Revenge may be a dish best served cold,
but regret is one on which grows mold,
the punishment for snap decisions,
and words of anger and derision.

You cannot go back, you cannot fix,
it has become the batter you mixed,
so understand forgiveness you may entreat,
but this is the cake you made and have to eat.

You think you have done it,
job complete,
the end.

But what you really have done
is bounced,
a ballistic arc of life,
the journey's not complete.

Each bounce is but a step,
graduation,
college,
graduation.

Job,
promotion,
marriage,
parenthood.

Anniversaries,
birthdays­.

Weddings,
funerals.

However
you measure time,
like a flea hopping,
life is a trampoline.

Just bouncing along,
until there is,
no spring left.
death.

In my mind a tapping,
in my chest a pain,
it becomes a rapping,
to accompany the rain.

The thunder of my heart,
strikes lightning in my toes,
I caused it to start,
better than any foe.

Twisting winds of destruction,
deep within my soul,
constantly changing my construction,
I am never truly whole.

A tidal surge of emotion,
warms me from inside,
my joints lubricate with lotion,
minty freshness in my stride.

A torsion twisting in my back,
mental sinkholes ******* sounds,
I am under full attack,
and cannot go to ground.

Some of us hunt,
some drink and chew,
there isn't much,
these boys can't do.

We can weld on metal,
we build with wood,
we try only to do,
the things that we should.

Our collar is blue,
skin bronze from the sun,
we work really hard,
and so is our fun.

During the day,
driving nails and screws,
fixing fences and feeders,
but Friday night barbecues.

The field needs plowing,
hay needs to be made,
a sandwich and tea,
at lunch in the shade.

Our collar is blue,
skin bronze from the sun,
we work really hard,
and so is our fun.

Our hands are hard,
our ethic is pure,
our women at night,
we know is the cure.

Dinner and drinks,
some hugging and kissing,
working all day,
but they're who we're missing.

Our collar is blue,
skin bronze from the sun,
we work really hard,
and so is our fun.

December night, as it falls
burying colored lights,
a surreal landscape,
lit from underneath.

A strange land imagined
under the windblown drifts,
red and green and silver *****
encased in a sea of white.

Asynchronous chaos,
as flakes stick to windows,
lost in their pattern,
a maze to be solved.

Gathered in bowls
from outside,
maple syrup or vanilla,
make winters treat.

Hot chocolate steams
from mugs in hands,
we sit watching out the window,
covered in blankets.

Marshmallows floating,
matching world, outside,
falling and falling,
live snow globe, shaken.

Bullets flew as the music played,
Jason Aldean upon the stage,
the music stopped, chaos began,
screams and gunshots, people ran.

For ten minutes it rained death,
chaos ruled the aftermath,
the blood flowed and people died,
and all we can do is ask why?

Some blame the guns, others the man,
politicization, soon out of hand,
you can not legislate morality,
in a broken and divided society.

We say prayers for the injured,
and send condolences for the dead,
these are the matters at hand,
as rumors and hate swirl through the land.

Was this an Islamic plot,
some say yes, others not,
who knows what is the truth,
every media offers proof.

But their agenda isn't news,
don't know if I can believe their crews,
too many lies told on the page,
and from anchors on the stage.

From blood and bullets chaos reigned,
yet we learn nothing from the pain,
except to cast blame and divide,
the chasm opens ever wide.

Back in the day,
memories made,
stored on film rolls
in their canisters shade.

Stamped dated and timed,
gps location stored,
we go back and look,
and quickly ignore.

No more waiting
for the pics that we took,
now simply post them,
straight to Facebook.

The nostalgia of old times,
rarely looked back,
nothing like those old photos
at moms, in books in a stack.

The memories remain,
yet little they mean,
stored in the cloud,
it's almost obscene.

Crossed the state line,
playing the radio,
out of Texas,
into New Mexico.

From Sargent beach
we came and went,
the house was nice,
I paid the rent.

The beach was empty,
the fishing ******,
the water was hot,
we had no luck.

But fun times were had,
me, the kids and wife,
one last vacation,
before new life.

