This is another challenge poem. Can you figure out what the challenge was? I hope you enjoy. SUPERBALL Like an echo off a canyon wall feelings long forgotten came bouncing back. Vivid colors my emotions become burnt-ish orange of dreams forgotten, shades of blue childhood friends Parted among the whites of clouds within my mind. Red reminding me of blood sisters we became. Forgotten now. Yet tomorrow’s bursts of bright yellow and deepish Purple lightning bolts dance behind my eyes Closed. An open mind flamingo flames light the ideas brought forth with a vengeance, the clash of which is deafening the quiet. But for today I remain slumbering within Grandma’s attic chest another forgotten Superball. Written/Copyrights Retained by O'Della Wilson AKA Alhavakia Jan 07 2010

FEAR OUR MOTIVATION In our youth, we can’t wait ’til we’re older as adults, we seek magic back to youth Our children, whom we hush as too naïve the elderly, described “too long in tooth.” In our quest to attain Godly wisdom our innocence which leads us there, is lost The very things we hold as lacking value in the end, what we strive for, at all cost. We think we’re so clever we can cheat time if we hurry, much more we will achieve Think much, we accomplished, in a short while think we can conquer death ‘fore we must leave? But the unknowns, we know not their meaning because we’re not as clever as we think So grab hold, what precious time you’re given it will be gone from us in an eye’s blink. Beauty of an early morning’s sunrise darkest skies of midnight, stirred back to light Springtime brings us hope, yet still reminds us once again, we’ll return to skies of night. Temporary stepping stones, our lives here our next life, brings all answers we have sought While the new rose brings to life its glory let us not forget, the message it has brought. We are not Gods, nor are we fit for heaven we are the heathens of our woeful ways Shamelessly, we treat our fellow humans repenting only, in our final days. Think God’s fooled, to false knowledge, we have changed in our hearts or minds, now tho’ death is near? Think he knows not, what now motivates us think God knows not, our motivation – Fear! Written/All Copyrights Retained by: O’Della Wilson AKA Alhavakia July 3, 2006

Some of you will understand the irony of this poem. It crept into my mind in the middle of the night. I had to get up and write it down, so my brain would allow me to go back to sleep. Five months later my own son would be wrongfully convicted of Capital Murder. It took fifteen years of fighting, but he is finally free. MY DADDY Mommy please don’t look so sad it’s not really all that bad My daddy they won’t take away they know we need him here each day A letter to God, I wrote post haste I said, we have no time to waste You see they say my dad did wrong A long, long time he will be gone I know my dad is not that way he’d never do the things they say Mommy please make them understand my daddy, he’s really a good man She said, Sweetheart it’s out of my hands We must pray a miracle, God sends For nothing else will stop the fate that’s been handed down this date She says they chose some people who will decide just what to do A panel made up of his peers they won’t understand she fears She don’t know what they’ll decide I told her, “mommy please don’t cry” God will take care of it you’ll see he’ll bring my daddy back to me. Written/Copyrights Retained by: O’Della Wilson AKA Alhavakia 9-14-99 Author’s note: For every father wrongfully convicted, there is a child or children left behind to wonder, and suffer the consequences. On average ten years will be wasted away, while the innocent moves mountains [and with a little luck, gets a good attorney] to prove his innocence.

A MEASURE OF SUCCESS For one to be successful in any given field You must first discover how the soul to heal Before that lesson learned or to be applied the painful wounds before we must realize Equal oppositions weighed in subtle contrast with only the pass’n of time anything to last Each passing day to bring us, closer to an end and a new existence beginning once again Collectively old wounds new energies become all merging, complimenting becoming only one Individuality identities retain separate, yet only one in the end to feign Past pain be resolved yet forgotten not embraced with acceptance understanding sought Creativity to be a measure of success? Success being but a measure of our best? Surely such a measure would hold inequity no opposition, contradiction nor equality Only when we find where death blends life anew Can success equate a measure that is true All negatives summed up a positive, no less Creatively, the irony our failures' — our success. Written/Copyrights Retained by: O’Della Wilson AKA Alhavakia ©January 27, 2005

WHEN I LOOK INTO HER EYES: A CHRISTMAS POEM A little boy in tattered clothes waited his turn in line He knew their stares were all on him and with that, he was fine He understood their differences and truly, didn’t care His mission here was bigger than all others even dare Moving closer the line grew short his wait was soon to end Rehearsing words inside his head when Santa said again Young man come forth my time is short there’s many waiting here Tell me what gift you hope to get on Christmas morn this year You see Santa there’s just one gift I need to make things right A love so great no gift to match my one request tonight It’s for my mom her life’s been hard her pain’s too much to bare I wish her pain to be my own deny me, if you dare No other gift this year I seek be placed under my tree This one request I ask of you please give this gift to me I’ll gladly take NO, proud I’d be to bare her pain with pride If you’d just talk to God above he’ll know you’re on my side You see, I tried but fear his plan was made before my birth For answer not my prayers to him to leave her here on earth I ask not much just a few years enough to raise me right I’d even trade my toys and bike or even trade my sight Then Santa said Whoa not so fast That’s quite a big request I’ll need some time I’ll talk to him I’ll do my very best Then with a wink the boy said thanks and jumped down from his lap This Christmas gift will be the best no need to even wrap I’ll know he heard the words you spoke when Christmas morn I rise I’ll see her love witness no pain when I look into her eyes. Written by: O’Della Wilson AKA Alhavakia Copyright December 04, 2007

