An air of wit, held with poise,
she rose above the noise,
shone like a beacon in a crowd,
to her, my heart is vowed.

Motion, like the
waves crashing,
pistoning, pounding,
feeding, injecting.

Moon spotlights the show,
silica, and skin,
sparkle in the glow,
sweat washed away,
by the ever-present flow.

Driftwood *****
as it floats by,
following a path,
constellations in the sky.

Love washed ashore,
as sand castles are made,
just as bikinis fall,
no need in the shade.

Footprints left,
and a line from dragging towels,
beach house path,
shadowed by the clouds.

Underwater, I am trapped,
swimming aimlessly, with no map,
out of breath, but never giving up,
I swallow the absinthe and drop my cup.

Elderberry wine, bucket chills,
a cool wind blows in window sills,
the soothing maroon of gin and juice,
the tartness in mouth, saliva sluice.

Hot amber burn of oak cask whiskey,
the look in her eye is always frisky,
grounded by the earthy of water and scotch,
I turn the heater up a notch.

Red solo cups,
sodas and *****,
white elephant gifts,
appetizers to choose.

Christmas shirts,
decorations and lights,
friends have all gathered,
for a fun night.

Pallet bonfire,
jokes and songs,
laughter and grinning,
doesn't take long.

A few shots taken,
and passed around,
Ric Flair's woo!!
is the party sound.

Silly games played,
and lots of stories told,
some heard before,
but they never get old.

With the stars over head,
and the moon shining bright,
everybody heads home,
from a hell of a night.

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.

Behind green-tinted lenses,
her blue eyes rolled,
inappropriate comments,
slid off summertime smiles.

Laughter and giggles,
water splashing,
Lemon La Croix *****
seasoning the afternoon.

Engulfed in blackness,
split only by lightning,
like a ripping of reality,
and the rumble of repair.

As the storm passes
despite the destruction of
sparking power lines
my mind is fully powered.

Stars emerge from light pollution,
not seen for many years,
my hand waved in front of my face,
unseen in the dark house.

Nocturnal communal,
as words and thoughts
circulate in the darkness,
swirling into a minds light.

A candle ignites on its own,
blue static sparks arc,
as power restarts,
a collective breath, taken.

But the stars are humbled
by electrics bright,
and thoughts freed in the dark,
once more trapped in the light.

Rise women rise,
realize you are a prize,
doff your covers and oppression,
use your creativity and expression.

Flaunt your beauty and your mind,
grow beyond religious binds,
you need no one to give permission,
search and strive it's your decision.

Drive to new locations,
pick and work vocations,
climb the ladder to new heights,
with a smile show them your might.

You're the ones in control,
break out of paternal molds,
arm yourselves with knowledge and power,
under no one's thumb should you cower.

Wield your *** like a sword,
swing it and tame the horde,
never let them get to you,
it's your life do what you want to do.

Blue-green waterfalling dreams,
each rivulet a cascading stream,
consciousness loose like swarming flies,
all behind rapid moving eyes.

Psychedelic colored worlds
are revealed as night unfurls
thrown headlong into situations
all created by sleep imagination.

Traveling in unknown crafts
with gray men, who know new maths,
large black eyes stare unblinking,
but they know what I'm thinking.

Suddenly on a river, paddling,
yellow raft I am straddling,
heading toward a roaring sound,
and water falling to the ground.

Over the precipice, I begin to fall
screaming out for help I call,
with a jolt, I wake in bed,
dreams and nightmares in my head.

Happy birthday to my bride
you simply take the years in stride
ageless beauty you possess
simply better than the rest

I have no gift of sparkling gold
but my love can not be sold
it belongs to you forever more
and that does not come from a store

Words on paper from my mind
hope to tighten, ties that bind
let you know my heart stands clear
I love you, Happy Birthday Dear.

Graphite words shade the corners,
as the picture comes to life,
the poem begins to take shape,
in the darkness of my mind.

Fingerprints of others,
are the memories,
good times, trips, fun,
sadness, helping, hoping,
forensic evidence of life,
that can never be collected.