The son now drives,
the daughter about to go,
off to college,
our life's new flow.

Apparitions floating,
in a saline sea,
glowing hyper-color,
simply adrift and free.

Armed tentacles,
search and reach and twist,
seeking out a meal,
to **** with nematocysts.

Dangerous beauty,
floating free,
somewhere in,
the deep blue sea.

Monochromatic moon rises,
black and white thoughts,
meteoric streaks,
in shades of gray.

A light house beam,
blinding white light,
awakens me,
as creeping darkness recedes.

A blood red glow,
hides its existence,
not seen but felt,
with a rhythmic beat.

Veinous blue pain,
pierces flesh,
penetrating and tearing,
turning me inside out.

The onyx fear,
spear in hand,
begins the chase,
as the forest closes in.

Chasing delerium
white rabbits run,
pink flamingos dance,
under closed eye lids,
in the darkness of night,
in my bed.

Unraveling at the seams,
sliced apart by unseen beams,
burned into a viscous smoke,
I blow away with each wind stroke.

Evaporating thoughts and dreams,
floating away like clouds of steam,
soon I will cease to care,
it will be as if I was never there.

Like a cloud, whose storm blew away,
I will not be allowed to stay,
a desert mirage you can no longer see,
soon I simply will not be.

I look up and see,
a rose-red bubble
surrounding me.

A large stalk grows from its middle
topped with yellow dust,
as I look I hum a giggle.

The fragrance here is heady,
I feel a bit stumbling drunk,
as this whole thing is unsteady.

I catch the wind and fly,
taking dust with me,
as to my trade, I ply.

Crawling now through pink sticky
upon the prickled tossing head,
walking here is quite tricky.

Now home I go on the wing,
joining all my mates,
thank goodness I did not have to sting

The drops begin
but I'm on my way,
she's trying to leave,
But I need her to stay.

I'm in her drive
as the rain pours down,
with my tears,
I just may drown.

I'm just a fool in the rain
not ready for the pain,
I'm just a fool in the rain,
with roses and champagne.

Soaked and drenched,
I knock her door,
down on my knees,
upon her porch.

Thunder booms,
and lights flash,
she looks out,
her teeth gnash.

I grab a chair,
sit in the storm,
for forgiveness,
I will perform.

I'm just a fool in the rain
cannot deal with the pain,
I'm just a fool in the rain,
with soggy roses and champagne.

I sit and sit,
I am ignored,
hours pass,
I won't leave her door.

The sun goes down,
guard lights come on,
she peeks out,
sees I'm still not gone.

More rain comes,
I am resigned,
our relationship,
been redefined.

I'm just a fool in the rain
watching roses wash down the drain,
I'm just a fool in the rain,
I open the bottle of champagne.

I drink a toast,
and say good bye,
suddenly
my eyes are dry.

Climb in the truck
start to back out,
I'm stopped short,
by her shout.

She stands on the porch,
with a towel,
her face a smile,
no longer a scowl.

I'm a man in the rain,
who is sorry for causing pain,
repented for sins and disdain,
never again will I stray.

Ocean breezes uplifted by
salty sandy dunes,
creeping vines hold it all together,
little girl foot prints and crab holes indent.

Her balloons whip wildly in the onshore flow,
tiny fingers white knuckle grip the string,
multi-tailed kites fly nearby, her grip begins to slip,
the string burns as it is ripped from hand.

Balloons fall, as do tears to the ground,
rolling to the bottom of the dune,
all but one abruptly pop,
it begins to float up into blue skies.

Crying and bawling heard, change
into giggles, as one dream gains height,
it surpasses the kites and the clouds,
a single red balloon disappears from sight.

clones roam the land,
searching for nourishment,
in mon santo fields,
designed to starve.

lost in the Budweiser haze,
opening bottles and sniffing foam,
rocky mountain brownies,
zigzag smoked.

waterfalls of velveeta,
sear my skin,
sausage and ro-tel,
invade my mind.

crackers crumbled,
lost in the mix,
salt and the lime,
a tequila lick.

