**** the nor’easter
hold the wheel steady
Waves from the Kraken
over the bow
Darkness ahead
charts plot the demon
Into the fury
—doubling down

(Dreamsleep: December, 2023)

Looking out
he took that step
intrepid
and risked it all

Faith to act
as his belay
one last piton
in the wall

Descent set free
in motion
a true heart
to guide him down

For love of life
and moments gone
belief once lost
—refound

(The New Room: December, 2023)

The closer we get
to the end
The bigger God
becomes
And the farther away
—he seems

(The New Room: December, 2023)

Living in the present
living in the future
One conflates the other
betrothing joy and hope
Moments breed contentment
from wishes left unclaimed
Tomorrow rules your nightly dreams
— and all today holds dear

(The New Room: December, 2023)

The world collectively
lost its mind
When fires burned
our vision blind

From East to West
and North to South
Insanity
from mouth to mouth

The world has finally
woken up
Pundits quartered
their lies corrupt

Mobbed together
they screamed on high
But run for cover
—as truth decries

(Dreamsleep: December, 2023)

Covered deep in
Poison Ivy
A rash that spreads
and burns

Its toxic mass
left festering
With younger minds
to churn

What used to be
a noble cause
Malingers
in disease

Whose vines grow wild
to trap the dark …
That once were climbed
—to free

(The New Room: December, 2023)

Who among us
will write at the end

Who among us
the last to contend

Who among us
will capture goodbye

Who among us
won’t wither then die

Who among us
will stare it all down

Who among us
our destiny found

Who among us
will proffer the word

Who among us
demand to be heard

Who among us
will write the last song

Who among us
—will bridge the beyond

(Dreamsleep: December, 2023)