Night

mystery whispers in the shadows

when winter has come to sleep

the breath of nightfall circles

where the little children creep

the moonbeams in the windows stream

and all the chaos blends in droves

around the curtains in a dream

raising spirits, echoing snores

the elves, the fairies, the hobgoblins

take their turns to play and flit

in empty spaces of the silence

in doorways or windows scarcely lit

and so the nighttime moves along

where imagination creates the song

Eden

the lorries flit to and fro

collecting their nectar from bluebells

and birds of paradise in the Amazon

where people gather fish and wild game

at the end of a handmade spear

they think nothing of the unruly world

where bombs and hatred rule the day

they are safe in the moment to be sure

in their garden of Eden where dangers

result from the violent nature around them

no fear of people, but the wilderness

to take away the safety net

that being unaware provides

Henge of Miracles

stones of wonder standing there

temples tall and imposing

messages with depth so ancient

what do they say?  how do they say it?

circles of granite, quartz, marble,

the test of time we encounter deeply

so old they have outlasted our memory

we have forgotten their benign purpose

what  bears their signature anymore

what if they were the tablets

that bore instructions from God

surely we have broken our promise

or have we marveled so long

at the question of what it all means

and forgotten the simple answer

to go on living our lives to the fullest

Soundwaves

swaying with the waves of sounds
coming from the wind chimes as they tinkle
in the gentle autumn breeze
leaves caught in the air float and circle
in a tiny whirlwind slowly dropping
in a landing on the dew-covered lawn
squirrels scamper to find birdseed
birds chatter and call for their mates
bees hover over the yellow mums
gathering up the nectar for their hibernation
soon it will be the time for snow
and all the earth will slumber
the music will depend upon the wind
as it winds its way through the trees

In The End

shoes tossed casually in a corner

the soles worn, torn, from a heart forlorn

walking in steps so slow and short

because of a life drowning in responsibility

to teach the word of God to a wordless throng

telling them how sinful, how needy they are

for the protection granted by their lord and saviour

to help them persevere in their weak moments

to be all they are meant to be in God’s eyes

heroes, no, evangelists, yes, to spread the good news

and uplift hearts that have burned

from the world spinning so fast they lost their breath

so now, the soul is tired, worn, sworn,

to go home with the lord in the end

Could

you never knew how much you loved her

she could breathe the sunshine brighter

her laugh was the essence of lilacs

she swam like a swan in the pools of your eyes

she could dance in the rain of summer’s bliss

imagine, if you will, that she still holds you

draws you closer, puts her head on your shoulder

imagine she is singing, softly, in harmony

where do you think she resides now?

in the clouds?  in the soil? in the wind?

does she think of how you lay side by side?

so close, yet so far because you denied

the truth of the passion that rose beneath you

always the actor, never the true teller

of history as it could have been

The Dance of Today

today we believe we walk our path

intentioned steps, one follows another

we look before us, long enough to see

that the path changes before our very eyes

and so we come to a new understanding

the direction changes like a compass in the wind

what is the next step, how long, indeed,

never can we know, never can we see

what truth brings us to where we want to be

the long way home twists and turns

our hearts are timid and stomachs churn

lively tunes create the calmer mood

like a ship moving forward on a tumultuous sea

we ask God to grant our safety

may we know the betterment of our lives, thus,

perhaps our wishes will be soon enough met

here in the inevitable dance of today

At Best

cards fall one way and stack another

the words held under the breath stall

and what we want to say is nothing

like what we do say, but who knows

what the absolute truth boils down to

so we hold our hand a little tighter

and we imagine the deck shuffled lighter

it all makes sense in the end

as the pot grows and the nose tells

exactly where the aces lie

but no one draws the royal straight

and no one passes up the full house

so each hand we play teaches us

to be honest and forthcoming at best

Wakefulness

lavender walls make it inviting

to walk into a new world

their scent cleanses the old path

leaving the darkness behind

and shattering the walls of the void

time to engage new hope

for the downtrodden and sad

lifting spirits like a rainbow

into the platinum sky

a great beam of light that carries

the expectations of a new day

smiles, laughter, herbal joy,

all the growth and promise

of wakefulness and blessings

Steps

steps...

slow...measured...Morse Code infused...