Happenings close by
Swing from heart strings playfully
Tying knots of love

New changing motions
Parting streams of consciousness
Causing our souls to connect

Soft silver beams
Etch passion on your face
As eyes reflect star sparkles

Raging currents or winds
Swirling molecules of water
The flash and rumble come

Two sided coins
Speak of personalities
Good and evil reflected

Hot sands scorch
Scales gain traction
S pattern trail shimmers in silica

Sizzle and pop,
the griddle smokes,
flesh touches, sears,
lines burn in.

Time tells the tale,
how deep the damage,
blackened and charred,
or gorgeous marks and pink inside.

Simply ready for the trash,
or tossed into a compost heap,
or ready to be enjoyed,
with every mouthwatering morsel.

Ah the night is silent,
like a tomb,
monsters come out,
with the moon.

Walls of bones edge the path,
as ancestors grin in candle light,
as I roam under cathedrals,
a trip to history,
but everyone is silent.

I roam the catacombs
from time to time,
one never knows
what one may find.

Except, chiming marrow,
turned to dust,
encapsulating ancient,
memories and knowledge.

A scuff in the distance,
shutter the lantern.
Don't dare take a breathe
that will give us all away.

Knights shields hold secrets,
embossed with codes,
sword topped sarcophagus box,
containing what?

What indeed, tricks and traps.
Skill is needed,
to navigate the deadly
corners, keep your wits sharp.

But that light is like a grid,
cast through storm grates,
hiding only one eye,
that stares from the dark.

Each pool of light
offers false comfort.
The dark brings security

Stone slabs slide open,
with grinding teeth sounds,
amid rising dust,
a treasure inside?

I hear them rise from the depths,
their ancient bones rattle,
deep like hollow thunder.

In your eyes of aquamarine,
as I stare deep into them,
I am transported, to warm beaches,
gentle waves, and swaying palms.

Your breath on my neck,
reminds me of cruise ship afternoons,
as the gulf wind blows across our deck,
out on the balcony of our stateroom.

Your bare skin, bronzed in the sun,
except in the covered places,
takes me to the pool,
with blazing sun reflections.

The feel of your fingers
slowly crawling across my chest
takes me to Cozumel,
caressing each other in clear blue water.

The taste of your kiss,
sweet as can be,
takes me to our wedding day,
I do's at the lake side.

Skimming rock
splashes times five
disturbing the stillness

Casting lines
telling lies
hoping for a nibble

As the leaves fall
the beach ball flattens, forgotten
winter winds cover it in snow

"I hurt myself today
to see if I still feel",
Johnny cash sings 'Nails
and I understand.

The pain of this life
is a cumulative thing
burrowing slowly at first
then quickly into your soul.

Some look for love
others just numbness
from wherever and whoever
they can find it.

Catacombs stretch into the dark,
with knife and flint, ignite a spark,
torch casting shadows long and deep,
I start walking down death's street.

Sneering skulls line the walls,
real-life jolly roger's pall,
walking through the evil spell,
imagination's path to hell.

In the distance an amber glow,
casting out hypnotic flow,
a coffin, a crypt or maybe a tomb,
but still, I walk into the gloom.

Golden reflections do now twist,
an oozing, gelatinous, amber mist,
twisted knots of filigree,
Egyptian goddess now set free.

Standing here with her smile,
she wants me to stay awhile,
the amber gem gleams on her chest,
my heart screams a catch to my breath.

Countless eons I now stare,
eyeless sight filled with despair,
trapped within the devil's broach,
I wish I could warn those that would approach.

On fairy wings of effervescent gold,
she flew away from love untold,
though I loved her with my hearts flow,
she would never stay so I let her go.

I miss her now like summer's heat,
in winter's cold her memories beat,
I miss her when I'm far from home,
forever I will, when I may roam.

I drown my pain in drinks and smoke,
the glowing cherry of every ****,
reminds me of her smile so bright,
I barely make it through most nights.

Perhaps one day this pain will heal,
or someone will change how I feel,
just maybe my door will one day knock,
her key will turn, never changed the locks.

