busy hallways,
loud talking voices,
but is any work getting done?

Ancient envy searches,
sprayed into the cosmos,
parasitic proboscis,
draining life force elixir.

Prismatic injections,
Geiger counter clicks,
purple glowing
black light smile.

Huddled amongst constellations,
hiding from the photons,
lost with the flavored quarks
on the jello shot tray.

Slurping jellied happiness
from humanoid masses,
on a plethora of planets
distributing diseased directions.

Turning paths to cliff edges,
the precipice calling,
fingernails bite in,
you dare not answer.

But the ringing continues

Shadows Deep on the pine straw
the smell of turpentine with every step
summers full moon glow lights the way
the sound of feet scurry just out of sight

Uphill now, heart is thumping chest is tight
breaths come in deep gasps
straps dig into my shoulders
as I top the summit

Flickering light visible through underbrush
a soft vibrant humming, in the distance,
the outline of a small cabin emerges
a campfire burns, the smell of oak smoke

Dancing in a ring and still humming
porcelain white skin, glowing from the moon
orange hair, made more so by the fire, tossed
naked ******* bounce in time to each step

Sweat flows from the summer and the fires heat
and the exertion of her dance
I sit watching, trying to catch my breath
but it is taken away by her beauty

I pick up a stick and snap it
her head comes up in my direction
a wicked smile upon her face
as she attempts to pick me out of the shadows

Her dance and song change pace
slow and sensual now
as her hands explore her body
and attempt to tease me out of hiding

I slowly and silently creep around
to the other side of the cabin
all the while her dance is focused
becoming more suggestive in the other direction

With a disappointed smile, she stops
and thinks, maybe it was just a deer
she slinks towards the outdoor tub
full of ice cold, snowmelt stream water

I am already there, naked, laying behind
I watch her feet approach
through the clawfeet of the tub
and wait, silent and breathless

She slips into the water with a gasp
skin tightens and ******* *****
I reach up and stroke her skin
she startles and smiles, as I slip in with her.

The water boils with our heat

Rolling fog,
riding sails,
hulls puncture waves.

Schooling fish
under the precipice
where fresh water falls.

Saltiness lessened,
mellowed and clear,
under sheer cliffs.

Mood stabilized
as nature communes
with and despite me.

the table circles
knights surrounding Camelot
a magician lurks

Gather wood and stack it up in a pile
it will be a roaring blaze in a little while
stack small twigs first into a cone
make sure they are dry as a bone

Some lighter fluid and a match
if you did it right it will catch
fuel ignites with a whoosh
similar sound as a basketball swoosh

Add bigger pieces and logs
be careful not to bog
it down and choke off the air
building a fire takes great care

Until it is a roiling pyre
otherwise known as a campfire
ready for Weiners to roast
or maybe some s'mores to toast

Or just to sit around with whiskey in hand
on the radio your favorite band
sit in your chair and stare at the flames
lots of shapes in and around the fire frames

From the flames themselves to shadows cast
just like life it burns up fast
must keep feeding it to keep it alive
you swear its alive and trying to thrive

Thrive it must to keep you warm
shield you from the winter storm
fire is a tool much like a gun
my son thinks playing in it sure is fun

Burning branches and its hot as hell
red hot T-post bent into an L
now we use it as a rake
to pile up coals so we bake

In the heat until goodnight
to the tent we use its light

Sitting around stories told
Talking about days of old
Hunting, fishing and good times
Busting bottles. Stealing signs
Starry night is made of gold

Warm Campfires and Coors lite
Makes for a fabulous night
Crispy Fritos and bean dip
Great ideas and good tips
All relaxed, no ones up tight

Pack of coyotes begin to sing
Who knows what the dark night might bring
My wife gives me a sly wink
Mountains blue, I get a drink
feel just like a sitting king

Shining stars in the night sky
Satellites that fast fly by
Meteorites trailing fast
They just never ever last
Hell of a time that's no lie

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

Camping in the woods
darkness falls
no moon
overcast night

Complete darkness
except for glowing
red coals in the pit
a wisp of smoke rises

She goes in the tent
a lantern comes on
the canvas wall
becomes a movie screen

Her shadow cast
on the tent side
every detail
visible in silhouette

The shirt comes off
followed by the bra
as she stands and stretches
turning sideways, gorgeous

Hard ******* stand out
the cold air stimulates
down come her pants
I applaud and stand

I see her crawl under the covers
and then the shadow
of a motioning finger
summoning me, as the light goes out

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.

