~

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

-

I’m in a new city at a club close to your office,  
sitting at a table, wondering what you will think of me
The bar is crowded, happy hour is in full swing
but basically a blur to me as I watch the front door intently,  
every person entering makes my heart skip a nervous beat

I check my watch, again…5:16
It should be any moment now, I hope
Another sip of my drink, my second this afternoon,
needing a third I think, maybe not when the door opens,
I see you walk in, I think it’s you

Gorgeous brown eyes scan the place
as I wave slightly hoping you see, recognize me
You do and I stand clumsily almost spilling my glass
I can’t contain my smile as yours illuminates the room,
you are more beautiful than the photos

A thousand frantic butterflies invade my stomach
and my knees feel weak, it is finally happening  
I smooth my hair with my hand, a stupid habit
Moving towards you, I can’t stop staring, you are so beautiful
Time has switched to slow motion

So long I have waited for this, so very long
to meet you in person, gaze into your eyes,
touch you and know you are real
I weave through the partying patrons
and reaching you I say “Hi.”

Hi? I had this perfect dialogue planned,
It was so romantic and all I can get out is hi? How pathetic is that?
I wait what seems like forever for your response
You reply “Hi.” It is the sweetest sound I have ever heard,
as the place now has gone quiet to me except for your voice

“I have a table over here,” and sweating like a high school kid
on his first prom, I lead you to our seats
I am still staring, I can’t stop “Can I get you something?”
You take my hand and whisper, “ I have everything I need now”
I melt right where I sit and realize, I am falling in love all over again…

-

Come let’s follow the path
to a heart beat in blossom
Dance in the streets
of a new foreign town

Drink to the evening
with moon beams now swaying
Under the stars
when there’s no one around

Singing a song
to a melody’s whimper
Sigh on the eve
of our first kiss delight

Walk hand in hand
down the road to forever
Sit by the ocean
be one with the night

Cling to a dream
we’ll relive in the morning
Capture the breeze
that does tickle your hair

Swim in the love
that now washes our bodies
Find everyday
*is a new one to share

-

After work we meet for a drink
I’m as nervous as I can be
I want so badly to kiss her
She was right there across from me

Tonight was the very first time
And all I could do was stare
When she spoke, I heard sweet music
Like love songs flew through the air

Here in the booth of this crowded bar
One or two drinks break the ice
I'm wanting so badly to kiss him
I'll bet it would feel really nice

Rock n roll blasting behind me
Lights turned down low, very dim
I'm hoping they'll play something slow soon
So that I can dance slowly with him

I should just lean over and kiss her
But what if she gets upset
I don’t want to ruin the evening
That I would truly regret

Finally a slow song is playing
This might be my only chance
I reach for her hand and I take it
Then ask her “Would you like to dance?”

My heart starts to race at his touch
I let myself get carried away
I follow him onto the dance floor
Where our bodies so close start to sway

His arms hold me tightly close to him
My arms hold him just the same
I feel his lips brush past my ear
Then his voice softly whisper my name

Her fragrance is so mesmerizing
Her touch makes my smile ignite
Dancing with her on this evening
Oh what a beautiful night

The feel of her arms wrapped around me
As we move slow across the floor
I sing to her now as we’re dancing
You are the one I adore

I think I am falling in love
I can't think what else this could be
Butterflies inside my belly
My knees start to feel very weak

My eyes meet his for a moment
When he stopped for a moment to look
Now I'm lost in his eyes forever
That moment is all that it took

So many months we’ve been talking
Now finally we get to meet
I’m holding the girl of my dreams in my arms
I feel my heart skipping a beat

My heart is now beating much faster
Never knew it’d feel something like this
I’m in love with this beautiful woman
A dream that I still haven’t kissed

We both want this moment to happen
Up onto my toes I lift for a kiss
His lips open up to meet me
Finally knowing all I had missed

My lips part a little bit more
His mouth covers mine with his
I feel his tongue brushing mine
Never has it felt good as this

I must have landed in heaven
Her lips feel so soft and divine
Now feeling like we are both flying
I can not believe she is mine

We’re soaring high over the dance floor
We spin in the breezes above
That’s just how this moment is feeling
As head over heels I’m in love

~

Off in a cabin set deep in the woods
Next to a lake where the fishing does thrive
The opposite shore is another the same
Someone is there, there’s a car in the drive

I hope they are quiet and keep to themselves
I really needed this time for so long
There is some movement, the door opens up
Wow, she is gorgeous, maybe I am wrong  

Off in a cabin set deep in the woods
Where the deer and the squirrels do roam
Across a small lake, a cabin like mine
It appears there is somebody home

A man stands ashore with his hand to his eyes
Squinting, the sun is so bright
He's looking my way, so I give him a wave
I'm glad I won't be alone here tonight

I think she is waving, yes, I’m sure she is
A nice fishing pole in her hand
I start waving back with a smile on my face
This was not part of my plan

That is a problem, I have to admit
I planned this alone, that is true
But here in the woods with a beautiful girl
And it seems that she likes fishing too

Smiling real big, he hops in his boat
Making his way to my side
"Hi there" he says, "he's so handsome" I think
"I'm going fishing, would you like a ride?"

