We are each trapped inside ourselves,
only barely scratching the surface,
of others we encounter,
simply bouncing off the outer layers.

Confined within my mind,
with nothing well defined,
fluid movements of thought,
with no anchor point.

Floating on three axes,
no control, bouncing through x, y, and z,
ricocheting wildly, only,
when encountering my skull.

dripping pink sky smears
aquamarine accenting
designed by the sun

When you get to Mexico, Cozumel
whether by plane or cruise you sail
really close to your port of call
take a Taxi not far at all

To Sky Reef for some fun and food
snorkel the reef will put you in the mood
have some nachos, all 3 kinds
beef, chicken or shrimp you’ll find
all delicious, servers friendly and kind

Plenty of mixed drinks and have no fear
they have lots of ice cold beer
how about a massage on the edge of the sea
or Tequila tasting, thrown in for free

Have a seat with an umbrella
chill out with the girls and fellas
have a good time at Sky Reef
relaxing excursion, just too brief

Psychedelic mentation,
****** predation,
I feast upon her nectar,
found nothing any better.

As the swirling lights,
take me to wuthering heights,
I wallow in her slime,
feel absolutely sublime.

Whoosh of smoke filled wind,
like running through gray gauze.
She sprints towards her home,
now engulfed in crackling flames

Just above her treble cleft
is a place I love to go
silky smooth skin
with electrolytic glow

A well placed kiss
causes eruption upon the skin
goosebumps raise
and a gasp drawn in

5 o’clock shadow beard
rubbed across this place
will result in prayers to god
and fists clenching lace

Glistening with excitement
slick and smooth with the flow
my ticket has been purchased
speed up, no longer time for slow

Enveloped in the velvet
slipping in and out
lost in rhythm and flow
glorious gasps and shouts

Wasting your life,
looking for perfection,
is like hunting for snipe,
with the wrong directions.

Under Full moon and naked,
in the neches river bottom,
I searched and called,
but never caught 'em.

Cause as you know,
they can smell your clothes,
and they only hunt in moonlight,
walking on six toes.

Can't use a flashlight,
cause they'll see you coming,
can't use a net
they will hear it humming.

No matter what you do,
or the rules you follow,
it just doesn't exist,
this truth is hollow.

Deep in the snow drifts,
empty shells,
the impression of the maker,
lost in the weather,
the blizzard of life,

I worship through the snow
and upon the ice,
meals without a pinch of spice.

Seals and whales and maybe bear,
are what provide my fare,
blubber, food, and oil,
it is for what I hunt and toil.

Sustenance and clothing derived
from these things I survive,
when the sun refuses to shine,
in my igloo, I recline.

Blocks of snow insulate,
keep us from a frozen fate,
a bit of meat on my plate,
rubbing noses with my mate.

The dripping sounds of water,
the floral smell of shampoo,
dissipating steam,
as I open the door.

Red hair pulled up in a high pony tail,
revealing a tanned and freckled neck,
a bit of back and a smooth pair of shoulders
the towel wrapped around her, damp and blue.

Whispy baby hairs blow randomly,
as I softly blow on them.
a full body shiver shakes her body.
I watch her watch me in the mirror.

With lips that barely touch skin,
I begin to travel around her neck,
to the extremes of both shoulders,
and down her spine that I can see.

Stippled skin rises in response,
reflected blue eyes, begin to show flames
as she reaches for the overlapping towel,
and lets it drop to the floor.

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.

Simmering frustration,
trapped amongst the normalcy,
wondering and hoping,
if there is someplace better.

The here and now is not bad,
but the possibilities haunt my thoughts,
running rampant and loose,
bouncing off the inside of my skull.

What might be,
what could have been,
the ifs and whens of life,
come to me in dreams.

With hope against hope
and willingness to pursue,
perhaps destiny can be thwarted,
or perhaps, embraced.

With passions candle lit,
burning at both ends,
for something different,
to buck the status quo.

Searching, looking,
analyzing, lighting fires,
where none burned,
building to an explosion.

Of something different.

