Walking home one evening , right as the sun was going down , coming back from a friends house just down the road ! The day before Halloween in 1974 , a boys imagination at ten years old ! Couldn't help but think of goblins and ghost , haunted houses , witches on broomsticks , scarecrows and pumpkin patches ! Thoughts of Headless Horseman and baying coonhounds in the distance quickened my pace ! I crawled under the barbed wire fence , the house a quarter mile ahead .. The driveway was tree lined and dark so I chose an alternate path through a cornfield , bathed in bright orange Harvest Moon , determined not to get spooked ! Focused on the ground , trying not to look around , walking faster every few feet , finally started running ! About the time I convinced myself that I was safe a covey of quail flew up around me in every direction ! I jumped to the ground to catch my breath , raised up slowly , took off again , ran like a swamp rabbit behind the barn , took off my overalls , threw away my drawers ! Off to the house , food on the table . Wash up , Grace , a hard fought supper !

Easter Sunday three piece suits and ***** Hush Puppies , daffodils for a first crush , the power of affection come to call ..
Evening walks around the lake on Star Brothers dairy , nighttime lanterns reflect across West Point Lake ..
Hand in hand on South River Road , across the highway into Franklin , very much in love ..
A sudden thundershower that cooled the parched streets quickly faded , the intensity of first romance and brief Spring storms are tragically related ..

Call me 'the nonchalant' in Springs blue eyes
Her favored son come to partake
of sweet wine and honeycomb , of tenured
pine and hardwood laced in spanish moss ,
of willow ponds long since crossed
Tempered breath about my neck
Anoint these weathered feet in May oil and myrrh
A crown of 'suckle , **** grass between teeth ,
cascading pools beside her creekside beach* ...

A cane pole with half a loaf of sliced bread and
fishing with dough ***** beside a local creek will create scores of precious , long lasting memories ...

One set of shallow footprints between plant rows , young farmer doubling timing with some place to go ...Two sets of prints , one very tiny , first time in the garden for a curious toddler....Three sets of prints , two brown eyed helpers now , learning  , practicing the craft taught by Father ...One set of prints from a Planter walking slowly , recalling two sweet children , now with gardens of their own ....

Green is the color of the steps in shangril-a ,
The hue of peace in a troubled mind ..
The carpet of the valley floor and the rugged-
divide ..
The weeping willows of childhood fantasy
Tall grass bordering the waterway ,
Definitions along the walkways that lead me home ...

Mocha brown fawns dance amid my orange horizon ,
hoping to please their mother under a dashing springtime Sun ..
Curiously forage Chestnut and acorn , alert to the call of the
morning Brown Thrasher , the chime of young Turkey hens and
the call of Coyote and river dancer ..
Wood Duck ducklings careen Port Lake , smacking sweet bills
as they work the edges ... Tiny green Frogs line the banks , perform
their morning ballads in chorus with Katydids and House crickets while
water spiders lead interpretive dance along the mirrored waterway ..
Mr. Red Fox is running late , off to points West into the blackberry fields along Bear Creek .. Wisteria , honeysuckle and wild roses are filling my soul as I pray before the morning scenery ....

To walk beneath flowering Dogwoods ,
Enlightened .. Refreshed by the beckoning winds of March ..

The Moon was a coward on a humid , ominous , windy evening in April ! Security lights overwhelmed by pitch black night , coyote's were calling for the morning light ..
Cowbells came alive , giving anxious cattle away ! Moving erratically , calling fanatically , huddled together quite alarmed by the weather !
The roosters began to crow , fooled by constant lightning , the hens awakened a bit frightened , sought the security of their nest box's .. Inquisitive turkey's stood in the rain ! The mule's and the hound dogs began to bray !
The ducks and the geese were quite happy in their element , the guinea's and the hogs rolled over ambivalent !
The storm came and went , the tree frogs hummed , the crickets kept time and the katydids strummed ..
Spring stars returned , winds blew calm , the man on the Moon peeked out from the clouds !

I cherish the ever changing music -
of familiar streams , the vivid palate of -
colors in Hill Country scenes
The warble of the robins in March ,
The clamor of rock bass in the evening -
marsh
The veracity of springtide bees
The burgeoning blossoms of plum ,
honeysuckle and peach tree
I relish the well worn trails leading to shady dales ,
The whitewash pit , the gravel byway and -
the split rail fence
The song of locust in the midday broomsage
A chorus of wren , sparrow and bluebird -
along the hardtop shoulders
The greeting of yardbirds at the -
homestead border ...

