FIRST STEPS

he has a smile, giving in, to sparks of delight
ready to make an impression, as he learns
to walk up right, his little hands, feet pick up
the pace, having no fear, no fuse whenever
he falls down he gets back up making his way
as he shows us how its done, he learns so fast
clapping his hands; a daredevil in the making
i am in love with this little boy, he makes
my heart swell, as i look in his eyes, i see
my son, his father, watching his son as he
takes first steps, we watch together, as i
remember way back when, the joy i felt
as my son took his first steps, now it comes
full circle, amazed at this little boy; my grandson

by Michael Perry

IN MY LIFE

in my life i have known this
a woman, she is life; through
the window of her soul, i see all,

transparent she becomes,  lives an angel
she knows me, i know her, there is
so much more, we share, go through

each moment spent, her face is love
pure and light for in a thousand of my dreams
with her simple style, takes care, only love emanates

from her, none will compare, as we share
with just a touch, i know her, i see her
she knows, i am here, ready to hold her in my arms

with undying love, never to forsake her, all we create
through the years, we will go on, go on, together
we breathe life, into each other; she, i, us, no other

by Michael Perry

NO REGRET

there is time and there is place
above the quiet of it all-then, as now
absolve oneself to memories lost
try as they might, like words on a page
to form the familiar;  all the joy the sadness
the mundane, waiting collected, gathered
to this place, to go to in time of need
as one does  in reflection, introspection
to consider, to establish, to determine
if only by chance, to let in, or turn away for good
in this time of why and what will be, to witness
to interpret the past, present and future by the ashes
of the once was, drifting, lifting away, simple now, in quiet
flakes of gray snow swirling, gathering to float upward
into the winds of change, as one individual swept up in the
middle of it all, gathers their thoughts, looks skyward  and
readies themselves once more to continue walking
along the many miles of shore in the name of no regret

By Michael Perry

SWEET DREAMS

the soft boil eggs hissed, hysterical
while my mind wandered, and the bacon sizzled
she continued to sleep, i left her alone
i smiled to myself, her sweet perfume
lingered through the air, while i took
the paper, searched for the crosswords
soon, the sun was coming, high up, i rose
after a while not hearing any movement
so i went to the room and quietly opened the door
the darkened shades, kept the room dark, no wonder
she hadn't gotten up yet, her face against the pillow
child like and peaceful, i touched her arm gently
she smiled with her closed eyes, she said
just a couple minutes more i was having
a wonderful dream and its just getting to the best part

by Michael Perry

FLOATING ON WATER

i have headaches
i deal with them
been to the doctors
each one, checking my head for clues
no one seems to know
the root cause, whatever it is?
on this particular day
it was going to be hot
no air to speak of
the oppressive sticky kind of day
that turns sweat sour
ready to cling to everything it touches
it is the first day of summer
just right to go into the pool
i lowered myself in
the water was biting cold
i was able to tolerate it
until the water moderated
as i slipped all the way in
felt the water gently caress me
comforting and inviting, i stretched out my full length
floating on my back, eyes closed, buoyant, comforted
for the first time in my life the headaches were gone
within minutes i had total relief
i couldn't believe it, i began to cry
still floating, afraid to move, i stayed in
until the sun was going down
as i celebrated my freedom
from the grips of a pain,  that i never thought
i would escape from- here i was, in the pool
pain free- for how long would be anyone's guess
i never want to leave, but at some point i had to face
the fact that this was temporary
there would be other days, the fight far from over

by Michael Perry

THE MOON HAS A STORY TO TELL

to watch the moon, is a study in time management
i have the patience- and for me all time is fleeting
which is something i am finding out for myself first hand, nevertheless while on this one particular night, the moon shows large close to Earth, bigger than most other nights, in it's seasonal turn as i look close, studying the surface, the pocks, the craters
every side, angle and depth, of it's everchanging face
wondering what secrets does it hold close, as it sits suspended
in the dark twilight night after night, i don't know why
still, it's just something i have always pondered ever
since i was a small child, looking at it, ready to bring to mind
all the childish rhymes of youth, that have the moon as it's subject
made me wonder, kept me fascinated, about the mystique of
what is real and make believe,  giving my childish mind, flight
now in my declining age, coming fast to it's forgone conclusion
its important for me to settle opinions, unmask, reveal the moon
to discover what lies beyond it's solemn face, to tell me the truth  
of what else its been hiding from me these many years soon gone

