Another perfect
summer day
and I caught you again
I don't apologize
I didn't want you
but here we are
You trying to keep me down
like "The Man"
opressing humanity
Nose running like
an open tap
You have on my second
box of Kleenex Cool Touch
I love that stuff
Eyes watering after relentless
sneezing to go with
the nagging cough
I feed you
because the
old wives tale
tells me to
You've drained all
my energy
I'd reference Sampson here
but I'm a bald dude and
it doesn't seem fitting
All-in-all I really dislike you
as you attempt to rob me
of a few days
So I rest and regain
my tactical advantage
with lots of O.J.
and Chicken soup.
In the end I will win
the war, but you
have this battle.

Since the inception of time
we have offered up
credible options to swap
everything from
spices
food
fabrics
etc.
Some items were
of par and other...
not so much
yet commerce
was made prevalent
Even as children
we would swap
marbles
bubble gum cards
matchbox cars
etc.
The concept of
TRADE
will never depart us
as it is a means
to satisfy both parties
We TRADE to live
We TRADE to connect
We TRADE for peace.

You had me at chocolate
then you didn't stop
Baked to perfection
slightly golden brown
and balanced to a
soft & crisp touch
I need you to be warm
with milk chocolate
oozing
on my finger tips
Not to thin as you can
be lost in my
ice cold glass of milk
For me, no equal
exists to you
By the dozen
I consume you
without reservation
to my diet
Shaped to any form
or on a stick
you complete me.

Smooth and silky
with a hint of
pure vanilla bean
you entice
any willing palate
Glazed upon any
cake or cookie
you shine above all
Rich and creamy
stuffed in my
favorite donut
you pleasure my
appetite
paired with
a hot spicy tea.

Located in any park
often near a stream or lake
we gather
to break bread
converse
folly
commit acts of love
and drink in life
Recalling those regal
days of simplicity
when we had
time to waste
Creating aromas in
outdoor places which
filled the shy
Slow cooked fragrances
from a charcoal barbeque
remains unmatched
in nostalgia
Classic red & white
tablecloths were the norm
less we forget
the styrofoam coolers
with chunks of broken ice
We laugh and reminisce
on moments that prove to be
rendered timeless in our minds
We dance and sing to great old
music, play cards and often
drink far to much
Nature has us in her world
as we show her the respect
that she is due and plan
the following year to gather
once again and PICNIC.

Upon you we place our finest
to display before all the world
The focal point above our
commonly gilded fireplace
Family heirlooms and our
finest crystal or bric-a-brac
We proudly give credence
to our sense of taste & style
Trophies and awards
we sit upon you to stroke our egos
and brag of our accomplishments
Fine sculpture and wedding photos
to remind us of out joyous past
Sterling candle sticks and passionate
notes of love to spark romance
You hold out hopes and dreams
with strength and dignity
We lean on you to hold us steady
while you remain unencumbered.

I set you free
as my cup is full
My resolve to carry on
has diminished to zero
Our future cut short
far too soon yet necessary
I need honesty and trust
I require love and happiness
Fly free
free of me and my heart
no need to remain friends
or acquaintances of old
Reminders and photos
relinquished to rubble
I choose to move forward
free of you
free of drama
just simply...
free.

ACTIVATE...
your self worth
your kind spirit to your fellow man
your spirituality

ACTIVATE...
your heart
your senses
your desire to travel the world

ACTIVATE...
your brain
your love for family
your poetry skills

Your
MOXIE
is real
on the surface
you are soft
and gentile
but
your soul
screams of
courage
and reverence
A woman
of deep substance
you are
defined by
no man
only
self.

Growing up
I played it safe
fear of failure
afraid to break the rules
I was not a risk taker
The phrase often
flies in my face
NO RISK
no reward
Truer words have
never been spoken
Yet I remain in my
safe place of comfort
How many door
need to be opened
before I am
pushed through
How many opportunities
wasted in my
wavering ways
Is it cowardly
that my feet are
stuck in the mire
Are all chances
to lift myself up
and step out of
my comfort zone
Can I dare myself
to be great
Can I force myself
to accept success
again,
NO RISK...

Has the Lord
ever created a scent
aside from stimulating perfumes
that change our brain chemistry

The glorious odor which permeates
your senses in ways that
make you salivate at just
a small hint of this divine food

Oh you pork belly of wonder
you thick cut slice of tenderness
you pair well with any meal
or all by your lonesome

The overwhelming sound of
you in any
skillet, grill or microwave
can wake me from a dead sleep

You are the leader of the BLT
Even your Canadian roots are exquisite
From north to south and smothered
in maple syrup... I love you

You call your people without words
one concentrated whiff of you
in the atmosphere
fosters memories of all things good.