Maybe death is tantamount to your-
first colonoscopy
It takes precedent over every available -
minute until your cutoff mid-conversation-
by a busy 'Doc" with patients filling the hallway
You blink and it's over ...
Next !

We draw the sustenance of light ,
nourished via the prism of summer
rainbows and sienna dusk
Escorted along life's curt , underlit marquee-
with intermittent reflections of hope ,
renewal and rebirth fostered by the opening rays
of dawn
Treading the decorated bottom country
Connected with sundry , polestar orientation
Drawn into magnetic , scrupulous religiosity

I've big plans with this little mirror
Reflecting sunlight back to the Dog Star
Nebula
A tap on an unknown door just to say
hello , a message in simple code that
intelligent life should obviously know
I'll wait till tonight from my hilltop vantage
for an answer hurtling through the heavens from my
newfound acquaintances*  ...

Where honeybees work Pineapple Sage , where the Cattails stand proud
in the lyrical winds ...
At the terra cotta crossroad where timeless love and friendships have coalesced ....
Down the hillside toward hospitable , glistening , green bottom lands ...
Across the grassy divide into sunny , well kept acreage ...
Forever walking the field road to the Old Starr Dairy ......

Variegated Summer constellations along
the Eastern gaze , Sagittarius , draw your bow ,
shoot a star Earths way
Big Dipper , extinguish the thirst of Greek heroes ,
Ursa Major hath quelled the passion of Callisto ,
the tail of Haileys Comet filling the night
with wishes and tender innuendo

Filtering pertinent nighttime voice from babble
Rolling Thai stick , taking in a needed Sunday
Checking this wrist watch out of pure habit
Tapping a beat on a rocker arm
Admiring two Oaks with the Moon at their back in Rico small town charm
Blowing smoke rings into space
Rocking with the evening world at my -
own pace
Katydids jailed on window screen
I'm in touch with such scenery  
Loner , abstract clouds trapped in sunset
We've become companions tonight , headstrong , friendless
Cascading revelry , musical and relentless

Corpus as told by Jesus of Nazareth , in question
When bread molded , water dry , rendered enfeebled ,
Tis fable for hungered , emaciated , ill of mind as scavenger
surely must eat his own kind , temptation breed thirst , serenity
without regard to salvation ?

They lay shadows across downtown escarpments
They offer secure perches for timid birds
Their footings are photo -ops for passersby
Plaques tinged in green,
Flags flapping in the breeze ...
Period oaks that rattle & mourn
Marble avenues , granite stairways ,
Brick fences & wrought iron railings
Holly, rose , gardenia & daffodil
The patter of acorn , sweetgum cone ,
brown leaf , winter grass & pebblestone ....

Ebony , brunette and cocoanut incense
White sand clinging to bare feet
The sizzle of waves perishing on -
the early morning beach* ......

Religion is the rail on societies skating rink ,
I implore you to lock your ankles and travel
to the knowledge of the unexplored brink* ....

I recall red and blue paddle boats at the base of the mountain ..
Summer concerts on the lawn , funnel cakes and Cherokee Red pop ..
The view of Atlanta just before twilight , fireworks into the night ...
Adults laughing while kids explored , railcars and steam engines ..

Little Riham , I pray thee a peaceful , nurtured new life
Free from the World of So-Called Kings and their strife
With Heavenly calm for blue eyes to reach , explore
Garnished with eternal love at Allah's golden door

Young Ahmed , I pray ye abound in light
Counting the stars on blessed nights
Pray thee carefree friendships with vivid imagination
Held by loving arms in the bough of redemption

Black clouds circumnavigate the pine forest , trees cull their mouths for Summer rains ! Black crows banter in the welcome cool breeze ,  Bessie's cowbell clangs at the molasses lick ! Pie pans glide across the hayfield , scarecrow comes alive , looks right then left ! Nanny goat calls her kids to the pole barn , head rooster crows , brings the hens to order !

Shadows would come alive as wind chimes foretold her approach ..The romantic fervor of blustery March nightfall . Eloquent voices echoed at the altar with the collision of 'Natures Titans' in twilight vernal foray ! Western skies aglow in ferocity , every tree at her command !

Pink Muhly blushing in the April winds , White Dogwoods tell
of their direction as cloud cover divides the storm tempted distance .. Native grass sash shays across the motherland dale , seedlings ride the afternoon whispers , boldly appear from her earthly protectorate , epochs born of magenta horizons and Peregrine ballads ...