by Michael Perry

LOVE - a Haiku

your love is a rose
deeply, lovingly tended
by another's kiss

by Michael Perry

SUMMER NIGHTS OUT IN THE COUNTRY

the big fat moon  shines down, in a midnight
souless delight happy with it all, giddy, full of itself
the confidence oozing, filled with, a righteous piety
on a bent, up till then, as a  line of angry looking clouds
give the impression of- an arrogant smile crossing the
moons face, what a touch, this slick character moon, still
with tricks up it sleeve, the winds begin shifting
bringing more change; in cracks of thunder to break the back
as silent streaks of lighting, become alive, hot and murderous
all in  response to what was a previously silent night
brought about, now coming to pass, the modality of change, swift deepening, quick to a sullen nod for nothing breaks the
monotony better than a sudden mood swing from a fickle moon's changing of mind on this hot summer country night

by Michael Perry

PAST THE EXPIRATION DATE

i was sitting at the table
fumbling with my hands
unaware they were moving
from here to there, absentmindedly
in front of me sat a bowl
of mostly unappetizing fruit, to say the least
but near the bottom i spied
something bright orange, i reached in
and pulled up a nectarine, small
glistening, how could i have missed you?
yet here you are, nestled in my palm
i couldn't wait to peel back the skin to
reveal the fruit underneath, little by little
i pulled back the sections i had exposed
until i saw the luscious looking fruit underneath
as the juice ran over my hands and between my fingers
i could hardly wait, the anticipation was building
until i took the long awaited bite, i blinked once, twice
as the sour taste overwhelmed my taste buds
that was it, the moment gone, my expectation underwhelmed

by Michael Perry

*****- a Haiku

***** once had its hold
i was the fun drunk, that changed
when i almost died

by Michael Perry

TIDE POOL

it was the day after, the storm
had barreled through the day before
leaving everything torn and tossed
as the sun was beginning to shine- little peeks
here and there, the sea had claimed victory
with such a furious power that it tore down the
jetty we all used to fish upon, it was now
a series of jagged rocks here and there like, marbles
thrown on a carpet mat, we are used to storms coming
from the sea, but this one rattled nerves, as i walked on
the length of the shore, as most locals would do
have done, with previous other storms, milling about
looking for something they could cook up for that nights meal
- i kept going on, soon i looked back, checking
my progress, everyone else was now scattered like
little dots, unrecognizable as people now, at this point
the air was cold and wet, as it bit into me- i should have
dressed warmer but i didn't think about it at the time
looking down at my feet, my shoes soggy with dampness
i came upon a small eddy of water far from where the incoming tide
was barely meeting the sand at this point, i gazed into the
small pool to see it teeming with life- the little creatures waiting
for the tide to come in and take them back to the relative safety
of the sea before any dangers could claim them- overhead, i heard
seagulls cawing squawking, making a lot of noise, they saw this little pool
of water as well, biding their time, making circles in the gray skies above
i looked back down at the small pool telling myself, not on my watch
so i planted myself into the soft, dank sand making my legs go
crossed legged to wait it out in the gloaming dusk for the tides eventual return

by Michael Perry

BABBLING BROOK- a Haiku

babbling brook, speaks
with it's stories of life lived
choosing each parsed word  

by Michael Perry

INTO THE NIGHT- a Haiku

out of the silence
into the night, come strangers
looking for a fight

by Michael Perry

STARS THRIVE- a Haiku

stars thrive electric
bright enough to bypass night
look up, make a wish  

By Michael Perry

WHAT OF ME

the car seemed in constant motion moving fast as
the world outside was all but passing by in a blur

what of me in this world the lonely, caught up
lost it seems to be spun on an axis out of control

so put me in the driver seat, for i know how
its the words stuck between teeth and tongue

even if i speak clearly, aloud enunciating words on paper
they are sure to be lost, left to the abyss, stagnant still

we are all here for such a short time, as i take notes the
writing is on the wall in cursive or print will it survive

i want to wake up on this ride that has me so tired
always searching down the endlessness of avenues

so as i pull the car slowly to the dirt road side noticing the
vastness of the night sky its purple crimson  bruises  intact

i remark to myself, as i get out to stretch my legs anticipating
i am the last of a dying breed, a lost writer in search of a story