I’d love to of course but I’ve just now arrived
“Would you like to come in for a while?
I just need to unpack and have a quick bite”
“Let me help you” he offers with a smile

I gather her bag from out of the car
And set it just inside the door
The fishing can wait, we’ve plenty of time
There’s something else now to explore

She’s wearing shorts and a light emerald T
And green Converse All-Stars that match
I never thought as I drove up today
Something this perfect I’d catch

I think he looks a bit familiar,
Is it possible that he might be
The same boy I kissed that summer
When I turned seventeen

I turn to unpack my groceries
Not over thinking things much
When the tap on my shoulder startles me
I jump in his arms, and our lips gently touch  

I really didn’t mean to frighten her
But it was so cute to hear her yelp
And her lips, I think I have felt them before
“Just wondering if I can help?”

She hasn’t let go and neither have I
I stare in her gorgeous brown eyes
And then I remember that time long ago
It’s her, I just realized

He recognizes me now, what does he think
I can feel my face start to blush
I hold onto him still, it feels good in his arms
I could leave but there's no need to rush

The chemistry is there, after all these years
I want to be alone with him here so much
He's grown tall and handsome, into a man
Now I'm dreaming of kisses and such

I never imagined I’d see her again
And definitely not in this way
But now that I have her right here in my arms
I’m thinking right here I will stay

I kiss her again and she doesn’t pull back
It’s much more than I could be wishing
It lasts for a while and that’s okay with me
Who cares if we ever go fishing?

-

I tried to count the minutes
but I ran out of time
So I’ll just write this poem,
forcing out a rhyme

When will it start to happen
just like I’ve heard them say
Will it begin tomorrow
or several months away

The emptiness keeps growing,
this pain within my heart
I can’t believe the ending,
remembering the start

I just can’t stop the crying,
my face now drenched in tears
Staring at a future
filled with lonely years

How does it become easy
when all I want to do
Is wake up every morning,
a sunny day with you

But now my days are cloudy,
the rain keeps falling down
Where once I wore a smile,
holds nothing but a frown

Every day is different,
though all are just the same
I stare off to the distance
calling out your name

They say it will get easier,
just wait and you will see
I don’t want to see anything
if you’re not here with me

Life now has no meaning,
darkness comes to call
Weakness is my shadow
on my knees I fall

I tried, but I can’t say that
my broken heart is fine
So I’ll just write this poem
forcing out a rhyme

.

Down this pathway lush and green
Along a winding brook
Dragonflies on cattails play
Come on, let’s take a look

I heard it’s just around the bend
Take my hand, we’ll see
The place where fairies sing at night
Beneath an old oak tree

Sometimes I wonder,
When the wee fairies blink
Do they twinkle like stars
What do you think?

There! Do you see?!
Upon the pad of a lily
A fraggle of fairies
All acting silly!

I see, I see, right over there
With wings of precious gold
Dancing now the sun has set
I guess the truth was told

How many are there, can you see?
It looks to me like eight
I wonder when they’ll start to sing
It’s getting kind of late

I hear the sound of wind chimes
The song is about to start
There upon her lily stage
A fairy opens her heart

The sound of sweet enchantment
A love charm and a spell
I think this song is meant for us
I don't know how, but I can tell

You’re right, I hear her singing
A precious fairy tune
I feel the same way you do
Out here beneath the moon

You must know what this means
It's time I had that kiss
Under stars and moon, in forest Green
*Magic and love, abundant bliss

~

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

~

A pale orange glow
slips past the darkness
in soft patterns
of a waking dawn

I hold you close,
nestled to my chest
watching as you sleep,
enchanted by your beauty

Slow tempo’d breathing
lulls me sweetly as
your eyelids flutter,
gradually opening

You see me and smile,
that beautiful smile
I look forward to each day,
I return the gesture

I kiss you tenderly,
feeling my lips melt
into yours as my heart
once again skips a beat

“Good morning beautiful”
I whisper as I kiss you again
then sigh, gazing upon you,
knowing I am a fortunate man

And I just lie there
wide awake and in love
at the start of another
*wonderful day