Tuesday pouts like a stubborn child
Gale fervor and weather wild
Staccato cellos and violins , oboes blaring in the wicked wind
Mischievous elves rattle the hickory branches
Bullfrogs shout with glee as the rain advances
Old man Sunshine takes a nap
Picklenose Pappy has a cat in his lap
Kingfishers tap dance in the shallows
till black becomes blue with evening day-glo and
puffy marshmallow* ...

September's globe has been stirred
Birds of every shape , color and song
fill a golden yard , diamond shine Oaks
and crystal Pines , busy butterflies
A Tennessee breeze whispers cool refrains
Eastern Grays preparing for Winter days
Rubies peek into the living room window
The voice of Autumn Angels trill and crescendo* ..

Feeding stray dogs from abandoned
benches , counting cars to feed active clinical obsessions
Wrapped in Dad's trench coat , focused on a city sidewalk
Running fingers through unkempt beard , growing old ,
bits and pieces falling away , hopefully leaving a trail for my children to track me down someday
Screaming ****** of Crow overlooking my chosen boulevard
They tell tall tales and cackle , aware of my biting score
A fluttering , wind racked Gideon Bible with relevant verse circled
in blue ink lying on front steps , my reflection in black Army boots ,
my craven public image and disparity vociferously unaddressed* ...

Sweat filled eyesight , loitering on exhausted knees ..
Stained , dirt calloused hands , overlooking myopic August heat .
Wet flannel misery , white hot Devil Star drying crippled greens ..
Heavy steps o'er crusted , bewildered loam .. Crows riddle power lines , ever inquisitive , question the dying man , locked in Sun confused circumstance . Contorted , weathered fingers on wood implements , blood entangled vortices mired in conviction , a cool spring well drawn from pure fable ..

The skipper ordered this
vessel to ground along the darkest quagmire , visible to four-sided certain gunfire
Running my flag up for all to see , this rusted , shot skewed hulking monstrosity
Firing useless torpedos  
Screwy window's that open on submarines ,
This beached whale of wreckage having
escaped the high seas ,
a ship of dreams exposed to its enemy ,
facing zero indemnity ,
scoffed at by her fellow sailors ,
doomed to failure* ...

Children dash for mother on picture postcard
afternoons
Crossing guards whistle instructions to -
Friday drivers on the move
Friends wave goodbye from the big yellow bus
Dogs act confused over the afternoon rush
Basketball and hopscotch take over the streets ,
soda pop and candy , little league athletes
Friday night football , Saturday mornings at the mall
Movies in the early afternoon , teenagers 'hanging out' at the game room , waiting for their ride home ..
Late night phone calls by the light of the Moon ..

An excuse is failure dressed in a tuxedo ...

Writing my name into the night -
with a 'fat doobie'
Strumming a brick red Applause guitar -
beneath the weekend stars , perched on the hood
of a beat up but paid for car
Every song and view an original
Time inexpensive , conformity a joke
Young freedom cherished with every ***** ...

Mayday , afternoon turbidity , aeolian dynamic flurry with cursory airborne splinter , tall tunic Pines release their last remnants of Winter , at the cusp of torrid June with wind-borne , whirling , stern delivery

Georgia Sun relaxes in the fifth house
Hummers circle Florida sky from my shaded chaise
Blue Jays and Brown Thrashers lounge the
ripened Fig Trees , shadows walk the vegetable
gardens , nightshades ardent for cool , rainy reprieve
Crows muster high atop centurion Oaks
Bluebirds and Sparrows work the grass like -
two old time blokes as the ice melts away in -
a frosty *** and Coke* ......

St. Andrews Bay has left a mark on me , where jetties battle sea
Summer storm , distant , courtesy of afternoon breeze.
Thunderheads cool white sand  , wash , clean  and renew thoughts better left to antiquity ......Orange sky ...Lightning , where gulf and sky meet.........

---Fireflies and all manner of insect , frog and crepuscular creature on this night in heavenly chorus ,  bioluminescence and static dance against the humid , dark Georgia nights give the impression of the heavenly host descending upon Earth , working miracles , spreading gospel , joy and light upon mankind  , have no fear , for the Angels are among us !

Summer days , exploring with laughter , reckless abandon followed by a breakfast for dinner , hot bath , tiger pajamas , a kiss goodnight , left to touch the moon , stars and all heavenly wonders with heavy eyelids and a boys anticipation for tomorrow ............

