Ancient doors creak and groan
scraping back the dust
of ages gone
A formidable sight...
like standing guardians
since time immortal

Slinking in
past swirling fog
I pause to calm my fear
adding strength to resolve
when suddenly...
a deafening voice ERUPTS
with EXACTING FASTIDIOUS truths

Solid ground shatters beneath me...
I hover helplessly
Below me...
a noxious boiling maelstrom

The voice of truth EXPLODES from above
ECHOing  my 'Every Sin'
the resounding shock-waves
drive me down

Legs lifted high
to avoid the searing pain
then
a tangle of blistered hands reach out
and drag me within the churning inferno

Blinding spin and unbearable suction
envelope

Scream fades to gurgle

Unconsciousness welcome
though never met

The searing pain still rising yet

Each fibre ripped apart
to molecular particle

Riding the vortex of purification
Separating sins from soul

Finally

Cast out
and caught yet again by the uterine web
with the voice of truth
still taunting ...

" BETTER LUCK THIS TIME "

~~~
Droplets cling fast to an icicle
their silent plea echoes in vain
Mist gently lifts
in the wake of the sun
and tears
slip their bonds
once again
~

~~~
A gentle breeze was drifting soft
cooling sands
beside the sea
The shoreline cast with countless lore
a bounty
shared for free
An essence
smiled upon the wind
with pleasant times gone by
and spoke of treasured times he shared
as visions
blurred his eye
~
A tingle on his lonesome lips
a tear
mixed with a sigh
The cadence of a crashing wave
co-mingle
with a cry
The pangs of love grew stronger still
with every passing thought
They'd be together
soon
he promised
on a ship
that sails aloft
~
He slowly walked the tides of time
a cane gripped in his hand
The footprints ...
if you looked behind
showed more sets
in the sand
A loyal friend
stayed at his side
and ran
to fetch a stick
To fetch a smile from ones he loved
he'd do most any trick
~
At dawn's first light he met a boy
with fishing pole and bait
They reminisced
and spun some yarns
he talked about his fate
His heart was fading ...
borrowed time
he spoke of home with sacred grace
The boy had been there
many times
a gorgeous cliff above this place
~
His legs were failing
heart too frail
the boy packed up his gear
Arm in arm
they slowly climbed
a path to yesteryear
His little dog was first atop
a stick still clutched to play
The rising sun on golden dew
sent mist to greet the day
~
Near the edge
'neath shaded tree
they stopped to catch their breath
His finger traced its' trunk in trance
the boy and dog played fetch
The crash of surf
and seabird's song
were echoed through the years
The freshest air from heaven's sigh
inhaled ...
he shed his fears
~
A rolling mist rose up from sea
and hovered on the brink
A loving voice called out to him

... the boy knew not what to think ...

When fingers touched he stepped aboard
a ship of floating cloud
He turned and raised his hand
and smiled

"Please love our little dog"
~
The ship rose up on gentle breeze
they waved
it passed so frail
They'll be together always now
on a ship with heaven's sail
~
I was that boy so long ago
it seems like reverie
But if so ...
then where'd I get the dog
and whose initials are in this tree?
~~~

~~~
Tis a gladness found in sadness
mostly pleasure
wince of pain
From an odor round the barroom
none the boys could e'er explain
Like a billowed line of washin'
after gentle fallen rain
Tis the wail of spring befallin'
on a barfly
oh ... the shame
~
Lo
there's homework
I'm the tender
to a list of things that broke
Ere the boss be sharing surely
words no poet ever spoke
Lazy good for nothing ******
paint the fence and fix the gate
You want a pint ... you must be kidding
Plow the forty ... 'fore it's late
~
Down the misty path of memories
thoughts of Kelsey's brew appears
In a vision almost godly
round a table rests my peers
And no memory tarries longer
forceful
clearer
sweeter
stronger
than ol' Kelsey pouring liquor at the bar
I sheds a tear
~
Summer sadness tans bare shoulders
to replace the winter's shun
And the kids each day
they greet me ... Morning Dad
YOUR IT ... then run
Lord
I never knew that Heaven
'twas the place beyond my wall
Till I heard my children laugh
while toasting mallows in the fall
~
Though breath of Heaven
washed the aftertaste
of Kelsey's from my life
And forever I'll be holding ... dear
new memories
with my wife
I am angered at the sign
that hangs atop ol' Kelsey's door
. . . NO BARFLIES . . .
. . . CASH RESPECTED . . .
~
Sure
His wife now runs the bar
~~~

Water lifting sand
awash
upon naked toes
Pant legs rolled above the knee
Searching
endless beach
and scanning cloud
for signs of muse

Craving an inspiration

Gull abound
invading thought
taunting the lack of light
But
devoted bards
never rest
till inspiration corners them

Timothy at hand
garners mind’s eye
Sweet grass replaces taste of chewing gum
Then
nature's pearls
enhance the morn
Sunlight heals a mood forlorn
Gentle breeze
on whiskered face
melds with seaside interlace

Seabird songs
lift line of sight

Thought drifts out to sea

Thursday’s skyline
circles back
then dips its quill in me
~~~