By Michael Perry

ODE TO OLDE- FASHIONED LOVE

in life, a vow made is a vow kept- into
a lovers open arms, willing to commit
ready to be swept, together, having voices
climb declaring themselves, to sing sweet
as the heart jumps, leapt through the chest
overcome with feelings, nothing is greater
than a love to pursue, if you find the one
keep her, make her your own, sweep her into
your arms as you woo her tenderly, for when
it comes to a love ordained, nothing will keep
a man from a woman willing to share love so true

by Michael Perry

LUNCH TIME- a Haiku

couple finds a bench
eat sandwiches- birds swoop in
spilled crumbs-lunch is served

By Michael Perry

SEA TIDES- a Haiku

as the sea tides change
the mind will set course, carried  
feel the ebb and flow

by Michael Perry

WHEN THE MIND GOES MISSING

my mind feels blank
making me devoid
of a conscience- something is missing
i cannot put my finger on it
as the air is cool against my face, chest
i don't remember getting out  of bed
still here i am standing  in the dark
at the end  of a long driveway, staring all around
trying to get my bearings, while
being naked, feeling afraid- i try to think
hard - putting a fist to my forehead
rubbing my brow but nothing comes
just white noise-i am so confused
- but I shouldn't be, i remember
yesterday and the day before, but
now nothing, it's like i woke up a
different person- my true self gone
the lack of clarity chills me, i am feeling lost
i am overcome, wanting to feel something
i look up to the stars they look back twinkling
they have  no answers for me either, so with
last efforts i begin to cry-all of a sudden
a strange woman comes to me, calling Daddy
i don't recognize her, she knows me
she wraps me in a blanket, taking my hand
i feel the warmth of her hand, still her face
is unfamiliar to me, she smiles like
she is caring for her very own innocent child
- she talks to me, softly, tenderly, saying, come back
into the house, we'll have a warm cup of tea

By Michael Perry

EPOLOGUE OF A LOVE STORY

when the lover dies
a piece of the others heart
goes too, as one left behind
mourns, what was there is now gone
the heart is a strong muscle
capable of anchoring and
strengthening at will the vow
of the beloved's life together
thereby even though time
will pass and it will, the heart
never fully heals, it feels the
loss as if missing a limb, it's
there but it isn't -coming to
accept in theory that one half of
of the whole is gone with
nothing ever to replace it

