finally found peace
amongst birch trees shaking free
last nights winter freeze

life can grind you down
feeding espresso machines
so just sip it slow

red sun eyes
giving away lies
you can't hide

thunderous rain died
swept into rivers roar
now crickets

soleless collection
master cobbler can't repair
wander without shoes

times' a rope
burning my fingers
as I fall

frantically I circle the bowl
peering out as others peer in
pretending they are not there

winter winds whisper
carrying  crisp lonely cries
flicking flames respond

waiting on the doc
glad I'm an infrequent guest
some aren't so lucky
like my turners syndrome girl
she's on a first name basis

yet she smiles all day
cheering up the healthy

fathers and mothers
walking children in the park
was it just a dream

my shadows' a cloud
without one attached to me
nothing more lonely

pastel painted sky
above blue shaded mountains
this mornings blessing

slowly time smooths river rock
tears follow worn lines defining past years
the valleys grow ever deeper

surface so pristine
summer evening pond scene
below dark shadows

taking what's not theirs
as if entitled to them
with no punishment
we're in an upside down world
villains killing innocence

ever felt true bliss
run hot water on poison ivy
pleasure from pain that's not to be missed

eddy turned whirlpool
like a mountain from molehill
is all in the mind

feeling warmth rise
head laying upon our hearth
like a mother’s hug

rhythmic shadows dance
flames flick setting gentle beat
moist skin shimmering

old mans winter rage
lashing at his faded youth
frozen death rattle

soaring high
supersonic life
flying by

lives inside closed minds
oblivious eyes opened wide
mental suicide

nearing dark bottom
flooring drops another mile
it really is deep

magpie calls echo
shaking frozen meadow air
snowshoe hare alert

future advances
upon past discoveries
in analog form

legs are strong
bones of iron
stomach settled
solid bedrock
heart beats steady
love it's music
shoulders wide
carrying my share
mind is clear
armored from deceit

yet the sight of the weak
old, young, infirmed
being abused
others greedy gain

drops me to my knees
in prayer
their poor souls

for as one great man did say
'they know not what they do'

the weaker have no worry
their place already secured

what is real?
news at ten?
the earths' spin?
nothing ends?
what begins?
here's the deal.
trust in him.
Gods' within.
guiding man.
home again.

between life and death
like long pauses after breaths
purgatory rests

summer alpine rays
dance inside aqua green pools
swimming in her eyes