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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>I hope I’m not “cheating” by submitting two poems…my first attempts…<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Velveteen Viviane (an ABC poem)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marcia J. Wick, The Write Sisters<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>April 2018<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Word Count: 86 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Velveteen wings the color of caramel top off your bright yellow coat.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Inviting eyes framed by those soft floppy ears entice me to walk by your side.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Visions of the trails we will travel gleam through marble windows from your soul.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Indicating obstacles, you dance a subtle two-step and we continue on our way.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Always with an eye on me, we journey like corduroy side-by-side,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Never one to hesitate, you harness up to lead the way,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ever special partners, Viviane earns her belly rub each day.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You and Me<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marcia J. Wick, The Write Sisters<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>April 2018<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Word Count: 136<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I hear you shouting, though I know it’s not at me.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You don’t see me by your side, as you cross your arms and glare.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The man who sometimes feeds me is screaming back at you. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When he slams the door, you are not alone.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You heard me yelling, but I’m not mad at you.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Good girl, sweet pea,” I murmur, scratching velvet ears.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I plunge into the cushion, hoping to be rescued.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>like the Unsinkable Molly Brown,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I plop my furry head onto your bare feet,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pinning you down for now, for ever.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I roll onto my back, no harness in the way <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As you stroke my soft belly.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You cover my cold feet with your warm body,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>There’s no escaping your affection.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Guiding or playing, Your devotion is true.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You soothe my hurting heart.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>