In America
we don’t know how
to take out the trash
The mess piling up
around us
a national rash
Our country deeply
infested
with rats and ptomaine
And from Eden
to a landfill
— our legacy chained


(The New Room: January, 2024)

Marrying war
the true soldier is wed
Betrothal of blood
asleep in his bed

The men he would die for
as groomsmen rejoice
A vow ringed in glory
his weapon of choice

The years become marked
by each battle romanced
Anniversaries pledged
at the point of a lance

Divorce not an option
fidelity cries
His love bleeding freely
—with honor his bride

(Dreamsleep: January, 2024)

Are you able to afford
your fame
Gratuitous wanderings
chasing the flame

What you give up
for what you get back
In debt to the moment
past—future entrapped

(Dreamsleep: January, 2024)

Does writing what
you believe in
bring a change
of heart
Does seeing it
on paper
formalize
the art
Does setting it
to music
make the Angels
smile
Does faith and hope
written
cast doubt
— into exile

(The New Room: January, 2024)

Creating
nothing
it doesn’t
seek
to destroy

Apathetic
ill tempered
and by
seasons
— employed

(Dreamsleep: January, 2024)

Embrace your entitlement
to thrive
Hell freezing over
the moment alive

Protect what’s inside
of your heart
Transcendence embodied
— Divine from the start

(Dreamsleep: January, 2024)

Idealism
versus
reality

In hope
that Quixote
prevails

Disappointed
again
reading the trends

Materiality
draining
the grail

Peer pressure
determines
what happens

Not some
high minded
value or tome

Greediness trumps
what our virtue
holds dear

Self interest
hitting
— closer to home

(Villanova University: January, 2024)