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Richard Grahn Apr 2017
Caught up in wondering what might come next
I can’t see your ending before it’s been read
Your riveting passages unfold into mystery
They twist me around as you fill in your history

The pages flash by, the story pretends
I’m oft led astray till I reach the end
As the tale unfolds then leads me inside
I can’t get away from the clues that you hide

Don’t spoil the show by revealing the plot
Just let me get lost in the words on your page
We both can arrive at the same destination
All I need is a good explanation

Let’s capture the facts and set them to spin
We’ll ride on the tide and feast from within
You’re food for my thought, I cannot deny so
I’ll read you to the end or at least I’ll try
Richard Grahn May 2017
Soft blossoms blooming
Hummingbirds preferring the
Sweet nectar inside
Hummingbirds know what they like and are very good at getting it. It takes a lot of flowers to feed a hummingbird and it’s a fascinating thing to observe.
Richard Grahn Aug 2017
Deep in the mountains
In the still of the evening
Daylight is waning

A whippoorwill casts whispers
To the sunlight’s vast shadows
Richard Grahn Apr 2017
Moonlight does shiver
Defying the cool darkness
Of this pitch black night

4/23/2017
Richard Grahn May 2017
When I dream of you
Its not what I choose to do
It’s something I must
Richard Grahn Nov 2017
Blue sky, cold outside
Squirrels rummage fallen leaves
Pass the nutcracker
Richard Grahn Apr 2017
birds ever whirling
in a sky that keeps churning:
the sands of time fly
This may be a bit closer to real Haiku. At least it’s drawing from nature. One thing I know is that I’ve got a lot to learn about this seemingly simple form of poetry.
Richard Grahn May 2017
I’m one tiny seed
For a little while longer.
My hope is to grow
And present you a flower.

I don’t need much care
But I need to be watered.
Illuminate me;
Let me bask in the sunshine.
Rejuvenate me;
Let me waltz in the moonlight.

I’m one happy seed.
Contemplate me completely.
Just plant me and watch
As I grow in your garden,
As I greet you each morning.
This is my first shot at Choka. Had to sleep on the last line. The 5/7/5/7…pattern has a distinctive rhythm that is tough to break out of at the end.
Richard Grahn Jul 2017
I’m stuck on the page
Just rearranging this phrase
To say what it says
Richard Grahn May 2017
In the winter                
We shiver
In the summer                
We sweat
In the fall                         
We remember
In the spring                  
We forget
Richard Grahn May 2017
This trembling earth
Spins us around
As our time ticks away
And dwindles on down

Now is the moment
We live in our dreams
Later is something
We’ve never seen

Yesterday came
But now it’s just gone
Only memories are left
Of that passing song

Tomorrow may come
But it certainly won’t last
Nothing can live
In the future or past
Richard Grahn Apr 2017
Such a lovely tree
Above you and me
Just over our heads
The canopy spreads
Beneath our feet
The roots reach out
To anchor this shady
And leafy retreat

We lay out our lunch
On an old checkered cloth
We break out the wine
And drink a few drops
The bread is from heaven
The cheese from the dell
Your whispers are water
My ears are the well

Blessed are you
For coming along
Here in the tree-line
Our time passes by
Your song is divine and
Your lips taste like wine
The bread and the cheese
Leave us hungry for more

We lay in the grass
We kiss and we laugh
There’s time to relax
And truly unwind
Our hearts beat a song
And our minds sing along
Under our tree
Is where we belong
Richard Grahn Jan 2018
over-exposed…
what i look like
when i get out of bed
What can I say, I just got a new camera. Now I'm into photogenic jokes.
Richard Grahn Sep 2017
Sweet tears in the rain
Another  heartfelt refrain
Relieving the pain
Richard Grahn Oct 2017
pale birch trees stand tall
long shadows seep into night
lumberjacks slumber
Trying to get closer to a real haiku/senryu here. I've still got a long way to go before I get a handle on some of the intricacies.
Richard Grahn Apr 2017
love lessons pending
for two hearts ever mending:
the house is on fire!
Richard Grahn May 2017
The storm clouds gather
Our fabric is in tatters
Your magic deceives
Richard Grahn May 2017
Rivulets of flame
Lick at the wounds
Of a thousand lifetimes
And countless tears

This flame is a passion
A fire in the mind
It’s lifetime is passing
But it isn’t done lasting

Burning the strife
From a well-weathered soul
It cuts like a knife
Where the malady lies

Its heat melts the ice
Frozen deep down inside
Its light casts a glow
Where the shadows reside

This flame will not die
While the dream is alive
It runs like a stream
Through the channels of my mind

The world may be turning
But the flame keeps on burning
This passionate inferno
Will not be denied
Richard Grahn May 2017
As the world turns ‘round
I can see a glimpse
Of things gone by
And yet to come……but

What’s here right now is all that there is
Somehow I lost you in the swirling mist

There is no crime I could commit
To leave me right now in such a miserable state
I’m running ‘round in a half-baked mood
Lost in the memories I’d rather not lose

