.

I have noticed her for weeks now,
this same coffee shop,
the same table, the same time each day

I am taken by her beauty, the way she smiles
and sips her coffee, Irish cream I believe,
reading her ipad intently, enjoying herself it seems

I have found myself daydreaming about her,
her wonderful brown hair, not really knowing what
has come over me, there is just something about her

I have wanted to approach her, but I’m not sure how
So I decided today I would write a poem on one of these napkins
and leave it on the table before she walks in, hoping she finds it

This is what I wrote:

For the girl with chocolate brown hair

Far of lonely breaths I breathe
Upon yon smile enchanting so
O’er these moments to believe
Gazing soft enchanting aglow

Of this chance I long to feel
Soft the touch of feathered lips
For my love can not conceal
Lo' the brush of fingertips

Take these words which I have penned
‘pon this paper meant for you
Keep them close as they do send
My poetic feelings true

It’s almost time, here she comes…
My god she is beautiful, I can feel my heart racing,
it is about to beat out of my chest, I’m shaking

She sits down and takes a sip of coffee, turns on her ipad…
come on…it’s right there, in front, wait, she sees it, she sees the poem
She is reading it and that gorgeous smile appears again

Scanning the shop, she notices me watching, smiling at her
Nodding at me she folds the napkin and places it in her purse
then motions for me to join her, my nerves are going crazy

‘Hi, did you write this poem for me?” she asks. “I did,” I answer
“I love it, it is so beautiful.” Then she removes a napkin from her purse
and hands it to me saying, “I wrote this for you.” I unfold it...

She has handed me the most beautiful poem I have ever seen
and then whispers, “I have noticed you for weeks, the same table,
the same time…I just didn’t know how to approach you, so I…”

-

I am trying to find an
easy way to describe
how I am feeling right now

I could say it is like tides going out
never again returning to shore

or

as if the sun has set permanently
leaving the world in darkness

or

it feels every minute seems
twice as long than the last

or

I am more empty than a
bank lobby on a holiday

or

I could just say
I miss you…so very much

That would be the easiet thing to say

.

I found the sun
in a peppermint sky
wrapped in tin foil laughs,
it was wandering by

It looked down at me
and it noticed my frown
painted just like a smile
but it sat upside down

It called me by name
and it asked "why so blue,
when you know that dark green
is my favorite too"

I made an excuse
out of lily pad streams,
telling him I was fine,
but I know how it seems

Then he pointed a ray
that fell bright on my heart,
telling me that the truth
was a great place to start

"Ok, I will tell you
but listen quite clear
I am walking alone
because she isn't here"

He then turned to a page
in his sun dial book
and said, "She's right behind you,
go on take a look"

I spun and I saw her,
her beauty now shone
Like my friend overhead,
I was not all alone

"She loves you," he whispered
so soft on a beam
I hugged her and kissed her,
it felt like a dream

We sat on a hill
and looked over the land
and I somehow believed
this was part of his plan

We watched as he moved
like a gem through the skies,
and bid him farewell
till tomorrow's sunrise

Then promised each other
we would always be one,
whether cloudy or rainy
or beneath the sun

Still I miss my old friend,
as this day turns to night
But I'm here with my love
and my whole world is bright

~
It is pouring here, very hard,
the clouds are unloading
and the streets are flooding,

and I can tell,
by the constant rumble of thunder
that the rain is ******
because it knows it is no match
for these teardrops
falling from my eyes

What a strange feeling
to win and lose…
at the same time

.

I can barely count the miles
of criss-crossed asphalt,
painted lanes in all directions,

barbed wire fences
creating corn field quilts
in endless mosaic patterns,

rivers winding and unwinding
beneath bridges spanning
picket fence neighborhoods and cities,

stop signs and detour barricades
shifting the flow around *** holes
and borders patrolled

My eyes blur of chalk marked sidewalks,
hopscotch squares washed out by storms
which have found me lost more than once

The distance seems unyielding, a formidable foe
to this dream repeating in my mind
of the moment we finally meet

Still I keep walking, wondering
will worn out shoes and 99 cent burgers,
be enough fuel for this destination

Regardless, I shall not stop
until I reach you, falling exhausted,
finally into your arms, into your heart

.