They say you simply never know,
about love till you let it go,
they never mention all the tears like rain,
or you may not recover from the pain.

Old asphalt road faded yellow line,
her lips, the color of sweet red wine,
sunbeams laser, through a hole in the cloud,
she reaches and turns Everclear up loud.

Roger Creager sings about getting drunk,
she sings along, grinning and full of *****,
the miles pass by, she takes landscape pics,
Facebook posts from back in the sticks.

The swimming hole is empty down by the old mill,
I pull out the moonshine from my homemade still,
she takes and sip, the burn makes her hiss,
then she gives me a cinnamon apple kiss.

Big tow rope tied in the cottonwood tree,
I grab the knot and swing-out free,
backflip release, splashing water cold,
she wades in *******, she's just that bold.

The rest of the day spent in summertime fun,
swimming and splashing soaking up the sun,
As darkness falls, we head back the miles,
she puts her head on my shoulder, with a sleepy smile.

Under microscopic glare,
I simply act like I don't care,
but alas I succumb,
all embarrassed and quite numb.

Do I stand up to the scrutiny,
as I wander wild and free,
or am I judged to be lacking,
all my confidence unpacking.

I feel the burn as it burrows,
my brows are knit into a furrow,
all my weaknesses exposed,
all my truths are now disclosed.

Such is the life that we must live,
mostly take and no give,
the cameras and eyes everywhere,
so be careful and be scared.

Searching eyes shine blue,
looking through the sea
of never ending humanity
for the only you.

Luscious lips lick lasciviously,
salivating suddenly, sun shines
upon her glorious find,
she will fight tenaciously.

Holding her love close,
defending her righteous claim,
marking her territory visually,
so all others know.

With gripping soft hands,
and little kisses placed
upon lips and cheeks
in sight of others.

Puffs of breath illuminate,
in the cold moonbeams,
icicles grow on eyelashes,
trapping the water vapor.

My eyes are warmed,
by the view in front of me,
swaying hips in ski pants,
waiting, unknowing my want.

Fur  escapes the hood,
marking the halo
in the early evening,
a snow angel walks.

Snow forms in my hands,
chilling them to blue,
I approach from behind,
my hand creeping.

Suddenly a scream rings out,
my hand found a seam,
and ice cold palm applied,
under her jacket and shirt.

Her toe prints on the windshield,
cutoffs shorts fit just right,
smooth legs and painted nails,
her tank top is a sight.

Head bobbing to the rhythm
“If that ain’t country” rocks,
even though its outlaw music,
she still pops and locks.

Looking at me smiling,
hair blowing in the wind,
we’re just driving around
who knows where this will end.

Blowing up the speakers,
speeding down gravel roads,
stopping in mesquite tree shade,
hell no we won’t get towed,
tangled up in the sunshine,
in the middle of the day,
we don’t need a barn,
for a roll in the hay.

Her toe prints in the mud,
our clothes hanging in the tree,
the creek pool is just right,
to be country free.

Tan lines reminds me
of a Texas back roads map,
after a little traveling,
it's time for a nap.

A splash of water in my face,
as crickets start to sing,
the sun is fading fast,
who knows what night will bring.

Blowing up the speakers,
speeding down gravel roads,
stopping near the creek bed,
hell no we won’t get towed,
tangled up in the evening,
at the ending of the day,
we don’t need a barn,
for a roll in the hay.

Her toe prints in the dust,
she leans on the rack,
calling all our friends,
let's party way out back.

Cooler opens and tops pop,
Willie Nelson blares out loud
a circle of pick up trucks,
a pasture party crowd.

Dancing on the tailgates
Silver stars overhead
we party till the rooster crows
and now we head for bed

Blowing up the speakers,
speeding down gravel roads,
heading for home now,
hell no we won’t get towed,
tangled up in the darkness,
at as night turns into day,
we don’t need a barn,
for a roll in the hay.

Rivers of thought upon the page,
some smooth like glass,
a few quick with faster flow,
others like rapids rough and choppy,
the dangerous ones fall off the precipice,
influencing others to do the same.

