THE OAK.....

THE OAK

This mighty oak tall and stately

like a sentinel guarding the way

carries a sugar-like snow cover that sparkles

and glows like a million crystals

its bark deeply clefted ready to catch

and hold seeds secreted by the nut hatch

its denuded branches defying gravity

 holds the perched Falcon easily

In this winter setting within the gleam of light

the oak is majestic in its height

It has witnessed time passing slowly

was buffeted and swayed by winds daily

survived mighty bolt strikes

and absorbed heavenly energy in its bark

And in the stillness of a moonlit night

it casts a shadow structure ready to fight

for surrounding life flowing over everything

Fight for moments of obscure meaning

Protect the squirrel in silver fur

who takes refuge from the frozen pasture

in the cavity of its torn limb

The mighty oak knows that without him

surrounding life would be distressed

and joy of existence would lose interest

Blue Haze.....

Blue Haze

Blue haze clings to the walls

and curtains on the windows fall

shutting out reality's light

causing weird shadows and some fright

That book containing nurturing stories

Filled with engaging adventures quietly lays

sleeping in some corner, buried alive

as magic words to revoke boredom slowly die

residing within those words

sentences new are left unheard

as some words I'd like to say

that could keep you from losing your way

But I know that actions taken are better than words spoken

So, undress your mind forgotten

stare at your image in life's mirror

look at the demons as the light flickers

Stand there with open mind stark naked

with reality exposed and neglected

and as your hours pass in scented air

responsibility and purpose disappear

The majesty of your life is sadly spent

with no gifts distributed

no legacy of your passing contributed

No remaining signs of rejected destiny

What I Think.....

What I Think

I think that as long as we have life

we can keep love alive

and the gift of which I speak

is not wasted on the weak

I think that it's presence reveals

loves' winners in life's roulette wheel

I think that to seek greatness

is a longing leading to sadness

and sadness always sounds like rain

accompanied by whistling ghost trains

I think that smiles are better than frowns

Just ask any old clown

I reject shadows cast by some

because they shade the glorious sun

and that justice for certain people is heavy

while the privileged wait and see

I think of putting off death evermore

like an unwanted visitor ignored

and that some things are hard to know

like, will I be here tomorrow

I think that existence follows hidden pathways

and individuals control not limited days

I think that life moments missed

are like a lingering goodbye kiss

and that responsibility in life wed

always begins in a nice warm bed

I think that childhood dreams live in color

and burn our present like red-hot ember

I think that boredom is dull and gray

deserving to be blown away

by thoughts existing inside my head

encouraged by beliefs strongly held

I.C.U. Dreams....

I.C.U. Dreams

I see your angel face in my dream

but turn away from this pleasant scene

I see you naked in bed but look away instead

I see you alone and lonely

but won't choose to stay

I see you there on silk sheets

but shy away from this dream sweet

I see myself in mirror reflected

but choose not to look deeper instead

I see towering city canyons all around me

but 'Tis really the sun I want to see

I see stars twinkling overhead

but don't ponder how they are suspended

I see you living in corrupted society

but to question is not for me

I see billions sent to overseas leaders

but speak not one word of displeasure

I see people hungry and cold

but cannot do anything about it, I'm told

I see news daily about murders

but cannot have a gun with loaded chambers

I see your Senatorial stupidity

but won't vote to remove this absurdity

and when my rigid corpse leaves this I.C.U.

I won't care about things that should bother you

PAGES.....

Pages

Dreams bound in black leather

recorded in verse for the ages

Passed down to sons from fathers

casually live on crisp paper pages

We are minions revolving around life

planets of flesh spinning steadily

as we occupy space on high

endlessly forging memories to display

Our destiny circuit brings

individual experiences decanted

into golden cups sparkling

and are offered to minds gratefully friended

as fascinating chapters flow page by page

riding their orbits with grace
  Time is consumed till silver age

hoping to maintain a youthful phase

Then, timely winds turn dog-eared pages

yellowed by relentless busy fingers

exposing writings from life's many stages

 captured in memories forever

 and with our starry orb engaged

it revolves and asks not why

For 'Tis written on yellowed pages

a life displayed brightly across the sky

Melange.....

Melange

Danger lurks in social power

like a flashy ballroom dancer

there is relevance in change

with less options in increased reign

language of moving pictures

spoken ever less, observed always

picture created language

always seen, talked about always

real world duplicated on screen

with bloodied thorn stained

deflated assumptions of erections

in flaccid thoughts lacking actions

urges us to do more with less

as economics caught in a vice

warp ethical behavior

and move us to seek the hidden Savior

wanting repression of the dark side

the selfish mind must hide

as the Social phenomena prevails

 all faithful seek the Holy Grail

Strange Concepts....