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

Spicy and sweet,
warm and moist,
cinnamon and nutmeg,
sugar and cream cheese.
swirling vortices streaked with vanilla.

Titillating tongue taste buds,
travel a tasty turning trail,
roaming whipped edges,
and plunging into fluffiness,
exploring extravagance.

The plate now empty,
disappointing want,
but secretly satiated and satisfied,
the sweet and spicy glaze remains,
coating memories in the mouth.

In the dark shadows
I live and lurk
searching for what I need to survive
looking for an outlet
another soul to touch

Long lost island
quarantined feeling
never visited
except by tsunamis of self-doubt
hoping for the winds of change

The falling coconuts of despair
I consume their flesh
in hopes making myself whole
acceptable for rescue
and return to life

Wild boar thoughts
gore me, as they roam
wild and free
damaged and injured
I sit, alone, on my island

From the peak of Olympus Mons,
I stare across the emptiness,
the distance is all red sand,
pocked by black rocks and rippling sand.

I float aloft on the Venusian clouds,
seeing nothing but gray mist,
that burns me producing red blisters,
as the sulfuric acid droplets play.

Hot, so hot, I begin to melt,
cold, so cold, I begin to freeze,
the fastest moving planet,
but the sun burned off its wings.

Now as far as I dare to cast,
I sit in the darkness on an icy planetoid,
the silence is complete, there is no view,
tiny dots of light mark the distance,
as we ride the cosmic tidal forces.

A salty wave washes over my face,
I am jolted back to reality,
the beach sand is rough,
and the golden sun reddens my skin.

Nasal breathing from the herd,
the splashes of tails and hooves.
Yaw, and get along,
the slap of a rope on a leg.
Cattle and river's smell fills the nose.

Caveats and segues,
conversations and discussions,
politics and religion,
points of contention.

Come sit and think within the dim
of the forsythia caves,
where the shadows chase their tails
and ever waver with the winds.

Stalagmites grow proud,
columns of might and strength,
absorb their power,
the growing stones.

Stalactites, hold on for dear life,
dangling from ceilings,
forever threatened,
of falling.

Gain understanding from,
and contemplate the determination
required to hold on,
an inspiration for life.

The drip, metronomic consistency,
bringing bits of the upper to the lower
growing, ever so slowly,
one drop at a time.

Such is life.

Moonlight gleams
Off granite slabs
Lost in dreams
Of hands that grab

Skeletal fingers
Push up through dirt
Thoughts that linger
Fear that flirts

Panic on edge
Clouds darken the sky
I skirt the edge
And hope not to fly

Off the handle
Moon emerges bright
Try to avoid scandal
On this cemetary night

came to drop flowers for a friend
But every sound
Could be my end
As I go to ground

Back to the car
And go to leave
When I notice the stars
And then I can breathe

Rattlesnakes crawl under mesquites,
leaflets wiggle in the wind,
wild turkeys call in the distance,
bringing me back again and again.

The baa of sheep and the bovine bellows,
as evening falls, crickets chime in,
low fire crackles, for the sound more than heat,
hoping that the weekend won't end.

Bobwhites call in fading light,
nighthawks and whippoorwills also speak,
eighteen wheels whine in the distance,
reality into my world just leaked.

Coyotes call as jackrabbits run,
the final darkness has blanketed light,
the stars all shine, not a cloud blows by,
on the central Texas springtime night.

red tentacles reach
suction cups attached
the stuff of nightmares

Pressured darkness,
movements surround me,
bioluminescence glows green,
back toward the surface.

Xenophyophores lie silent,
in the syrupy coldness,
a snailfish glides by,
ignoring me completely.