I never wanted to see the day
When our hearts would part, taking you away
Your memory lingers in my battered mind
These thoughts of you set my soul on fire

We can’t go back, this much is true
I can’t count the moments of a world without you
The road up ahead is paved with mystery
And the path behind us is now just history

Right now I’m singing a very sad tune
Tomorrow may come with a different mood
But it might take more than a single day
To settle my mind and wash you away
Richard Grahn May 2017
This world comes to pause
At the blush of a flower
Absorbed in perfume
Richard Grahn Nov 2017
Settle
Breathe
Wait
Listen
Reach out
Reach in
Receive...Peace
Richard Grahn Apr 2017
Thank you Joyce for handing me a blank notebook and suggesting that I do something creative with it. This is the first poem I wrote for my upcoming book. Short but sweet.

“Love is when the other person's happiness is more important than your own.” H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Periwinkle tears decorate her face
The moment of this fountain leaves no doubt to its source
Joy springs like a river onto the plain of her cheeks
He watches them cascade down over her lips
He kisses and nibbles at the tender drops
His eyes moisten over and he issues a smile
He is happy they are together again
Her heart is a beacon that serenity brings
Richard Grahn Oct 2017
With a single step
Lofty goal’s become clearer
Dreams hover nearer.

Is that rock just a roadblock
Or another stepping stone?
Richard Grahn May 2017
You and I persist
Our love exists regardless
Of where the wind blows
Richard Grahn May 2017
My fingers started in her hair
And tangled up in her curly locks
So soft and very silky there
I dreamed of things that we could share

Her lips so close
She cooed to me
Into my ear she whispered……….“please”

My hand, it drifted to her face
And touched her cheek
That rosy place

Where tears of laughter once ran free
Her blush of love smiled back at me

I took her nape and held her close
She smiled at me and nudged my nose

Our lips entwined as flesh combined
My heart jumped harder as the kiss got wetter

My hands they roamed about her curves
I could taste the scent
Of her succulent breath

My mind was spinning
As I tore at her dress
My buttons popped
As she exposed my chest

Breast to breast
And cheek to cheek
The castle burned
And the walls came down

We lost ourselves in the whirling gyre
Undulating in a torrid fire

The sands of time beneath our feet
Were swept away in the blinding fray

Our hearts came together
Where two should meet
Our magic together
Is now complete
Richard Grahn May 2017
In splendid repose
One blooming rose lies gleaming
Hummingbirds kiss her

The wind whispers their secrets
As the pollen keeps drifting
This is my first shot at a Tanka. Feedback is most welcome. I can’t really help getting somewhat anthropomorphic about it. Thanks Chaetura for reminding me of the word anthropomorphic.
Richard Grahn Nov 2017
Gently breathing,
Rock is sleeping
Beneath a tree.

Water seeps,
Roots drink,
Rock sleeps.

A subtle breeze
Tickles leaves,
Rock sleeps.

Whispering softy,
A lullaby.
Rock sleeps.

Roots envelope rock,
Hugging, squeezing.
Rock sleeps.

Hugging tighter,
Reaching in.
Rock sleeps.

Crack!

Rocks are sleeping
Beneath a tree,
Gently breathing.
This is dedicated to Ron who insisted that "you can't write a poem about a rock" or personify a rock. All my poems about rocks are hereby and forevermore dedicated to Ron.
Richard Grahn Sep 2017
When I see you there in the brisk, fresh air
I’m watching you without a care.

To be with you is all I need.
Just little seeds of thoughts I’ve dreamed.

To walk with you down the garden path.
To breathe with you is all I ask.

I have so very much more to give.
Inside your mind, I want to live.

Into your eyes, I love to look.
Your heart is such an open book.

Your feelings they reach out to me.
They teach me thoughts I’d never see.

I do believe I’m mesmerized.
My mind is floating across your sky.

The clouds drift by, your light shines through.
I’m loving you with all I do.

Please let me stay another day.
Let the passing years take us away.

Let me dream with you
Till the creek runs dry

And sleep with you
In the bye and bye.
This was commissioned as a poem to accompany a marriage proposal. For some reason it came easier than other commissions. I guess I just like writing about love.
Richard Grahn Oct 2017
Just a little fun
Parsing words is so much pun
Laugh until you’re done
Richard Grahn May 2017
Pick me up easy
And put me down slow
You’re making me queasy
I thought you should know

It’s not all that clear dear
Don’t know where to turn
I’m running your gauntlet
In your fire I will burn

So…

Pick me up gently
Be tender and kind
Don’t try to pretend girl
You know that you’re mine

I’ll be yours forever
Or to the end of our time
For now and whenever
Let’s dance together
Richard Grahn Apr 2017
A subtle breeze both gentle and clean
Wafts across the chimney peaks
A sweet wet mist fills the humid air
Sporadic clouds grow in stately fair
Little drizzles in blue sky and sun
This casual dance is all the fun
I'm a dancing fool, you can be too
We can play that game
Just swimming in the rain

*“I want to know, have you ever seen the rain comin’ down on a sunny day?” –  Creedence Clearwater Revival
Richard Grahn Oct 2017
Sifting through the clouds…
Searching for a rainbow.
I finally found one floating there,
Just outside my window.