like tap shoes on the dance floor

clickety-click, slide, clackety-clack

overcome by the scent of lily of the valley

that wafts through the air

just around the corner from where he stops

yet the scent is strong enough

to bring back memories of his grandmother

a pint-sized bottle of vigor and vinegar

who made sure his clothes were always pressed

for school, and later, for college

before she took one last breath

and became a memory in a tin-type photo

that leaned against his diploma on his dresser

and now life is one tap-dance after another

yet the message never changes

Olympics 2016

flags of all the nations wave

in rows as teams present their colors

the world in graceful harmony shines

we cheer and celebrate our oneness

yet can we lift our spirits high

when all around the globe is bloodshed?

we can make it go away, but stay?

the dust has settled because of love

the fear beyond the brink has pushed us

over and over the barriers fall

the differences are so small, so small

now while the party after the games

roars with lights and song and dancing

let us claim the kindness of our souls

to pave the way in deliberate steps

and as we pass this world to our children

may the word, “hatred,” be obliterated

so hand in hand we take this stand

to remember our sisters and our brothers

are the ones who fuel that fire of love

so in time we know the importance of

each life, each breath, each hug, each step

toward the soaring grandeur of tomorrow

Ozone

singular confusion where sacrifices lie

we wonder where the hate comes from

young people think it dwells in price tags

who they hang with, who they despise

they do not outnumber the truth bearers

who know the value of every life

but do we know what that truly means?

do we know that Life means more than two-leggeds

that four-leggeds, plants and rocks are Life?

our mother lives in every carbon footprint

we are but cells of her greater being

there is much to be done to come into balance

what are we to envision to create our goals?

first is to change our viewpoint from hate to joy

next is to spread our love for one another

if we see the beauty in Mother Earth today

we must be willing to pass her down unharmed

‘til the hole in the ozone is healed

Pleased

the sea has depths beyond our understanding

cities of lights, great living ships of knowledge

buried beneath the coral and water

like Atlantis but still its denizens breathe

wearing the cloak of inconceivability

because we cannot know that they inhabit

depths that we cannot perceive, cannot comprehend

yet time moves forward and some of us are willing

to let our thoughts accept whatever they will

what we have done on the surface of our beloved sphere

is not for them to judge, yet we, ourselves judge them

unknown though we may be in all our uniqueness

could we look in the mirror one day and be pleased?

Turn the World Around

we hold our anger in, so deep

it doesn’t mean we hate unless

our fear exaggerates itself

and highlights unknown dangers

but we must think hard and long

because our fear will magnify itself

and grow, grow, grow beyond our wishes

it can block the sun and block our hearts

we must turn away from the dark foreboding

to put ourselves back on track to where we need to be

we must turn the world around

to put the Love of nature back in charge

we must turn the world around

to make all people see the true way

let Love light the way, blow out our fear

and turn the world around

Growing Pains

deeply, we breathe in the stench

of barely oxygenated air that swirls

about the dark holes in the ozone

not a chamber of horrors yet

wind down our windpipes

to claim compassion, never imagine hope,

because our humanity is in dregs

of madmen, of the doubtful cynics

who want all they can have without

caring for those who crawl on their stomachs

pulling themselves along, to look

for greater creativity, greater longevity

as if all of their life hangs by a thread

and nowhere in their fretful minds

is the fresh breeze to blow the ugliness away

where do we find the fortitude to give rebirth

where do we get to wash away the oily grit

of yesterday’s murders and assassins’ bullets

come clean to relieve the pain as we step

casually forward into a new epoch of light

because not to do so is to disrespect

the growing pains

Unwind

Our days are numbered in dark we pine

the ink we lay makes for great light

turns we take in word we create,

brighter are our days as we fight

the tendency to give up our dreams

and you, this is how it seems

to grow like the weeds that entangle our feet

bring us home at the end of the day

how long will we wander in the sweet

notion that we can control our destiny

raise your head, take a deep, deep breath

for we may never know more or less

What are you?  Who are you?

Do you know your mission in this old world?

Why do you ask and get stuck in frustration

When there is so much to enjoy in elation?

Cross your fingers, it is time to get on the boat.

Wave to those you leave behind

And let the clear light of day unwind.

