Vitrification

Legends are forged in a fire
few can stand to bear
multitudes may aspire
but only those that dare
to burn are wafted higher

above those unaware
how harsh the flame can be
and truly, they don’t care
they only long to see
their hero hanging there

as some ancient deity
awash in holy light
a symbol of humanity
ascending towards delight
without humility

despite the fact that clay
turns frail once thusly baked
and will be chipped away
like every heart that’s ached
to brave the kiln’s dismay.

Forlorn

Four minutes of silence to think
about the unfairness we face
how life can be gone in a blink
and end our allotment of grace.

Four moments of stillness to bear
the pain we would rather move past
but we know it will always be there
until we are with them at last.

Four years make us wonder 'what for?'
lamenting the loss of a love
that seraphim somberly bore
to be with our Savior above.

6th Sense

Strict adherence to the scale
isn't how the gifted wail
the difference between good and great
is knowing when to deviate.

Obstinate

A shadow swoops over the valley
and now the day is dim
foretelling quite a tally
so ominously grim
the Reaper's wicked whim

his sickle is terribly biting
the bevelled blade so keen
there's really no use in fighting
but still we contravene
forever in between.

Propositional

Just a fling
no big thing
until they felt
the stirring sting

of gnawing need
guaranteed
to leave a welt
that won’t recede

and now the two
have made it true
for one has knelt
to hear “I Do!”

Trademark

To try something new, that’s the whole point
inviting intuitive salve to anoint
creative compulsions that long to get through
that’s the whole point, to try something new.

To make lasting art, there’s more than one way
releasing the fetters so fancy can play
may spark an epiphany deep in the heart
there’s more than one way to make lasting art,

just be who you are with confident skill
while fashioning forms that uniquely fulfill
the need to respond to that call from afar,
with confident skill just be who you are.

Unfortunate

The moguls felt mirth when the malcontents massed
and piously prattled that pacts should be passed
condemning the corporate accrual of cash
defraying their flippancy awful damn fast.

Divining

Just as it was thundering
a wayward train went through
and it really got me wondering
which one of the two

produced the righteous rumbling
that shook me to the bone
with power that was humbling
enough to force a moan

while lightning flickered brilliantly
across the starless sky
I figured almost instantly
the storm would not blow by

so I just lay there listening
to the sorely needed rain
each crystal droplet glistening
like treasure to the plain

where clay is prone to aridness
and crumbles to the touch
requiring preparedness
when drought becomes too much.

Little Helper

I try to keep my mind above
those petty thoughts adverse to love
but every now and then it sags
requiring a gentle shove

and sometimes still it limply lags
despite how much my conscience nags
until a small determined soul
unceremoniously drags

it from the daunting gloomy hole
with cuteness that's beyond control
so self absorbtion doesn't take
an everlasting toll.

Worth a Shot

Midnight sky
bullets fly
people cry
victims die

darkness reigns
laxness wanes
caring gains
hope sustains.


***Well this is officially my 1500th post. I hadn't planned on penning a poem, maybe just a little look back, but current events have spawned this brief call for the courage to stay positive.***

Cut Up

Trees just love the sun
it's obvious to anyone
their green hands in the air
grasping for a healthy share
and please forgive the pun--
not a sign of board despair.

Dedicated

A vow becomes a sacred bond
when two hearts learn to look beyond
annoyances that come and go
so loving trust has time to grow.


***Happy Anniversary Dear!***

Touching

We simply must
indulge our lust
before we rot away to dust

for one caress
can cancel stress
and justify the whole damn mess.

Penance

When seeking absolution
get set for some intrusion
although the whole forgiveness thing
is really an illusion

for once initiated
no deed may be abated
but those that make your conscience sting
can be somewhat negated

by acting beneficial
to counter the initial
indignities trespasses bring
when being prejudicial.

Baked

It's too damn hot
but I'll take a shot
at sweating out some verse
it' not a lot
but all I've got
mercurial and terse.

Motive

Would you build a house to board it up
or drain the well to fill your cup
can you find a reason to go insane
and give your all despite no gain,
will you crunch the numbers with digits gone
or float a check when overdrawn,
can you feel the scar without finding a mark
affirmed by faith that seems like a lark—
is there nothing more than life and death
to inspire the need for at least one more breath?

