Dark Images

Dark Images



Still dark, early morning dream,
I cannot sleep, so many images,
mostly unwelcome, I have lost Tulip
and am devastated. Problems
multiply, no easy answers. I must
find Tulip, see her in my mind,
scream soundlessly, she is nowhere,
nor are answers. I am thankful
Violet is here, hold her tight,
will not lose her. I pray Tulip is
safe, that I will find her somewhere
within the chaos. I try to wake up,
reach for consciousness, push
apprehension from my mind.
I turn on television, watch CNN,
view the gloomy state of the economy,
seek something heartening but there is
nothing positive to be found. All is dire,
Tulip is missing, predicaments
have no easy answers, economic
situation is irresolvable, it is four
in the morning and I have two hours to
try to sleep, and this is so hard.

Don

Don

I met Don when I was in high school
working at the savings and loan.
Good looking, personality, intelligent,
sensitive, funny. We worked together
for six summers, went dancing, got into
mischief, fun stuff for us, but if we were
caught in some of our pranks it could
have been bad for both of us.

I went to college, he did not.
And after I became a teacher
we still stayed in touch, still
talked, still danced, still played
pranks for fun, listened to Simon
and Garfunkel, he played the guitar,
sang folk songs, even though
we didn't work together again
I thought we were forever friends.

My daughters arrived, life changed
for me, and some things happened
that didn't make sense to him and
what had been a good friendship
ruptured and we became estranged
and I doubted we'd see each other again.

Two years ago he sent a Christmas card
with a note, I responded and we
are now in touch again, our history
intact, friendship reclaimed, as
almost fifty years of knowing
cannot be taken lightly.

I asked him if he still plays guitar
He says he only plays perhaps
one time a year now, but in my mind
when I think of him I see him again
young with his guitar embraced
singing beautiful songs!

Nine

Nine


Nine years old
I ride my bike everywhere
swim in the city pool
lie under a tree and read
write stories for fun
play kickball, softball
jump on a pogo stick
gallop on my pretend horse
play school, house, hospital
starlight moonlight after dark.

Nine years old
I don't want to get older
no age with two digits for me.
Ten sounds old,
many yearn to be teens,
to grow up, wear makeup, drive.
I would rather stay nine
ride no-handed on a bike,
unafraid, hair blowing, free.

Fire #1

Fire

Fire of hell
inescapable
relentless heat
sears scalds
penetrates mind
and body of doubters
disparagers cynics
who heard but
did not listen
eternity

Fire of passion
inescapable
relentless heat
love ardor this
once a lifetime
inexplainable
wonderful longing
bright flame
caring fervor
wonderful longing
love yes love

Fire of destruction
inescapable
relentless heat
clandestine arson
scorches forest
suffocates burns
living beings that
scurry to escape
hurtful weapon evil
accomplished

Fire #2

Fire

Fire
house on fire
mind on fire
fire the man
ceasefire
fire and water
fire and rain
fire and brimstone
baptism with fire
firewall fireman
firestorm
ready aim
fire

Ice

Ice

Frigid black
immoveable harsh
attitude unbending
unyielding frozen
tundra chills the body
freezes the soul
nothing canflourish
in the presence
of such cold.

Ice
frigid black
immoveable harsh
car tires skid
no control
spin scream
crash crack
shattered glass
broken body
stillness now
sirens blare
hurry


Ice
cubes swirl
cold iced tea
refreshes
cools tongue
mouth throat
revitalizes
spirit body
on a blazing day

Sometimes At Night

Sometimes At Night


Sometimes at night I put myself to sleep
by watching television, or perhaps it is
more true to say that usually I put myself
to sleep by watching television. I think
this started after I had my accident and
television helped me to forget my pain
and much of the night if I did not sleep
I watched telecision until I did finally sleep.
And still when I awaken in the night
with thoughts swirling in my brain
I cannot restrain myseld from watching
whatever looks interesting on telecision.
I always hope for it to put me to sleep!

I Love You

I Love You


In the back of "I love you" stands "good bye"
as there is nothing permanent. At some point
someone or something will leave. At some
time what one loves will be no longer with you.
Either I will leave, perhaps not of choice, or
the other will leave. Death is inevitable;
good-byes happen. What is good eventually
comes to an end, so enjoy while you can
before the good-byes which will happen!.

Child to No One

Child to No One

It saddens me sometime to think that I am child to no one
both parents dead, and I must admit to being old!
A dreadful word, a wakeup call, a truth to face.
I would like to deny it, but I cannot. My life is closer
to conclusion than beginning. No child any more.

Future

Future

Future

Because I don't trust the future I enjoy
what is now and do not think far ahead.
I don't know what will happen tomorrow
or the day after that. September 11
approaches, the day I never expected,
the day I'll never forget. After that
how can I really trust future again?

If Dogs Think About Death

If Dogs Think About Death


If dogs think about death they do not show it
they live now, today, happy, looking forward
to the next meal, walk, game of fetch.

If dogs think about death I do not see it
perhaps that is one reason I love dogs
they accept and appreciate what is today.

If dogs think about death they hide it as
they go about their everyday lives
inconsequential, they say, what will be will be.

Questions, No Answers

Questions, No Answers


What is important to you?
What are your goals?
What will be your first step?
What then?
Who will help you?
Who are your friends?

Finding Faith

Finding Faith

Faith is not easy when
there are many questions
possibilities, contradictions,
explanations, so many people
who claim to speak truth,
so many books called holy,
so many proven wrong
but yes there is God,
one God, but which path
among all offered?

Spiral

Spiral

Spiraling into the abyss
down down down
overwhelmed I'm frozen
unable to act
drowning in life
unable to ask
I hide my pain
deny what is
hope for a miracle
a rope to hang onto
a net to lift me up
reverse my direction
help me rise again
please oh please.

Dueling Haiku

(1)
Hope is the sun that
brightens my path each morning
I greet a new day

Doubt is the cloud that
darkens my path each evening
I hide from its sight.

------------------------------------------------
(2)

Awake is alive
with many possibilities
where will I begin?

Asleep is time lost
body rejuvenation
needed but boring.