False Cast

Unknown to me
there sat up in the tree
A devil with a taste
for fishing flies and haste

Dandelion Girl

Oh dandelion girl you're crushed and battered
Run over again, it doesn't seem to matter
Up you spring after the mower has passed
A bright sunny face amid blades of grass

Oh dandelion girl you're beat and trodden
But you've worked so hard and far you've gotten
When the boot heels crush you down so small
Again you rise so sleek and tall

Oh dandelion girl they try to kill you
But all that seems to do is thrill you
Your knuckles cracked you head back in
At home among the clanging din

Oh dandelion girl please do take care
Your petals must soon show the wear
Of a thousand battles readily fought
A peaceful home you've surely bought

Oh dandelion girl your toils be over
Just set your roots among the clover
And breath in summer's fiery blast
The home you've sought is yours at last

On the Water

Out on the water
we leave the shore behind.
Isolated from our native element
and returned to the first
we know some peace.
Simple joy wash us clean.

Crooked Step

The crooked heart
and the crooked spine
walking together
steps in time
desiring nothing but
the peace and solitude
of good company

Cafe Girl

Playful girl play
Your arms laid bare
Bob and weave through this cafe
Youth's kiss among the relics of time

They were young
Some like you
Not many I suppose
Your sharing smile
brought me some joy today

Sunset

The wind has shifted
my safe lee is gone
I must find another place
to seek shelter

Tides are in
and waters lie deep
Thoughts must be tended
before I find sleep.

Buttonwillow

Once set free
we cannot put back
What is
must be until
course is run
Let the cloistered keep
their bad habits
They may have none of mine.

Walk

Where the old house stood
on the river's left bank
I waited
Eyes don't betray me
not yet
Oh have some courage pal
life only comes around every
now and then
I drove over California's broken heart to be here
Sometimes things work out in your favor
you get lucky
The hot wind across the water brought a dusty calm
scenting the air with field and flower
Should I sit and write?
My head is too jumpy for that now
Oh hell, go knock on her door
Life is for the living
you have to go after your desires
I watched your silhouette notice me
A voice assured me
An uncomfortable calm inside
mirrors my own

Walk with me
down the path by the lake
I follow
The same hot wind that has
brought the scents of summer
now bends the rusted grass around her
I am older
She is beautiful

Tagus

You're dried up now
though signs are clear
you we're somebody's baby
swept clean of the years
in a glimmer
hot waves ripple across your skin
revealing marks
of care
telling stories of dancing years
you brimmed with youth's passion
oil stained hands sought you
their six string's serenade
past whisky and beer
past the handrolls
past worn boot heels
and the gasoline at sunset
Now quieted
just shadows from the past
in this town
on the broken in side
there lies you in rest
waiting on that tele' twang
waiting for the boys to come home
just a honky tonk.

Nine Thousand Feet

At nine thousand feet
no fire may be built
this arbitrary line
which man has assigned
stands between
us and warmth
In spite of this
we've both
brought
arms of sticks
in casual ways
brought them to lay
stacked with tinder first
unchecked it will burst
then twigs came
we've added them
just the same
though not without
a shoulders' glance
For to desire this warmth
is to seize upon chance
Logs we add next
our commitment is made
leaving naught to do
but strike flint with blade
so set the fire burning
we'll stand there
feel her great warmth
coming on
Heart, bone and skin alive
Enjoying our fire
this outlaw blaze
we'll be served more
than behavior ever could
a little chanced risk
and charred stack of wood
Find souls replenished
We lie eyes on the sky
embracing
man's ultimate question
Heavy lids stumble
with warmth all around
we settle ourselves
asleep
on the ground.

Laura

Your journey begun
my friend is gone
where do I go to speak
to you? 
Close for a time
two thoughts combined
casual sure, but our
candor was pure
in time unsure.
Trust be had
a friend was made
Now, however, I'm afraid
you're gone and we must
submit to life with
no
you
in
it.

Fount

My pen won't write
where have you gone to
sweet inspiration?
no thought
nor rhyme
a story to tell might
do just as fine
but idle you sit
in my front right pocket
ink newly
filled
nib cleaned of residue
left behind
the inspirations consumed

Nectar Bird

In my hand you landed sweetly
though at first you were aloof
the tangle in which you found yourself
was but the only proof
of the need you had for
one like me
to your aid I came
but foundered
as the task required more
so off to friends I took you
and together at the door
we spied hope against your turmoil
the conductor deftly freed your wing
and there upon my hand
you stretched your wings
alighted
and left us
I've seen others like you
and have often wondered
if
it was you or I or we
that received the
greatest
gift?

Cafe coffee shoppe

Cafe coffee shop
of ground bean
and soft chair
a bitter brew
friendship the
thoughtful exchange
hear books
here sharing
where music
bringing together
not ale
no vulgar thought
that rich brew
saved nearer
in its own time
here are keenly
addressed
the ideas
undressed
disassembled
teased
out of the
way
join in

Lady

It is a great ship that
goes down
if there is but one
finely wrought lady
that does grace her
decks.
No great loss suffers
he with adoration
of one
these fine
exquisite creatures
for it is true
Rome will burn again
but who does burn
for you?

Contrast

What is excellence?
For to be great
is but a moment
there is no great
but for the misery
and intricate insight
of failure.

Coming of age

Coming of age
involves so much
impacting this
process requires
more than a recipe
or a bit of sweetness
if anything it involves
an edge a rasp
a hard surface on
which to check ones
progress

Sounds

aloud moment of
the sound which
drums upon my
ears brings a thought
to mind though it
leaves as quick
its permanence is
not assured
for another is on its
way.

Red Wine

The child of the vine
troubles us not with
sweet temperment
once oak and time
their magic worked
Subdued in its dark
intensity
but subtle in richness
charm
eyes which contradict
a tongue
caught briefly on
the wind
Olfactory of time
creased heart
the folden fan
Our vapored narrative
the scent in our rebellion
held fast
lest its releasing
satisfy our destruction.