If life is
purposed
rich and wide
verse is your reward

A written
portrait
left behind
— called to meet the Lord

(The 1st Book Of Prayers: January, 2024)

Carving his message in a tree
while high above the ground
Wondering what that boy would think
in the future to have found
Would his eyes be open wide and sharp
the wind to call his name
A treasure for only those who climb
—intrepid to proclaim

(The New Room: January, 2024)

A mother
left crying
alone in her pew

Begging the Lord
for a miracle
new …

The only thing
he was good at
was being bad

Bus stations
train stations
corn maidens in drag

He came and he went
with the most
discordant rhyme

His sins
left uncounted
but marking the time

In Akron Ohio
his grifting
unwrapped

Those roads
in New Mexico
calling him back

The lights
and the sirens
again on their way

His thumb
in the wind
— Saint Jude in dismay

(The Breezeway: January, 2024)

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)