my past has gone
my present's here
my future's still to come.
I'll make my mark
and when I'm gone
my spirit shall live on.

No more
curling into
my embrace
purring your
contentment.
No more
scratching
gently at the door
catching
my attention.
No more
racing madly
through the grass
chasing shadows
and sunbeams.
Oh Minnie
I miss your presence
but still
I sense your essence.

Yesterday's sky
grey,overcast,
hanging heavy
humid
threatening deluge
all gone today.
Change
to hot, clear blue
cloudless
sunshine
promising Summer.

Over run
with every body's problems.
Over come
with cries of help, I want, I need.
Over strung

Help!

When I wrote it,
it was bad
the situation
made me sad,
but now
it's surely
out of hand
they've sold the future
and ***** the land
all to satisfy
the latest fad.

Finally I am destroyed
broken on the wheel of life
cast away into the void
by the winds of change.
My orphans wander
through life's maze
that brings them now
to take my place.

And my tears fall
to see them so.

I am the meek
the old and the weak,
the blinded beggar
on the street,
the little boy soldier
who dies in ignorance,
the young girl exploited
in her innocence.
I am an endless trail
of life and hope
crushed underfoot
by the greedy and heartless,
the selfish and Godless
who steal the soil
from my roots.

There is a message loud and strong
that wants to come to me.
I hear it like a distant song
floating, wild and free.
It echoes on the cool night air
and whispers in my dreams.
It leaves a feeling, soft and rare
and I know what it means.

The blackbird sings it, dusk and dawn
in the Summer time.
The robin sings it in the morn
of cold, bare Winter time.
Autumn blows it through the trees,
scattering on the wind
the golden leaves that say to me
"Listen and take heed".

Then Spring in all her glory, takes me by the hand
and standing in the sun's warm ray
amid bursting buds and dancing lambs
she says "enjoy today".

I know that I should
and I would if I could
but it's just impossible.
It's not that I will not
it's just that I can not
but I shall.................
maybe.

you left
you didn't say goodbye
you left
you didn't tell us why
bereft
we wept.

A flickering smile
from a stranger
with your blue eyes
I get a sense of you in me
like a butterfly
that flutters by
on the Summer breeze
calling
"Be what you be
see what you see
one life, one reality."

There's a light on, on my dashboard
I've not seen that before,
I don't know what the light means
the manual's in the drawer.
That light is quite annoying
with it's constant warning flash,
I need to find a garage
not sure I have the cash.
Ah! this place looks quite friendly
I'll pull in here and ask.
"Well yes " the kind man told me
"it's nothing of a task".
The man was very patient
he never shouted once.
Thank God he never charged me
now I can buy my lunch.

The mad woman stands
long hair blowing in the wind
green eyes glowing in the moonlight
counting all the times she sinned.

black clouds hover overhead
shadows dancing all around her,
******* breath, she opens wide her mouth
and screams her knowledge to the ether.

Circles flash and spin like lightening
answering the pain she's feeling.
The old ones know her by her shadow
and gather closer so to follow.

"Don't tell me any more" she screams
"Don't burden me!"
But they whisper dark things in her ear
and burden her with prophesy.

We go deeper than any pain
we may have suffered
when fingers from a dark past
pointed in accusation
and we sprang apart
like startled cats
bolting in different directions


trying to look innocent.

To walk alone
along the road of life
enduring stones of spite
because you
will not
cannot
won't
accept the clothing
that they want to put you in
might not be nice
so compensate
with thrill of
knowing
doing
being
what you are
and be content.

In a fog of indecision
through the maze of no solution
in the face of contradiction
with a blind determination
on the wings of inspiration
fly the seeds of our salvation.

Shouting out the same old flannel
"It's someone else's fault!"

And with growing consternation
with no room for calculation
and with every indication
of an error in direction
showing signs of desperation
and a lack of revelation.

All the constipated channels
grinding slowly to a halt.

What is the expectation
of the chance of liberation
from the threat of destitution?
when, with growing trepidation,
the failing constitution
fails to find a sure solution.

Is it just one more example
of the lessons to be taught?

He looked at me
that child of knowing eyes,
knowing eyes
of iridescent blue.
Blue pools gazing
blue gaze searching
for a link.
A link of recognition.
New, wise soul
old,wise soul
connecting
smiling
love.

In the honeycomb of knowledge
through the walls of space and time
stand the other sides of me,
where less is more
and space is freedom
and time is mine.

Who could ask for more?
than to sit beside the river
on it's perpetual,headlong journey,
in the green and verdant valley of the Wye.
Where the ever changing seasons
in their rich and timeless harmony
bring a new delight to please the eye.
Where meadows,rich and fertile,
reach up to meet the woodland
standing proud and green against the sky.
See the salmon catch the sunlight,
hear the constant conversations
of the bird life as they swoop and soar so high.
Smell the sweet scent of the leaf mould
catch the spirit of the moment
who could ask for more?
Not I.

A moment past midnight
I greet
the first day of the rest of my life
and kiss
good bye to yesterday.