Sinking in the gray ooze,
every step is a challenge,
as I head downhill toward
the Challenger Deep.

Surprisingly it is not silent here,
baleen whale song tickles my ears,
as does the sound of propellers,
from many miles away.

Now, completely alone,
as I bottom out,
squeezed and frozen,
in the blackness.

Nothing here save some microbes,
invisible to my eye and ear,
I've had enough,
I begin my long ascent.

The leaves fall
as do the moods
of those lost in love

No map to guide
just pain to feel
loneliness within

The sun rises
shrouded by clouds
and snowing emotion

Blizzards roll in
freezing on cheeks
chapping the lips and nose

Cracked skin and hearts
long for a balm
and for Springs new love

Clear as crystal on the beach
seconds later, sight cannot reach
as if gauze placed over my eyes
on that sense I can no longer rely

I still hear the waves and taste the salt spray
but the sight of ships, is  what I pray
cruising in the aquamarine sea
take in the impressive a sight to see

The mists roll in and cloud the scene
a bit of fright, into the serene
swirling and moving ghosts and ghouls
in the early morning sun, our brain is fooled

The soup blows away with the breeze
kicks up the sand, and the leaves
clears the view, and dries the sweat
into the water, great tide to get wet.

Charcoal smeared gingham,
hangs from malnourished bones,
like curtains on an abandoned house,
whose windows have long since broken,
yet a spirit is contained behind blue eyes,
a life that refuses to break into dust.

Delight in whom, you are with,
contrite, try not to be,
try something new, Turkish delight,
kiss the one you love, deeply tonight.

The flavors delight the tongue, in a rush,
fingers roam and play, with a tender brush,
delightfully savor, all that is she,
love her with, all that you can be.

Delight her up and down,
from head to toe,
ignite her inner delight,
tell as well as show.

A verse to delight, with a little rhyme,
read it to her with feeling,
her delight will be divine,
and will leave her reeling.

Smiling moon in disguise
I see fur if I blur my eyes,
I hear riddles and hear a purr,
most of it completely absurd.

Talk of jabberwoks and of queens,
some of it borderline crazy obscene,
philosophy spouted and spewed to annoy,
sheer nonsense has been employed.

Guiding me where I shouldn't go,
I accuse, but says it isn't so,
changing colors all the while,
the cat's smile, does beguile.

Let's have tea with crazy folks,
chew your crumpet so you don't choke,
ignore the mouse and the hare,
don't breathe the chemicals in the air.

Paranoid thoughts, from mad hatter,
look the whole place is  tattered,
appearing cat  evaporating,
still spewing nonsense, exasperating.

Aggravating those in charge,
he does know how to live it l large,
crazy people are the best,
because reality rules the rest.

Fiddle faddle flee and fum,
Tweedle dee and Tweedle dum,
hookah pipes and caterpillars,
****** cat leads us on a thriller.

Helping those he put in danger,
this is why you don't talk to strangers,
losing his head in the end,
or will his whole body mend?

Portobello mushrooms washed and gilled
sprinkle salt and pepper and a little dill
slice a chicken breast, into strips that are thin
bell peppers and onions, go on the grill with them

Chile powder, cumin and garlic, minced
against these flavors, there is really no defense
mental trip to Mexico, dining on the street
relive vacation through smells, isn't that neat

Sauté until the chicken is just cooked through
put this on the 'shroom, in a pan with a little brew
on the top sprinkle a large amount of cheese
cheddar, or mont'y jack, whatever kind you please

Pop this in the oven at 350 degrees
ten minutes, the smell will begin to tease
you will know its done, when the cheese is golden brown
put it on a plate, pour a margarita, and chow down.