By Michael Perry

WATER BIRDS- a Haiku

the water birds gather
wading in dark ponds moon lit  
skittish fish, frogs hide

by Michael Perry

SALT MARSH SPARROW- a Haiku

salt marsh sparrow males
sing for their mates, a love song
silent, in whispers  

by Michael Perry

LATE SUMMERS APPLE- a Haiku

late summers apple
fallen, over ripe exposed    
to the core, a worm

by Michael Perry

LITTLE CHILD- a Haiku

the little child smiles
big eyes with childish wonder  
sunshine and rainbows

by Michael Perry

TIME IS A CANDLE -a Haiku

Time is a candle
candle is time tick or flame
increments spaced out

by Michael Perry

SPIDER SPINS-a Haiku

as the spider spins
livelihoods ordained    
till the shape of wind  

by Michael Perry

SIGNS OF SPRING -a Haiku

signs of spring revealed
while the frog croaks for a mate
the owl will feed

by Michael Perry

AS THE FOG LIFTS -a Haiku

as the fog lifts up
revealing what was hidden
tall peaks in white cap

by Michael Perry

A WALK IN THE RAIN- a Haiku

a walk in the rain
ones happy life exercise
clear thoughts free the mind

By Michael Perry

SPEAK OF LOVE- a Haiku

speak of love no words
let your body say it all
creating Heaven Earth

by Michael Perry

PEBBLE

to drop a pebble
into a watered abyss
leaves a note unread

by Michael Perry

A FLOWERS BLOOM- a Haiku

take a flowers bloom
smell the sweet perfume within
still, before it fades

By Michael Perry

SPRING IS- a Haiku

Spring is natures way  
to open the senses wide
and welcome life in

by Michael Perry

ESSENCE- a Haiku

you are my essence
the reasons to live and breathe
without you i die

by Michael Perry

IT WOULD BE SO EASY

it would be           so easy           to  just let go
    
i cant count how many times
i have stood right here, wringing my hands
willing to feel each moment drain away  
as i realize with each time my rope
that i  cling to seems to get shorter as
i lean  on the little bits  of hope left
imagining what would life be like if i just
pushed through, hung around
a little bit longer  it's not a lot - i tell myself still
whenever it gets bad, it could be worse
for whatever its worth it gets me through-for now

by Michael Perry

TRUST ISSUES

for the house feels empty even
as the two of them walk the floor
with footsteps engaged, they are
in some kind of contest to see, who
can wear the floor boards down faster
back and forth, they pace, no end in sight
no words exchanged, between them, they stare
at each other as the rain thumps down on a
tin roof rusted, but some how it holds up better
then this old couple with their trust issues unresolved  

by Michael Perry

GRAVITIES

My world does and will always
continue to revolve  around you
each day and night, we share the air
between us, your world inhabits mine
like two orbits fully in synch, we come
to occupy the same space communally  
we rotate  throughout our day to day  
being pushed and pulled as our gravities
take us to here and there, but at the
end of each day, we will resolve, to be
each others gravitational pull, hand in hand
we will watch as the sun and moon goes down
over another day fully shared, we have the stars
in our eyes, countless and counting, all the while
keeping us grounded to each other, for this is
our mutual world, a space shared, we call it, home  

by Michael Perry

NO JUDGEMENT

still dulled between the eyes and with the
random anonymousness of it all, coming into
focus there in the shadowed room, a mix of legs and arms
are in a tangle twisted, together their expectations
sated-it is early morning as the light peeks through
from the dark curtains slightly pulled back-to reveal
the golden aura  of anticipation coming to a conclusion
which is a far cry from what remains of the disregard
all the disorder, colliding within having been sustained
throughout from the pulled back sheets bunched
into a knotted pile; or the random lip stick stain left
on the deflated pillow case; ashamed,  while there
on the tacky vinyl table top, sits two glasses, remaining
half full, or keep in mind, the results  of a random
exchange of different denominations agreed upon- for all
is silent save for the soft whisper of breathing, from the
current occupants, then a clock alarm preset goes off
each one retreats to their part of the room to gather up
scattered belongings, to crisscross the room-absolved
of a momentary lapse of guilt once they begin their exit
from the room letting the door slam shut behind, to the
elevator, as the bell rings, doors swing open wide, they
enter and turn to face forward silent still as the doors close
they stare straight, to the last thing their eyes will see is the
customary paper sign, they left on the door handle to the maid
a reminder that the room is ready for her caustic cleaning, for
which the maid will make her customary minimum wage
regardless even so,  it is not her place to  make any judgements
on who comes  and goes, for she only cares if she was  left
a minimal tip for the pleasant stay that was had and to make sure
the  room is put back into place before the next customer arrives

by Michael Perry

AS I LISTEN TO THE RAIN

as i listen to the rain
this afternoon, right after
a busy day  feeling the heavy load
of long hours taking it's toll, carried over, bringing
pain between my eyes so i sit back
in my chair by the open window
i let it call to me, for it only takes
a couple minutes of just listening
to the gentle rain fall-becoming
transformative, like some medicine, with no pills
with it's subtle sounds so relaxing it begins to release me
to soothe all the pain, bring me back from a hectic day
little by little, with measured steps, to act as a balm
my curative to wash away the stress , bits at a time
it will happen,  begin to uplift, and renew, to
reassure me, in it's simplicity,  that no matter
how bad today was, tomorrow will be just fine


