What was that, I heard her say,
in the darkness of the night,
I say it was simply night whispers,
inspiring dreams of fright.

Do not strain to hear,
what they have to say,
if you finally understand,
in your dreams, you'll have to pay.

The monsters mumble purposely,
like the piper plays a tune,
you try to hear and decipher,
like an archeologist and a rune.

But its a trap, I'm telling you,
those hushed words filled with sin,
the more and more you listen,
ensure that they will win.

So roll over and go to sleep,
no need to pray for your soul,
if you just ignore them,
you will prevent their goal.

The highway,
cosmic beltway,
bureaucrats bellow,
over planets in the way.

Piles of paper,
in legible legalese,
readable, yes,
but understandable,
never,

Budgets created,
and defended,
but never met,
as laughter rings,
from contractors.

The restaurant
across the galaxy,
where answers 42,
are debated over
gargle blasters.

Towels hang on every chair,
feel free to take one,
as you raise your thumb,
to the sky and hope,
for the best.

Condensation
Dripping drops
Fog the shower door

Hiding the beauty within
Tan lines
Humble curves

A view
I love to take in
Soapy masterpiece

A museum piece
Hidden in the back
How can I see

I peck at the door
A fist stripe clear spot
Appears at eye level

Staring through
Like a knot hole in a fence
At the scene inside

Do you hear a distant train?
or maybe the pitter patter of rain
the giggling of a small child
breathy whispers to drive you wild

Do you hear a distant beat
that seeks out and moves your feet
the burbling of a forest brook
or the flipping pages of a book

Do you hear a honking horn
or singing on the day you're born
the whirring of a ceiling fan
a rock being shaken in a can

How about a barking dog
or a chainsaw through a log
the sound of crowds scream and cheer
the pop and fizz from a can of beer

Do you hear a contented sigh
or catcalls as you walk by
what about the birds that sing
or the church bells loudly ring

I hear the call of my pillow
and the wind through the weeping willow
the crickets sing a lullaby
as the day and evening say goodbye

Ocean tides of light,
swim across the night,
like his love for his girl
ever-flowing in this world.

His heart burns hot despite the cold,
in his arms, he wants to hold,
her forever and ever more,
so his love to her he swore.

From the frigid night a yes,
to a Mexican love nest,
with mariachis and candy skulls,
in their love, there are no lulls.

Wedded bliss as spirits bless,
a tuxedo and a white dress,
exchanging rings and I do's forever,
watched over by their ancestors.

Remnants of rock and ice
gathered through the eons
silence reigns and light is dim
as he surrounds himself

Ripping apart moons
destroying comets
incorporating asteroids
through the power of gravity

Majestic sphere
concentric rings
father of the outer planets
his shield wielded

Roaming orbit elliptical
just shy of thirty years
wandering, ice crystals sparkling
Influencing the rest of the solar system

Gnashing teeth
stained red,
polished by,
a searching tongue.

Instincts on high alert,
nostrils flare,
tapetum gathers light,
searching the dark.

Ears perked,
stillness of muscle,
an odd calmness,
before the attack.

Hindquarters load,
the spring has sprung,
launching, teeth bite down,
crimson metallic Tang in the air

Goose bumps rise on the neck,
a shiver begins in the spine,
pure fear rises from the feet,
to the top of the head,
and erupting in a blood-curdling scream.

They **** and drink the blood of their prey,
then they find a place to lay,
to sleep and love the day away,
awaiting the next night to **** and play.

A red bikini,
in trout green water,
a beauty like the sun,
yet so much hotter.

Texas star ball cap,
in hand, rod and reel,
glistening in Coppertone,
she is the real deal.

Floating stringer,
clipped to hip tied strings,
I'm just hoping,
a shark wants that thing.

She sets the hook,
reels a big trout in,
but I have thoughts
of original sin.

She wades on by,
gives me a smile,
then heads on down,
the tailwater miles.

Do you ever think,
about a wink,
or a *****,
in your armor?

Do you ever go,
with the flow,
so you'll glow,
so much brighter?

Have you ever been on a cruise,
had a black and blue bruise,
or taken an arm in arm snooze,
with your beautiful lover?

My eyes are open, blink,
as I think on a kink,
about something pink,
that I'm needing?