Jump ropes and butterfly nets
it's about as good as it gets
when you are a country child
alive in summer and running wild

Afternoon sun and swimming pools
Coca cola shades, man I'm cool
flirting with the girl down the street
like ice cream she is a treat

Bicycle riding all over the place
dreams of girls lingerie laced
imaginations sometimes shared
occasionally a soul was bared

More times though a glove and ball
or climbing on top of the horse stall
a rod and reel, or maybe a kite
never came home till time for a bite

It was a different time a different age
life was written on a paper page
no cell phones, no computer screens
life was simple, if you know what I mean

Sticky and prickly,
the size used in ping pong,
the fight breaks out,
under the sweet gum tree.

Deep in a creek bottom,
verdant and green pines stand still,
a gurgle, more felt than heard,
emanates from the flowing water.

Occasionally a small crack of a twig,
a footfall rustle, always from behind,
an imagined noise of the leaf,
as it flutters down from on high.

As the breeze begins
a low roar in the distance,
the trees begin to dance and sway
as it slowly closes in.

Then the chimes start,
hung in the trees by my mother,
years ago, a memory ignites,
each time they are touched by the wind.

Silver tubes flash from behind green leaves,
sunlight glints off them as they ride branches
moved by air and provide a song
for the dance.

Welcome to today,
get ready to pay,
with guaranteed pain,
and tears falling like rain.

Life is a struggle,
get ready to juggle,
people, bills, and rules to obey,
you can try but does no good to pray.

The lessons are hard and often,
no matter what they end in a coffin,
it's really just a question of time,
do you try to stay right, or just turn to crime?

These are the questions you face,
if you answer wrong, have a face full of mace,
or your hands raised up high in the air,
when the bullet is fired, ends in despair.

But the situations are yours to make,
they can be pleasant or coiled like a snake,
ready to strike out and bite,
venom sinks in if you fight.

Rotting a hole
into your soul,
that rarely can be fixed,
super glue and blood, just don't mix.

So count the days you are given,
all you can do is just keep livin'
doing the best that you can,
in the end, all you are is human.

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

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

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

The forever soul once created
destined to live through the karma spectrum
through many lifetimes,
most unremembered

Random foods in a basket
to create something,  I am tasked
Appetizers and entrees and even desserts
in a very short time, is all kinds of work

But I chop and mince and bake and braise
and serve it all up and hope for some praise
sometimes a winner and others a flop
hope for the best and not get chopped.

The fog rolls in,
as mallards swim,
drip, drip drip,
condensing fog off the house.

Quack, quack, quack,
in the distance,
echoing again,
across the lake.

Jet skis and boats,
hang lifeless,
in the winter,
December 23rd.

American flag,
sag limp and lifeless,
on the boat house,
as the squirrel climbs the oak.

An occasional leaf,
pirouettes from on high,
spinning and spinning,
to the brown grass below.

The taste of forty creek,
and seven up
on ice, with lime
in my yellow plastic cup.

Bbq smoke smell,
as brisket cooks,
waiting for family
to arrive.

Morning light filters,
through layers of fog,
as the mockingbird sings,
and ducks quack.

Southerly breeze,
ripples lake water,
crystal flashes,
from the sun.

Coffee smells,
from inside,
as the blue heron,
patrols the shore.

Fox squirrels,
chase each other,
through cypress knees,
this Christmas eve 2016

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.

Lost in dimensions
transforming
becoming something better
a chrysalis of cosmic divide
how will I emerge
on the other side

At sorrows depth
I sat and wept
heart as if concrete
I sank complete

Into the melancholy
though pure folly
to wallow the mire
of a funeral pyre

Life simply must go
continue to flow
so I get to my feet
and say never retreat

Moving ahead with life
away from pain and strife
always remember, but there I cannot live
I go on, with so much more to give.

On the hill, I stand,
looking over city lights,
the false constellations shine,
drowning out true stars bright.

The red serpent travels between,
flashing here and blinking there,
an uninterrupted trip,
but never going anywhere.

Gold and green sparkles,
changing at planned intervals,
in one spot a swirling circle,
spinning pure centrifugal.

Looking up now at the noise,
and more lights streaming by,
the jetliner move in slow motion,
disappears into grounding skies.

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 smell of bakers yeast
with molasses undertones,
the roar of propane as it ignites
sending blue flame and heat.