by Michael Perry

I HAD A THOUGHT

i had a thought of you
as you crossed my mind this morning
out of the blue you were there in my mind's eye
as i sat here in the stillness
trying to think of other things
i had to do that day
and you became front and center, a focal point
to my thoughts taking over everything else
in that moment, as i wondered further
do you ever think of me,  do i cross your mind, after all this time?
both us having moved on
as events for both us brought change
still if you were here  now, i think you would agree
the years we had together  were  good ones
but not good enough to last forever
still i wondered aloud what if?
as i continued stirring cream and sugar into my coffee
back and forth, and then out of the corner of my eye
i looked up and there you were standing in the doorway
about to knock, as i stood up
to stand in complete shock

by Michael Perry

MY LITTLE BLACK DOG

my little black dog
trots bounding into the room, happy
a bundle of energy, she comes
upstairs with the intent to disrupt me
as i work to write; distracting me
away from my task at hand, which is
to write something, anything,  worthy of value
for you the loyal reader of mine
she goes in and out between my legs
anxious and calculating how long it will
take her, to take me with her, still i sit for a moment
while the words percolate, and then slowly, methodically
they slip away from my brain, she continues to circling back
and forth, convinced that if she does it long enough, i will
have to do what she wants, as i look down at her
she wags her tail feverishly, knowing she has my attention
her chocolate brown eyes seem to say  who is more important
me or your reader? and at that, a decision must be made

by Michael Perry

DO YOU RECALL

do you recall, a time when
we were satisfied  with being in love; with love
in those moments, so tender
we awoke as one, taken, assured
this was meant to be, love unbreakable; a bond shared
for love was fragile, a token given-one to one
in those moments, the anticipation tantamount
to anything before or since, of this or that, all known
we loved, fully unaware, then a seismic shift
a fissure created from what was to what is- away from
you, me, us, unexplainable, possibly avoidable
who's to say, yet here we are, sanctioned by silence
and the dormancy of years, when now is the time
when we need each other the most, what happened to our love
where did it go?
will it return, will it be too late
how will we know?

by Michael Perry

The Pink Bird Corridor (reimagined)

could it be some ones favorite color
or a bird with a plumage decked out
maybe it's a ballerina dressed pretty in a pink tutu
the choice is up to you as each one
will set ones imagination in motion
be it a color like no other that has a
very wide-ranging and serious devotion
or let us give a shout out to a kind of dance
mostly given on world wide center stages
where the female dancer wears a pink tutu
and her dancing partner wears
a tighter than tight pair of tights
or maybe just maybe you happen to be a devotee
inclined, one of the thousands who watch birds
ready to set their sights on one of the most
extraordinary birds around, unfortunately not found
here in (Delaware)  as it happens it is
a special  one of a kind bird who stands on one leg
most of the time because the water that it wades in
is usually very cold, in a warm climate? who knew-go figure

by Michael Perry

TELL ME

tell me, as we get started, i can see by the lines on your face
so full of expression ready to speak for themselves, are you ready to tell me  how you persisted in your pursuit of telling a good story how you sweated through each line hoping to make
the next one better than the last-as you brought your prose to life
tell me how you toiled night after night beneath the glow of a
60 watt bulb-as you struggled till dawn making the words
grow wings having them soar from page to ceiling, as you let each
word take flight, and through it all, it was never enough as you
made your way through, chain-smoking, the whole time until each
blank page was filled one by one, word by word, captured
precisely on every page, as you envisioned, breathing life, you
exhaled in relief, no matter how tired, not stopping, always driven
so tell me - in your pursuit to succeed; sometimes driving you mad
still, knowing the outcome- tell me, through the stress and strain, as you claimed each  small victory, tell me, what you know now, accepting all the failures, does one success out-weigh defeat- tell me when you look back over your life, so tell me was it worth it?