Picture taking memories,
under vibrant green trees,
but the brown falling leaves,
tell us that seasons change.

Have you ever roamed,
in underground catacombs,
built with skulls and stones,
by the ancients hands?

I walk the ****, the chasms edge,
occasionally dangling from the ledge,
I'm tied off, to her on belay,
only she can save the day.

Head shaved smooth,
beard on point,
about to hit this *****-tonk joint

Hat cleaned up,
boots shined up right,
bling belt buckle, shiny and bright.

At the bar, two shots back,
redhead slides by,
I begin to mack.

Buy her her a drink,
wants Beam on ice,
she shows a smile that lights up the night.

Asked her to dance,
a song by Jerry Reed,
belly rubbing music is what we need.

Spin her around,
a time or two,
she leans in close when we are through.

Our lips meet,
lightning strikes,
the place goes dark, closes for the night.

Hand in hand,
to my pick up truck,
the city is dark and thunderstruck.

Cruising back roads,
watching the storm rage,
Bob Seger sings, Turn the page.

So that's what I do,
I make my move,
she moves back and is down to groove.

Dancing in the rain,
in pick up lights,
beginning something special, on this night.

Ozone zings my nostrils,
as I watch the angry storm approach,
a wall of falling silver is now visible,
it is consuming all it touches as it eases my way.

A blinding flash and a
clap of thunder rolls,
geosmin and petrichor
overwhelm my sense of smell.

The wind begins to run
through the mint and rosemary,
and pinon pine needles begin to fall,
a potpourri of sweet, herbal, and spicy.

Giant drops begin to fall,
splashing on my face,
I close the door on the storm,
to the smell of roasting chicken.

Obsidian monoliths,
black hole generating gates,
like pools of liquid time and distance,
waiting to be swum through.

Hidden on the Moon,
cached within the Earth,
ensconced on Europa,
or at the convergence of ley lines.

Travel to other worlds,
dimensions are at hand,
wormholes in the timespace,
to be explored and adventured.

All that is required,
bravery to take the step,
through the fluidity of the universe,
to arrive at another island lost in time.

With fire burning,
hot and wild,
the night bleeds dark,
and scares the child.

With floors a' creaking
tree limbs scratch on glass,
winter winds make,
monsters en mass.

Buried under blankets,
as closet doors rattle,
imagined fear,
wins the battle.

With thunders boom,
and lightning's flash,
down the hall,
the child makes a dash.

At Dad's bedside
stops and stares
my eyes open
and now I'm scared.

Silent child,
stares at me,
is he awake,
what does he see?

Walking back,
turning on the light,
showing that,
there is no fright.

Good night now,
go to sleep,
hoping that,
no demons creep.

Mistletoe hangs in the naked mesquite tree,
years ago someone cut up soda cans into squares,
and hung in this tree with bits of wire,
long since grown into the limbs.

In the darkness of night especially in fall and winter,
this tree immediately takes you to Christmas,
as headlights reflect and shimmer off the aluminum,
in shades of silver, maroon, and green.

As the winter night breeze blows,
we pass by the tree and are compelled to stop,
my wife and I get out and approach and enjoy,
snowflakes begin to fall into the scene.

Perfection prior to Christmas,
as she notices the green mistletoe,
and presses her lips to mine,
cold snowflakes melt on our faces heightening senses.

With the reflection of shimmering colors in her eyes,
we hold hands and walk to the car,
the heater running, we listen to Christmas carols,
as we travel home toward family and the holiday.

Boiling clouds look like crashing waves,
the desert craves the monsoon rain,
tumbleweeds surf the raging wind,
thirsty sand swallows in gulps.

Saturated, puddled and running,
toward the lowest point around,
reflecting lightning flashes,
mirroring the raging beauty.

Merging torrents stampede,
forming rapids through arroyo's,
matching the roar of the thunder,
and cascade down into the swollen river.

Desert grass, long brown, suddenly greens,
small flowers erupt volcanically,
a pyroclastic flow of yellow and purple,
quickly covers the satisfied landscape.

Enjoying the moisture while it lasts,
the clouds break revealing blue sky,
the roiling sun makes it's appearance,
ready to bake the sand once more.