Missing You

missing you when I awake in the morning

the moon is full on the solstice

how it shines in your placid eyes

I could swim in them forever

yet you are a world away

there is no solace for my aching heart

the water of the sea pitches and rolls

as my thoughts of you grow more remote

I heave a sigh and bow my head

to wonder if you’re even there

I can still bear up beneath the wonder

Morning and Mourning

screams in the night rise ever slowly

as the speed of bullets increase exponentially

bodies fall keeping time with the popping

over the music which stops

like lemurs dropping from the cliff

yet these are not designated sacrifices

the air is not purged of some offense

it is filled with the smell of blood

damned and dashed onto the stack of bodies

where is the gunman who chose this flock

the harsh, insane, unreasoning murderer

who has no story to tell and cannot say why

many lay flowers around the world

in honor of the dead, a gentle gesture

of love and support as the tears roll down their cheeks

we, as a country, cry at the loss of life

so many lives, so many innocent lives

and this is only the first day

but morning and mourning, is not good

Old Glory

Old Glory, they want to tread you into the dirt.

They want to pull you down from your perch

And call you names unfit for a nation.

Who are they?  The ones who slaughter your freedoms

By twisting and wringing them into something

We can no longer recognize

the ones who hide behind you

Because.  They.  Can.

And they don’t celebrate the wisdom

Of the Founding Fathers in expecting change,

Yet they want to change the intent of the law.

Darkness rears its head to stomp Old Glory in the dirt.

But there are guardians to protect it still.

Starshine

is there a full moon in the sky

do the stars truly twinkle to the naked eye

can you imagine getting past the milky way

the sombrero galaxy and millions of nebulae

our eyes only see so far, our minds fill in the blanks

we tell our young to have faith but that soon shrank

to the size of tiny, tiny quarks and electrons

right and left they buzz at the pons

where our ideas emerge and gift us with dreams

that this place where we live is more than it seems

where the moments of death from gun-wielding addicts

outnumber the days and the hours—the clock ticks

give me a reason to follow my heart

if only a moment passes, i’ve done my part

Reality

men and women break the glass

of the towers we have placed around us

they fall and fold one layer of earth

one atop another as our mother cries

because she is overrun with deceit

the whole of humanity takes and takes

the bloodshed of person against person

no one knows the honest truth anymore

no one feels the pain of our losses more

than those who listen to the news each night

suffering that effigy of humankind

not truth, not loyalty, no compassion

where do we go from here:  guns, road rage

set the world on fire

because we cannot bear our lives another day

where is our faith then?

where is our hope, our trust, reality?

Today

floating and seeing the Light around me

sparkling colors glitz in my vision

all the world lays out below me

my meditation the world unfolds

pastel hues over my head lift me

deep blues and greens below enchant me

I rise with the warmth of summer

and my dignity and hope stream forth

I seek no companion as I am one

with the greater spirit of the Universe

so high I fly with serenity and harmony

the voice of the Universe sings eternally

can you hear the breath of Light and Life?

are they the same thing or are they foreign?