Strange Concepts

Soothing just like a gentleman playing the bagpipes
Stunning as an advancing French army

Lovely as an easy open sardine can

and when arriving in the U.S. from Europe

you are now incontinent

Teeth that shine like a dirty toilet bowl

Faster than a three legged dog

Immigration laws that work like a broken blender

Walking on a road that's hotter than a stolen cell phone

Italian beer is always better than Alaskan wine

Women who have cigarette butts are always slender

As insulting as an out of order cigarette machine

Tasty complimentary nuts will get you nowhere

As endangered as a nun in Antarctica 

Twin brothers have two doubles in a bar and pay for one

Great pot holders that turn out to be illegal

and just how funny does a clown taste to a cannibal

Buying a pair of Arrrrrgyle socks from a pirate

Wonderful lame jokes have trouble walking

Johnny Cash never really got Paycheck

Most serious comedians are performing in Washington

The Titanic had a list but it was lost when it sank

Le Foyer...Home...

Home

Near the heart and in love set

there is no place like home

all your past cemented in neural nets

memories captured cast in stone

home visions endure in mind

like concrete permanently set

Vivid and solid we all find

home recollections that live on subdued breath

our past constantly displayed entirely

etched firmly in the recesses of the mind

 quietly shaping our personality

and as time advances we find

traces of home in familiar smells

originating in former reality

covered by individual tides that swell

and drown bygone identity

Home endures in contentment

within our immortal life of dreams

that dictate the precarious present

as we float on destiny's stream

and like a flame parting darkness

some yearly times resurrect

thoughts of home and evening stillness

wrapped in the warmth of home fire

replete with joyous piny Holiday smells

that stir memories of Church choirs

where the spirit thrived very well

Wild Turkey...revision #3

Wild Turkey

The winds of Winters reproach

whistle during Autumns approach

They signal  delight for all

in the hunt of woodland fowl

Soon the snow will cover roofs

 chimneys will stand aloof

as smoke like silent voices

rises to heaven in puffy traces

 Forest calm is shattered by light spikes

that stab at gobblers in flight

Fallen leaves scatter in wild torment

to give the earth a winter garment

My steps crunch the protective cover
as my soul delights in its Autumn color  

and while breathing air fresh and sweet
 I stalk my prey with frozen feet

My heart leaps at the sight of quarry

Dark feathers that glisten with pageantry

standing like statues still, head blue and red

wild turkeys waiting for my bird shot spread

Then, several more gobblers prancing

 trying to see through my camo netting

 my twitching thumb releases the safety

trigger finger squeeze lasting an eternity

Then, with a roar of flame and smoke

the spread of pellets find their home

Two gobblers are down quite near

Our Thanksgiving will be good this year

INEVITABLE...

Inevitable

The insignificance of his humanity, it seems

in the context of the whole Universe

surrounding his fragile being

urged him to look for fate disbursed

He seldom thought of future days

daily life occurred without meaning

His fate hid on dark paths and byways

destiny being just a fanciful thing

He never looked for favors

during the fires of innocence

his indifference painted violent colors

on the canvas of his existence
With vigor beneath his bluish heavens
he ascended on the transparent wings of fate
until his spirit approached love given
and subdued the clinging weeds of hate
Childhood years passed, nevertheless
with days spent in solitude
always frustrated by denied love requests
 stifled by parental attitudes
and in the blaze of his flaming mind
words died before reaching his lips
 days passed in the flash of time
Days consumed carelessly between Brandy sips
Then, the day came where he chose not to die
he dared to dance in the rain
and his destiny rose to great heights
Gilded in the reality of worldly gain
He spent too much on fate unkind
much more than he could afford
and now having retraced history in mind
Leaving destiny to its own accord
would have been right and fatefully kind

All Souls Nite.....