~

My flower, my precious one
to know your love
in the drifted rise of dawn and
honeysuckle flower
is to dream euphoric splendour
in the middle twilight glare,
the whispers of moonbeams
on incandescent sky star,
to breathe the breeze effervescent
flowing on the windswept
fields of petals of sunflower
under enchanting blue sky wishes,
to fall without cease in the love
beyond the borders of the north and
faltering horizons
of a desperate distant desire
My flower, my precious one
to know your love
is to know a world does exist
*for us only

If poetic ink indeed flows from the heart
taking to its walk on scattered stones
Where there is no blurring of pathways,
directions are defined,
thoughts collect in either
ponds or puddles, then

Some you will find lead to a sunrise
where joy thrives in fragrant wishes,
drinking all that is beautiful
in cupped hands glistening,
overflowing with happiness,
if streaming from a heart in love

While some will crawl to an ending
beneath rain dispersing clouds,
weeping in sorrowed words,
laying waste in the darkness,
when escaping from the cracks
of a heart broken

I have been asked
why is my poetry so depressing,
I hope this answers your question

.

Waste on the water
Barges to sink
Hands holding anchors
Words on the brink

Pens overflowing
Nobody sees
Losing one’s talent
Aiming to please

Reading the buoy
Up and down lines
Drowned in the moonlight
Dodging the mines

Hoping for rescue
Shells on the shore
Merely a like
Nothing much more

Energy spending
Doesn’t make sense
Empty eyes staring
At the expense

Waves keep on crashing
Sand on the street
Write out another
Frown and repeat

Lungs fill with water
Maybe it’s best
No one will notice
The end of the quest

~

On breezes of nighttime surrender,
  neath apple blossom blooms
Delicate wisps of fragrant sighs
  linger in sunrise wanderings,
   as dawn’s awakening
       breathes supple desires
   upon eyes opened
         to the glowing love
             *of a new found day

I landed on the fairway
Down the center it did go
Oh wait that's someone else's ball
You'd think by now I'd know

Out here on the green
Cloudy skies above
Don't care if I sink this ball
Because I am in love

Riding in a golf cart
Putting down a beer
I'd be having much more fun
If only you were here

Please know that I miss you
I hope I will survive
Talk to you again real soon
It's now my turn to drive.

-

Strolling down the naked street,
I follow brick facades and paint chipped doorways,
listening to music from open windows above,
static to the sleeping trios
with silenced violins in cases of quarters

Whiskey bottle wind chimes
****** on the curb in high pitched sonatas
floating on waters from washed dogs and cars,
denting front lawns in tread mark stupidity
as the city pulls out the stops

Sirens join in the festivities,
out of tune with hopes for happiness,
but running red lights just the same
as envious teenagers fall from death metal
logo’d skateboards, tearing already torn jeans

While wondering why no one smiles anymore,
a yellow cab stops, the window rolls down
“Need a lift buddy?” and before I can answer,
the back window rolls down and I see her,
she pats the seat and motions me in

As the car pulls away I ask, “Where we headed?”
“To the sunset, I hear it’s beautiful this time of day” she giggles
then leaning over, she kisses me
“How was your day handsome?” she asks like a song
“Perfect now, I just love happy endings”

.

When you’re not here
nothing seems real
I’m lost and alone
this is how I feel

Broken and twisted
like barbed wire candy
Pinched like the pliers
I used to keep handy

Scratched on the surface
with sandpaper swinging
Cursing a hornet
my arms it is stinging

Caught in a nightmare
with someone named Freddy
Dreaming of Turtles,
of Flo and of Eddie

Stuck in the past,
well maybe tomorrow
Calling a neighbor
in hopes I can borrow

Something of value
they’re no longer needing
Maybe a band aid
to help with this bleeding

Unable to rock
to a song by Van Halen
Hot for (the) teacher
and spellin I’m failen

Hung out to dry
with a shirt on the line
Writing a poem
I just cannot rhyme

But so soon I know
Everything will be right
When you return home
later tonight

Then we will dance
neath the moon up above
Happy together,   (Imagine me and you and you and me)
forever in love

~

When our
   hearts sing,
  echoes return
      to where
   they began,
        so they
          too may
         harmonize
           perfectly with
              *our love

_

The roof top, the shingles
the rain as it falls
hypnotic tempos I hear

Here in your arms
safe from the storm
hiding away every fear

Spending this evening
with you by the fire
kissing your lips in the light

Feeling your warmth
the endless desire
all is aglow on this night

Fingertips roam
in blushing excitement
tender the features I trace

Smiles illumine
softly the darkness
quickly my heart it does race

Deeper affection
hotter than summer
movements of rhythmic design
  
Sighs of emotion
echoing sweetly
as perfect love we define

Whispered intentions
fervor ignited
skin upon skin as we breathe

Lost in your passion
neath woolen blankets
*heaven is this I believe