Corduroy bumps
down the red dirt road
surrounded by pine needles
shrouded in green canopy

The smell of dust and turpentine
a white tail deer runs away
as the cottontail rabbits sits and watches
and the crows, caw  and caw

Beans creek runs
straddled by an old wood bridge
the board rattle fearfully
as we drive across

A gas line right of way cut into the woods
in the distance opens to pasture
the other way up a hill
till you can see no more

River cane grows tall
where the spring runs
out of and down the hill
glistening the side of the road

Red dirt transforms to black top
as driveways start
and house pop up
on either side of the road

Then paved hard road
starts at a stop sign
I turn around
as the city is not for me

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

Give me stars and bars and collard greens,
sweet lemonade and simple things,
Stevie Ray Vaughn and Lynyrd Skynyrd,
Texas brisket and beans for dinner.

Deep fried okra, and cornbread,
Black Diamond melons on a flatbed,
don’t be stupid, but if you start,
we’ll just say, “well bless your heart.”

Always fixin’ to go do something,
usually fishing, or maybe hunting,
running ‘round our stomping grounds,
never know what can be found.

Jack and coke or Coors Light Beer
copper still, dripping out clear,
fried catfish on Saturday,
in the barn for a roll in the hay.

George Strait sings out The Chair,
while we enjoy fresh country air,
sitting on the truck tailgate,
holding her hand and feeling great.

Chicken, fried,
and collard greens,
with bacon and onions,
a pinch of sugar and salt.

Sweet Tea,
brewing in the sun,
and homemade pies cooling,
in the springtimes window.

The smell of cornbread,
baking up golden crisp,
buttered and honeyed,
a *** of pintos bubbling.

Children run and play
in their Sunday's best,
while mother's fuss,
about not getting *****.

Ham, and blackeyed peas,
green and congealed salads,
all brought out,
red and white checked cloth.

Sunday lunchtimes,
after church,
potlucks of yore,
I miss the desserts.

From 9 to 5 the bilboes tighten,
a range of cacoethes spin my mind,
but to pay the bills, I work,
not just to fill the time.

The clepsydra has gone dry,
even as time passes it stands still,
at the end of the day the shackles open,
but I go home with no thrill.

A vidiot at home,
my thoughts spaghettified,
****** into the nothingness,
all of them undignified.

I long for something different,
to degust the spice of life,
but trapped inside the blandness,
nothing here but rife.

Her kisses were of allspice,
her body was cayenne,
she smelled of clove and peppermint
eyes always followed where she went

Her hair was that of ginger,
with a pinch of mace.
Her eyes were kaffir lime
she swayed along in time

The music played along
as spicy as wasabi.
Her dress was annatto red
as she danced, no word was said

psilocybin and peyote
transport me to the spirit lands
where I commune
with father bear
mother eagle
and grandfather time embodied
as a Kodiak bear

They tell me of the past
and hint me the future
but mostly they tell me
of the now
and the pain
thoughts come to me like rain
memories form but not remembered

I awake, refreshed with new knowledge
that shapes my outlook and ideas

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.

Gobbler turkey thrums
Red throat, feathers spread, he struts
Another spring dance

The hum of insects,
tall weeds blow in the breeze,
mesquite leaves sway in time,
as I chalk the edges of my call.

Put, put, put, put,
the turkey call sings,
wait for a beat,
gobble gobble gobble.

Big tom turkey replies,
he is not far,
as I pull on my camo mask and gloves,
and become one with the tree I lean on.

12 gauge is loaded and ready,
I hit the call again, put, put, purr,
he responds again closer,
ah, there he is at the edge of the field.

Purple thistle blooms and blue bonnets,
dot the field he must cross,
tom turkey dances full strut,
as I hit the call again.

Brown feathers with iridescent accents,
fully extended tail fan peacock style,
as he approaches my hen decoy,
hit the call gobble and bang.

Turkey dinner has been harvested,
and nature has been communed with,
thanks nature for the bounty and the beauty,
and the meal in the making.

Imagining desolate whiteness of the ice age plain,
my searching eyes look for anything,
in the distance, some shapes, and colors
disrupt the monochromatic scene.

Heading that way, wooly mammoths come into view,
two of them and a glyptodon, found something to eat,
a bit of vegetation, uncovered by the wind,
brown frozen and old with no food value at all.

Yet they nibble and stand guard of their find,
thousands of years later, in a place called Argentina,
this scene is excavated by archeologists,
just as fascinated by their find.

There is no truth and no transparency,
I’m beginning to believe every conspiracy,
about our government, it is full of lies,
not even including the foreign spies.