Tissues and Xanax,
Oxy and pain,
drying the tears,
zombify my brain.

Amber liquid in my cup,
it soothes and numbs,
sands the rough edges,
the drugs miss.

Feelings blotted out,
like a solar eclipse,
just the outer limits showing,
and they are blinding.

Burning retinas,
manic depressive,
the highs and lows,
attempted to level.

A fight I continue,
the struggle is real,
hopeful at times,
is it possible to heal?

Entangled conversations,
hearts and minds align.
energetic interjections
send shivers up my spine.

Synced up synapses,
stimulate my flow.
from within,
I begin to feel a glow.

Shared laughter,
whispered feelings,
pressed lips,
have me reeling.

Time spent together,
mental fusion forming,
I am enamored
as feelings are warming,

Touching my brain,
I am aroused.
penetrating friction,
my love now espoused.

Finally physically touching,
we become complete.
souls, bodies and minds, entangled,
we are now replete.

blacksmiths forge,
red hot rod,
hammered,
on her anvil.

quenched in oils
to hardness,
a rising flame
spatters.

pounding,
pounding,
taking shape,
the anvil quivers.

drenched in sweat,
from the effort,
it is finally done,
quickly cooled in fluids.

cooled now,
but still hard,
to the grinder,
to refine.

sharpening,
to an edge,
ready to cut,
smooth.

the anvil waits,
the testing cut,
through the tender flesh,
like velvet.

the blade glints,
as it enters the anvil,
all the way to the hilt,
here to stay.

till drawn
and wielded,
with an audible sigh,
by the king.

Under gentle hands she is guided,
a listening ear she has confided,
but be aware or sweet nectars trap,
the ending comes with a snap.

I slipped and fell through the veil,
my sailboat has set sale,
yet I was not aboard,
now my soul sadness is poured.

Razored edges, bleeding tears,
trapped inside my selfish fears,
lost in the maze of what-ifs,
the culmination of terrible tiffs.

Understanding in hindsight,
crying drops into the night,
if only's running through my head,
an empty bed, I climb in and dread.

Upon the wind, I take flight,
where will I land, where is my plight,
hopefully fertile fields of green,
and not a dump, defiled, obscene.

Lost in a thought,
triggered by a stare,
I look at you,
and sink into a pool of destiny.

Diaphanous gossamer lace,
outlines your margins,
pulling my eyes deeper,
arousing my inquisitive side.

Your pernicious smile,
excites and saddens me,
vexing my ambitions,
and confusing my vivication.

Slowly, it melts into something,
so simmeringly hot,
that there is no question,
that wrappings will be scattered.

The libidinous winds begin to blow,
engrossing and exhausting rapture,
infiltrating gratification,
reaching a zenith of perfection.

The sad rags hung about her frame,
she had played but lost the game,
on the streets now, she gets by,
on the edge but never dies.

Hope lives eternal or so they say,
the ones on the street simply pray,
one foot in front of the other,
trudging along even further.

Under bridges around fifty-five gallon drums,
they stand and warm with the other bums,
or that's what society labels them today,
they wouldn't be here if there was any other way.

So scrape and scrape, and scrape some more,
just to live and eat and score,
a bed here and a meal there,
that's why you see them everywhere

Walking across bridges
creaking wooden planks,
suspension cabled steel,
or pedestaled concrete.

The sounds of waves crashing,
or the trickle of a mountain stream,
the roaring of a raging river,
or whistling wind down a hollow.

Jaw dropping heights
over muddy creek valleys,
or drainage ditches in the city,
simply paths to new places.

Decisions made,
changing locales,
the match is lit,
but never burn the bridge.

Darkness and agony surrounds,
in my ears the blood beats and pounds.

Pressured existence and tears,
Climbing a mountain filled with fears.

From me spews a pain fountain,
I am a disharmony spouted.

I prefer societal mutiny,
as governments are full of villainy.

They want to place me in camp internments,
I simply want to slip away, in adjournment.

Media bias contamination,
guilt through association,
run and hide from freedoms speech,
most are a blood ******* leech.