Her colors flowing through the air,
Almost caught me unaware.
But there I stood in the silky mist,
Kissed by the sunlight’s fractured bliss.

Now I’m finding rainbows
Everywhere I turn.
Just waiting for another rain
To splash across my window pane.

I watch the clouds embrace the sky
With every storm that passes by.
But in my mind I always see
A rainbow watching over me.
Richard Grahn Apr 2017
Chasing a rainbow
Ever dancing in puddles
Daylight is misting

4/23/2017
Richard Grahn Jun 2017
A drip in the clouds;
One drop
               flowing down…

                        …across the wind
and to the ground.

A pitter a patter,
     it doesn’t much matter.
Rain dances with rain,
     while this teardrop evolves
and quickly dissolves…into ripples.
Today I feel like raindrops.
Tomorrow perhaps a moose.
From what I know of rainbows
The next day I'm a goose.
Richard Grahn Oct 2017
You always said “I’ll love you always.”
But always didn’t last.
Your memories are a bulldozer
Just plowing through my past.

We stripped away the barren soil
And got down to the lode.
It wasn’t what we thought was there
There wasn’t any gold.

Now the ground lays cold and bare.
There’s nothing left of us to share.
We’ve divvied up what’s left of us
And left the ground to turn to dust.

We wanted gold
To free our souls and wash away the tears
But the gears of time kept grinding on
Churning up the years.

So I hold the gems we found back then
Closely to my beating chest
To recollect, to not forget.
**At least for you, I’ll do my best.
Made a significant change after posting this. The changed parts are in bold
Richard Grahn Sep 2017
Down, deep down inside...
Down inside where the memories hide.
Where the meanings mean so very much more.
Beyond a time we can’t ignore.

Down where the dragons hunt and crawl.
Lost in the maze…falling, falling.
Against the wall…clawing, clawing.

###########################

Up, pushing up…
Out, reaching out…
In, letting in…flying, trying.
Living, dying, laughing, crying.
Across the wind…singing, smiling.

Down below where the meanings flow,
We see a light in the cold, dark night.
Reading leaves in our hot, dark tea.
Believing things we just can’t believe.

Sailing far across the sea.
We grieve for loves we’ve never seen.
Our minds are wrapped in the waves of time.
What once was lost is ours to find.

###########################

I thank you now for this little dance.
A lovely chance to see the light.
You mean so very much to me.
I’ve reached you here inside my dreams.


From deep inside these shadowed halls,
We’ve finally reached beyond the walls.
Above the sky, deep down inside,
Like birds we fly, escaping time.
I was on a seven day stint in the hospital and Sharlin was one of my tender caregivers. I asked her if she’d like to hear a poem. She said yes but insisted that I write one just for her. The topic she chose was “success after failure.” Of course I obliged. This is the result. I loved the challenge and she was thrilled with the result.
Richard Grahn Apr 2017
A stream deep and wide
Glides across the country side:
Reflected in sky.
Richard Grahn Aug 2017
Reflections of you
In the mirror of my eyes
Have sparked my desire
Richard Grahn May 2017
Curled up by the fire
Mesmerized by its warm glow
Our love is burning
Richard Grahn Aug 2017
Please remember what you mean to me.
Remember with your heart and
Remember with your soul.

Let passion evoke the memories we’ve made
While our thoughts drift together
Through the realm of our dreams.

Remember that vision we’ve shared for so long.
The world may be turning but it can’t drag us down.
Let’s walk here together through the landscape of life,
Charting our pathway through fields of delight.

Remember the hills and the valleys we’ve roamed,
The rivers we’ve forded and the roads we have strolled.
Believe in this journey we’re taking through time.
Let love be our tether and a light in your eyes.
This piece was commissioned. There's nothing quite like getting paid for doing something you love.
Richard Grahn Oct 2017
Dreaming near the lake
Mesmerized by fleeting waves
Thoughts drift back to you
Richard Grahn Nov 2017
storm clouds dissolving
sunlight kisses clear blue sky
a soft breeze dances
Richard Grahn Aug 2017
A drip in the clouds...
One drop…
                      flowing down…
                                                    across the wind…
and to the ground.

A pitter a patter,
       it doesn’t much matter.

Rain keeps on dancing
       as this teardrop evolves
And quickly dissolves…………….into ripples.
Richard Grahn May 2017
Right there in the pool
Where I saw a reflection
Your ripples resound
OK, so I'm working in the Love chapter. My favorite chapter.
Richard Grahn Sep 2017
The river of time
Slowly eases through my mind
Just can’t ease the tide
Richard Grahn May 2017
Butterflies dancing
On the winds of desire, in
Sunlight romancing
Richard Grahn May 2017
Anchored in the ground
Little roots reach for nectar
That the rain brought down

Tiny drops swim through the pond
Rainbows dance across the lawn
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