Wingbeats from overhead,
as two arrive into the orchard,
the wind blasted last night
and they understand the result.

The random caws, attract others,
presently a scene from Hitchcock re-enacted,
the invading hoard spreads out
growing and moving by squad.

Paper shells and native nuts,
plundered and pillaged,
the ****** rifles through
the leaves in search of sustenance.

Like a mortar volley fired
into the army's midst,
a slamming front door
sends a raucous cloud of black into the sky!!

Golden beak pecks at the bars,
longing to glide among the stars,
yet here it is trapped inside,
but on the breeze, it yearns to fly.

As others do so blissfully
it watches them so wistfully
knowing that it only learned
to hide from the sun or feel it burn.

With its pecks and sun and rain,
the old steel bars begin to change,
orange rust, it begins to thin,
just perhaps, a future win.

A lifetime watching them with ease
outside alive upon the breeze
second-hand freedom flying
high above as it sits crying.

And then finally the steel gives way,
spread her wings on this day,
Not trapped anymore soaring free,
amazing what her eyes can see.

Failed

Got a pile of spent brass all around me,
verbal bullets fired way too free,
little things pull my trigger fast,
no wonder my relationships never last.

That bridge has burned
that ship has sailed
this bird has flown
at being friends, I have failed

Quick to anger and to cast blame
later on I always feel ashamed,
can't say I'm sorry, way to proud
wish my mouth wouldn't shout, out  that loud.

Never learned to let some things go
all my opinions I just let flow,
don't care to much what others think,
that's why I'm alone, while I sip this drink.

That bridge has burned
that ship has sailed
this bird has flown
at being friends, I have failed

Now I'm picking up brass, but won't reload,
thinking about apologies that I owe,
to all of you I never meant to be mean
but in a mirror, myself, I have seen.

That bridge has burned
that ship has sailed
this bird has flown
at being friends, I have failed.

Tumeric and cayenne spice,
early morning skies,
the blue that I can see,
reminds me of Cozumel.

Sizzling and popping,
peppered bacon dances,
In the skillet,
adding aroma and music.

A drum beat of perking coffee,
joins the sounds and smells,
a rooster crows in the back yard,
as I crack brown astrolarp eggs.

Golden yolks suddenly match the sun,
the sky, now just blue with a single cloud,
I scramble and reach in the cabinet,
for pinches of cayenne and tumeric.

In the country you don't have to pretend
that planes are stars, at the days end
sitting in the swing with the wife and kids
looking up at the Orionids

Shooting stars are pretty fast
just like life they never last
burning up in the atmosphere
like living life in high gear.

Best to slow down now and then
spend some time with family and friends.
remember what it’s all about
never whine and never pout

About living in the country way on out
the lights of life and the city are fine
but always remember to take the time
whether in voice, verse or rhyme

To say good job and I love you
and now and then sit on a pew
give some thanks near and far
and watch the sky for shooting stars

Pierced blackness causing dangerous shadows.
Gauged darkness, holes ripped in it's sheath.
With the flick of a switch, the night retreats.
Lonely highways connect the golden dots against the nothingness.

Security and motion,
a false sense of well being.
Dimmer or brighter,
no matter the shape,
illuminating a path through the sackcloth.

Down the road, the creatures travel,
dragging feet kicking gravel,
moaning in a sugar high,
glucose headed toward the sky,
creators nerves, come unraveled.

Rattling bones,
like ringing phones,
as I am pursued at a run,
Shot, unaffected by my gun.

The bullets seemed to pass on through,
no flesh is there to reduce to stew,
no heart or lungs to destroy,
So I run from skeleton boy.

Homicidal thoughts,
to go with the knife you bought,
Put both back in the box,
or I am calling the cops.

Fear consumes my nightly dreams,
it comes in sweaty streams,
as the creatures roam behind,
the conscious thoughts of my mind.

Laughter is healing,
laughter is stealing,
adding back minutes to your life,
that you can spend with your kids and wife.

So be a fan of comedy,
or try a bit of dramedy,
trade funny stories with friends,
laughing is better than crying in the end.

Eyes burn,
with visions,
despite lids closed,
the candle burns at both ends,
with things that cannot
be unseen,
or rinsed away,
with visine.