I take it all into my heart and reside

in the immortal well-being of today

Not Alone

gently brushing long, sleek hair

asking the mirror if she is fair

amazing answers like sparks fly

fair enough with no reason why

gifts for many, down alleyways go

serene, the sheen, all of us know

the moon, so full in the light of Mars

it looks like an echo, surrounded by stars

no more shooting lights ‘til they all fall down

whisper your secrets, don’t make a frown

gently brushing long sleek hair

the view out the window makes her stare

brilliant lights in the darkness shone

if there’s life out there we’re not alone

Purpose

with every breath we take

our message becomes brighter

the love we share for those who fall

we shed tears for the lives lost

and pray that we can find lives lived

no matter where they have been

the universe sends its message

to bring harmony within each person

if only all the shooters knew

what horrible warning they unload

yet they are the tools of anger and hatred

instilling violence within more hearts

than the pleas of the parents of fallen children

we are at war in our streets

in the world around us, close and far

and it is the hope of every human

that we can live in harmony

bringing better days to open our eyes

our purpose is to live, to show everyone

that love is, in fact, the answer

Midnight

the fog infringes on my space

the full, green carpet of my outdoor living room

the light overhead becomes particles

as it is absorbed in the air’s warm mist

the blue spruces are devoured, invisible

shadows of the sheds are like spatter-paint

lying on the ground, unsafe to stand there

muffled cricket songs reach my ears

no cars are passing by at this hour

I don’t know where I will rest tonight

but for the moment, the lawn swing is cozy

Life Cycles

long-awaited springtime comes

robins prune the lawn for worms

baseball games dot every diamond

as parents applaud their young

running bases, jumping hurdles, safe

each little vignette a memory

and at the same time anticipation

the beams of love carrying generations

through the cycle of the seasons

in all the great games our children play

evoking pride, teaching teamwork, rules

these things make us pleased, more likely

to follow the seasons of our lives

spring to summer, fall to winter

cycles, stages, all the fullness of emotion

quite the way we clearly see it all

Hot

hot on, spot on, tra la tra la la la

the story tells of bright and dark

the skin is rough, and it is led

by the hand infinitely blessed

give us gold, find the way

let our happiness fountain flow

hot on, spot on, tra la, tra la la la

often we see the sky is cloudy

the patron saint holds out a hand

to grasp ours when the time comes

leading us out of the dark, dark wood

to the daylight in our grandeur

hot on, spot on, tra la, tra la la la

comb the horizon for the blessing

of one who falters, one who falls

silent when the stream is dry

elegant in the way it must be

ready, ready for good to fulfill us

hot on, spot on, tra la, tra la la la

Transient

the darkness overtakes me

when moments of sadness arrive

I try to keep smiling on the outside

but I don’t want to:  I want to be real

to show the outcomes of what gangs up

on my moments of sanity, reality,

here I am shattered into pieces

broken, sad, sorry that I am not powerful

that I cannot give everything I wish

not as true, clear, lit by the sunshine

I drop from the sky, the blue, blue sky

into a sea of crude oil today

I want to be cleansed and revived

of the market, of the transitory fog

going from one thing to the next

into the light, bright sunshine

where I can grow like a sunflower

turning with the great goodness of the sun

Life

moments gazing into the horizon of life

questioning where to go and when

feeling the life inside awaking

not to go with those who are lying

in wait for the finite second coming

alert, laughing, enjoying each breath

imagining where the beyond might be

coming toward where water and air meet

being the life on the setting sun

as it dips below the horizon inflamed

like the rise and fall of a boat on the waves

crisp, cherished, resolved to be stirring

each day going higher, filled with hope

no more worries, no more dread

believing that life in truth never ends

Taking

the world explains its ails

in the turning of the seasons

some hot some cold all in danger

of not hearing the voices raised

by the creatures who walk in pairs

who creep and charge and suffer

from the debts of humankind

not protecting the grand contract

not honoring the agreement

of sharing the goodness herein

the great bounty of the earth

living too well, needlessly killing

dwelling in the wild places and taking

the lives from all living things

Your Secret

you want blood for blood

the amazing conundrum of being

not a bit of remorse on your lips

I am supposed to cower and take it

to be beaten if I don’t cooperate

such lies because you say you love me

and yet the awful truth awakes

if I unlock the door where you enter

such betrayal, such ugliness

where I know you’ll put your hands

and call me sweet and pet names

as if it makes up for what you take

making me regret my gender

making me regret my age

making me regret I know you

such pain as I grow up and see

I might not have kept your secret

Travesty

Comets, asteroids, meteors, oh, my!

how these flying rocks light up the sky

such mixes and flights of the shining stars

they travel, unravel, bedazzle so smart

we watch them all wondering

if they can mean something more

is there life out there among them

will we meet the strangers, before

our planet turns cold from the damage we do

let’s take care of her, beware of her,

for one day she might

let us down and tumble on her path of flight

hold onto your hat, may the world understand

that the amazing gift we have in our gravity

could be disrupted if we hurt her,

that would be a travesty.

Clear

clear thoughts climb the ladder

of my vision in pink and blue

great pictures eliminate the worries

let us find the spring in you

I am the wine that flows from a mountain

its sights and sounds protect me now

glory to the Spirit, power to my mind,

such gentle grace for all entwined

in the Love and Light from above

may we all hold hands and be the life

that stand for freedom and joy

let the young ones rise a voice for peace

may there be respect for the path

all divine essence be released

as we step carefully in greater Love and release