Castanets
watercolour on paper
12″x18″
the click and clack of castanets
accompany the dancers’ steps
the music’s not quite music yet
the dancers never once misstep
the skirts that swirl and twirl and flare
around lithe bodies and legs bare
are coloured petals in the air
that flit and fly now here now there
the castanets that clack and click
match alien steps all smart and quick
the dancers’ backs all stiff and straight
belie their nature wild innate
© Cindy Lapeña, 2011
Two Ships
watercolour on paper
12″x18″
silent dark water
bereft of light
two ships cross each other
in the silence of the night
what life is there on either
what work or play or fright
what unknown seabound voyager
in doubt awaits first light
how many lie in slumber
ensconced in surreal plight
how many wait and wonder
when land will be in sight
and still the ships forge deeper
in pertinacious flight
away from one another
away and out of sight
© Cindy Lapeña, 2011
1-800-HOTLIPS
mixed media on paper
12″x18″
call the number
if you dare
up from slumber
drop all care
get it right
don’t hesitate
don’t take all night
don’t start too late
who will answer
can you know
miss or mister
high voice or low
do you dare
to call the number
bring the player
into your chamber
hesitate
a moment more
you won’t find fate
at your front door
© Cindy Lapeña, 2011
Rosy Morning
watercolour on paper
12″x18″
a sliver of time before sunrise
wild buds burst open as if in surprise
raise dainty little heads in expectation
turn motley bright heads in exaltation
eastward into the early haze gazing
at the rising sun on a rosy misty morning
© Cindy Lapeña, 2011
A Strand of Hair
watercolour on paper
11″x15″
on a hot somnolent afternoon
her brown face smooth and clear
except for a single strand of hair
fallen loose from behind her ear
draws a wavy line down her face
distracting disturbing his pace
as he tried to keep hands in place
to keep from that wayward strand
to keep from her face his strong hand
on that hot tantalizing afternoon
© Cindy Lapeña, 2011
Dance of Joy
watercolour on paper
11″x15″
when you’re happy and you know it
throw your hands up
in the air and just show it
kick your leg up
high behind and then swing it
twirl about and spin
around and just love it
when you’re excited and can’t hide it
throw your body back
and forth and then shake it
sway your hips around
in circles and then twist it
bite your tongue and hold it in
then break loose what’s in and dance it
© Cindy Lapeña, 2011
Black Mood
watercolour on paper
12″x18″
i’m in a black mood
can’t you tell?
with a shade of purple
in there as well
when i’m all knotted up
i start to see red
cross me if you dare
if you want to be dead
© Cindy Lapeña, 2011
Masks
mixed media on paper
12″x18″
pink is a pretentious color
not bright or passionate or splashy like red
pink is a frivolous color
not mysterious or deep or rich like purple
pink is a playful color
not serious or intent or thoughtful like indigo
pink is a wanton color
not quiet or peaceful or calm like blue
pink is a pallid color
not vivid or living or fertile like green
pink is a deceptive color
not clear or truthful or honest like yellow
pink is a mask that people wear
a deception some like but others can’t bear
© Cindy Lapeña, 2011
Labandera (Laundrywoman)
watercolour on paper
12″x18″
(sold)
humble maid at a humble job
weary, weakened and hunched
haunched over her task
taking care all she can
taking time so spare her tired hands
a kink in the hose
the water stops flowing
but that doesn’t stop her
there’s no time for resting
© Cindy Lapeña, 2011
Twined
watercolour on paper
12″x18″
twined together two totalities
twist tempting tantalizing
taut throughout temperature tormenting
tarrying teasingly torsos tangling
torrid taunting tempestuous tangoing
© Cindy Lapeña, 2011
Cindy Lapeña: Creativity Unlimited 