Do you follow me...

I've scattered thought
across countless stages of unveiled catwalk
Graced anthologies of rhyme
Watched you
watch me
indulge in second guess
Still ...
reflection
seldom circulates
obscured from Elementary

Fact is... words refrain
as thoughts pile higher
Each ode grows less incent
from straining to dip our quills
Leaning
way beyond comfort
to soak
in crisper thoughts

Our only regrets ...
a shortage of counterintelligence
~~~

Tears transform a tranquill room
expose
a sleepless night
tumble
over speechless sounds
to misty-eye your sight

My eyes could shut and call this dream
slip back
through slumber's door
Though curious whys deflate serene
deplete
arouse
deplore
~
I search within your eyes
a light
mear spark
disperse of haze
My touch careses salted cheek
my thoughts
within your maze
A sudden hug
you cling to me
my heart surrounds you tight
You turn away
but snuggle close
You smile
and say
Goodnight ...

~~~
Not far it was from Heaven
'twas the very month of June
and the sweetest birds were singing
when first
she stole my tune ...

As if from out the bluest sky
an angel came to call

Quintessence of Irish memory
with braids as I recall

The golden sun's shine o'er the dew
reflected
through her eyes

Like flowers
from a woodland path
her smile just mesmerized

With dancer's wings she stepped along
my song held in her arms

My blue eyes dreaming
hypnotized
now locked within her charms

"Good day kind sir"
sweet melody
embraced my very soul

With butterflies and rubber thighs
my tongue
I swear it swoll

My heart stood tall
to brace my jaw
an lock the molars tight

The best I managed
was a smile
my voice had taken flight

Pausing
she locked her gaze to mine
reached out to my lapel

Placed a fragrant flower there
bent close
to share its smell

The moment
stole my breath from me

I gazed in pure delight

Enchanted with her beauty rare
awoke
to silent night
~~~

~~~
Traditions lead to streets of dream
to scant abodes
beneath the green
So tiny
small
'neath gardens tall
with russet
stacked
above them all
~
Their chimneys waft
of fire's stoke
the meek step forth
though bashful folk
The pitter pat
of little feet
arise
the length
of Little Street
~
They take my hand as pipers chant
descend the street
with river's dance
Around about
the dancers croon
to every home
I'm blessed ...
buffoon
~
Tranquil glade amongst the heather
sparks ignite
the moods in feather
Flames leap forth
as cauldrons
coddle
tubers roast
as whispers twaddle

Pipes
I fill
and pints
I swallow

Tip 'em Back
their chant
seems hollow
~
Breaking bread
their stew
yumm - titious
though
in my head
their brew
grows vicious
~
Little Street
a fading glow
still ...
I was little once you know
The shutters
close
the visions
wane
their magic
carves
my hiking cane
Another day
another plane
the child inside