When Greek mythology
conceived the god of love
without question
they did dream of you

MY EROS of pleasure
who's sweet nectar
causes me to be drunk
within her your *****

Your defining fragrance of
lotus blossoms and
African vanilla
inspires ****** notions

MY EROS is
sensuality personified
the alpha and omega
of loves ultimate high.

As you are suspended in grandeur
with your brilliance that
illuminates all in your company
I witness your purpose

Your elements refract and
sparkle brightly on high
I need you more that
you need me

A pattern that streams
across the room
worthy of any photographers
lens, beauty personified.

Somehow this term
serves you no justice
and yet you are
SUBLIME to be true

Ever more to be
stellar in your ways
You strive to be your
best in all aspects

SUBLIME you are
as a woman, mother
and mate for the
betterment of us all.

Gazing into the mirror
I see me for who I am
What do you see in me
who am I to you for today
Am I subdued by ego
Do you see a good friend,
trust me with your life or
see me as an equal
Why am I concerned
I am comfortable with me
I notice a small crack, but
is it symbolic in any way
My BROKEN MIRROR
is just that and no
reflection on me.

Driving down the open road
with the top dropped and the
tunes blaring on high
You break out in song like
no one is around
Singing the lyrics aloud
as if you wrote them personally
You don't know these people
so you perform it as if you were
in an MTV video
You get the head bob in full swing
while throwing your hands to the sky,
well one hand... safety first
The groove can't be contained
and while others stare in awe of
your carefree antics
There is always one who joins
in the fun, however they have
the windows up, but find the
time to peek over and pay
homage to greatness.

I admit that I am a man
and with that comes man things
I'm obsessed with the shape
and can't help but stare
when you pass by
Albeit a subtle glance
sometimes it's a full out
ogle
Tight jeans or yes...
the classic yoga pants
can drive a sane man wild
What is it that makes me crazed
why can't I stop?
If there was a 12 step program
to taper me off
I would be in rehab
Even the summer tiny shorts
and beach thongs... why do you
tease me to break my neck
I want and need help, but
a well designed bubble,
apple, onion, aka *****
is a terrible thing to waste
I love and respect all your
feminine parts, ****...

We lead the PURSUIT
like big cats on the
Serengeti stalking it's prey
Not in the literal sense, but
in the manner that a man
seeks out a woman
The game of hard to get
is subtle but all to real
We take the bait every time
without a doubt as you
hold all the power
The struggle to maintain
our sense of coolness
quickly flies out the door
We are putty in your
gentle hands
We crash and burn
yet always come back
for more
We are gluttons to the game
and often will not stop
until we win.

Meeting for the first time
is a humbling affair
As we put our best foot forward
to over impress

Attempting to say all the
right things and be courteous
we fail to realize
that we are playing the game

We dress our best and primp
like we are attending our own wedding
A CLOSE ENCOUNTER that only
gives that one first impression.

You know that I like you hot
water cascading all about me
from head to toe

Massaging my muscles
after a vigorous work out
and relieving my stress

I adjust the head to pulse
and pound those spots
that are in need

You wash away the grime
of the day and pick me up
when my energy is fleeting

I must share you on occasion
when intimacy calls
a sensual rendezvous of pleasure

I conclude you with
supple Egyptian cotton
caressing my body.

As I walk my pod
securing all door
protecting the public
and myself
I contemplate
what the inmates
dream about
Lock in
and yet to have
their day in court
As the
NIGHT OFFICER
I wonder if they
regret
Are they
wrongly accused
I shine my light
in every cell
on my tour
I record my
actions to assure
maximum safety
I'm charged to oversee
the worst of the worst
in this place
I would never wish
to be on the other side
of that steel door
a 4X8 concrete box
steel bunk with an
ultra thin mattress and
no pillow
no freedom
no life.

What a splendid
creation that has
been shaped over time

Years in the making
you require controlled care
and special love

Tiny Asian tree
I respect your foundation
and ancient beauty

Your figure is like
no other, tree or plant
every leaf a wonder

BONSI
you are majestic
you are mine.

As you sit back
and survey all
that you have created
I wonder if you
are pleased
Would you make changes
would you do anything
different...
knowing how it's played out
to this point
From the heavens
to the Earth
You are the
MASTER OF ALL
Your hand commands
awesome power
and Your words
the same
I wonder if
through Your eyes
we have failed YOU
Can we do better...
yes.

In a world of all
that is right
I choose to go
LEFT.

As a child of the sixties
I've seem my share
the names and hatred
legislation passed to
bring a semblance of
equality
Those that came before
black and white
that gave their lives
I salute you
no greater sacrifice
could  I imagine
Have we not learned
from the past
Have we not buried
those demons
We all deserve
CIVIL RIGHTS
to just be
Still we have a
way to journey
on this front
Speak the truth
always
Do what's right
always
Don't hide from
injustice.

