The watered isle-
a space persons homesick blue

suspended in black
a distant memory evolving

swimming across an ocean
to a distant shore

new friends are waiting
the newness of you.

death rides the time zones
forever counting the years
death claims your wrinkled skin
makes subtle daily marks
death is the constant companion
you either hate or love
death is par for the course
a mirage, a door.

Summer flickers the thermometers blood
a tease here, a drop there

Summer hides her wares
not ready to set out her stall

Summer is near, very near
but winter has yet to let go.

signs and portents
a universe speaks

out of the lips of tyrants
and of children

what next we wonder
all silent as the grave?

some are killed
never to see light of day

nuclear bombs
the last word of all.