Beat

I’ve had some lucid lapses
when my outlook’s not so glum
perhaps my fried synapses
were too cynical to bum
but then my mood relapses
and I’m hollow as a drum
when everything collapses
will I know the end has come?

Little Orange Feather

Oh little orange feather
on the ground at my feet,
little orange feather
so vibrant and petite

did you come from someone’s
clothing, some jewelry or a purse
and when the loss was realized
did they soundly curse?

Oh little orange feather
do not fear to be alone
for little orange feather
I claim you as my own

I’ll put you where your brightness
shines to ultimately soothe
my mind on those certain
days when things are less than smooth.

Oh little orange feather
on the ground at my feet,
little orange feather
was it fate we chanced to meet?

Exalted

It’s so alive this time of year
the energy that’s present here
compels my somber heart to sigh
just like the wind that’s whipping by.

Below, the silent river rolls
as transient as the searching souls
impatient to detect a sign
confirming proof of the divine

when all they have to do is gaze
upon the flora as it sways
and whispers of the debt implied
to sacrifices deified.

Tainted

While looking at the endless brands
of sanitizer in her cart
I wondered if her sterile hands
felt better than a spotless heart.

Layover

Boy, you're gonna carry that weight a long time - The Beatles


Our ride has been retired
the final rocket fired
to strand the crews in Mother’s arms
among the meek and mired,

these pioneers of space
advancers of our race
can’t wait to once more chase the charms
of unencumbered grace.


***Dedicated to all the brave people that keep reaching for the stars***

Satellite

A billion points of solar light
invade my awakening mind,
escape velocity has been achieved,
we’re leaving all gravity behind.
Looking back at my blue world,
a sapphire in the midnight sea,
I’ve never felt so far from home—
it’s lonely, here at apogee.

Drifting through the vacuum/womb
of silent weightlessness,
developed well beyond the egg
yet still quite helpless;
shaped by elemental forces
that beggar the imagination,
striving to reach the critical point
of orbital habitation.


***Wrote this way back when the first crew was placed on board.***

Checked

Did I take the poison willingly
or was it shoved down my throat,
we both know it’s killing me
but really, must you gloat?

The source of the toxicity?
Your patronizing smirk
so sure that your duplicity
will make us beg for work,

you never think to compensate
the ones that don’t say yes
but struggle hard to separate
the money from the mess.

This vitriolic venom
fills my mouth with bitter bile,
forever doomed to denim
a pawn beneath the pile.

Ouch

Life is like a paper cut
a little self-inflicted rut
reminding one with irksome pain
attempts to stay pristine are vain.

Plot

Prevailing winds provide a steady clip
and motion tends to mollify the mind
but somebody has got to steer the ship!

At times we all drift afar from the slip
preoccupied with trinkets that we find,
prevailing winds provide a steady clip

and soon we grow discouraged by the trip
lamenting the contentment left behind
but somebody has got to steer the ship,

has got to navigate each swell and dip
with focused intent, not flounder, resigned.
Prevailing winds provide a steady clip,

occasionally they wickedly whip
until our bearings become misaligned,
but somebody has got to steer the ship

so firmly grasp the helm within your grip,
maintaining faith that fate can be designed—
prevailing winds provide a steady clip
but somebody has got to steer the ship!

Recalcitrant

I can’t believe how quickly
my eyes are getting sickly
commingling the images light sends,
to see with definition
I must yield without condition
to the regimented usage of a lens.

Fathom

There are few that could ever begin to accept
the depth at which my thoughts swim free
and fewer still that have bravely leapt
to join me in this stormy sea—

when scavenging for precious loot
make sure your tank has extra air
for those that drift above pollute
with murky toxins of despair.

Simpatico

I'm not a big fan
of my fellow man
but forgive when I can

it's not hard to do
remember when rue
made life hell for you.

Growth

When tigers nap
and dragons snap
and buttercups are brimming
I’ll fix my gaze
upon these days
although my sight is dimming,
the sun is bright
but quick in flight
and dusk will surely settle
so I must strive
to always thrive
despite the weeds that nettle.