I love your fierce approach. You swash
at me.  With strong arms you cut the air.
I feel the breeze of your determination.
You look like a soldier.  The art of love
is a frenzy of intensity. You can't take
me without a battle.  

I am the rose-holder, you are the steel
clad rider.  You joust to win my favor.
I throw petals to path your way to
me.  The minstrels play.  Sing amen
to this afternoon.

You have won the day! I am the
receiver of your presents.  Fifty years
have passed. My trodden soul is
bare. You rode the steed of truth
and beauty.  

It is my turn to write your name
in a church of sorrow.  To try to
climb down my lofty seat.  I kiss
you fairly my true warrior.  The
last joust was now.


Caroline Shank
5.26.22

I am clean and bright
with iridescent green head
and deep yellow bill.
I’m gliding over silent waters
It’s early afternoon
going to my mate, I can’t wait.
So glad it’s spring again, grass is fresh and strong
We make a beautiful sight together.
To caress your eyes
People looking at me taking pictures
Guess they can see
how deeply in love I am.
I’m on my way.


Shell ✨🐚

if whispers
could siphon off
even an ounce
of the love
you made me felt
i'd ramble
into the night

till first light
graced my face
and the sky
was lit up

Not lost as much as misplaced,
gone from where you should be
in bosoms of families
and conspiracies of friends
still adding your narrative arc,
your author’s hand

It is for us to ape your style,
continue your quirks and syntax
so the story, like these spring bouquets
will bloom well

It only takes one split second
in time
to change a life forever .
Treasure yours.


Shell✨🐚

I used to gaze up in the sky
At puppy dogs and butterflies
That's what I saw as clouds passed by
And life it did the same

In skies of blue the poppie fields
Would share the dreams young minds would yield
Tender thoughts one day until
This adult got in the way

And now those skies hold thunder clouds
I wish somehow I'd not find that out
Collective sighs can't hide the sound
That disappoint makes

I've tried and tried and tried again
But who am I trying to kid
When you've cracked the lid of innocence
You've lost too much along the way

And life never is the same...

I know this feeling all to well
Waking up liver hurting like hell
So i reach for the bottle
The only thing I know will help

Wood Talk

The wood delivery man came this warm sunny afternoon
the man wanted cash dislikes checks, I don’t blame
him for that.
Why should he pay tax when the likes of Starbuck pays
nothing much.
I usually drink coffee at the local café, tried Starbuck once
coffee with milk was not enough kept talking about
“latte” no, just coffee, nothing else.
A friend of mine who has gone to school came over and
sorted things out; didn’t care much for the coffee
I don’t think the woodman drink coffee, a faint smell of wine
about him.
It was after lunch, the police officers, leave us alone here
In the deep dark valley.