Stainless
steel and dull

because luster
and shine

does not matter
or add

to its function
and workaday

poetry
while it scoops up

rocks and lumps
of coal

you snooze you
lose

and

first come first
serve

Whit Howland © 2020

A stiff wooden arm
with metal fingers

which flex and
dutifully bend

and we count on it
as an effective tool

to clean up the mess
the yard

as we bag pile
and process

then properly
dispose

of all the frail twigs
and leaves that are dead

Whit Howland © 2020

The stationary space ship
or silver bullet train

of many youths

with incongruent and shiny
chrome

where they still serve
up

a healthy platter
of comfort

and warmth with a side
of truth

Whit Howland © 2020

I'm here to dream
and not to know

because dreaming of
a Golden Age

that never was
without the toil

the blood sweat and
gallon jug

of tears

may someday make it
so

Whit Howland © 2020

A mad flight
and rickety descent

down the back of a
beast

that clanks
and flakes rust from under

our feet
and as always the case

success usually comes

by the skin of our  
teeth

Whit Howland © 2020

Its an imaginary
  line

I've drawn for you
  and I

that will tilt as we
  revolve

on what we think
  is us

and that's okay because
  time

is too short for you
  and I to worry

about appearances

Whit Howland © 2020

A call in the middle of the
night

much like a ride
on a roller coaster

the torturous climb
to the top
then the terror

and panic of the drop
then

the gentle coast
into the station

and the tears that could go
either way

Whit Howland © 2020