The day closes
behind a screen door
branded with a bread label,
yellows and blues,
blues how appropriate
as I stand here, sore feet,
tired muscles watching the shadows
play in circles on the lawn

Two cats sleep on the porch
as if this day was like all others
with cloud formations
in unrecognizable shapes,
claiming another victory
with a blade and a sun beam,
both glistening in defiant smiles

While on wings of gossamer weavings,
beyond the crested and fallen snow,
she flies like the wind,
touching me in all areas,
engulfing me with her presence,
lifting me so that my existence
is only hers, and that is how it should

I whistle a happy tune
though this happiness, this poetry
is weighing on those who read
and even those who don't
which number many more
in counted blank margins,
straight line columns of silence

Still I reach, hoping for something
which takes a back seat to the others
who prove more talent, more resolve
in crafted words spelling that relief,
poetry that breaths in the soft reflections
desired in these eyes now weary...

the day closes...

_

Messages may just be words
In phrases that we share
But every time I write it is
To show how much I care

It may seem such a little thing
So many people write
But when I send these words to you
It brings me such delight

I know there are a lot of words
Sent to your world each day
Your followers are every where
With other things to say

But please know I appreciate
The time you spend with me
Sending emails back and forth
That I can’t wait to see

I don’t need anybody else
It’s you that makes me smile
When I receive those messages
In your amazing style

At times I’ll write a poem
Then I’ll post it on this site
In hopes that you will read it
Thinking of me on that night

I guess this is another one
These verses that I pen
They’re written so that you will see
And understand again

That you are all I’ll ever need
My love for you is true
That’s why I just can’t stop myself
From writing these to you

Why?

Why do you deny yourself
something you’ve wanted
for so long?

Why do you run from dreams
even when you see
they can come true?

Why do you ignore the words
coming from your heart
when it is pleading with you?

Why do you hide from happiness
knowing it is waiting
to bring a smile to your face?

Why do you abandon love
that touches every part of you
in its truest form?

Why don’t you do something
for you?

Why do I keep asking myself these questions?

Why am I asking you?

~

*I looked down at my piano,
eighty-eight black and white keys
inviting me to sit down and play,
but I just closed the lid
and could almost hear
their melodic crying
over my own tears,
as I walked away

To me
Every moon beam
Every blooming flower
Every blue sky
Every soft beach
Every calm breeze
Every longed for kiss
Every happy ending
Every red balloon
Every happy moment
Every silent thought
Every spring day
Every butterfly
Every surprise
Every rainbow
Every shaded path
Every sunset
Every shooting star
Every meandering stream
Every new snowfall
Every Sunday drive
Every enchanting vista
Every ripe delicious apple
Every picnic in the park
Every work of art
Every poem
Every tender hug
Every desired gaze
Every ocean wave
Every smile
Every excited cheer
Every refreshing glass of water
Every hearty laugh
Every pristine lake
Every splash in a puddle
Every golden meadow
Every coin in a fountain
Every porch swing on a summer evening
Every sunrise
Every word
Every sentence
Every paragraph
Every dew drop
Every slow dance
Every waterfall
Every candlelit dinner
Every song
Every heartbeat
Every sweet fragrance
Every quiet whisper
Every firefly glow
Every beautiful dream
Every eyes closed wish
Every special secret
Every sunny weekend
Every quaint café
Every glazed donut
Every opened door
Every carousel ride
Every new leaf
Every breath
Every ice cream sundae
Every joyful celebration
Every minute of every hour of every day…
Is you

~

The melodic
  beat of
      your heart
  is the perfect
      rhythm of the
    beautiful  
         love song
       forever playing
          in my
             *dreams

.

Lately I have lost time…
minutes and hours,
moments of the day pass by
without notice

I arrive at places not knowing
how I got there
I have held conversations
but can’t recall speaking

Watched the sun rise in the morning
and then set again that afternoon,  
unable to remember
anything in between

Found myself wondering
where has the day gone,
what have I been doing,
it seems like nothing

Except constantly thinking about us,
these wonderful daydreams
of you and me…
what we could be doing

Days at the beach, candle lit dinners
walks in the park, quiet nights at home,
holding hands in the moonlight,
skipping stones at the lake

Dancing until dawn, morning coffee,
kissing on the veranda, sleeping in,
making love in the rain, counting stars,
falling for each other over and over again…

There, you see, it has happened again,
I just wrote this poem, I think  
and my only recollection is
another moment lost in thoughts of you