asleep

again
~~~

~~~
Dappled grey horses
sweat crusted and weary
hooves drifting dust
lift a day
passing dreary
The harness bells faded
reigned in at the rill
a cool running brook
near the base of our hill
~
My eyes
I'm a lad
scant older than four
brought visions to mind
full of wonders in store
A wagon decked out
like a big city market
he lifted the side
then he shook out the carpet
~
Our old kitchen door
screamed out
lack of oil
a kettle
clanged gently
just set on to boil
E'er mother's voice shouted
"I think it's the Pox
the old folks have died
I've been digging their plots"
~
"My father's in bed
and they won't let me near"
the stranger walked by
with a smile
mussed my hair
Went in with a bag
full of magic he grows
started mixing a broth
made with god only knows
~
Tip toed on a box
dragged in from the yard
through windows
he folded
gunpowder with lard
The screams of my father
sent tears to my eyes
they rubbed him completely
in spite of his cries
~
They fed him the broth
a few drops at a time
I climbed off the box
with his horses in mind
"The horses love apples"
I turned with a whirl
peeking out from his wagon
the freckled face
of a girl
~
In moments I knew her
a lifetime
it seemed
a most likeable friend
who knew all the schemes
As father got better
t'was time to move on
her father
a doctor
a peddler
a con
~
He'd done us a service
we could never repay
though he sold us an *****
an' stool
by the way
Each year they returned
once or twice
they dropped by
little freckle faced Mary
soon
the girl of my eye
~
They'd rest a few days
with each visit
it's true
she wrote the best love songs
while I wrote the tunes
Then one night it happened
'neath moon and the stars
consummating a love
that would forever
be ours
~
He stumbled upon us
but said not a word
in the morning
so early
fading echoes we heard
Ne'er again did we see them
though rumors
of peril ...
my parents expired
to a place 'neath the barrow
~
Five years had surpassed
isolation and grief
knocked a lamp
from the table
when I'd fallen asleep
The house nearly cinder
an' I felt like the fool
only item I'd saved
was the old ***** stool
~
Just sat there and watched
till the sun broke the morn
in the distance
an echo
I'd heard years before
Then over the rise
sweat crusted and weary
two dappled grey horses
on a day
passing dreary
~
The horses reigned in
right next to the rill
that sweet running brook
at the base of our hill
A woman climbed down
took a step
to the glade
the dawning day's sun
streaming in to pervade
~
A light in my heart
jumped a thousand times fold
the smile in her eyes
and the story's been told
The tears
fell in rapture
though nothing was said
embraced
now with Mary
she'd returned from the dead
~
She unhitched the horses
I lifted the side
"The years have been kind"
I said
lifting her pride
"Are you my daddy?"
I turned with a whirl
peeking out from the wagon
the freckled face
of a girl

The night seems much colder constrained in conceit
well ... perhaps just a little
perhaps

Conceivably
as one awakens within an echo
recollection
reverberberates throughout a constant disorder
well ... perchance just a little
perchance

Possibly
a cascading aural inevitability pervades constructive subconscious
and invades confidant tranquility
with some possibility of being the case

Perhaps
If one eliminates all the impossibilities
whatever remains
however improbable
could quite conceivably
lead
to the verbalization...