Imagination,
clicking of antique typewriter keys,
puffs of dust rise,
ghostly steps trod creaking stairs.

Scurrying sounds emanate
from dark corners and inside walls,
my breaths are so loud,
I hold it.

Wine glasses filled with red,
matching shadows under lace,
a devilish and delicious grin,
the smile on her face.

She wishes to devour me,
taken over by the devil inside,
I believe I shall allow it,
and enjoy the Valentines ride.

As children we fell in love
and continue to this day
after 21 years
I still feel the same way

Still beautiful today
as you were those years ago
now our kids are that age
where does the time go

According to the web
nickel or brass should be your gift
how about at poem on paper
to give your heart a lift

I love you more today
than is even possible right now
I do not need to renew
no need to reavow

Read these words and know
that I would not change a thing
each time I look at you
inside my soul sings

When I kiss your lips
it still sets me on fire
this will be the case
till the day that I expire

procrastination
should be my theme song it seems
deadlines work better

through life's tribulations
we are molded
shaped by the hands of fate
into what we should be
through the consequences
of our choices

years and pressure
produce diamonds
the hardest most beautiful
gem in the world

Remember that
during times of pain
and struggle
you are being
reformed

Held together through the night,
we loved and kissed and hugged tight.
Like pages in a report,
I read the words and did retort.

3  words say much to the heart,
when repeated new things start.
Slid together to confine,
helped along by red wine.

Intertwined and almost spooned,
in your ear, love songs I crooned.
Then the sheets start slipping down
and ended up on the ground.

We chased the leaves in the wind,
caught them and then made amends.
Back together where they belong,
held together like steel we're strong.

Red wire
Black wire
Green wire
Wait for the spark
Hit the switch
Let's see what starts

Maybe its a motor
Or maybe its a screen
Or maybe its a light
For something in between

Maybe something moves
Maybe something pops
Maybe something ends
Or it all completely stops

A battery connection
Or a plug in a socket
Or maybe all it needs
Are the keys in my pocket

A horn beeps
A light flashes
The radio booms
Water sprays and splashes

No matter the connection
If it works it's right
Just like in life
When its shining bright

An eerie song bubbles from the depths,
not quite describable, but you can feel it,
a shadow emerges into sunlit waters,
growing larger as it approaches.

Suddenly like a volcano erupting,
a huge body covered in barnacles,
erupts on the surface in a balletic roll,
gasping for air and spewing water.

Several others join the first,
the majestic spectacle of nature,
the largest creatures on the planet,
move off in a group, just below the surface.

South Eastern New Mexico
not far from the line,
the suns coming up,
it looks so sublime.

Its golden rays,
shine down on my face,
but sometimes it seems,
I feel out of place.

This is not my home,
it's a full day away,
someday I'll return,
and for more than a day.

From where does the sun come,
it comes from my home,
rising each morning from a space nexus,
but if you ask me it just comes from Texas.

Trapped in my asylum,
locked are all the doors,
my mood bounces up and down,
off the walls and on the floor.

From depths of hell,
to manic's peak,
away from this,
away I seek.

The ball of rubber
in a concrete pit,
perpetual ricochet,
I guess this is it.

Frowns and smiles,
and frowns again,
like changing masks,
the shape I'm in.

Her body's curves,
excite my passion,
riling up my heat.

At one with the,
slithering coils and,
serpentine dreams,

Inspiration found in her treasure,
sensations send me higher.

Flowing thoughts delve deep,
into a well of lust,
never to see the bottom,
every emotion belongs to her.

silvered mercury drops,
flow into storm drains,
like my feelings for her,
just not worth the strain.

cityscape reflections,
neon strobing lights,
robbed of my affection,
mugged in the night.

dark alleys traveled,
ghetto emotions,
liquor store bottle,
erasing potions,

awakened near a dumpster,
somewhere far from home,
will I get back,
or forever will I roam?

The fingers pricked,
the blood, it beads,
our body lies,
about its needs.

Pancreas and liver,
all worn out,
excess energy stored,
we scream and pout.

Blood so sweet,
just like a pie,
full of fat,
leads us to die.

In moderation preached,
but hard to follow,
so we weep,
in obesity wallow.