The memories remain

incognito

filed away
with the lost dreams and regret
for the love
that somehow became conditional.

I can't change this.

Tomorrow holds the future
bright with hope
and new dreams
and lessons from the past

demanding change

demanding space

demanding recognition

I can change this.

Let me help you momma
like you helped me
when I was young
take the weight off momma
it's time for you
your chores are done
you know I love you momma
you gave me strength
when I had none
so let me help you momma
like you helped me
when I was young.

The Summers flash by
green and succulent
like stations in the night
through the long journey of life.

Colour me a picture
in a kaleidoscope of words
change a sheet of plain white paper
to a message to be heard
painting in emotion
in shades of pink and blue
filling in the detail
in every other hue
'til my mind aligns
with your mind
seeing what you see.

My dreaming mind
makes me face
my pain,my fear
my destiny.
My dreaming mind
has no sense
of now or here
or when in me.
My dreaming mind
excites a state
of open tiers
of love in me
and I can look at you
and know
a soul
that knows me.

I'll dance in the moonlight
at midnight
I'll dance 'til the dawn
on the lawn.
On through the sunrise
I'll shimmy
the earth's vibrations
carry me
on and on.
Through the day
I'll follow the sun
I'll dance along
'til the day is done.
The madman in the sky
pounds the beat
and pulls the strings
that move my feet.
On and on
through the sunset
on and on
and he won't let
won't let
go.

Breathless in this valley
I contemplate with awe
the timeless,verdant landscape
rolling upward from it's floor.
I wonder at such symmetry
such sublime majesty
which captures my attention
and makes my spirit soar.
The river in it's urgent quest
to reach the open sea
with it's salmon forging upward
in their own urgency.
Nothing greener than the meadows
watered by the rushing Wye
except perhaps the wooded hills
standing green against the sky.

A lone kestrel circles slowly overhead
shrieking
as she scans the ground below.
The soughing wind gently scatters
Autumn's leaves
in a rush of bright colour,
as fingers of sunlight
stab
through the trees.

I close my eyes
breathing deeply.
I hear the wind
and the kestrel.
I open my eyes
and see the colour
where the sunlight falls
and the kestrel's drop
straight as an arrow.

my words are the product of my imagination
coloured by the emotions of my experience.
I have plumbed the depths of despair
and soared on the dizzy heights of elation.
For the most part I have tossed on the seas of humanity,
where frailty and strength move side by side.

When I was young  and time was infinite
I was spontaneous,impulsive, impatient.
Now I am older
and life is precious
and timeless becomes time
with an end in sight.
Love becomes more visible.
I am adventurous,
pensive and patient,
riding the next dream
into a timeless future.

Everything's so still.

Looked at through a cobweb
on a fresh September dawn
bedecked with shining dewdrops
on the rose bush on the lawn,
while below me in the valley
a swathe of thick white mist
snakes along the river
waiting to be kissed
by the first long rays
of the sun's embrace
peeping o'er the hill.

Everything's so still.

The moon rose,smiling
through the tree tops
where the day birds
slumbered
her reflection
shimmered
on the still,deep pool
of a slow moving river
and shattered
in a burbling brook.

Floating on the edge of life
too tired to gather strength
withering like the autumn leaves
blowing in the wind.
Dissolving like the morning mist
under the summer sun
melting like the winter snow
in the warm spring rain.

Earth to earth
ashes to ashes
now I'm gone again.

And when you watch the autumn leaves
blowing in the wind
there too am I
free at last to play
and in the morning mist
I'll rise towards the summer sun
to fall again as warm spring rain
to melt the winter snow.

Earth to earth
ashes to ashes
remember me.

Don't immortalize my memory
just because you thought you knew me
you
who said you were my friend
abused my trust for your own end
you
who smiled so sweet upon my face
yet just as soon would take my place
oh what,I ask did you desire
so bad of mine that caused you ire?
and I
who loved you as a friend would
was pleased to serve you as a friend should
until the day you passed me by
with frozen smile and wary eye
flinging words behind you as you went
"sorry ,no time to stop now got to fly
see you sometime. Bye."
Hurt, I watched you rush away
confused,I knew not what to say.
My open face I've shown to you
and in return you've shown me two.

Nothing was so green
as the glittering grass
oozing with dew.
Nothing so red
as that brick wall
criss-crossed with snail trails
or the rose that shuddered
in the morning breeze.
Nothing was so blue
as the sky reflected
in the lake below.

A single rose danced stiffly
in the cold December dawn
her petals turned
like blood red lips
to greet the Winter sun.

Her sisters had danced
before her there
but they knew better times
hot blue skies and leafy trees
the intimate kiss of honey bees
in a world that sang
and chirped and hummed with life.

But even though the sun is weak
and all around is in retreat
the wind blows cold
and days are short
still
she holds her head with pride
to take one final curtain call.

They pass by slowly,hands held out
smiling eyed and greedy mouthed'
back up against the wall I plead
in tearful confusion--I can't pay.

and in the corners of my mind they stand
tight lipped,pale eyed.
wavering fingers point with scorn
and they whisper,whisper,whisper.