Fireflies shine over the midnight world
Testament to creation unfurled , Angelic
orbs that kindle the glow of young thoughts
Loves first kiss forever held in our precious heart
Writing our emotions in the twilight tapestry
The promise of forever carved on a moonlit
'Oak tree tablet' for all eternity
Holding on to one another on a Summer porch
swing , a journey through the Heavens on a
song filled evening

Pretty birds sing away pain
An old friend this evening returns once again
Shadows of the coming night -
are beautiful along the open plain
The dust of hard labor quelled by a gentle rain
I say Hallelujah for the disappearing day  
Hallelujah , yes indeed* ....

A silent epilogue for afternoon showers , embraced in timid , crimson sunshine . Blessed Summer petrichor fuels nights of windsong , good nature and whippoorwill ballads ..

My surrogate to awaiting spiritual harbor ..  To one day relinquish physicality's tarnished clasps for the tonic , jasper fields of Ola ..

Barbecue is blowing in the breeze , the city of Jackson is "rolling up the streets " ..The old soldier guards the city square , thoughts turn to Saturday night , stripers at the lake and the devil-may-care ..
Shady southern avenues and picnics at Indian Springs , lazy Sunday afternoons and playful children on dead end streets* ...

Timpani's shook terra firma in sixteenth notes
The chorus of rain , wind racked hardwoods -
and door chimes silenced the known world
The storms fragrance radiated through every window as
I sought the cool side of the pillow* ...

The Pastor preaching against indulgence
doth squeal and whine
For his lips have yet to meet a -
Key Lime pie ...

Hallowed hill birdlife from my bedroom window
My bold , fellow agnostics working hard -
on the ' Sabbath ' like any other day
Warblers and Finches with no time for play
Red headed Woodpeckers tapping away
Orpingtons , Dominiques and New Hampshires -
leading a busy parade
Bathing Geese , scratching Hens , Crows in the corn
An Egret rides the wind while a Robin feeds her young
Bluebirds on the hunt , Thrashers on the run
Jays nabbing Figs in the scorching midday Sun

Mountain winds carry the church carillon through town ,
hymns echo across sleepy juniper meadows and hamlets for miles around ..
Neighbors gather for Sunday morning service , children laugh and
play throughout city square park benches and monuments , husbands and wives are rather 'chatty' and quite proud in their finest attire ..
Restaurants open at noon , hungry churchgoers celebrate life
and togetherness , one day out of the week the locals swoon jointly
over the month of June , impending harvest , all that is good in the world on a sleepy , thankful afternoon ..

Competing sounds turn
to white noise
Headlights sail down the Mill Road
An airplane off to Chicago
Southern railcars whine in route to
New Orleans
Big trucks on the four way , cars on the blacktop ,
firetrucks on the valley road , pickups on the highland ,
concrete thoroughfares , northsiders pay their tolls , commuter
rails scream from above
Jetliners mingle with the stars , a church for every bar ,
a lightning bug for every jar , a ne'er -do -well for every cop
car , white lightning for granny's "fruit jars"
The view of the Milky Way , the beginning of another day ,
deceased wildlife on the motorway , a new dog having his
day
John Deere's turning fields , poor folks making payments on
their light bill , newspeople in the know , laying hens all in a row
White noise divided specifically , chained pits growling maliciously , townsfolk stocking outdoor shelves , government
gorging on mans wealth* ...

Port Lake sunshine , a beam of pure serendipity
Ushering Noon hour topwater magic to all fortunate enough
to bear witness ...
River dancers swirl about felled timber , painted turtles
tred the surface endlessly , broom sage waves from
the curious creek fed beginning ...
Leaf boats ride the wind churned waters , a prisoner
to her casual whims ..Talking hardwoods , sash-shaying
hillside Pines , ferns and wild berry shrubs loom large
at the southern periphery , tall tree reflections soothe my weary
eyes , a daytime Moon rides the True blue impassioned sky ..

Rainwater becomes crystal ,  sparkling within golden wildflowers that catch the wandering eye in the afternoon sunlight ceremony , beauty and mundanity held together , autonomous , independent with visceral poetic emotion , a testimony to mutualistic endeavors ....
Portals through scattered canopies opening doors , darkness
called to its cobalt conclusion , freed of the daylight confusion ,
returning home to serenade my emotive night*  ...