Anatomically sound, befitting a king
swaying alertly in the waves, I sing.
Hearts, at sea, floundering and pounding
against the cavity of my chest, astounding.

V-Day arriving, and leaving without me
swimming with shellfish and sharks at sea.
Satisfying love’s unique quality,
and breathlessly waiting for me to be we.

Tortuously lying in the keel’s utter mist
waves exploding above, below and amidst.
contemplating all that I ever wished,
remembering when, at first we last kissed.

V-Day, a special enchanting display,
lovingly speeding, though slightly astray.
Wishing you love in a happiness way,
throughout a belated Valentine’s Day.

Anatomically sound, befitting a king

swaying alertly in the waves, I sing.

Hearts, at sea, floundering and pounding

against the cavity of my chest, astounding.



V-Day arriving, and leaving without me

swimming with shellfish and sharks at sea.

Satisfying love’s unique quality,

and breathlessly waiting for me to be we.



Tortuously lying in the keel’s utter mist

waves exploding above, below and amidst.

contemplating all that I ever wished,

remembering when, at first we last kissed.



V-Day, a special enchanting display,

lovingly speeding, though slightly astray.

Wishing you love in a happiness way,

throughout a belated Valentine’s Day.

The ground glitters under leaves
I found graffiti on the trees
You still like to talk to me and
I found shelter in a cave
No one to find me there ashamed
I know they walk into the light
To hide from the fear of night
And when the light turns off
There’s chaos

I hear planes, trains and cop cars
But no dog barks in the city
Anymore for fear of water scorn
And I will swing at my own risk
I regret that one last kiss
On the chilly night in plaid
On the hillside when we found lost keys in the trash

I miss last fall because there was a ball
In the woods in pajamas
I eat the bark you eat the paper
Melted candy corn foil wraps needles shorn
Fire pain blood black ink we’re together in the sinking ship
That is time and we lay on needle pine
Forest floor no real cares no one’s true concern of bears
Running wild chilly air
First drunk night when I shared
My real feelings toward you behind sheen of royal blue
But you alertly wiped me off like a drunken sickened cough
I was a disease you used to catch but now you found your match
I lost my dignity that night
On the ashy rug when you found your true love
You kept me there out of pity so I moved into the city
To start over but I can’t start anything at all
The pen is too heavy to lift
I can’t listen I can’t learn
I found I’m not concerned about anything but last fall

Imagine if a man could pluck a star out of the night sky
Rolling it up in verdant green sheets of grass and wildflowers
          peeled from a nearby hillside,
Topping that with a bow crafted from a sinuous ribbon
          of sparkling water
Then toss it your way!
Would you catch it or let it fall?
Would you grab it firmly in both hands and hug it tightly
          to your chest?

Oh, see what’s happened! The wrapping has loosened
And radiant slivers of starlight are emerging out
          between the sheets of grass!
Go ahead! Unwrap your gift and let it shine for you!
Do you feel the earth respond?
Feel its quivering excitement at the closeness of
          the star’s light?
All of nature stands alertly at attention, arms spread wide
Receiving every precious bit of illumination from this
          glittering jewel come down from the dazzling expanse
          of the glittery night sky.

Never has creation been so privileged, so honored by
          a star’s presence!
And you, do you feel it, too?
Feel captured by the moment, engulfed by the vision of
          earth, star, and sky
Closing the gap, the distance between themselves
Until you are cloaked in starlight and velvet
Giddy at their oh-so-soft, affectionate touch on your cheek
Warmed by the earth
Tickled by the wildflowers
Awash in their fresh scent
Granted a peacefulness of soul in seeing all of these
          creations converging contentedly upon you,
          embracing you, accepting you, loving you.