EVIDENCE I have walked many roads alone where the soft sound of footsteps went unheard some were paved of soft stone while others, untouched, were raw earth No footprints could be seen even though, the ground was wet with dew and while my weight was lean you’d think to find at least a few Although I must admit to know the steps that went unseen were always there to show as Christ gave me, his arms to lean As my body, tired and torn collapsed upon the cradle of his arms again I am reborn his kiss has sealed the bond. So while the footprints went unseen no trace was left behind to spot the evidence, was there to glean with eyes of love, if his is sought. Written/Copyrights Retained by O’Della Wilson AKA Alhavakia #Poem #Poetry #Evidence #Inspiration

TASTE OF NATURE With my eyes closed head tilted back I could see the beauty of a cloudless sky. The breeze flowing ever so gently made the hair on my arms dance like ballerinas on tippy toes. Aroma of fresh cut grass penetrating deep within my lungs passing over a palette of taste buds eager to burst making me hungry. Reaching within the darkest recesses of my sensibilities the moment took hold. The taste of nature was taking over rather quickly, too. I could taste the nectar of fragrant flowers as it flowed like a river washing away the sediment of prior flavors entertained as though my throat were a naked child still innocent to life. Ahhh…the lovely taste of nature. ©July 22, 2006 Written/Copyrights Retained by: O’Della Wilson AKA Alhavakia

I WATCH I watch her, undetected the delicate outline of her face enveloped in a golden halo as the rays of sunlight peek through her window. My eyes swell with a crystal liquid that glistens as it spills off my cheek. So many things I had hoped my precious, innocent daughter would experience in her lifetime dashed the opportunities that should have been hers. I see such pain in her eyes at times, I want to scream out but dare not. What longings she desires she had hidden well by actions, for the most part. But, then the song comes on the radio – I see her longing to know a normal life To be able to do simple things would she ever know a first date? Would she ever know the love only a man has for a woman? I watch as she sits so exquisitely quiet eyes of innocence filled with curious wonder I watch, as she watches other girls with an innocent smile she greets them yet they fear her I watch as my heart squeezed with agony my longings for her can not be so painful as her own must be. Her cheeks flushed just a hint of pink red pouty lips the hypnotic green, gold eyes surrounded by thick darkness lashes excessively long. I watch the quiet beauty of my daughter, her sadness but quickly the look fades as clouds dissipate with a wind blown sky she has spotted me Veiling her longing to live a normal life she feins a smile as I watch. Quickly, I must flee her room, her sight out of earshot I hear the agonizing moan not even the knot over filling my throat to cause physical pain can quiet it is coming from me, not her. Impatiently I await the redness to clear my swollen eyes then rush to her side I hug her, probably squeezing too tight I love you Doll I tell her as I watch and wait for our miracle. 2010 Written/All Copyrights Retained by: O’Della Wilson AKA Alhavakia AKA TheGoSeeGirl #Poem #Poetry #IntractableEpilepsy #RefractoryEpilepsy

EMERALD GREEN EYES Caught in a veil of Emerald green, I am hypnotized. As was the fly Trapped in a Spider’s web, I too, am a victim. The long dark Spider legs of Black lashes, Fluttering faster then Bumble Bee wings, Vibrate in my stomach. Nervous fear of Anticipation, Lock my eyes To her own. The dual polarity of Magnets, Emerald green Pushing me away Luring me in. The irony of Duplicity, confines me Binding the windows of My soul To her own. The sweep of Black velvet lashes, Envelop my will. Victim, I am held, Intoxicated by the Sweet venom of Her kiss, I am Spellbound by, Emerald green eyes. Written by: O’Della Wilson AKA Alhavakia All Rights Retained ©2006 Copyright

A BRAIN AWRY She flows gracefully through the door back to see the doctor once more her third and last this week, we hope arms full of holes, from needle pokes A ritual learned well by now endures so much, I don’t know how hospital halls, we’ve walked them thin NICU, admitted again You see, they say, her brain’s awry must stop the seizures, before she dies the medicines, been through them all so far none work, we hit a wall Diets, surgeries, all have failed the cure for her, remains veiled but to give up or to relent we will not do, we will lament Until a cure, her brain made right no more seizures or hellish nights to live a life, as you or me for her to be, seizure free. I dedicated this poem to my beautiful daughter, Rose; she has the heart of a warrior! Written/Copyrights Retained by: O’Della Wilson AKA Alhavakia 2004 #InspireToAspire #WordsFromTheHeartForTheSoul #Poem #Poetry #ODellaWilson #Alhavakia PS. This one made W.D. Snodgrass' eyes well up, as it always does to mine. I wish he would have had the opportunity to meet my daughter. I know he would have loved her spirit.