Reminiscent of a
childhood illness
I relate you to well
I've fallen again and
don't want to get up
My friends and family
impart to me of my
pending SYMPTOMS
I've found the love of
a good woman and
it shows all over me
I talk a little bit softer
I show a bit more compassion
I love a heap more strongly
Yes, I've fallen in love
and there is no cure
no medication to stop it
My SYPMTOMS
are everlasting
and welcome.

Locked in my nose
I can't see you, but
I can feel you
O to have my
cool touch PUFFS
to release all of you
Yes you come in
many forms
wet & sloppy
hard & crispy
and long and elastic
I skillfully extract
you on the sly
when no one is looking
Sometime I get caught
in a subtle pick
and I blush
with embarrassment
I flick you
I wipe you, but
never do I taste you
that's gross
Put a little
BOGGIE in your
tissue and
breathe easy.

My kryptonite to be real
shinny made of gold
stainless steel or
even titanium
You keep me
current and never late
Your style is timeless
and modern
You exude class
and even have a
playful side
Reminding me of the date
upon command
Your a diver, yachtsman
and aviator
My favorite accessory
that can compliment
my suit and tie
My TIMEPIECE is
splendidly constructed
Swiss made and accurate
to a fault
I can't stop collecting you
I look at you with reverence
your tiny micro movements
move in tandem with
unified precision.

Love Making
Music
County Fairs
Road Trips
Jazz Concerts
Sports
BF Phone Calls
Family Reunions
Binge Watching
Pool Parties
Buffets
Massages
and Excursions.

You majestic
wooden-paddled-wheeled
steamer
splashing down
the waterway
with a distinct sound
that is native to you alone
Timeless you are
with decades of
stories to spin
Smoke bellowing
from your stacks
we break bread
beneath your roof top
Float on to an era
of days gone by
Float on you majestic
RIVER BOAT.

I still believe in you
when many turn
their backs
and lose faith
in you
To jump in
with both feet
is an expression
of confidence
in love
Shouting from
the mountain tops
moving heaven
and earth
surpassing every obstacle
to embrace love
is powerful
I will always be an
ADVOCATE OF LOVE
never swaying
my resolve
I breathe love
like air and will
continue my quest
to achieve one love.

You are a *****
as a female pup
you came to us
and I wasn't happy
You came under
a cloud of
false pretenses
however
I could not resist
everything about you
Saintly from the moment
you came in your basket
you grew with my baby boy
protecting him at all cost
You were not perfect
as you would run off
from time to time
always returning for
dinner like clock work
Chasing the occasional
squirrel or bird, but
always gentle to all
children and adults
I grew to love you
unconditionally
and the day you left us
was hard to swallow
my tears of sadness
are true
There will never exist another
KARMA
you were unique
kind and a real friend...
No, you were family.

I long to see you
touch you
and love you
No phone calls
emails or texts
To be with you
FACE 2 FACE
provides
no substitute
for live interaction
I need the emotion
I crave your
intimate kiss
I require the passion
that fills my heart
To witness your beauty
is an honor
An embrace
of carnal pleasure
gives rise to
my lasting love
for exclusively you.

O chronic PAIN
I rebuke the evil
you inflict
upon my body
I refuse drugs
that disguise
your symptoms
and mask
your lingering ailments
You do not
control me
I will get stronger
through hard work
proper nutrition
and prayer
PAIN
I own you
I break your grip
and free myself.

Are you of
SUBSTANCE?
can we relate
Can we converse
and trigger dialogue
that compels
Is your
SUBSTANCE
linear based or
free flowing
Are you just words
spread about
like a deck of cards
thrown to the floor
Is your
SUBSTANCE
real or common BS
are you true blue
Fill me with wisdom
shape my understanding
open my mind
give me
SUBSTANCE.

I put my lips together
and slowly exhale
melodies ensue that
mimic an original tune

******* in my mouth
as my cheeks bellow
like Dizzy Gillespie
to obtain max volume

A single blade of grass
can resonate a simple
reverberating sound
that tickles the lips

The classic tongue
and teeth method
at any sporting event
creates fandemonium

Much like an instrument
a WHISTLE can serenade
call your favorite pet
or disrespect any female

We Whistle to pass the time
we do it to express glee
we WHISTLE to move traffic
we do it to feel free.

AKA soda in some
corners of the world
you will remain
POP to me

Your carbonated
sweet goodness
of eclectic flavors
tickles my tongue

That blast of caffeine
to lift my sluggish day
or mellow fruity blend
to cool my palate

I mix you into my
vanilla ice cream and
change your complexion
and your reborn

Bottled or canned
I love you ice cold
sweat dripping from you
on a warm summer day.