She broke my heart,
in the McDonald's parking lot,
she got in her truck and left,
I was standing in shock and bereft

I looked up and across the street,
looks like I was in for a treat,
Fat Dog's store for beer and liquor,
I needed something, a quick heart fixer.

Bottle of Jack to dry the tears,
it works faster than a beer,
Maybe I should feed the pain,
so I walked back across main.

I need a cheeseburger and a shot of Jack,
so I take a swig and eat a Big Mac,
I'll forget her with this grease,
my hearts just not in one piece.

Maybe I should have ordered double of both.

Clink, clink, clink,
ice on glass,
glug, glug, glug
clear fluids rise.

Splash and fizz,
as the color changes,
a green sour squeeze,
hang another on the side.

A red fingernail stirs
the mixtures in a circle
and a taste and smile
as she hands it to me.

Half drain the glass,
followed by a satisfied ahh,
and an order for another,
this time a double.

Gems of light reflect,
in yellow, gold and blues,
off long green blades of grass,
covered in tiny globs of dew.

The flashlight slices the darkness,
letting me see the other dimension,
I'm not sure why most people,
view the night with suspicion.

The stars above smile,
shining beacons from history,
light years away, but right here,
I understand their mystery.

Nocturnal communing with nature,
as I continue to walk,
my ears are filled with murmurs,
as the night begins to talk.

The leaves rustle in the wind,
the bats click as the whoosh by,
crickets sing and coyotes howl,
nothing likes the silence, I understand why.

Reflections of time
show in my mirror,
but that is not the me,
I see in my mind's eye.

I am the negative post
you are the positive
sparks fly when connected
but our love illuminates the room
incandescent
fluorescent
phosphorescent
visible and invisible
just like light from a bulb

To rise above,
or sink below,
the masses squirm,
inside this hole.

A mediocre pool,
of writhing sin,
where you swallow,
to fit in.

Gulp your pride,
repress your dreams,
dance the conga,
to their screams.

The Kool-aid is sweet,
slow poison filled,
the antidote is
a strong free will.

The choice is yours,
to buck the mold,
their origami,
will you unfold?

Or shall you drink,
from their glasses,
and be one of,
the zombied masses?

petals of crimson
powerful black seeds sprinkled
narcotic beauty

Carmine curtains pulled from the window,
wrapped around her while wrestling,
***** lashings from my tongue ensue,
both of us submitting to the other's passions.

The Lambada lasts into the night,
lovers swirl and bounce,
crawling and jumping,
until the music winds down into ecstasy.

From high upon a terrace,
above the Mediterranean Sea,
the view steals your breath,
from the breadth that can be seen.

Like a from a spring a tear forms,
the various greens of grass and tree,
the blues in ocean waves,
sets bottled up emotions free.

Creamy canvas  puffed out sails,
pushing wooded chestnut hulls,
the silver wake following behind,
being chased by laughing gulls.

The tray on the table,
adds to the scene so well,
mouthwatering olives and feta cheese,
such a tasty a glorious smell.

The goblet of red wine,
reflecting golden beams,
I had to pinch myself,
is this vacation or a dream.

Country music and big buckles,
parking lots and pick up trucks,
pocket knives and brass knuckles,
muddy backroads to get stuck.

4x4's all jacked up high,
Jack Daniels, Beam, or coconut ***,
momma's fresh baked apple pie,
her kisses taste like big red gum.

Farmers tans and cut off jeans,
bailing hay and raising cows,
on the front porch shelling beans,
John Deer tractor, fields to plow.

Shadows of the storm,
rage above icy waters,
last breaths of men,
long lost above.

Water and steel collide,
the harder doesn't always win,
and the fears are smothered
to blackness in pressured depths.

No last meal,
goodbyes are lost,
perhaps one day to be found,
scratched into bulkheads.

So sink into sadness,
weighed down with ore,
along with 29 men,
lost but not forgotten.

Cemetery trees
oozing brown leaves
the mournful wind
cries over the sins.