From the top to the bottom, every occupant,
lying and cheating, running rampant,
not an honest one is included in the bunch,
they would like to enslave us is my hunch.

Figuring out how to not pay their bill,
and making regulations so everything is uphill,
the Fed just keeps printing money, though it’s worthless,
we just keep on borrowing it as well though mirthless.

To control our thoughts and what we do,
whether we smoke and what we chew,
nothing is off limits anymore,
they raid us, without even a knock on the door.

Deny us our liberty, constitution destroyed,
how can they even continue to be employed?
by We the People, make no excuse,
we elected them so I guess take the abuse.

Common sense has died and withered away,
political correctness is the rule of the day,
add in Muslim jihadist and all of their ire,
it’s like throwing gas on a funeral pyre.

A repeat of the 60s and Civil Rights,
de ja vu, though it continues to fight,
Russia has brought back the cold war,
Obama never even answered the door.

With Crimea and Ukraine and Syria,
no to mention the Yemen, Somalia and North Korea,
Iran and Iraq and Afghanistan,
too many problems to be manageably ran.

Antibiotics not working on bugs anymore,
the end of the era, and of what’s core,
attacks in Paris and Mali, soon where else,
I suggest strapping your pistol tight to your belts.

But that offends too, in fact, it is booed,
let in all refugees, so we are *******,
not all of them are bad, most probably good,
but it only takes one, just ask folks from Fort Hood.

I don’t have the answers, and I do not pray
God gave us a brain to make it go our way
but we must sleep in the bed which made
it’s like watching one hopeless parade

find good where you can and take care of your friends
and family, as what we know comes to an end.
the state of the world should cause some fear
so try to sit back and relax and enjoy a beer.

The maelstrom of the swirling drain
the ocean of life is filled with pain
keep your soul and heart afloat
stay safe and warm in loves boat

If you fall into the water of despair
surround yourself with those who care
they will throw you a life ring
and haul you in while you cling

Sanitoriums of the past,
the ghost in my lungs,
slowly eating me from the inside.

A steelman through and through,
then he found something else to do,
putting out fires, or finding the cause,
then pursuing those who broke the law.

St. Barnabus and brains and feet,
if you ever have the chance to meet,
ask about these stories, if you have the time,
about him and all his partners in crime.

Surfer on acid in the cups of all,
we sit around and watch some football,
Sabretts on the roller, chili warm nearby,
ready for the bun with some mustard on the side.

Sausage and peppers simmer, on low and slow,
Halloween candy bowl is about to overflow
scary decorations on the porch and out in the yard,
pretty sure “R” and Joe have left some kids scarred.

Pork roll on a bun with some egg and cheese
Cucuzza served at lunch, he always aims to please,
stories of the elk hunt, or a bluefish on a line,
or headed to “The Office” to have a really good time.

Attention, Attention, is the beginning of the spill,
announced overhead, though he knows he’ll pay the bill,
a birthday, or a funny, said to the hospital staff,
through the loudspeakers, and we all usually laugh.

Catching sheepshead, and playing spoons
hunting dove with kids in the afternoon,
chasing down ambulances and smoke,
driving and giving his cigar a ****.

Helping and solving problems the physical or of the heart,
if you have a need, there’s no better place to start,
just ask ol', Joe, he knows just what to do,
then he will make sure that you always follow through.

Cramming doctors in the ******, for a spin around the park,
or stringing up someone’s bicycle, just ask Dr. Spar,
putting tape on computer mouses, or making them disappear,
as he leaves us for Jersey, we all will shed a tear.

The angle of her arms,
as she arched her back
in a cathartic stretch,
caught my eye,
along with her apple cheeks
dimpled in a smile.

The church bells rang
out the Cambridge chimes,
as the camera flashed.

The birds in the bath
perched as if posing,
a picture in the park,
taken by the tourist,
that picked up a feather,
as a matching souvenir.

The boards on the bridge
of the wooden walkway
creaked, underfoot, over the creek.

The ball flew across the distance
made a popping in the glove pocket
as the children exercised muscles
in their small flexing arms
and in their expanding lungs
with contagious giggles.

The bees buzzed around my nose
as I stopped to sniff the ruby roses
growing along the rocked path on my way home.

Eyelashes brushing naked skin,
raising thoughts of original sin,
prickled flesh and pleasant moans,
ruby lips with dulcet tones.

