A small sampling of Pamela’s poetry ~
All That Glitters
Masses wisened from their shallow well
Raise their cup, salute their hell
Sleeping, captivated by its spell
But it glitters as it slithers
So, they follow
Truth formed now like softened clay
Pulled and shaped anew each day
Into alters of wood and hay
But it glitters as it slithers
So, they follow
Swooning and lulled the crowd blithely goes
Repeating the lyrics of songs the beast chose
Humming its tunes and wearing its clothes
But it glitters as it slithers
So, they follow
The pray-ers prayed prayers
and the singers sang songs
The preachers preached loudly
but no one caught on
‘Till the pray-ers and singers
and preachers were gone
But it glittered as it slithered
So, they followed
~ P.D. McMilian
Servant by the Sea
Faithful as the sun he comes
The old man to his place by the sea
Dropping his satchel, he kneels in the sand
And he turns his gaze upon me
Silent as stones we study the other
Then he draws out a bone and knife
His leathered hands work as he watches the sea
Where he spent the best of his life
Sunlight shimmers over rolling crests
Lonely gulls circle hours away
The needle he carves is fine and strong
“Why do you come?” I hear myself say
His eyes slowly rise to meet mine
My heart beats high in my throat
His gnarled finger points to the water
And the sails of an incoming boat
“Lad, I lived my years fishing this sea
Casting nets, manning oar and sail
Learning to heed my Captain’s Word
Through calm and heat and gale.
True, now my old frame grows weary
But, my work here is not yet complete
There are nets to tend and fishers to teach
‘Til I kneel at my good Captain’s feet.”
Hand outstretched, he offers his gift
The needle, so perfect I can’t look away
“‘Tis for you, my son, to mend your nets
When the Captain sends you out one day.”
~ P.D. McMilian