I will meet you
where the sunlight
sleeps upon the
white mountains
where the birds
circle the sky like
angels of innocence
and as you pass
through stubborn
villages that keep
ancient secrets
locked in their hearts
listen carefully to the
echo of their poetry
all will become clear
and our destination
will be necessary
we will find the moon
hiding behind clouds
like a shy child
and as the cold wind
bites at our lips
our words will
fall into purity ...
Clay.M

Every day at three—
the little prince arrives,
cawing his prophecy at the door,
voice worn with quiet hunger.

He calls me out—
out of silence,
out of whatever grief I’ve tucked away.

If I do not answer—
he circles,
cawing until I stand before him—
palms cracked open,
giving what I can to feed his hunger.

He knew the weight of my hands
before I did.

What arrogance—
to believe I am the keeper.

Perhaps it is him—
who feeds me—
the voice in the throat of the world,
reminding me—
even the unloved must answer when named.

The hour always comes.

This thought has always haunted me.

People you meet once
and never again in your life.

You have a static picture in your mind
of their face
the small conversation
their little story they tell you
the place you met them
in a bus, a shop, on the road
interactions not long
but meaningfully small
yet leaving a memory in you.

I think of all those people
I stopped by to ask for time
seek direction of my destination
or asking where I might find
food or a resting place
in an unfamiliar area.

Once and just once you meet them.

On a summer trip, I was looking for icecream
in a strange place off the highway
walked ten minutes to find a shop
where for that brief encounter
the seller made me feel like
he had known me for long
shared the history of that area
the migration and culture of the residents
before helping me with the right icecream.

Sometimes I wonder
if they would have enriched my life
were they part of my association.

Not scholars, not rich, but simple men
who bring you down to earth
and carve a space in your mindscape.

Sadly you meet them once in your life.

I feel it's so designed.

I'm a troubled soul
No distinguished career
Tired. Exoplanets.
Whisper in your ear

Kinda geeky shy
Ain't her kinda guy
Falling, but I try
To fight back all the fear

          loved ones dear

Too much self-motivation
could be symptomatic
that one is still far from reaching
one's desired destination