Flower

Blossoms by the billions bloom
to gorge on glitter they consume
that sprinkles downward from the sun
through swirling clouds the wind has spun

just yesterday the trees were bare
and needy limbs displayed despair
tomorrow they'll sport vibrant garb
before the bite of bitter barb

unending cycles generate
the past which we perpetuate
a constant dance with days of doom
as blossoms by the billions bloom.

Flex

Proponents of a breeze
have never worn my shoes
or begged their creaking knees
to find a way to bend,
(as long exhausted thews
are reluctant to extend)

protesting every task
in lieu of needed rest
despite my nerve to ask
for energy to strive
and conquer every test
as long as I’m alive.

Gift or Curse?

Gift or curse
this verve for verse,
a yen to pen
that won’t disperse
indeed this need
is getting worse
but still I quill
gift or curse?

Hostilities

There are things I should learn to let go
but I’m either too stubborn or slow
my shoulders droop lower each day
from the chip that I won’t brush away

although I inherently know
there are things I should learn to let go
my defenses are fashioned with pride
the nefarious villain inside.

It’s ironic that I’m dug in here
behind these embankments of fear
there are things I should learn to let go
to be rid of this quarrelsome foe

so the conflict can possibly cease
and perhaps bring a tentative peace
that’s contingent on one proviso—
there are things I must learn to let go.

Cramped

I wish I had your enthusiasm
but I’m in the midst a muscle spasm
resulting from a serious scare
when I almost felt an urge to care—

I’ve worked here forever (or so it seems)
ridiculous duties destroying my dreams,
each morning wishing I could retch
or shed the cube and finally stretch.

Pangs

If you swallow an egg
from a chicken that’s caged
will it make your throat constrict?

When you chew on some fruit
from a prison of glass
is your breath entrapped by the pit?

Should you chomp on the flesh
of an innocent beast
could your heart give your hunger a hint?

Deliverance

The numbers and letters on the keyboard you see
are very vain characters longing to be
their dominance lasted until the current age
when email made one an unstoppable rage

it's not ampersand but a lower case A
with a circle around it (though not all the way)
which makes sure your messages won't fall flat
by telling the internet where we are at.

Illumed

An amber sun descends
a cloud bestudded sky,
enjoying warmth and friends
before the fall draws nigh,
the type of day that ends
a fruitless search for why
at least until it's time for sleep
when churning questions slowly steep
beneath a silent, knowing moon
which may enlighten very soon.

Stresses

There's death upon the wall
the ivy has a brownish pall--
that dentist with the lilting drawl
has pulled the root so it will fall.

There's raging in the creek
an egg within a raven's beak
that shies from every jealous shriek
of one that won't reverse their cheek.

There's conflict we have found
in everything, hear the sound
and feel it in another round
of verse the hapless bards expound.

Subject

I like to think I can appreciate art
no matter the form
but when it doesn’t conform
to my view of the norm
there’s a flutter in my heart

and I don’t know if it’s distaste or awe
or a mixture of the pair
affecting me down there
insisting that I stare
into that great unfathomed maw.

Cool

Positivity
is one proclivity
I strive to keep alive
until reality
with fierce finality
makes it take a dive
then stubborn tendencies
drown dependencies
dragging everything down
so equanimity
is in proximity
replacing every frown.

Freedom

Above me soared a graceful bird
with unabashed impunity
and feather touch commanding winds
to take it far beyond the throng
then deep within me something stirred
from which there's no immunity,
the passion standing still rescinds
that filled me like a holy song,
compelling me to move along.

Bolstered

There are few that will ever know
and even less to care
about these endless words that flow
coercing me to share

but in the silence of my grave
perhaps I’ll chance to hear
a troubled soul give thanks I gave
them strength to persevere.

Chronology

I flipped a calendar page today
so thirty days went by you say?
July is here but I’m stuck in may.

Perhaps it wouldn’t be so sad
if I had used the time I had
for something other than going mad

but who can say what’s truly sane
we all have dreams some see as vain,
an impetus that won’t abstain

despite a stack of pointless tries
and unrepentant alibis
that chronicle the compromise.

Wearing

The look is deliberate chaos
you can tell upon a glance
their hair is sculpted dysfunction
and they're swimming in their pants,
but I have learned to accept it
for why should it bother me?
It all just seems so tedious
caring what the next fad will be.