I made my bed
From the mud of the mire
Covered it with bramble
Thick brush and harsh brier.

I became alien and remote
Closed my eyes and my senses
Placed my head on the pillow
And dreamed of high fences.

I shrouded my body from
The cold with rough linen
Tore rocks from the ground
And fortified my prison.

Those whom I loved
Were thrown far away
And I cried at their leaving -
I begged them to stay.

And my window distorts the light
Of the sun reaching out to stir nature awake.
The bay laurel trees are trimmed and fragrant.
The house sparrow lays her three eggs
While the wind blows and spiders release their silk
And take flight.
The drone bees stage and wait for their queen to fly by over
The dust and pollen colored porch chairs we purchased last summer.

Where can I see the flowers bloom?
A person, soft light, a starry night
There is not time as a clock strikes noon.
Crazed in haste we turn in spite
For years turn and flowers burn as
I looked for God and cowered in fright.
Worldly things are the only concern.
We scream and try to say goodbye -
Only few decide to turn.
For flowers, cowards, all will die
Without love but with much thought.

For in these words please do not imply
A lack of faith and to say thereof
"Let this be for God above."

Not home as midnight
Approached on the dusty balcony
Stairs. I could not see past
The edge of the forest but
It was close and touched me.

My mind played with deceptive
Phantom lights.
How is it your leaving
Surprised me, of course, I
Died for you. I cried for you!

Only when the moon illuminates each step I fall
Can I see beyond my reach.  Father, you left
For reasons you keep to yourself and the family
Cries out for evil is real.

As the moon promptly peers through
The passing clouds healing begins deep
Within the brush and haze.

Grasping for air I only
Want to go back in time
My arms numb and heavy
But I keep them moving, I keep reaching into the cold
To make my wrongs right.
Shutting my eyes
I find myself 28 years in the past
In college at the lakeside dining hall
Drinking coffee.
The cup is hot in my hands,
And I burn my throat
gulping too fast.
Shutting my eyes again
I feel the warmth of the sun.

Your one O'clock
Charade and temper fought
Parade masked by the
Cicada chorus and outside
Scuffling feet.
I break down.
I break because
You are strong - a Roman arch
building my memory.

If this is a dream
I'll safely resign heavens promise and walk blind
Through the open door where a raven scatters
The noiseless song birds.
Their feathers fall in place where
A corner table cools under the porch.

Summer was our friend so
I have to close the door -
I am tired of trying to impress your shade.

The earth is yearning for mans forlorn redemption.
Calling tides and solemn mountain sides
Roar for peace, a natural grave prevention
Controlled by God while on top his hill resides.

Doctor, you explain this truth with ease.
Yet, I enjoy the churning storms tonight
The thunder clap and deadly current lightning strike
I dream of peace asleep afloat torn seas.

If man call for forgiveness and sin decline
What of nature's keep? She helps me sleep.
I abhor you gentle shore, taunt you sky benign
Of storm - let me drag my feet along the street

Below sky lined peaks of idolized tower
We forgot history and dreamed of machinery better
We forgot our neighbor and passed by the beggar
In once proud buildings boarded up they cower.

Will we cower at the thunders crash of nature's power
Will we cower and run from land to set sail for sea
Closing eyes in the unknown hour
Like Jonah and his shriveled tree.

My old summer face
At sunset
Remembering fireflies
And fading sounds,
Melted days like home made
Ice Cream and rock salt.

You can stand awhile
Holding your own
Coffee cup
Sipping, smiling, musing.

Walk with me.
Be my guide
My dog star.