Pick up my
Toys
And go
Away
Said the girl
To the
Sandstorm
Maid!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
SPELLS AND POTIONS
..and the
Story
Goes
Like this.this...
Once upon
A time
There sat
Around
A fire
Three best
Friends
Telling stories
Of enchantment!
One spoke
Of
Potions and
Spells
Saying
There was
A witch
Sold them
For just
Kisses.
Kissing a
Witch!
Exclaimed
The second
Friend
In disgust!
Yes, piped
Up the
Third
Nodding...
What about
Our loves
The ones
So beautiful?
Ah but
The witch's
Beauty
Surpasses
Them all
You see!
Said the
First
Friend
Laughing.
Never! Never
Will this
Be true
Said the other
Two.
We do not
Believe
You
For we know
Our lobes
Are fairer
Than the
Moon!
Ha! Ha! Ha!
The first
Friend laughed
It is the
Wirch'a potions
And spells
That so make
Them
Don't you know?
There was
Great disagreement
And for a long
Moment
The three
Sat
Quietly...
They
Are the witch's
Daily
Visitors.
The first Friend
Spoke
In a soft
Tone...
It was
Decided
They'd go
See their
Loves
While
They slept...
Up they got
And dousing
The fire
Left!
When
Home
They reached
At their loves
They peeked...
Each gasped
Taking
Steps back
Their loves
Lay asleep
Like trolls
They looked
And stored!
This is how
The three
Friends
Went
In search of
The witch
To put an
End to deceit...
Alas!
Not ever again
We're
They seen!
THE PROCLAMAITION
Comfortably
Perched on
A high
Branch
The bird
Watched
A scene
Below
Unfold...
A girl
And a
Boy
Holding hands
Faces
Flushed
With
Passion!
Their lips
Locked
In a love
Embrace
Lost they
Were
To
Each other!
They broke
Apart
Only to
Fall close
Again.
This time
Heard back
Dreaming
Of
Would be...
The world
At theot
Hands
And feet!
The bird
Watched
Hearing
Declarations
Of forever
Love
From
Lips
That were
Drunk
In live.
Chirp! Chirp!
Twitted
The bird
All lies
In
A moment
Of
Rose colored
Truth
Fools!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
THE DECISION
I decided
That today
I'd do
Nothing
Not even
Play...
All my
Toys
Sat looking
Sad
But I shook
My head
Saying
Sorry
No way
Pals!
One teddy
Tumbled
And on
His head
Fell.
The other
Just
Turned sideways
And wept.
Others still
Yelled
Protest!
I would not
My mind
Change
Not even
To read the
Book
That on
The table
Open lay!
I paced
Avoiding
The scene
Around
Me...
I looked
Out the
Window
Toward
The Sea...
I still thought
I was
Doing
Nothing!
Then I realized
Much
To my
Shame,
That I'd been
Doing
Something
Or other
Even if
I wasn't reading
Or playing!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
MY DREAM
I was
Walking
Along a
Flowery
Path..
Birds
Sang
Twittery
Songs
Like crystals
Clinking
Together
I thought!
The sun
Was high
The weather
Warm...
A light
Breeze
Blew
Adding to
The jolly
Mood!
I walked
On
Picking up
A flower
Putting it
In my hair
Smelling
Deep
The sweet
Scent...
Wearing it
In my
Hair
I twirled
And went
On...
Reaching the
End of
The path
I sat
On a bench.
Face turned
Up to the
Sun
And breeze
I hummed
Until
I fell
Asleep!
I awoke
In my
Bed...
The song,
And flowery
Path
Just a beautiful
Dream
In my
Sleepy head...
What a
Shame
I mumbled
As I turned
Over and
Fell back
Into
Slumber!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
LADY ROMANCE
There was once
A pretty
Lady.
She didn't
Like
Romance
One bit.
All romance
She saw
As crap...
Be they
Books or
Films
Or poems
She frowned
Upon
Them!
Eh, what
A waste
Of emotions
She'd say
When she
Happened
Across
A romantic
Mind frame.
Odd wasn't
She?
Don't you
Think?
The lady
You'd think
Never
Was a
Romantic
But quite
The contrary...
Love was
Her story!
She loved
Differently
Yet stronger
Than most
Ever did
For her
Love
Was ingrained
In her
Every deed!
So what is
Romance
After all
If not
A dressed
Up
Love form?
I suppose
The lady
Didn't not
Like
Romance
After all!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
THE DREAM
I sat
I paced
I skipped
I jumped
All restlessly
As I
Waited
For my
Darling...
I was told
He'd be
Coming!
To see his
Face
I couldn't
Wait.
To hold
Hands
Was to
Me
A great
Delight!
Locking lips
Was a
Joyful
Elixir
I longed
To Drink...
After all
The physical
Activity
I tired, feeling
Sleepy.
Just for
A moment
I decided
To sleep...
There I lay
In a slumber
Haze
While My
Darling
Came, saw me
And left!
O what
A dream
I had
That my
Lover kissed
My snoring
Lips
And fled!
Never again
Did I
My darling
See
Except
In my dreams!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
THE CACKLE
A cackle
In the quiet
Dark
Startled
Me awake...
I jolted
And sat
Right up
Sweat
Pouring down
My back!
For a flashlight
I gropped
Managing
Only to
Find
My phone...
I looked
At the
Time on it
Three in
The morning.
I shivered...
The cackle
Sounded
Again
And I nearly
Fainted!
Turning on
The phone
Flashlight
I beamed
It around me...
Nothing!
Scrambling
Out of
Bed
I slipped out
The door
Into the hallway...
The cackling
Got louder!
At every
Moment I steeled
Myself
To confront
The ghost...
Then I reached
The kitchen
And
Reaching a hand
Out
Switched
On the light...
There, in the
Cage
My parrot
Cackled again
Seeing
Itself on
A shiny
Knife's reflection!
You,
I spoke
In relief
You woke me
In a fright
Thinking
I was
Hearing
A ghost
Cackling!
It looked at
Me
Contrite.
I cackled
At it
All
As I returned
To bed
And once
More
Began
To
Snore
Like moments
Before!
Next morn'
I moved the
Knives
Out
Of the
Parrots
Line of sight
And never
Heard
The cackle
At three
Again!
FREDERIKA MENEZES
