Deciduous

The brutal autumn wind
batters bloody leaves
whose once green ranks have thinned

a bony mother grieves
(her histrionic limbs
attack what she believes

is sky) but barely skims
the vastness of the space
through which this season swims

intractably keeping pace
to frigidly rescind
our fleeting chance for grace.

Alluvion

I pledge
this wedge
will never hedge
my need
to bleed
that’s guaranteed
for I
comply
with no one’s lie
no stone
or moan
will ever postpone
what seems
like streams
of dormant dreams.

Oh Squat

His heart was scared
a bit impaired
and really not prepared to be shared,

“But once I heal”
he said “For real,
I’ll gladly kneel to seal the deal.”

She said, “We’ll see
but mess with me
and you won’t be erect to pee.”

Kenning

If less is more
then I’m not poor
I’m one of the richest alive
so near destitute
an atom of loot
will dwarf what my efforts contrive.

Prime Time

Her choppers are perfect
the smile quite fake,
the lack of a defect
their glaring mistake
for how can we trust those so free
with their artificiality?

Yet millions keep viewing
and rubbing their hands
reflexively ruing
the current demands
on people of conscience to think
before we go over the brink.

Enduring

She stands with her back to the shore
a patron colossus of yore
whose skin overlaid
is the soothing green shade
that welcomes the hungry and poor.

From her torch of mythic renown
to the hem of her matronly gown
she’s destined to be
the Queen of the Free
for all seven points on her crown.

The epic of Man isn’t done
there are chapters not even begun
and eons from now
will she still endow
us with courage to free everyone?


***Happy 125th!!***

Visibility

I talk to God but the sky is empty - Sylvia Plath

A deity gesticulated
and all we know was thus created
or so they said on sunday morn
where doubt was doused with scathing scorn;

incessant bouts of genuflection,
imploring for some new direction
has yet to yield a solid sign
of mercy, mortal or divine.

Right

Wherever there's gold
there's bound to be greed
and lies to be sold
disguised as a cause
that has selfish need
within its bylaws.

Zap

The crackle of a burning arc
can help ignite a common spark
that powers up a brand new way
to counteract the dark

of night whose doubts delay
advancement, while we grope and pray
for guidance to detect the mark
where we can find that ray.

A Young Fellow with Hair Colored Yellow

The sun was a fiery hot ball in the sky
when I looked, it hurt my eyes
but it still felt good deep down inside.

As I looked I heard a song on the radio
by a young fellow with hair colored yellow
a Simple Man who knew how to put on a show!

Gazing up, sunshine on my face
I saw a plane leaving for some distant place
it reminded me how he had run his last race.

That day, it was sad indeed
our world left just a bit more in need
The day the Freebird was finally freed.


***dedicated to Ronnie VanZant 10/20/77***

Here is a link to a song called Grey Ghost by The Henry Paul Band, best tribute song ever.

Detached

You mustn’t misconstrue
the stony gaze of the moon
when its countenance impales you
like an icy cold harpoon
for disregard can help undo
conceit’s aloof cocoon
romance is rich with rue
you swelter or you swoon.

:D

I've always got a smile
for those that merit such
but boilers of bile
mmmmmaybe not so much.

Fervent

The half-dressed trees look haggard
like they just went through a fight,
were beaten up then staggered
to huddle here in fright
reluctant to release the leaves
a wooden spirit sorely grieves—

their lanky limbs defiant
they shudder from each blow
refuse to be compliant
despite the coming snow
and wobble, but will not be tamed
as ruddy features grow enflamed.

Nobility

He rose through wisdom, peace and truth
to lead the less than free
a man whose character was proof
of what a King should be.


Written in honor of the MLK Jr. Memorial dedication

Exhibit

I guess it's my lot
to be a have not
and service the sort
that don't deserve what they've got

to scurry and sweat
exuding regret
while they snidely snort
"Is it done yet?"

But I can't be obsessed
with if I'll be blesssed
for time is too short
to not do my best

whatever my fate
I won't be irate
and never resort
to the tactics of hate

when judgment is made
we all will be weighed
in the mightiest court
by the love we displayed.