tall green trash bins
stand sentinel - each side -
for this cavalcade of one

branches wave, leaves applaud

the stout school crossing guard
flags me by

keepers at the drive-through gate
nod in recognition -
a goblet of dark roast
handed over in salute

a stop light that's never green
is evergreen
until this parade passes

exiting to the expressway

don't feel too inspired
in fact I'm rather tired
I feel a nap coming on

lay down . . .

don't feel all that tired
in fact I'm pretty wired
got some chores I need to do

get up . . .

wish that I had hired
a maid I am so mired
hear a book call my name

sit down . . .

not much plot transpired
the author should be fired
salty chips would make my day

get up . . .

no chips below or higher
disappointment dire
think that I will meditate

sit down . . .

my lap becomes a bier
three cats have come to lie here
was in focus now so blurry

curl up . . .

the kitties had conspired
and risked this person's ire
knowing all the while they're safe

to sleep we now aspire . . .

Jax slinks to the bowl
swipes a paw across the brink
litter in his drink

Java to the sink
jumps up to drink faucet drops
before they ker-plink

M J stops to think
before deigns to take a drink
lynx philoso-fur

we can't ever agree on this
you and I . . .

let's dance

leaving the ghosts of what we know
to sip our warm watery scotch

we'll lose our spite inside a song
the pulse of drums and pounding hearts
swing our hips on common ground

let's leave our piece of cake that's crumbled
reminiscent fallen ash

there's nothing left upon this table
that will not be the trash at dawn

allow me to celebrate the ant
summer miscre-ant in my kitchen
picking up pieces of pieces "to go":
a crumb of Meow Mix, a crushed Cheerio;

applied the usual eco-safe spray
detecting this way too feint for they
amassed to quest their innate objective
exploring and toting the prime directive;

hymenoptera tents with doors
four on the floor: cafes of poison
for caulking the cracks in the walls hadn't solved
the stay-past-your-welcome guests involved;

soon numbers diminished but still a few
creeping through unrepent-ant
I swept thrice per day to starve them out
yet brooms are too thick all crannies to rout;

surrendered and wondered, perhaps they are teachers
attempting to bypass my brainy block
too thick to buzz with what the ants know?
I squat as a toddler to take-in their show;

for hours observing them (off and on)
until an implosion of comm-ants sense
challenged my globalized conception
exposing my mind to ant redemption;

the ant is now my writing totem
trouble though they'll be next June
within this mantra is what they knew:
one moment one crumb to carry and chew;

insight's relative I realize
ants have their own frustrations with size
but ponder the ant when writing time's little:
at peace with a piece of ant-agonist vittle.

We all need to play, play is the way
To manifest our quiddity,
Alleviate stress, perform at our best,
Laughter can render lucidity.

But we insist by rational twist
On living in stress and stupidity,
Ignoring our nub and joining the club
That actively sponsors morbidity.

No need to frown or silence the clown
To fake a mature identity,
Success can be won while people have fun
And flourish in spontaneity.

Alien among aliens,
Fanning delicate fins to promenade
A prim coquette and starchy cavalier
Trimmed and tined in ossein finery,
Sipping shrimp cocktails, dancing demure
Circles before blushing coral courts,
Holding hinds in groves of turtle grass
Until the paisley bodies
Bump bellies, and she imbues his pocket
With inklings marooned in dreaming Pegasus.