Copper *** and curling tubing
a hint of brass here and there,
aromas of cooking flour paste,
and the steady drip into a mason jar.

Shifting ice's avalanche noises,
now a steady stream flows,
swapping jars and taking sips,
adding apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Crystal clear liquids,
some now full of fruit,
stacked in the corner
ready for the next party.

The cylinder spins,
only one round loaded,
her finger on my trigger,
my words whispered in her ear,
can poetry save me?

CLICK

Click, click, click, click
the everyday sounds of life going slow
climbing and climbing most days
then a bit of a stop as life plateaus

Then life changes
throws you a curve
the bottoms drops out
and steals your breath as you swerve

Be it love or death
new jobs, baby's birth
a move to some place new
and then some loops in self worth

Or sometimes stops
and runs in reverse
you feel de ja vu
and sometimes that's worse

And then it slows down
your tired and out of breath
and gets toward the end
then it stops, and time for death

The highs and lows
flash before your eyes
you relive the laughs
and some of the cries

Then its over
there is simply no more
the lap bar opens
and you head for the door

The gates are ahead
and the amusement is done
you pass the torch
to other someones

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.

Swept back into emotional black holes,
inescapable pools of blue surrounding pupils,
drowning in want and knowing full well,
the circumstances of giving in.

With a dry throat,
and dry red eyes,
dehydrated from tears,
alone.

Left behind,
as she moved on,
the earth opened,
and swallowed me.

No longer affected,
the world slides by me,
it no longer matters,
I cannot be touched,
emotions canned,
never to be reopened.

The precipice reaches out for me,
with gnarled fingers on bony hands,
tugging, pulling, forcing me,
toward the edge.

Freefalling into the abyss,
where words and verse form,
sometimes, rarely, maybe,
other times a gem forms.

Shining in the blackness,
plucked and shined,
and displayed,
for all to see and criticize.

The night oozes through the window,
as my thoughts turn to fear,
PC game has my mind running,
in overdrive gear.

Coalescing shadows,
empowered by lightning,
the thunder is booming,
this night is frightening.

Evil drops,
from gelatinous form,
as the phantasm looms there,
intense as the storm.

Over my shoulder,
I feel a stare,
I turn and look,
lightning flashes, nobody is there.

Back to my screen,
I still feel a presence,
don't want to look,
what makes up its essence?

The storm blowing passed,
lessening lightning and sounds,
evil is leaving,
no longer around?

Knock that chip off your shoulder,
you spoiled little brat,
you are not owed anything,
the world doesn't work like that.

Coddled by your parents,
given trophies for showing up,
brainwashed by professors,
to expect a golden cup.

The real world slapped you down,
there is a ladder to be climbed,
but no one ever told you,
that its a daily grind.

So you cannot hold a job,
none are good enough for you,
or that's what you think, truth is,
you bit off more than you can chew.

So drop your superior attitude,
understand that life is hard,
to build your crystal palace,
you must work for every shard.

Flavored creamer clouds
swirling in my coffee mug,
moving shapes of critters,
but this morning there's really a bug.

Pour another cup,
expecting pretty clouds,
but the only one that appears
is a nuclear mushroom floating proud.

Take a sip, oh so sour,
I guess the milk had turned,
dump and rinse and try again,
I'm starting to feel burned.

This time I just pour it black,
to where has gone my mood,
I turn and head to the table,
trip and spill it into my food.

Throw it all away,
think about crawling back into bed,
but it's a manic Monday morning,
and if I miss work my job is dead.

On weekends, mixed in my coffee cup
Amaretto
Kahlua
Baileys Irish Creme
sometimes even Jack or Jim Beam

Usually black, though, for the day to day
my boss looks down on drinking at work
and I have bills to pay

Glorious, as it burns down my throat
a few minutes later the caffeine kicks in
and I am fueled up for the day
Time to be productive and earn my way

At Christmas a bit of eggnog
into my morning brew
It gets me in the spirit
to bite off what I need to chew

Summertime evenings
you'll never guess
a scoop of vanilla ice cream
is simply the best