Riot, run and break some glass,
none of them have any class,
not really here to protest,
just destroy and make a mess.

Watching the news,
a sad reality,
good and evil,
the real duality,
changing daily depending on your view,
this is what we’re going through.

Stealing, mayhem, and destruction,
not interested in critic construction,
fires lit and cars upended,
until our rights are suspended.

Water cannons, pepper spray,
still, they will not go away,
**** police, they think it's right,
then run away into the night.

Watching the news,
a sad reality,
good and evil,
the real duality,
changing daily depending on your view,
this is what we’re going through.

Sleep all day, so they’re ready to,
ignore and defy the new curfew,
businesses and stores destroyed,
now none of them can be employed.

From ideas, safe spaces sought,
Some of them have been bought,
Soros, Obama, and others pay,
so those people are led astray.

Watching the news,
a sad reality,
good and evil,
the real duality,
changing daily depending on your view,
this is what we’re going through.

Nefarious criminals with Molotovs,
riot police with tear gas bombs,
leading innocence into flames
simple chaos is their game.

Where it stops it’s a guess,
But right now a complete mess,
one day we may get along,
but for now, division is strong.

Watching the news,
a sad reality,
good and evil,
the real duality,
changing daily depending on your view,
this is what we’re going through.

From my seat upon the moon,
I hear the laughter of the loon,
see wings flashing of blue-green teal,
gazing upon a scene quite surreal.

With moonlight, I light the way,
Over open oceans albatross play,
In the blazing white Antarctic snow,
Emperor penguins black feathers glow.

Chickadees flit and perch,
the hunting shrike a meal to search,
The blue king fisher has one wish,
Clear water and a long plump fish.

Purple Martins sing and swoop,
Scissor tail flycatchers loop to loop,
The ostrich runs across the land,
But never buries its head in the sand.

Wrapped in flannel and denim,
against the winter's cold.
hot chocolate kisses
burn hotter than the fire.

goosebumps rise,
and not just from the temperature.
hands search, as stairs climbed,
and the door is opened.

slow tug on
the zipper's slider head,
the sound of each tooth
coming apart,
exciting things contained within.

trembling fingers,
undo buttons,
silky wrappings,
beneath denim and cloth.

the color of flesh
and sprinkled freckles,
in stark contrast
to foam green trimmed white lace.

like sliding bows off boxes,
early Christmas morn.
revealing the gifts,
now given early.

tickets for two,
to new adventures,
treasures to taste,
experiences of pleasure.

manna from heaven,
within the folds,
and excitement,
as I climb the peaks.

warmth and wind,
suction and friction,
sensations ignite,
as pulses rise.

new places and heights,
reached and explored,
bliss tasted, and felt,
on Christmas Eve.

Horsemen of the Apocalypse,
today ride in tanks and jets,
bringing the same,
death incarnate.

Flashing eyelashes,
seconds in time,
surprisingly passed,
a life lived fast.

Pain and sorrow,
can heal or pass,
but there is no cure,
for death.

A coins two sides,
reside in duality,
just like day and night,
and life and death.

The shadows of the future,
are our constant companions from birth,
becoming longer and darker as the year's pass,
until solidifies as the grim reaper,
on your final day.

Heaven or Hell,
energy in the cosmos,
freed of all burdens,
by times scythe.

As we all must,
eventually, cast off
flesh and blood,
and embrace wings.

Shimmering chartreuse sequins,
exquisitely shining as she spins,
bronze hair loose and flying,
into her soul, I feel like prying.

Tanned legs tucked into stilettos of gold,
when god made this one, he broke the mold,
perfect pink lips surrounding her smile,
men would follow her for miles and miles.

Like the piper, she would lead the way,
drooling men, watching hips sway,
my eyes follow her every move,
the song changes and switches her groove.

Jumping, and bouncing up on her toes,
as the songs says, she strikes up a pose,
the beat then drops and she does down low,
she moves like a wave, stuck in the flow.

As the beat dies, she walks out of sight,
oh, what a feeling she provided that night,
memories of this I relive to this day,
to see her again, one day I pray.

