Diane Hornsby

Sonnet to my Father

Heaven hath no flower sweeter than the memory of thee.
A thousand suns but a candle to the brightness of thy soul.
The world took on a paler hue when thy ship went out to sea,
And slipped beyond early horizon o'er valley and knoll.
Seeking my way, thou hast become my compass, my noon.
Thy sightless eyes shine as beacons from the stars in the sky,
Watchful and silent, yet constant as the wintery moon.
I long for the warm strong hands that tenderly held mine,
And miss the voice that sang sweet songs to comfort my fears.
A blanket of snow now warms thy sweet love until the morrow,
As thou kept careful watch o'er the slumber of my tender years.
Alas!  Thy love remembered brings such joy and sweet sorrow.
    You remain close to my heart, wherever I shall roam.
    Those arms that carried thy child will someday carry her home.  

Sonnet

If I Were a Poet

If only I could be a poet
I would show my love for you
But I cannot find the expression
That is from my heart and true

Words would flow from my fingers
And the verses would be ever so fine
If I were some kind of poet
I'd wish that you'd be mine

The stars in the sky would glitter
And the moon would be oh so full
If I could find the words to tell you
My own heartstrings you would pull

My lips would gently kiss your mouth
I would hold you in my embrace
But my words forever betray me
That I cannot describe your face

Your eyes are drops of ocean
And your cheek a red, red rose
The softest velvet is your perfect skin
I love you from your head to your toes

I shall e'er remain in silence
and adore you from afar
A poet's words I shall ne'er express
So I'll strum a lament on my guitar

Free Verse