ME

as the sun sets
it brings on another night-
where one half the world is a sleep
still a third, have one eye open
then there are a few
who just wonder why, mostly aloud
to themselves, no one else around
then there' s me
hoping and praying, both my eyes pried wide
unable to close them, to the hours they trickle down
then as I watch the sun ready to rise
up behind some cloud cover, to bring on
a brand new day-I will do my part, tired
unprepared, to welcome it -with weightless, open arms  

by Michael Perry

LOVE IN THE TIME OF A PANDEMIC

there was a time-out of a not so distant past
where one simple act, currently abandoned
lies anonymous, still then, once a pleasantry
to each other, now;  this feeling  lost, to us
an act of kindness, we all once apportioned
with each other- a common emotional binding
one to the other, between us; a piece of humanity

-and he reaches for her hand warmly, to squeeze
she slightly; is startled, unprepared, not expecting
from his touch-their contact of skin on skin, once
thought harmless; a common joy, made to  give a
measure of reassurance-now shunned; still-she
reacts back, to his comforting act of kindness, they
now share- with this one gesture, his compliment
to her, with science put aside;  for the good of mankind
they continue holding hands; they both smile- testing
the current train of thought- all for loves sake- accept this or not
as reality-sets in; will it be the start of a keening sense of loss
-to all  other simple acts- this common sense of dignity, we shared
now suffer through;  for how long? - through no fault of our own

by Michael Perry

ANOTHER TIME

wish it was-but it's not, so why not, just stop talking
can't we- how about-turn back time, come on, be real
while we wait for a glimpse of it; of something better-huh
a quality of life, a little sum, sum, more, half of a wish-
to hold out hope, how about today- is it a waste, to
think, maybe, just maybe, no, not now, come on, stop
your a downer, I'm a realist- so when then-soon? -no
it's none of those- why, not just another time; a pipe dream
of what could be- , so we wait, - still  we wait, waiting for what?
this here - right now, nothing feels good, as we stand toe to toe
there's no anticipation, we get in line; suffer through, with the rest
for we are the miserables- the in-betweens of what-when, u care?
maybe, another time- could be, whatever you say- I am not like u
half glass full, not me-I am empty, I got nothing more- so we
walk, continuing, heads down- hunkering against; while, the guy
next to me nudges; he asks almost embarrassed, not quite, can you
spare me a dollar for a cup of McDonald's coffee? I tell him, sure, I've
had my share of anger fueled caffeine for the day-i am trodden, fed up

By Michael Perry

Burnt orange
Pastel of pink
Intermingled with purple hue
Breathy haze
Of mountain cool
Aspen and pine reaching high
Meadows of deer grazing in dusk's light
A peaceful fading sight
Full moon rising
Broached by tips of trees
Beautifully rising night
Burnt orange
Of smoky skies
Mountains rising above the hazy light
Breathe this burning sky
One last time.

Hope
          has feathers
and                          love
        is weightless

as for me

well
        I
           have  

none of that

        but
               Dickinson said
And
       and
              Lennon sang

No

                     I have no comfort
                            
                            no belief

                             in what
                                  I
                              can do




                                  But
if hope has feathers
                   then it must mean
                                    it
                                        must
                                                   fall
                       before it can ever

                                                Y
                                           L
                                      F

What love is, I could not understand yet
You just hurt me, didn't love me a little bit
That's why love means to me- I am a stray.
I'm not going to be a love seeker anymore!

My heart has burned out in the fire of love.
It wasn't real love; It has been just your pride.
Now I am suffering from burning love.
But God knows how much I love you, dear!

I can't find real love; Where did I lose it?
I cry tears for you and I am tired of it
I have no one to help me to be confident
No, I'm not going to be a follower of lovers.

I'm burning in the fire of love, day and night
Tell me, what distress did I do to you?
How hard to forget your memories!
It's more painful to me than your sweet love!

Working for my dream, I started to forget what I'm working for and what I'm fighting for.