Saturday morning bus trips
through the land of antelope,
To casinos and alleys,
with a sense of hope,

With multicolored ***** unpacked,
and special shoes upon our feet,
Now has come the time
that we shall compete.

Ten pins lined up like soldiers, standing 60 feet away,
With them, it has now come time to play,
But before we start a ritual that spreads the chilling fogs
dogs, on me, dogs on three, 1-2-3, dogs.

With a swing of the arm and flick of the wrist, driving our thumb into the air,
The spinning ball heads down the lane, seemingly without care.
If we hit our mark, with timing and speed, nothing can stop it,
The roaring ball hooks, right into the pocket.

With pins spinning and bouncing nothing can still stand,
An X upon the scoreboard, just like we had planned,
And if for some reason, a pin or two is left standing there,
We will take aim and roll again, picking up a spare.

Two games down individually, but we are not done,
Time for some baker bowling fun.
7 of these for us, working as a team,
We knock down pins, like a well-oiled machine.

And at the end when we emerge we are victorious
Another tournament won isn't it glorious,
Thanks to all our coaches, and especially coach Ken,
We will miss him next year but will smile and think of him

Our music is written on the page
in our combined blood,
the contract is sealed.

The angel chorus resonates
in the cockles of our hearts
and in the crevasses of our minds.

Sparking touches,
ignite passion,
singing refrains.

The climb begins,
as does ecstasy,
finale coda.

In the deep, dank, dark expanse,
stinging scorpions and crawling ants,
empty-eyed skulls stare
into swampy phosphorescent gasses.

Creatures with slumped shoulders
and heads hung low,
mumble quietly,
covered in oozing blue-green algae.

The moon glow shadows
show us unwanted images,
movie projected on the ever present
wind blown, glowing mist rising.

A lonesome howl in the near distance,
like a warning siren as the tornado approaches,
bring heads up, and sets the scene in chaos,
anguish, and terror, palpable and tasting.

Alligators with golden eyes glide
through frothy waters,
waiting on the edges,
in the sawgrass, in ambush mode.

The rest of us simply disappear,
burrowing into the muddy ground,
to anticipate safer junctures,
and the light of the new sun.
(If it ever comes.)

Heads bobbing,
to music loud,
vape smoke hangs,
above the crowd.

The main stage rocks,
loud country songs,
the concert is great,
but never lasts long.

Girls on shoulders,
letting bras fly,
singer covers,
Wheel in the Sky.

An original song,
sad and sincere,
followed by one,
about drinking beer.

Melody of emotions,
ups and downs,
the speakers pump,
out the sounds.

A final cover,
everyone knows,
the crowd sings,
to close the show.

Buzzing blood pumps,
ingesting essence,
itching remembrance.

Confused emotion,
these feelings inside of me,
enthralled by her lust.

Mesmerizing motions,
as hips sway,
ponytail potions,
as ribbons play.

A piece of mind,
gone astray,
watching her,
walk away.

The raven transforms,
in a beauteous flow
Stark blackness,
against creamy snow.

Her lover
is trapped
forever
in bird form

A generation raised,
only being praised,
never having to succeed,
just being handed gold trophies.

Participation ribbons,
despite the effort given,
no winner and no loser dealings,
because we might hurt their feelings.

Afraid of ideas and of words,
triggers, micro aggressions are absurd,
in need of a safe space,
think life is candy and lace.

No work ethic has been instilled,
expects the government to deal,
out the stuff they deserve,
the Constitution unpreserved.

Thin skinned crybabies now in charge,
destruction of the world at large,
everything, given on their plate,
we have created a nanny state.

dry and brown desert
temperatures climbing high
cool lake calling me

Lost in the folds,
drowning in dew,
ecstatic convulsions,
the feeling renews.

Exhausted and sweating,
gasping for breath,
the feeling of living,
through little deaths.

Heartstrings tied together,
cupid plucks out a few tunes,
relaxing in afterglow,
stacked together like spoons.

Hearing the busy tone of life,
beeping beeping, giving strife,
I tried to call, but no one answered.
my hair stuck down, with sweat plastered.