You are so smooth
and rhythmic
cool and playful
deep and dark

Your haunting
chords can move
me to tear or lift
me to places of glory

I need you to fill me
and make me dream
of places never seen
and loves of the past

Close your eyes and
listen
feel it from head to toe
listen in a quiet place

Play it proudly
without reservation
feel it from head to toe
listen to that JAZZ.

Designing my life
was by choice
and the BLUEPRINT
was obscurely lost

Is this what I
decided to be
the changes are many
with highs and lows

Blood spilled,
sweat drenched
with crocodile tears
yet I press on

My BLUEPRINT
was rewritten and
destroyed several times over
yet I press on

Pages will turn in the
new chapters of my life
and this remains key...
don't be afraid to fail

Sometime you need to
walk through open doors
and often times
they need to be kicked in.

I still see your face
as I sleep in a restless peace
We gaze into one another's eyes
like it was always the first time
We loved in secret
and later openly without regard
forever against the world
A lasting connection that transcends
true love as the vacuum
of us was greater than all
So young we were, but found
our way back and still
our timing was fleeting
We can never recapture that spark
as you were that dream
that I could never conquer
that far reaching love
that could never be attained
Destiny... we had it all
however you required what
you were told was more
Just like me, you failed
and remain unhappy
Time will tell, but the
FIRST LOVE will remain
first, but certainly not last.

If you could change the world
where would you begin?
Would you end all hunger
Would you promote peace
Would you invent life beneficial products
Would you spread love

If you could change the world
Would you give everyone your fortune
Would you preach the Word to all
Would you change life through music
Would you provide healthcare to all
Would you?

I lift my EYES
to appear not to leer at her chest
the trunk which she carries her valuables
is beaten and tattered

I double take with my EYES
and lock on her rear end
As fins on the old Cadillac
flair like none other ever made.

My wandering EYES
are fixed on her ******* frame
the cabriolet  matches
her pristine interior to a T.

There is something to say
when it comes to being silent
We exist to evoke our opinions
often without valid thought

We act up and act out
proving nothing but making noise
Ego driven beings of little substance
we reduce ourselves to zero

BE STILL and listen
BE STILL and understanding
BE STILL and quiet
BE STILL and love.

I need to go back in time
when family was family
communities where tight knit
and church lasted all day Sunday

You know... back in the day
when disputes were decided
with fists and not guns
and meals shared at the table

Once in a while
on any given weekend
we'd pile in the sedan
for a classic SUNDAY DRIVE

No GPS or directions to guide us
just following the open road
no seat belts or airbags
free spirits in every essence

I miss the road games
I miss the family time
I miss those good old days
I miss that SUNDAY DRIVE.

Parsed upon a river bank
the north shore
as the confluence
gathers and flows...
swift as the Stratus clouds above
I attempt to find the meaning
of everything
Just one of those lazy
summer day
with time on my hands
speculation abounds
as my INTERJECTIONS
ring true in my head
I surmise nothing
yet proclaim to the
realization
that
nothing
will ever be the same
we move forward
we grow and learn
that is the extreme constant
Rolling with the punches
will lessen the burden
of changing times
We have no choice but
to adapt
or be left behind
See clear the way
of your short life
cherish it
live it
and
love it.

Frustration continues to mount
as our communication lines
get crossed once again
I say right and you hear...
left
Drama is incorporated
into everyday life
a senseless lesson in futility
I say her and your all consuming
jealous mind
assumes that her is chasing me
I need to EXHALE at times
relax and be patient
I love you and only you
however
common ground is needed
understanding is warranted
and listening is essential.

When we see racism...
be BIGGER
stand up to the bully
When we witness crime...
be BIGGER
be that snitch and level justice
When we see hunger...
be BIGGER
feed a soul that is in need
When another needs help...
be BIGGER
give what you can in aid
When a child need mentoring...
be BIGGER
give of your knowledge
When your mate needs compassion...
be BIGGER
be silent and give love.

Morning glory of love inspired
by waking to your angelic being
The honor of your presence
lying close to me, reveals passion

As my hands caress you effortlessly
gliding across your silky frame
I see you for what you are to me
my muse, my woman and my love

--------------  FLIP SIDE  --------------

Another day of hell is looming
upon opening my eyes to this stark view
Why are you still here, I ask myself
when near you I cringe in despair

Touching you is furthest from my mind
as the true passion is dead
I see you for who you really are
an adulteress, a scheming witch and a royal B.

Words give life to a blank page
deeply etched for eternity

The few I poses
are golden...
OLD FRIENDS
are always there

The comforting shoulder
a bent ear
and sounding board
one who doesn't judge

A great lunch buddy
and small savings & loan
Loving guidance giver
the one who keeps it real

OLD FRIENDS
are not always
best friends, but
they know us like none other

They offer a place to stay
when you need time away
Often distant for years, yet
a call can remedy elapsed time.