-

Crazed beyond this fragile manuscript
  ink now bled out in caustic flow
emptying my mind of the clutter
  pouring from a heart beat’s mechanism
grinding gears of rusted thoughts
  handwriting illegibly unrecognizable
scratched into burned edge parchment
  pleading for destinations
across borderlines and wastelands
  calloused fingers write…poetry
between broken dishes and *** luck cuss words
  folded, creased and left lying on the desk
gathering defiant dust particles
  behind the barricaded door
of cranial creativity
                                     seeping

~

I dreamt I was a leaf
at the far end of a branch
in this old red apple tree
feeling my grip weaken,
I worried what would happen
if I fell

As the winds blew harder,
twisting and turning me
I felt myself letting go,
and what I had feared, happened...
I began falling, I felt helpless,
caught in the breeze,
floating frantically back and forth
and I was scared

I didn't know what waited below,
what would become of me
now that I had lost the security
of my tree where I had lived
my entire life, I was sure it was
all over for me

Until I landed gracefully,
smooth and gentle,
coming to rest in the grass,
feeling the soft green lawn
caressing me, holding me
and I felt love, like I have
never before felt

I was no longer afraid,
for I knew I was now
where I have always belonged
and as I awaken from my dream,
to find you next to me, I think…
had I known you were the lawn,
I would have fallen for you
*a long time ago

-

Trying to dance in a sawdust enclosure
Finding the moon disappears on this night
Hearing a song though there’s nobody playing
Asking the stars if they’re wrong or they’re right

Taking a drink from a glass now half empty
Quenching my thirst on a warm summer’s eve
Sharing a glance with a mirrored reflection
Someone I know or at least I believe

When through the door walks a beautiful lady
Dressed all in white with a belt made of gold
Kicks off her shoes as she starts heading towards me
This is a story about to be told

Now in my arms as she moves very graceful
Floating on air is now just how it seems
Lips painted red how I wish I could taste them
I hope I’m awake for this feels like a dream

Spinning around as the world is now watching
Following steps that I easily trace
Slowly we slide ‘cross this dance floor of heaven
Long ago moments so soon to erase

We are like breaths sighed in harmonic whispers
Effortless motions so silent and free
Like wearing wings made of gossamer feathers
Such is the feeling awash over me

Falling in love with this wonderful woman
Something about her just touches me so
Hot coffee hair and her eyes nearly matching
Holding her close as to never let go

When just as quick I now find her departing
Why must she leave on an evening like this
A brush of my cheek with her fingers so gentle
Then with a smile she gives me a kiss

Watching the door as it closes behind her
Feeling my heart now is breaking in two
Then as she soars neath the glow of a halo
Blinking my eyes, can’t believe this is true

A few things I know as I stare out the window
I’m still not lucky at love or romance
That woman in white was all I have prayed for,
And I’ve now paid the devil his due…

to teach me to dance

'

Here seeking shelter from nature’s born fury
Standing alone on the ground as it swells
Rising this river to flood bounded glory
Bringing the gloom of its rain induced spells

Drenched in a moment of desperate hours
Closing my eyes in the face of the pour
Clinging to heights, falling prey to the showers
Digging in deep as I can’t take much more

Fearing my life as the walls start to crumble
Mortar and stone fade away forth the storm
Thundering skies speak in voices a’ rumble
Sinister sounds beneath clouds that now form

When in the distance my eyes find a gleaming
Flowing white gown of embroidered attire
Casting the waters in fingertip dreaming
Beaming of sun on a windswept desire

Rose petal sails full abloom on this river
Taming the waves of a heart nearly broke
Sending my smile on an un-ending quiver
Hearing the echoes of love as they’re spoke

There in her eyes is a safety now waiting
Arms open wide as I reach for her hand
Straight to my stead westward flows navigating
My footing escapes as I no longer stand

Falling in deep I find darkness surrounding
Gasping for breath as the end it does call
Gazing the depths with my pulse loudly pounding
Longing her touch now to capture my fall

Drifting in silence of wishes found needing
So very close was my dream almost true
When in a flash now the waters receding
Breaking the surface, enchanting the view

And as I breathe in the air’s sweetened flavour
Merely her touch sends my mind in a spin
Caught in the whirl of a goddess to savour
Now I do feel my heart beat once again

Lifting, she pulls me from seas overflowing
Holding me close neath the heavens above
Gently a kiss brings her light to me glowing
*Endlessly now I shall drown in her love

