I lie here soaked in my own confusion

My mind seems at dismay searching for its conclusion

I wonder why decisions I've made have my life in disarray

As I search for myself those memories replay

The seeds I've planted I hope one day will grow bright

Although now I remember, these seeds were bought in spite

-Joseph B Schneider

Dandelions stand tall
   above the grass.
Inviting, daring. Brave.
    I have the energy
but not the heart
    to mow them down.
The grass rejoices.
   My conscience frowns.
My dog sleeps on.

r ~ 7/6/14

My fingers trace
your contours
in my thoughts.
The highs and lows,
your inclines
rise and fall.
Spaces in between
grow distant
from ridge and valley
to coastal plain.

Through uncharted territory
I follow the beaten path
till trail turns to sand
and desert meets ocean.

Contours fade
and wash away.
You slide into
the deep blue
and cross the border.

r ~ 7/5/14

Lazy seems the sun today
helped aloft
by a flight of pelicans
in formation
like B-52s returning
to safe haven
after a sortie
Inland they go
with the gulls
during this calm
before the storm
The smell of a slowly swelling
angry sea awakened
drowning out the roses
by the garden path
soon to be scattered petals
across the village
The morning calm
belies the night
to come.

r ~ 7/3/14

In the folds of the hills
and hollows
of my mind,
I remember a time
when you were free.
You were of the sweetest color
known to me.

No man could catch you;
I'm not even sure we tried.
It was such a sight
just to watch you
spread your wings.

Like a bird
you could fly
circles so high,
blue as the sky,
and free as the wind.

I knew someday
you would leave,
fly away,
no longer free;
my mountain bird
on a breeze.

r ~ 6/30/14

Everything had its place
on the grand prairie-

horse thieving,
land-grabbing,
bad whiskey,
range fires,
dust clouds,
low women,
lower men.

Everything
but the missing
buffalo
and the hungry
Crow.
The fierce eyes
of the hungry
Crow.

r ~ 6/29/14

Red.....
Orange......
Setting sun.....
Your the one I cherish by my side in the warmth of the approaching summer's night......
Entwined in body....
Entwined in soul....
As the stars appear and glitter bright
A falling star alights the night
I wish upon it and so do you
A wish we pray will only come true
A wish to never grow old
A wish to never die
For together we're in Heaven....
Together we never cry tears of sorrow or pain...
We remain one beating heart....
One living breath.....
One warm breeze to tease nature's appetite......
A prayer upon a desert oasis....
Distant stars that inspire all poets....
A shinning moon that guides all steps to what is good........

ripples in the pond-
  fat toad on a skinny rock
  i wish he would croak

r 6/26/14

We are kind of funny,
We come out of a hole breathing,
And go back to hole rotting,
              Fin.

Pull up a chair
and rest a spell.
In your glance
I can see a tell.
Your heart is not here
when he's in town.
Your home fire
is burning down.

Come sit,
let's talk awhile.
I won't ask you
for a smile.
Here, now,
just take my hand.
Let us watch the sun
sink into the sand.

It is getting cold,
but the night is young.
There's still a fire in me
that has not been sung.
We can watch the moon
creep o'er the hill.
I'll sing for you
and warm the chill.

Pull up a chair,
let us talk awhile.
The night is young,
I can make you smile.
Take my hand
and make me feel.
There is a hearth here
that's burning still

r ~ 6/25/14