My guide in black
face like a heart attack
leads the way with her wand
toward a green bubbling pond.

Here we sit in a hollow log
watching for movement across the bog
strange creatures, come to drink
zombies, and monsters, slither and slink


Here's our prey, and she points a bent finger
a mistake for this creature to linger
once a man, still on two feet
Now something you'd not want to meet.

Part scorpion, and pig, scales like a snake
she motions for me to aim and to take
Cross hairs align, the safety is cleared
I pull the trigger, in her eye I see a tear.

As he goes down, her facade dissolves
with his memories death, she is absolved
a beautiful woman, emerges and grins
the scenery changes as her hearts on the mend.

The stars in the sky are mine,
I will share them with you,
lay with me in the dark,
and let us enjoy the view.

Give me your hand,
in it I'll place a jewel
a gem that is the moon,
like a diamond untouched by tools.

Into your eyes I place the planets,
reflections in the night,
Jupiter and Venus,
glowing golden bright.

Do not fear the sunset,
see what you have missed,
bask in the light from time,
when the universe first came to exist.

Our love ran out or maybe it was on the rocks,
now we're here trapped behind these locks,
virus time, stuck with each other in quarantine,
man, I think this is like some long terrible dream.

So I go to the fridge and grab a couple beers,
try and make the best, hand her one and say cheers,
looks at me and rolls her eyes and slowly hands it back,
I start to get mad but realize I'm not under attack.

I run back to the kitchen, for the opener and a lime,
like I said, we're stuck together, try and pass the time,
come back and open it, she says thanks with a smile,
I haven't seen one of those in many moons and miles.

Switch on some music for a change of attitude
put it on Luke Combs, to set the drinking mood,
we sit in silence, beers empty, I offer her one more,
she bobs her head to the tune and says why not, sure.

Hand her another, but I can't read her like a book,
still as beautiful as always, but I had forgotten to look,
George Strait shuffles on, "The Fireman" he sings,
my mind begins to run, turning over things.

I stand up and ask her to dance,
I figure what the hell I'll take a chance,
we're stuck here, maybe we can fix this mess,
she hesitates but makes her move in love's game of chess.

We dance around through several songs,
not sure why we let this go so long,
I hand her another Corona since we have the time,
she smiles at me and laughs, and says can I have a lime.

The warp and weave of cloth
surrounding the curve of *******,
bright colors enhance a raised peak
as cold water creates goosebumps.

Imagination takes me to fantasies of
exhalations grazing creamy *******
exciting silken buds to bloom,
begging the promised warmth.

But so many to choose from
as a bevy of buxom beauties
roam the chilly surf
******* clad in tropical decor.

Forcing summer into spring
as coeds infiltrate lakes
and other beach areas
seeking freedom and wildness.

Splashing and splishing,
bouncing taught bodies,
epic eye candy and colors
cause naughty ideas.

The view sends testosterone rising
while the temperature keeps it
in check and on the verge of blue
wading and enjoying the view.

Swirling waters silver blue,
crimson cardinals flying through,
flashes of gold and of green,
the bowfin swims down the stream.

The sound of cattails as they sway,
rock thrown splashes as children play,
across the water, the croak of bullfrogs,
and in the distance the sound of dogs.

Honeysuckle tasting sweet,
wild strawberries what a treat,
tastebuds tickled with sheep shower,
and puckered faces with dock that's sour.

The springtime sun burns my skin,
then was stuck by a catfish fin,
its sticky slime, hard to get off,
finally used a rough cotton cloth.

the boat that floats
icebergs

bullets fly fast and straight
butterflies glide

radioactive nuclear blast
new plants grow

volcanic islands form in the ocean
sinkholes in the city

lost in the deep dark woods
found in loves bed

diamonds form from coal under pressure
plums bloom on a tree

Streams of death,
slowly turning black,
a face slowly going slack,
exsanguinated to last breath.

Flaccid and white,
matching the snow,
as the life is gone,
no more flow.

Muscles beat,
the final song,
hemoglobin waterfalls,
no longer strong.