_

Where was the sun when I went chasing shadows
Hiding behind something else I did see
Lost in illusions of minds carved so narrow
Painting a darkness now following me

Whispering sorrow in words they did splatter
Saying “I’m sorry” again and again
Still standing back between walls made of plaster
Crumbling quick, hoping patches will mend

Always the same even while pleading difference
Dressed in a cloak of a smoke screen display
Smiles abound with a sneer freshly hidden
Pulled from the shelf of this worded display

Fooling the masses in moments retreading
Pieces of promises glued into place
Pointing a finger at mirrors now broken
Fragments ignored as it shows their own face

Why can’t we lead with the best of examples
Hold out our hand when we find one who cries
Where was the sun when I went chasing shadows
Shining its light on a new set of skies

-

When caught of wretched moaning shrill
and rusted fence in spite
Where creatures stalk and blood shall spill
this wicked August night

Does call the wind in grand charade
of noises gripping sound
Beyond the weeds of sharpened blade
now crushed upon the ground

For as your eyes do cast your fear
with ridicule the seed
And cry your shining empty tear
for clemency you plead

Feel these fingers swiping firm,
flesh in tattered strands
Matters not how much you squirm
or pray with folded hands

When terror forms your face to bear
this crooked smile sneers
Clenching tight your matted hair
as breath soon disappears

Drenched of sweat and splashing mud
from footprints as you flee
Listen close the echoed thud
of nothing you can see

Languish deep with sorrowed call
these thoughts a’ roam your head
This night shall cackle at your fall
and drink when you are dead

~

I mistook
the sea for
the sky while
it slumbered
mid the garden
where I was
dreaming
*in poetry

-

I ran out of words
so I stopped at the store
and searched every aisle and row

Pushing my cart
with a wobbling wheel
just trying to keep with the flow

Chocolate chip cookies,
a magazine stand,
broom handles right over there

Two percent milk,
light bulbs and duct tape,
prices galore to compare

But there were no words
at least none I could use
to write you a poem today

No phrases on sale,
not a verse on the shelf
or flowery thoughts on display

So I bought a pen
and a Big Chief notebook,
there was nothing else I could do

And I scribbled these words
as I walked to my car
that simply said I do love you

I am here

I am here,
standing on this lonely street corner,
reading the graffiti
spray painted on my heart

Stuck in this concrete sidewalk
where we carved our initials,
unable to move, nor do I want to
seeing a lighted signal stuck on “Don’t Walk”

A street light glares as if happy
with the lost dog ads taped to its body
Hoping to find a missing loved one
and I know how they feel

My cardboard sign reading,
“I will love you forever”
is met with strange ****** expressions
and tooting horns

Yet here I wait, hoping, praying
you will come around that corner
A smile on your face,
pulling to the curb saying, “Hop on in”

And I always will be
if you ever need me, want me again,
standing here, arms open wide
right where you left me

~

For what is offered,
what is sold
I hold you still this painful night

Of shuttered blinds
and canceled glare
safe harbor from the screaming light

I shall not move
a muscle lone
for fear that I might wake your sleep

Your breath is warm
in tethered sense
these shadows that we linger deep

In silent thought
to stay the plan
no whispers form upon the wind

Until the time
your smile brings
an answer to my heart again

So in my arms
this evening lie
till agony does take its leave

For I shall never
leave your side
in this my promise, do believe

Now rest my love
in slumbered fill
beneath these covers, warming blend

To find that I am
holding you
*until the sunrise comes again

~

Where is that forest
where we chased fireflies,
breaking branches
so we could find our way out,
dipping our feet in the stream
as tadpoles ran for cover
neath lily pads
blooming in yellow…

we held hands
and it brought tingling
shivers to my skin
as sunlight shining
through the thick
green canopy
glistened on your
white sundress
and your smile…

laughter and
shadows on
fallen pine needles
followed us as we ran,
looking for fairies
ducking for cover
behind that old oak tree
where you kissed me
for the very first time…

the sun set
and you were scared
of the dark and
I put my arm around you
keeping you warm,
promising every thing
would be okay,
telling you I would
never let anything
happen to you,
and it didn’t

Where is that forest,
hopefully forever
in your heart,
*as it is mine

-

I’ve collected words my entire life,
a little here and a little there
Kept them grouped in files
in my already congested mind,
just in case I ever needed them

Some files contain long words
and some shorter varieties
I have a flowery group, a rhyming group
and a very sad group
(which I hope to never have to use)

The large file is my connection collection,
Words like a, as, the, and, so, they, if, of, etc.
You know, those tiny words we use
everyday without really thinking about them,
yep, I keep those too

There’s an angry collection (including cuss words)
which happily is much smaller than
the cheerful collection,
Humor is in there as well,
along with apologetic words

And then there is the smallest file
I kept in a very special place
This file contained only
three words which I saved
for that special day when I met you

And now that I have, they have been used
over and over and over again
so that you know exactly how I feel
Those words are…
I love you

.