"Who is the guilty one ?" they say
"any less than I !" they cry
"and you !" their fingers point"can't pay!"
and they whisper,whisper,whisper.

The hungry sit in silent rows
the wailing old man baby grows
too weak to **** the empty breast
too weak to cry above the rest.

It's mother, old beyond her years,
her children drowning in her tears,
won't live to see another day
and why? well she can't pay.

They pass by slowly hands held out
hollow eyed and hungry mouthed
back up against the wall they plead
in tearful confusion -- they can't pay .

At the closing of the day
I lay me down to sleep
where Hypnos sends me drowsy
to the arms of Morpheus
and I fly
with the winged Hermes
to the land of dreams.

Gentle wind touched my cheek
breathing softly.
Whispering caresses danced over me
rippling my hair
stroking my skin
lulling me.

I slept.

Gentle wind rolled me over
and over
fluttering , leaf like
rising and falling
billowing.

I dreamed.

I soared on the wings of elation
and touched,for a moment,
the soft tranquility of peace,
and in the silence of my mind
I felt a soft insistence
a silent probing
that touched my soul
and filled me with longing.

The edge of eternity lay before me
beckoning with shining eyes
and I undulated
gently
to and fro
reaching out with tendrils of myself.

Searching

The edge of perception
lay always out of reach
veiled in the mists of forgetfulness
flashing impressions
too vague to recognize
and remember

too long ago

I awoke.

Distant stars
shine down on me
tinier than they.
The moon
in all her glory
softly lights my way.
Yesterday
recedes from me,
tomorrow
rushes by,
today
becomes the distant past
with my memories
and I.

Earth woman
rises
from her Winter bed
breathing out new life
her children
****** and scrabble
through her crust
to grow and stretch
and live.
Her sun
shines down
his gentle warmth.
Her rain
to quench
their thirst.
And all around
they dance
and prance
and celebrate
their birth.

Travelling on the treadmill of time
we only stop to die.
Did we but know when we were born
of the fate of you and I.
The moment of birth we cannot recall
death we cannot foresee.
Just two more cogs on the treadmill of time
is the fate of you and me.

My love and I will meet again
on some far golden planet,
and even on the darkest night
or blinded by the brightest light
our souls will touch and know.

For on a far and distant shore
a billowing sailing ship takes oar
to sail across a future sky
and in the blinking of an eye
Ezekiel's wheels come spinning by.

And through the blue of Heaven's arc,
the supersonic trails
dissolve
in ancient ocean spray,
and through the windows of my mind
the past and future merge
to dance  
an endless dance
with now.

On the edge of another dimension
I look through the cracks
catching snatches of a memory
long lost in time.

Voices rise and fall in muted conversation
and shadows surround me
drawing me towards infinity
suspended in time.

Like a sleepwalker I fear the night
and the promise that hangs heavy on the silence
and the spinning lights that wheel in on the wind
holding me in their brilliance.

Spellbound in anticipation
I watch as the cracks
widen on the memory
that I know was mine'

Ride the wave of life's great ocean
falling through your own emotion
taking stock of where you are now.
See the future like a promise
but you know you must be honest
to yourself before all else.
Feel the thrill of fear and pleasure
know them both so you can measure
what is right and what is wrong,
let your spirit find the answer
send it like a cosmic dancer
to the place where we belong,
and when a kind word softly spoken
mends the places that are broken
in your spirit and your heart.
Make each moment last forever
keep them close so you will never
lose your soul or lose your spark.


Jan 2006

My wailing heart sobs
loudly in my ear
my aching eyes can't
shed another tear
I feel so helpless
looking at your pain
as you slip so slowly
to another plane.

Regrets grow larger
for you and for me
but we can't undo
what was meant to be.

And it's only a moment in time
flying swiftly out of reach
and my grief comes screaming
tearing me apart
no nightmare dreaming
this pain within my heart
and it's only a moment in time
flying swiftly out of reach.

Don't see yourself
as the nuisance before the pain
or see yourself
as the cloud before the rain
            instead
see yourself
as the credit before the prize
and the love that shines
from your children's eyes.


2017

You walk in the door
sour eyed
pretending to be sober
you cross the floor
veering wide
and almost falling over
I stare at you
the baby cries
and I start feeling guilty
why?

The concept of lost
is unfathomable
the idea of gone
is so deep
it cannot be found

LIFE

Life is full
I'm full of life
and
life is full of me
each place you look
I'm in that place
and
little bits of me
shine in your face
and
make you smile
and
you'll remember me.

Poised on the edge of forever
on the wings of a song and a prayer
taking chances of now or never
is the end of the rainbow near?

We are but a spark in infinity
each moment already the past
we look to the future but cannot see
toward it our gambles are cast.

Taking flight in any direction
can we know what the outcome will be?
arriving at our destination
not sure it's the right place to be.

Faced with a thousand decisions
not knowing the right one to take
setting out full of grand ambition
struck down by the cold hand of fate.

Poised on the edge of forever
on the wings of a song and a prayer
taking chances of now or never
is the end of the rainbow near?