Breathing changing to a rapid pace,
fingers dance the edges of lace,
strings and clasps slowly untied,
only yes's will be cried.

Affirmations as I draw a line,
with my finger dipped in wine,
following it with a dripping tongue,
a mighty gasp, as if stung.

Shocked just like an electric spark,
neurons firing in the dark,
sending stimulations of pleasure
feelings to be always treasured.

With my tongue, I taste,
a quiver as I measure,
a feeling of electricity,
taste buds explode.

With stinging pleasure,
venom injects,
feel the rush,
it is one to treasure.

You danced through my beats,
you drank from my life's blood,
my valves murmured in your presence,
you took what you wanted, a bit at a time
I let you.

Looters on its heels,
destruction as it goes,
death and devastation,
in its storm surge flow.

overwhelming sweetness
cupped tongue filled
the pleasure is mine

The smell of the sweat
as I lift my hat from my head,
the heat and days issues rise
like steam off a pressure cooker.

Snifter of scotch is poured,
the amber a tonic to see,
the smell of peat and seaweed,
the taste of smoke and salt.

******* back
and a quick refill,
begins to dull the edge
sharpened by Monday.

A treat sealed in a wood humidor,
opened up to another delicious smell,
tobacco from Dominica, I clip the end,
a quick dip in my scotch, and hunt the lighter.

A wood match found and lit
the burn invades my mouth,
puff, puff, puff, and exhale the smoke
as it climbs, so does my spirit.

I sit and put my feet up,
enjoying the tastes and smells
of wood smoke, tobacco, earth,
and letting both burns cauterize my soul.

While I can see,
cannot quite make out,
the lurking shadows.
My thoughts are opaque,
a haze of time, clouds,
unable to be cleaned.

Lips moistened
brown sugared sweetness imparted
with lick of her tongue
kisses prepared

she will have her way
in that negligee
sheer and barely there
my emotions ensared

slowly peels it away
I sit and stare
ramrod straight
ready to share

here she comes now
its her rule of law
I cannot wait
for sugar in the raw

molasses high
as my blood sugar climbs
devour her syrup
as it continually drips

******* sweetness
I give it to you
you coaxed it from me
I'm no longer blue.

Way back in the East Texas pines,
out of Nacogdoches, one hell of a time,
temperature was pushing 103,
in the shade sitting has her hand on my knee.

Feet swing free from the truck tailgate,
Radio plays The Fireman by George Strait,
Naconiche creek, sings along nearby,
day starts to fade, not a cloud in the sky,

As the sun sets and crickets sing,
fireflies dance in the summer heat,
swirling stars, fallen from the sky,
hope this night lasts forever,
don't want to say goodbye.

Grab a beer from  the cooler, turn around and she's gone,
a trail of clothes towards the creek, I follow along,
the radio changes to big John Cash,
up ahead I hear a giggle and the sound of a splash.

She hollers out, I'm feeling wild and free,
boy kick off your boots and join me,
shedding clothes I dive in for a dip,
I come to the surface and find her lips.

The sun has set and crickets sing,
fireflies dance in the summer heat,
swirling stars, fallen from the sky,
hope this night lasts forever,
don't want to say goodbye.

Cooled off and wet, now tangled up in the truck,
Daft Punk and Pharrel sing a song about luck,
golden flecks from outside reflect in her eyes,
I've found the love of my life, I suddenly realize.

The night continues and crickets sing,
fireflies dance in the summer heat,
swirling stars, fallen from the sky,
hope this night lasts forever,
don't want to say goodbye.

Hope this night lasts forever,
don't want to say goodbye.

The suns rays beat down
exposed skin turns to a bronze
a bead of sweat drips.

Delicate curves show
foaming waves crash down loudly
on the beach display.

Hot golden sands glint
accented by bikinis
an array of shades.

Kites fly on shore breeze
umbrellas and tents throw shade
bags are tossed at holes.

Cooler lids creak open
cold drinks are passed around
sweating in the sun.

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.

Perfect evening  time of year,
let's go outside and drink a beer,
relax and watch the sun go down,
the lights come on, all over town.

Nothing going on this weekend,
think I'll invite all my friends,
have some drinks and just chill,
throw some steaks out on the grill.

In the morning hit the lake,
try to get passed this headache,
watching girls in bikinis,
shaking up ***** martinis.