Who ****** Cares
~~~

~~~

I'm watching the road to eternity
perhaps
I'm just basting cries
to the hopes of attracting a moonbeam
a reflection
within your eyes
A twisted path
from dawning time
that leads
through push and shove
A breeze that moans
through bows aloft
and swirls the dust of love
~
My footstep
stubbed a root
so gnarled
I tumbled
astray the path
Though I returned
to sacred ground
my fate so befell your wrath
~
I stand alone
amongst the weeds
where a Fragrant Rose
once bloomed
I cannot see
nor feel the warmth
within your heart
entombed
~
And still the years
creep past forever
dark shadows veil these skies
Your rose defies
a memory's tether
No reflection
within your eyes
~~~

My dream soars high through crystal skies
aloft in astral flight
Drifting free on shifting breeze
banking left ...
then banking right
~
A reclusive need for solitude
spread wings
within my head
rising up through phobic mist
topping all ...
'tis stress I dread
~
A rising sun smiles upon my face
triggers ...
coronary delight
above the clouds of Heaven's step
helping ...
rectify my plight
~
My leaden shroud
soon
lifted high
six angels share its weight
Top o' the morning
I heard them say
as they passed
through Heaven's gate
~
We'll have your shroud
all cleaned and pressed
We'll embroider
on its' nape
A Morning Dove shall carry it home
wear it well ...
it's Heaven's Cape
~
Descending home ...
can't help but notice
the world's a brighter place
A pristine air
pervades the sky
while
all tension
seems erased
~
Subconscious thought
soon nullified
Fresh air ...
inflates the hollow
I yawn and stretch as nature's song
sings through my open window
~
My dream serene starts fading fast
my thoughts
to reality ... focus
while reaching out to close the pane
a dove slips through
... unnoticed ...
~~~

~~~
Entranced through castle window
arms outstretched ...
but resting on its frame
The only sound that falls to ear
from a pendulum's rhythmic swing
~
A gentle flame
sends ghostly shadows
that dance to silent notes
Entwined in scents from fireside
inlaid with cherry smoke
~
They said she would appear this night
as all the stars align
I drank their potion
said the chant
Still dispirited
counting time
~
The hour's close
near darkest night
a looking glass beside me
hand crafted by the little folk
ornate with sprigs of ivy
~
Enchanted ... yes ... they cannot lie
my wish they guarantee
Their word's been kept
since dawning time
One minute more ...
we'll see
~
A deafening thunder breaks the still
as lightning strikes the spires
From gentle breeze
to baleful gale
dare never
to think them liars
~
The ancient mirror begins to glow
as the clock counts off the trials
My heart explodes
beneath my chest
with the force of a billion smiles
~
" Take my hand ...
while the clock still strikes "
your voice pleads ... from inside
To my surprise
I reach within
with both arms open wide
~
Your loving touch
and I'm pulled through time
to your kiss
oh ... sweet embrace
A whirling swirling rainbow ride
as the tears roll down my face
~
" To the end of time ... I beg of you
Never leave these loving arms "
"Ohh...
but there's one more task
you must fulfil
if you wish to win my charms "
~
With sprawling thud ... I hit the grass
spinning senses in a daze
A newborn sunlight
warms my face
sparkling air
helps lift the haze
~
Such marvels
cast
this wondrous world
a voice sings with a smile
~
... " You must catch me " ...
rings your taunting laugh
from a glade
nearly half a mile
~~~

~~~
We send our thoughts to cyberspace
to see if they can grow
They vanish
lost
without a trace
A blink
and it is so

Simple thoughts... from simple we
solicit no reply
The bitter truth
disturbs content
and stings
the strongest eye
~~~

~ ~ ~
Rsifafh setps
porepl the dsut
taht dfirts
bweeten the eras
Sintfig in
from pelaruse's csrut
taht hpaes
ingreod for yraes
~
Tohguh cwebobs mcok mtautriy
tehy ptcunuate the fraes
~
Wehn srorow sintgs ...
RTELIAY
~
Tehn wosidm
gwros from traes
~ ~ ~

My easy-chair shifts closer to the hearth
with each passing winter
My ingle-nook...
forestalling isolation and despair

A wisp of smoke and the gentle song of embers
as flames engulf stale reality
with their golden glow
Stirring
merry voices
from so many years ago

Recalling...
the chime of Church-bells
faintly mingling
with the sound of carollers
weaving through streets
door to door
through the fresh trackless snow
Smiling eyes
singing
with hand in hand
Their warm wishes reaching out
and then hugs
before moving on
to the next Manor-house

Yet

One stayed on to linger ...

Songbook clutched across a breast
throbbing
to the feathered touch of fairy feet

One face...

framed by a wreath of flaxen hair

The shyest stare from downcast eyes

Cheeks... flushed to rose

and a voice that still whispers to my deepest parts


If only you knew that from that very moment
to this
you've brought to me
and always will
kindle my fondest memories
each fireside
~

~
When clouds roll by
Disappear
in a blink
Leaving starlight
to compete for a nook in my cranny