by Michael Perry

SPRING THING

every year it happens, about now
with small bursts of yellow purple
and white, as the crocus, daffodils
and winter aconite shake off the last vestiges
of frozen glaze glistening onto their leaves
letting the buds finally pop open to release
the colors that make it recognizable to even the least
among us, willing to show up early against a backdrop
of still turning green, it is a simple gesture for sure
yet subtle made perfectly clear, in its attempt
that Spring is here, with no further explanation needed
letting each small step lead to the next
breakthrough as it takes place, highlighting
a new beginning over the landscape and before
our eyes showing us what to expect over the coming months

by Michael Perry

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

the sun finally came out today, peeking through cracks
in the curtains, all at once making its presence known
and you laying beside me undisturbed, unaware
warm and nestling as your blond hair lay tousled
tossed like a nest, and i brushed back a few strands
to see your closed eyes, made simple as a child's, innocent
you, free-spirited, happy-go-lucky,  lips full and composed
dreaming happy thoughts, as i continued  to lay next to you another minute more, while i did i thought all about us, what
if, what was, what we had, and what needed to be done
if not today, certainly by tomorrow, as i waited for an
answer to fall from the sky, i got up silently to get dressed
trying not to make any noise at all, not wanting to wake you
on such a beautiful morning, as i started closing the door behind
me, i heard you say in your sleepy voice "where are you going?"

by Michael Perry

WORTH THE WAIT

there are many things
a man needs, not the least of which
is the love of a good woman
so i have had plenty of time
in order to truly make you mine
over the years since we worked out the details
to give our relationship time, you were worth the wait
we let our personalities meld, in the pursuit of love
we took on the years that have come and gone, it now
leaves  us full and without remorse
this love of ours has taken on life
one smile, one tear at a time, so i  don't
make this confession lightly when i say
my life would not have been worth living
if there were no you- there would have been no me

by Michael Perry

CHANGE PLACES

i was always envious
wanted all you ever had, unexpectedly
we meet by chance, i was shocked to see
you across the street, holding up a sign
in front of you that said:
"PLEASE HELP I AM HOMELESS AND HUNGRY"
i walked over and put every spare bill
i had on me, into the can you were holding
you did not look up, you just said, "Thankyou"
as i did this  i was thinking, i have heard about
scams like this, and i thought- really ? your doing it
again, and for a moment, i hesitated, wanting to  
take the money back, while i was thinking this you
walked to the next person coming your way, at that
point, i wondered if our places were changed
would your reaction be the same, would you be pleased
with yourself or ashamed of thinking what you thought?

by Michael Perry

TWO VERSIONS OF THE SAME STORY

                                          ( I)
lost in a thousand days our lives are twined
like  deep rooted trees we grow, embarking on a destiny
digging deep into the  rich soil of life, that which sustains
we take from it, giving in return, sharing the elements
that make us who we are, continuing to thrive
we are bold, boundless- letting our roots go where
they need to go, we are capable, inclined to be more, we give
into the future and past, for we our delineated, crisscrossed
we live in possibilities, we are ancient still young, living invincible

                                              (II)
love as a canvas expressed in this portrait of us
made from our flesh and feeling exposed, to be
artfully designed copied, envied, worshipped, whispered
as we take repose upon the alter of love, letting our passion burn
we are ageless, advantageous, ever-knowing
while there in the corner, a soundless spy stays ready
to keep watch over us, candle flame flickering, it burns through
illuminating our shadow, as we grow bigger from floor to ceiling,  immense, ready to breach our  boundaries that hold
us down, we tell ourselves, no more as we make ready to
accept this destiny and not some alternate version copied from  

by Michael Perry

TRANSITION

caught between a rainstorm and the waiting sun
ready to push through and make its way
will be a minute or two in-between, seldom seen
otherwise willing to go unnoticed, still if you wait
for that momentary transition, letting it be revealed
by the pureness of the  unfiltered way  it
takes its turn between the rain and sun, and
in that minute transpiring, coming into view
will have its unaltered way with prisms of pure colored hues
and the majestic transition, giving hope to the rest of the day

by Michael Perry