In the wind
Shimmering
Soft the sunlight caresses your hair
In golden beams
Of breathlessness
Blended sure and sensual
A touch of love
Upon my face
To leave but this, and endless trace
I cry my dreams
Of often spent
In days my eyes do find

Love invades this longing
Of gentle soft lips
Upon my own
It is my heart that calls
Comforts
Craves you with eternal flame
If only to speak your name
I breathe, my breath
Is because of you
Tenderly I want
I need, I require
Your love is my desire

Dreams
Sifting on a twilight breeze
Calmly, silently
Whispers on a clouded mist
Formed beyond my window
As I peer
Desperately
For but a glimpse of the beauty
Captured within
My visions of you
Eternal
My view

Take this man
Of lonely means
Wandering of sorted roads
For this I offer
Undying love
With each beat of my heart
More rapidly so
Steadily
Of true affection which showers
Upon you forever
Nourishing
My destiny
You and me

~

So you think all I can write is romantic poetry,
flowery, affection infused, soft and silky
poems that sing in sensual symphonies,
well that is not the case I can assure you
I can write poetry on many topics and themes
any time I want to…

Sure, I am in love with the most amazing
woman in the world, with hypnotic maple eyes
and a smile that could light up the
dark side of the moon, one who makes my mornings,
like this beautiful Sunday, my reason
to wake happily each day

And yes, I find beauty in everything I see,
from an enchanting honeysuckle sunrise
to a euphoric star draped twilight sky
on a warm spring evening as fireflies
linger in the cool breeze and we sit together
mesmerized by our desires…

And of course I enjoy a whispering ocean,
melodic waves of turquoise and aquamarine
gently lapping upon a satin shore
in harmony with crystal azure skies
as my love and I walk along
leaving footprint mosaics in the sand…

But that doesn’t mean all I can write
is romantic poetry…I can write about other things
anytime I want to…
and I will…pretty soon…maybe tomorrow,
well tomorrow is not a good day for me,
*maybe the next, but you’ll see….

-

Tear drops fall as I reach,
let me hold those for you
my hands need the moisture
and your cheeks are beautiful already

Love your dress, but your sadness
contrasts with the color
can I borrow your sorrow for a while,
you can keep the dress, it looks good on you

Outside is a sidewalk with a smile on it
well, it depends on which direction you are walking
walk this way, the other way you will see a frown
like yours, this way waits a smile, like mine

There’s a heart repair shop on the corner as well,
what do you say? I’ve collected the pieces of yours,
want to give it a shot? I hear they are pretty good,
they have one day service…

Not working huh? Then just take my hand,
the one with the pen in it and I will write you a poem
on a tissue you can use to dry those tears
when I succeed in getting your smile to reappear

*because I will

~

What is it that always brings
my thoughts back to you,
which seems a strange thing to ask
because they never seem to leave
regardless of what I might see
during the many hours
of my day

Open or closed eyes,
heat of the moment
or laid back and relaxed,
it is you that I am always
thinking about

Traffic jams stacked
with blowing horns,
exhaust fumes
and frustrated fist shakes
or slow drives on country roads,
windows down
on a cool spring day
with the radio playing

Long check out lines
at the super market
corralling crying children
(close to the candy)
fighting over the best seat
in the shopping cart
or a quick in and out
at a convenience store
for a cold six pack
and a bag of chips

Work, (need I say more)
which requires a certain
amount of concentration,
attending meetings and
going over spread sheets
or a day off piddling
around the workshop
building or fixing something
that doesn't really need to be
built or fixed

No matter what occupies my day
it is always you who occupies my mind
So, what is it that always brings
my thoughts back to you…
well, I guess my thoughts of you
would have to leave once in a while
for me to figure that one out