I find
that the sum of my brim
grows brighter each night
But
I persistently
reflect
from my *****
~

~~~
Hiking through a woodland glen
as mellow shards
of sunset bend
to capture
bright
in waters clear
reflections
caught
from mountains shear
The silhouette sings twilight's best
Enchanting beauty
north by west
'Twas then my heart
forgot to beat
while visions to my gaze complete
A gentle sigh
resets its rhythm
I step toward this face from heaven
~
In twilight's eerie haze she stood
amongst the tranquil shades of wood
where timeless paths
bestow the land
she beckons
with extended hand

Surroundings
waver
hardly seen
I spring a trap
laid there between
Then falling
deep
to darkest dread
Above ...
the trap
once more is spread
~
I tumble blind through timeless mist
as things unseen
tear skies to bits
Attesting shrieks bare blackest dreams
When fingers
grab
they choke the screams
I'm lifted
tossed
to brink of ledge
I scramble
safely
back from edge
Breath wheezed
lungs filled
sanguine air
but shadows dance
to flame's despair
~
Perusing cavern round about
entwined with scents
of mash and stout
The shadows fade
as faces bare
Their eyes unblinking
strangely stare
Just who they be I have no clue
In cloaks of rag
bereft of shoe
A boiling ***
spills
overflows
Aroma wafts
to pull my nose
~
As grumbles strike beneath my chest
a bowl they pass
I say my blest
The taste is odd
but strangely
good
Then laughs
coalesce
beneath their hood
It strikes me now this tale I'm told
just echoed back
from memories cold
Beware the pit from beauty set
Where mortal feet
tread
with regret
~
I sense
the danger lurking near
Too late
I'm ****** through worlds of cheer
Round about
with no control
Immersed in love
then stripped of soul
Tears of pleasure
tears of pain
Round about and back again
Conscious whirling
twisting
vain
Blackness lifting
Drenched with shame
~
Hiking through a woodland glen
as mellow shards
of sunset bend
to capture
bright
in waters clear
reflections
caught
from mountains shear
The silhouette sings twilight's best
Enchanting beauty
north by west
'Twas then my heart
forgot to beat
as visions through my haze
complete
A pondered thought
sends senses reeling
'tis Déjà vu

I've got this feeling
~~~

~~~
Sunlight sweeps above the dale
while shades of heather
lift their veil
Then gentle mist of morning
swirls
enhancing dawn
with nature's pearls
~
Songbird's flight encircles glen
to spot late crawler's
search for den
Yet...
not all that dwells in understory
hides this day...
this day's their glory
~
The songbirds flee... the piper grins
"Far Darrig O'Malice
yer at it again"
The silence broke
the wildwoods rustle
From near and far
the wee ones
hustle
~
The songs roll out
the barrels too
the leprechauns abandon shoe
They all break out one piece of gold
To waste
before their play grows cold
~
They barter sheep
while lifting hogs
They saddle...
ride
the farmer's dogs
And all the while they laugh and shout
they never spill their mugs of stout
~
The Cluricauns with stouter trumpet
descend the town
subdue the strumpet
Spend their purse to chase romance
The quean much slicker
steals their pants
~
Within the glen
with dusk's approach
the smoke gets thick as suppers roast
The music swirls
the echoes sail
The dancers chant an Irish tale
~
And those with naked butts
are taught
They stop
it gives the bugs a shot

Far Darrigs crawl beneath the kegs
they pop the corks and fill their legs
~
St. Patrick's blessed another year
The sound of snoring
now all you hear
~~~

~~~
Hearts in memory drawn before us
haste display their vesting style
Daydreams shed and plead ... restore us
dancing o'er a rusted smile
~
Chancing fancies may discover
heart-light cast where sins may dwell
Shadow-darkened skies recover
the isolation sought to quell
~
Sifting through those haunting traces
ringing round a fading light
Who might stop and trade us faces
invest a smile to warm the night
~
To the wise that rise above us
bend an ear to wishing well
See the dancers push and shove us
to the brink of living hell
~~~

~~~
When tomorrow's reckoning
draws a bite
and contemplation concedes to fear
Most expectations
fade their light
as echoes flash from yesteryear
~
Aspersion paid
to good advice
proceeds to mock all sacrifice
Return
of future's past
you see
invades your pride and revelry
What goes around
comes back
to be
In due time
~~~

~~~
The pitch o' night her captain feared
her leeward pending doom

November's raging breath
ensnared
to daunting reef she loomed

Her belly shattered
pitched and gorged
as raging swells
reclaim

The drift of break
flew
blizzard cold
~
"Come Sail Away"
is her name
~

~~~
I'll never love you simply because you appear to look like an Angel
Instead
I'm falling for an Angel
who simply prefers
to look like you
~~~