I use to read mysteries
with such  glee
Nancy Drew always
found the clues  
whodunits
wrapped up
in x amount of pages
with wailing police sirens
hauling
some miscreant off
just before that  last page is turned
whereas my story’s end
is still
Nowhere
in plain sight.

I use to know  
is long gone
dripped off
the blade ‘s
first stroke
blood stains
never  washed
away
just covered
with  steel.

1.Downpour

Rain submerges
every patch of back yard
greedy drains divert
suburban rivers towards
concrete paths
barely skirting
pool and pond
another layer of paint
washes off stunned gnomes.


2. A Mini Vacation

from the blazing sun
allows the chaste tree
to push out it’s long overdue
blooms with a view.


3. Cloud Cover

Gray drizzles through my day
letting only the flowers
lap up
hidden sunshine.

no longer relevant
noisily devoured  
by a gaping hole
stuffed to capacity
then shoveled
into a bin
marked for permanent exile
an anonymous
paper trail
that use to lead
to my life.

to languish
without a care
like a spot–bellied hound  
under a potted tangerine tree
solitary fruit
still ripening
        dangles
in the mellowed October sun.

Fragrant melon thunks
as mallet
rips
through rind
exposing sweet smashed flesh



Ceiling high dishes
teeter perilously
while soap suds froth
on the tv screen


Dust no better
stirred up
than lying down


Copper helmet
atop bookshelf
stands guard
keeps books
in order


Fragrant
brewing java
fills senses with
boundless joy


Bacteria breeds
in crevices
separation of socks and briefs
essential