The nerves rise with pins and needles,
the world is full of good and evil,
the winds of change, with hurricane-force,
have me standing on the porch.

I hold on gripping the cast iron rail,
now listening to the virus hail,
it bounces off and ricochets,
like fired from a trebuchet.

I see a crack inside the storm,
hopefully, itself destroyed and torn,
a beam of light, horizons of dream
the sun's heat begins to steam.

Life on hold, nerves now bare
like a dragon not leaving the lair,
hoarding my treasures all alone,
hoping to hear the ringing phone.

Days of the new
are one and a few,
while days of yore
will open the door.

The future is built
upon solid stilts,
of the past's foundation,
tested by duration.

Knowledge combined
from yesterday and refined,
with ideas from today
will pave the way.

Never lose sight,
though some might,
of what worked before
to reopen closed doors.

From the day of birth,
to first steps and words,
I've watched you grow,
through times steady flow.

Bicycles and ballgames,
scraped knees and pains,
holiday plays and songs,
seems like it didn't take long.

Driving and friends,
dances and proms,
homework and tests,
with hope for the best.

Here we are again,
another beginnings eve,
cap, tassel, and gown,
as high school winds down.

The pride in my heart,
tears ready to spill,
the diploma is handed,
in life, you've now landed.

And now a new journey,
you alone must begin,
just do your best,
you made it through the first test.

Happy Graduation Day.

The bass drops
so does she
way down low

Boom, boom, boom
DJ, turntable twist
brings beat back

Shake, sway, drop
she can't stop
******'s viewing pleasure

scary clowns
makeup streaming
in acid rain
laughter screaming

In our death
run out of breath
we become souls of stars
burn in space near and far
lighting the night
with our fires burning bright

myself I have shattered
destroyed all that mattered

in the maelstrom, I spin and spin
wallowing in thoughts of my own sin

when the singularity swallows me
at least then I will be free.

The light I was following
was simply ripped away
pursuing the end of time
and then I heard 'clear'
and felt an electric shock
then my heart restarted
and was ticking like a clock.

The steady throbbing beat of the surf,
the rushing roar followed by the crash,
metronomic symphony of water
meeting the sand of the beach.

Dreams, memories, hopes,
and calls for help,
and sentiments of love,
ride the rhythmic waves.

Penned words on white paper,
stuffed and corked in glass bottles,
wash upon the granules of silicate
causing a scratching and hissing sound.

The pop of the cork as the bottle opens,
70 years afloat in the doldrums of the sea,
eventually deposited here on the Texas coast,
tears roll down my eyes, as I read.

Clear-aquamarine water waves lap the beach
making small gurgling noises,
out in what should be the surf are
barely noticeable two-inch tall rolling waves,
there is no foam to be seen.

Bits of seaweed float in clumps here and there,
gulls work, a hundred yards out, diving and loudly laughing;
I am armed with khaki wading shorts and a coral Columbia shirt
along with a green Tilley hat and blue mirrored Costas,
a St. Croix rod and a Shimano reel.

Shuffle and slide my feet as I wade out chest deep,
the water's cool battles the early June sun,
at my left chest, a poking and jabbing feeling,
a shrimp spine, in my pocketful of live bait,
the smell of a meal, if the fish refuse to bite them.

The hook slides through the shrimps head
as it squirms in my hand, now ready,
I reach back and cast my lead weight,
taking the baited hook directly in the water
underneath the gathering cloud of birds.

I feel the bump as the lead hits bottom,
immediately a thump, thump, and a ****,
counting mentally three seconds pass,
I reel down and set the hook,
it bites in as the battle begins.

Leaping out of the water, fighting my attempts
at keeping it down, a large silver and spotted
sea trout pulls drag briefly before I get it turned,
I begin to back up into shallower water,
as I pull the fish towards me.

Ten feet away now, the fish makes a final jump,
as a huge swirl underneath it reveals a fin,
the heaviness on my line increases then reduces by half,
I continue to reel in my prize or what is left of it.
just the trouts head, vampire teeth shining in the sun.

