Trait

I often look back to discern why I write
and I remember my Mom telling me
“You can be whatever you want to be,
have you written anything new today?”
which prompted me (with the utmost delight)
to share with her what I had to say.

And now whenever I jot down a line
I can feel her palpable presence there
and despite the undeniable despair
her gentle spirit’s loving touch
imbues my somewhat rigid design
with the caring soul we loved so much.

Steamy

I gave myself a nasty burn
on the inside of my arm
you'd think I've cooked enough to learn
that heat can do you harm
but oh what pleasure when you tame
the passion of a fiesty flame.

Imperative

The nameless one cried “FASTER!”
to his dark and foaming steed
he had never known a master
or knelt before such need.

He found, with moonlight glistening
upon his windswept face,
that he could not stop listening
for whispers of her grace

that wafted on the twilight
within his inner mind
and only helped to highlight
the love he’d left behind.

While miles away Verona
who likewise thought of him
took on a new persona
pursuing passion’s whim

she gathered up her clansmen
and made sure they were armed
then raced with great abandon
her heart must not be harmed

she knew that he was honor bound
to keep the deal he’d made
and that he’d kneel upon the ground
to meet the falling blade.

At times a love is so intense
it counteracts the pain
and odds that seem to be immense,
with hope that won’t abstain.


***Part 6 of my desert saga, here's a link to part 5 which has links to 1-4 at the bottom, enjoy!***

Menace

Careening in her own conceited world
with every mirror angled towards her face
she giggled at the expletive I hurled
then cut me off as though I stood in place

because there are no other moving cars
careening in her own conceited world
she only glimpses unicorns and stars
and pennants to her prettiness unfurled.

Within me an indignant anger swirled—
what made this twit believe she had the right
careening in her own conceited world,
I wanted to give chase and start a fight

but knew it wouldn’t matter much to her
ensuring that her hair was cutely curled
oblivious to crashes she’ll incur
careening in her own conceited world.

Sellout

The problem with unfaithfulness
is just how quickly we regress
to being people more concerned
with what’s been bought than truly earned.

Sentence

I’m trapped within this prison
confined behind these walls
another sun has risen
and still, my freedom calls,

I watch the shadows wander
and feel a twinge of hate
for all I did was squander
my kingdom for this fate;

another night of dreaming
I can somehow change the past
to waken wet and screaming,
the dawn returns too fast

condemning me to witness
the shadows shy advance
while forfeiting my fitness
for any second chance.

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!