To eat for fun,
it is a pleasure
but it ends our life,
the one we treasure.

In a fog of confusion
a roll of the dice
where will life take me
like pie by the slice

Waves of opportunity
and winds of change blow
changing my shoreline
fast, and not slow

Some of these
caught with a balloon
or surfed on along
sometimes too soon

The places I have been
and the places yet to go
some far, far away
others just a stones throw

I have known many people
some I choose to forget
others like family
there may be more yet

Freed and relaxing
Laying on the deck
Only gentle ripples
And a brief breeze
Trade the boats stillness

One by one the stars emerge
Newly twinkling tonight

Transferring ancient light
Her eyes absorb and
Emit the stars sparkle

Laying here
And thinking of
Kissing you
Eager

Fur and fang,
brother's intertwined,
lycanthrope and upior,
mythology undermined.

Meat and blood nourish,
incomplete feedings,
creating offspring,
without breeding.

Under cover of night,
moon shadows walking,
seeking prey,
slinking and stalking.

Evil, perhaps
but it lives in all,
perhaps we are,
if we heed it's call.

Breathing in the evil
should you exhale it?
or filter it through
layers of loving heart
and insoluble soul.

Creating kind words
excreting the evil
back to the depths of hell
from whence it came

Weakness allows
the evil to pollute
and weaken
you to the point

You become so
overexposed
overpowered
but, allow it no foothold

The government rarely solves a problem across the board,
usually, robs Peter to pay Paul and all of his hoard,
solutions for one are problems for others,
some feelings are hurt, creativity smothered.

Over and over, freedoms are taken,
can't say that here, safe spaces they're making,
appropriated cultures cause some folks to cry,
media manipulations for control in disguise.

There just is no stop to government growth,
they don't even pretend to uphold their oath,
royalty created where none was to be,
and they look down their noses at you and at me.

Promise us things they just can't complete,
dumb down our knowledge so we cannot compete,
simply print money, so it has no worth,
Julian Assange their secrets unearthed.

But we do nothing, just follow the herd,
lemmings to slaughter, they gave us their word,
to make it better, but for them not us,
completed their task with minimal fuss.

So just get ready, there is always more,
regulations aplenty to make us poor,
to take what we make for the greater good,
till we uprise and I wish we would.

Cut off blue jeans,
with white strings,
like frayed dreams,
in sunlight beams.

Visions of beauty, with each sway,
watching men sigh and bow and pray,
thanking God for fallen angels
and for their curves and their angles.

But she walks on, with nary a look,
none of these guys, can read her book,
her pages are closed, but admire the cover,
the good stuff is saved only for her lover.

The trail of tears she left behind,
brings the waiter all the time,
she tries to stop the cries and whelps,
her t-shirt reads, whiskey helps.

Like sweet baklava,
sitting on a plate,
tempting decadence,
between thin layers.

Light and airy and opaque,
just like phyllo dough,
slowly I remove the top,
seeking out the flesh inside.

With deft touches of tongue,
sampling the flavors,
honey sweet, buttery smooth,
a hint of rose and orange.

I continue exploring her layers,
my dessert, my sweet, my all,
when finally there are none left,
revealing the pure nectar.

Quickly I drink from the fountain,
rehydrating, invigorating, growing,
all consuming, fed and drunk,
I am satiated, by her.

Columbia fishing pants netting my *****,
the waves are crashing, hear the Seagull calls,
casting and working a wiggler ball tail,
plum and chartreuse, give the sea trout hell.

Wading the cut, yeah, the boats on the beach,
haven't gone far, the coolers still in reach,
the sun's beating down, pick from some Gatorade,
need a cloth to wipe the spots off my shades.

Stringer of trout, all fifteen inches plus,
hung a flounder and snook, but they got off I cussed,
me and my buddies are fishing all day,
feel like a kid with no school so come on let's play.

Back at the dock, cleaning fish by the dozen,
filet after filet the electric knife is buzzin',
on the dock now catching mangrove snapper,
making lots of memories none could be happier.

Margaritas on the rocks, eating Brittany's dip,
watched the Astros beat the Yankees, hell of a trip,
fished all week with the guys had a ton of fun,
loaded up headed home on a 12 hour run.