Annoyed and with jitters, I re-bait and cast out
aware that a 6-foot bull shark roams these waters;
studying, I see a dark shadow heading back out
towards the splashing fish, and diving birds.
I patiently wait on another bite.

From the desert to the Texas coast,
once a year trip I need the most,
a week of fishing with my guys,
planning it makes the year fly.

Mike and John in the Dodge truck,
I'm on the radio, they're out of luck,
a mix of stuff old and new,
metal, pop, rap, and country too.

Susie and Lies by David Allen Coe,
the stuff that never made the rad-i-o,
comedy by Rodney, Richard and more,
so much stuff you'll never be bored.

The road trip is more than half the fun,
Shady Rays on my face to block the sun,
headed down the highway making memories,
telling jokes and reminiscing histories.

Wow, imagine, this is just the ride,
who knows whats happening with the tide,
when we get there, buddies and fishing,
its months away, but this has me wishing.

Be ever aware
of the targets on you,
with every word spoken,
bows are drawn back.

Every step and thought,
how you dress,
the company you keep,
adds projectiles to their quiver.

Waiting and watching,
usually for your back to turn,
or for you to exit earshot,
their arrows are loosed.

Turn and face them,
duck and dodge the onslaught,
some may draw blood,
but never let them hit cleanly.

The poison on pointed tips,
work to cause self-doubt,
wear on you and cause lethargy,
a diminishment of self and dreams.

But knowledge, intelligence,
the willingness to be your own,
is a mighty shield, wield it proudly,
it will deflect all doubt and envy.

Powered by will and confidence,
honed over years of attack,
protect yourself,
cast it over others in need.

The sight of her
brings a smile,
whether in pajamas
or dressed with style.

To see her move,
to taste her kiss,
is true luxury,
I don't want to miss.

Just like golden fluid,
squeezed from bears,
drizzled over toast,
or cinnamon pears.

It's what I call her
as she buzzes around,
tending our hive,
humming jubilant sounds.

She pollinates me
and makes me grow,
this is forever,
it's not hard to know.

Red and black flannel,
protecting what I seek,
tanned and freckled skin,
she is hiding underneath.

I seek to connect the dots,
with my tongues tip,
kissing here and biting there,
giving things a nip.

I peel down the collar,
exposing shoulder and neck,
in her mirrored eyes I see,
a sensual glinting fleck.

My hot breath causes shivers,
setting nerves on fire,
her baby hairs all stand,
like coiling burning wire.

Hands move at her waist,
a knot simply twist untied,
the robe drops to the floor,
the meaning is implied.

Questions flood!
Where?
Why?
Who?
How?

My name eludes me

I recognize nothing
landscape
location
faces
buildings


All alone
in a crowd
on a busy street


I read the signs
and understand the words
but they tell me nothing

Breathing hard
dripping sweat
I look for a place to retreat

Dark alley
off the street
all alone

The questions flood again
Who?
Where?
How?
Why?

Treasures hidden in plain sight,
covered by the daily layers,
can be seen from above and below,
given the right angles and conditions.

Intrigue piqued,
as the search continues,
watching and shifting,
moments and opportunities.

While remaining untouchable,
except in rare occasions,
occasionally everything lines up,
leaving you a vision burned into memory.

But once seen,
you long to see again,
through the layers,
the game continues.

Flashing silver scales,
under flowing river water,
hidden eddies behind rocks,
harbor the beast I seek.

The sun casting shadows,
as I cast my line,
the splash and pop,
of the chug bug, I stop and wait.

Silver and copper blades,
glinting in the cold green water,
the afternoon sun,
casting reflections.

Tributaries mumble as they enter the river proper,
splashing bait here and there,
the flash of green and orange,
juvenile sunfish schooling.

Fathead minnows,
dart back and forth,
at the surface of the water.
ripples following behind.

Mosquito larvae wiggle,
as the mayflies emerge,
lacy wings, erupt in mass,
the water’s surface explodes with fish.

My fly drifts through the air,
attached to canary floating line,
I matched the hatch,
as it hits the water, a strike.