Expectation

If you desire a
child to show
cheer
the child must
see cheer
for we are but
mirrors of our
experience.

Choices

Opportunity passed
forthwith in decline
a road or river
or currents abroad a sea
Are we the traveler
standing still amid
turbulance?
Or carried along on
the journey
downstream through time?

Garden Youth

Will you draw me a picture?
My child what do
you see among the leaves
recollections of summer?
Your first stayed with you?
animals
flight, slither, hop
crow and caw
will you watch for this
seasons flowers
because of last's?
Your garden grows

Papa

Mastiff at the gates
warm protector
between your feet
lie children sleeping
if blessed they be
let their ignorance
remain
till the child
they lift from life's
door be their own
and know then
what it is to
be papa

Pressure Makes Diamonds

When pressed to service
by the condition
we rise much farther
If choice removed
and test is clear
We shall not crumble
before our fear
sure, some will fail
though more will not
and rise instead
their scars still fresh
body shaken, fatigued
through plight
A heart at rest
will sleep tonight

Companion

A playful retort

is but a sport

among the friends 

who share a smile

the jest it be

from you to me

the lyrical embrace

of sibling face

a remembrance of

those things too grand

for true comprehension

by our man

so sing with me

and dance

for the fun shared

was only chance

and recollection

of a life's warmth

dwells in the heart

of friends

Tear

pang of regret
emotion separation
perpetual
turning the fired pot
pruining the fruited branch
awaken from your
purposeless slumber
cherish your tear
time will award you
so few of them

glass case

to view

but not touch

A Life

A man must feed

his family it is true

though all his pursuits

must not fulfill this

base end

for a beast of burden

is not our lot

A space must be

made for the pursuits

of the mind and spirit

for without the one

the other has no

meaning.

Quality

There is no

mystery to a job

well done it

but requires

a thoughtful

a complete execution

for if your task

be done well

independent of

desire for acolaid

then your excellence

is true

and the reward

calm mindfulness

Anew

Each generation

discovers anew

the things of old

and every year

we must declare

what was old

must always be new

for we are

but torchbearers

of our kind

Luna

217 E. Palm St.

it is where you reside

a mere mile or so

from our home

my child

sits here upon my lap

never to know you

it is as it was

ever to be

a turn of the page

advice of a child

good bye

Youth

My glass sopps

upon the table

the mess will

dry though not

before youth's

time is past

Promethean Gifts

Progeny of dawn

sings songs of light

mounted charioteer

bring forth you

promethean gifts

Awaken children

of the celestial hearth

Bloom

Petals

ashe of spring fire

fall to the earth

consumed

yesterday's seed

tomorrow's it will feed

"It's about time."

"Yes, it is, and where you spend it."

Oh little girl

how your joy

and your tears

warm my heart

to watch you

is to know life

your memories form

from our decisions

a parents manufacture

of the childhood

she'll recall

Good Morning

Good morning sunshine

sleeping by the door

little feet drum

sleepy eyes close

resting baby

shall we go?

walking?  kayaking?

or both?

let us ask the child

good morning baby

The Garden

Vernal hum

Erupting angiosperm

sapling stretch out

those most capable

of its use

granted its power

for a time

those most desirous of

its power

granted a view

for a time

the muse

the muse
calls forth my talent
I own you not

Great Horn

Soft feathers

quiet the sinew

powerful mass

the hush falls with you

Life is in you

Life falls before you

My Phoenix

The flame of youth

the life in us all

Must though bright

hot, untouchable

consuming all

be protected

A wind can feed

that which feeds

can extinguish

Choice

One chair is beautiful

and one is of comfort

I choose the one

to enjoy the other

Too Soon

Chewing gum stains

on the concrete

likely to disappoint

when chewed again

Bubble gum

    love at first bite

Sure, but no tenure

    will be granted

Blossoms of spring

    too soon depart

Dionysian fruits

    though they rot

    with care

These progeny

   a chewing gum's phoenix

  their spirit achieved