Summer weekends are the best,
if I don't want to I won't get dressed,
sit in my chair and watch Netflix,
or maybe write some new lyrics.

Could go outside and mow the lawn,
take a nap, or stifle this yawn,
the choices are all up to me,
come on over, hang out an see.

Speaking of sea, lets hit the beach
it's far but not beyond our reach,
road trips are always the best,
let's give our stamina a test.

Whatever we do let's make it count,
weekend fun is always paramount,
cause Monday morning back to work,
let's hope my boss is not a ****.

silhouetted sunlight
speaks to me
grasshopper second hand

Nauseating persiflage pontification
by aeolists with hollow minds,
it's a zugzwang situation,
so stuck among the prolix.

Panglossians in one ear
pessimists in the other,
a hiraeth longing for hygge,
yet stuck in the social mire.

Nonneutonian fluid vacuum,
imminent immersion of initiatives,
halting inundation of discerning,
heading toward a humming flat line.

Suddenly I adimpleate, with joy,
an archetypal suggestion floats in the air,
I excuse myself from the aretalogers,
and hunt the primordial source.

With legwork and inquest,
here and there on the scene,
I am defeated, misfortune,
alas, absorbed back into the quagmire.

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.

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.

A river of pain,
trapped by a dam of pride.
fear of the unknown,
scared of the future.

What if's
terrifying,
anxiety, climbing,
questions?

But afraid of answers,
worries,
create other
problems.

A piercing of the dam,
by anything emotional,
leaking eyes, escaping fears,
one tear at a time.

Lost in the desert of my brain
traveling over sand
in the distance
emerald green

To the west sparkling blue
to the east gray and white
I dare not look behind
an all consuming fire is there

I walk and walk some days
never getting any closer
to any particular destination
as if on a treadmill

Then at times
I am spring-boarded
right into the verdant forest
with scurrying critters and singing birds

Or suddenly afloat
on oceans blue
with a cold drink
and bikini girls

Sometimes though
wrapped in the arms
of the woman I love
in a deep embrace

These are the times
when the words flow
seeping onto the screen
through the tap, tap tap of the keyboard

This is when clarity
takes me on mental vacations
and my mind sings
and I follow along

From your lips,
I feel the burn
capsacin ignition
beyond measure

Scovilles scale
Destroyed by your
radiant red lips
as they press to mine

Southwest flavors
burn my tongue
as my senses
are over powered

Sweat beads
and rolls down
bare skin
stippled

I am blistered
by your love
passion

Taco Tuesday excitement
as the street vendor serves,
pico de gallo,
taco de Gato.

Dumpster back alley
Just about dark
Watching the gym parking lot
I know exactly where she parked

I hear the parking light timer click
I took all the other lights
So only one light comes on
Chloroformed rag so she doesn't fight

Last car in the parking lot
Here she comes in work out wear
Long dark hair, white smile
I'm going to love to strip her bare

Looking through her bag for keys
I creep up behind her silent
I say hello, go to use my rag
But she suddenly becomes violent

Hits me with her bag
Judo chop into my neck
Grabs my arm and breaks it
Dumbfounded, what the heck

She shoves my own rag in my mouth
To sleep I go quickly
Didn't realize she was a black belt
When I wake up, I'm in jail in the city

Back in the swamp,
deep in the woods,
take me to memories,
long gone by.

Wading the edges,
the river water flows,
tadpoles and moccasins,
swim on by.

Bullfrogs and dragonflies
battle in the evening,
underneath the rope
of an old tire swing.

Well cities have gotten to me,
fast paced lies and artificial people,
need to rest and rest my mind,
the river will do it every time.

Old cane pole and a night crawler,
a fifth of Jack and a Coleman lantern,
a basket full of catfish, swirling,
take me home to Green River.

Luna plays her siren song
as she creeps above the horizon
I try not to listen
but there is no use in fightin'

No longer me, I lose control
as fangs begin to sprout
my hair grows long and
a howl transforms from my painful shout

On four legs I prowl the night
searching for my prey
the woods are empty, silent
the animals know to run away

My nose twitches and I turn
toward the smell of smoke
a campsite is ahead
and my hunger is provoked

I am but a passenger
in my lycanthropic state
the wolf is in control
as the campers meet their fate

Morning now, I awake
naked near a stream
I try to block out the night
it is no nightmarish dream