All Souls Nite

I hear rustling and quicken my pace

thoughts of evil things quickly surface

Wind-like cold fingers brush against my face

as I walk near this fearful place

On this nite of souls departed

there are specters in dark woods and glades

the remaining light recedes and sight becomes dead

It leaves nothing but whispers that in darkness fade

I somehow sense the motion of passing souls

through the pines and woven vines

my footsteps quicken and my limbs turn cold

The visions of ghouls become vividly mine

as the winding lane is dark and forbidding

the surrounding woods are covered in clinging mist

and the nearby marshes hide fearful things

the woods edges contain lost souls that persist

in causing terror that slowly creeps up my back

and fleeting shadows vanish from sight

Hellish noises in mind are now a fact

becoming perceptions of my imagination tonight

the wafting odor of death on this nite late

chills the hapless fabric of my mind

and envelops me in probable vulgar fate

as wisdom falters and in fear I find

the dimensions unseen that cause fright

dimensions that become reality in death

So, If you sense that spectral breeze tonight

look the other way and take a deep breath...

WHOAMI......Revision #3

Whoami

Inside my humanity beneath blue sky

and while possessing desire for perpetuation

I frequently ponder, Who am I

as I seek my life's inclination

 I casually glance in the mirror

as only my surface is reflected

conveniently hiding my unsure interior

and wonder if my inner flaws are detected

I am not what I reflect

bathed in the color of the sky

I live in obscure sunsets

and I ask frequently, Who am I

I try to imagine the future

as within me resides a past

that hides memories nurtured 

 in a reality that will not last

I am a collection of cells made from stardust

gathered from stellar heights

present in me and all of us

and we collectively ask, Who am I

We are wanderers in time

able to feel and touch and love

but we are not the masters of our clime

while we seek to rise above
Our selfish earthly desires

 we need to know the reason why

 as beautiful children of star fire

we need to understand, Who am I.....

BARDOBS CURE...

Bardobs Cure

He possesses time that has passed

time that resides firmly in his grasp

He is surrounded by today's freshness

while living in past tenseness

The glory of years gone

remain colored by old visions strong

in the passions of scribbled powers

that live in dreams of ivory towers

All while restless phantoms roam along

dimly represented by skeletal form

strewn about the darkened streets

and stepped on with stumbling feet

He searches for bygone days now obsolete

in the afterglow of youths defeat

and in the blackness of the darkest night

still engages in lifes good fight

seeking immortality on times sweet train

As he prepares for extinction in vain

by quietly leaving footprints in literary sands

temporarily marking times relentless hand

History will embrace his pale form

as he slumbers there alone

eternally withdrawn and unafraid

of the times passed when he has failed

Incipient Decline

Under a warming golden sun

strolling in late Autumn

I notice river water flash

in its voyage on silver streams dash

that seeks the pebbly shores

of the blue sea, no less, no more

In the broken gleams of brightness

lighting my path in the forest

winds shake loose yellows and red

that cover earth like a blanket spread

in the distance past my sight

a colorful show steadily imparts

warmth into crisp cool air

that scatters lovely leaves here and there

Within this scenic subdued shade

vivid memories are made

The murmur of the lonely bee

makes me seek what I fail to see

along the trail in dappled shade

my senses eager to partake

to observe the fading sound heard

of that insect moving onward

Then, in the shadows of tall grass stirred

the flashing feathers of startled birds

join in the surrounding splendor

contained in this Autumns' vibrant power

The Zone....

THE ZONE

There's no likeness for this concept

that focuses the spirit in mindset

of found wisdom ready to accept 

this comfort zone without regret

'Tis beauty of structure without distraction

mind filled with poetic attraction

 space and time bound together

making reality taste somewhat bitter

Time vanishes into that outer darkness

full of curiosity and starkness

while chosen pleasures at the price of consent

give individual moments precious nourishment

and when confined in this enveloping space

dreams subdue purpose leaving no trace

on emotions drenched in savage desires

cloaked in repulsive habits and satire

with awareness of self, revoked temporarily

 the heart beats ever strongly

 chemicals fuel physical fires

inside the great crusader

Dream of various senseless notions

while surrendering to painful actions

and nurture time like a ray of light

that liberates space normally hidden from sight

'Tis under the lamppost of reality

where satisfaction is never easy

that time seems to belong out of place

where nothing exists and life leaves no trace

So, waste not hours in vain pursuit

of matters often in heated dispute

enter the zone of the sweet song

leading your life to that place where it belongs

Retreat

Venerated retirement in life's decline

Separated from cares no longer mine

Released from the need to work

now happily free to roam the earth

The day seems much longer

now that mine is that sunny hour

it makes my extinction seem far away

even if the mirror reflects too much grey

The window reveals leaves falling

swirling about during my daydreaming

stately trees a while ago were green

and the beauty of flowers was easily seen

Now quite suddenly the trees are brown

their leaves cluttering the quiet ground

and when daylight appears

time is painted bright by natural care

I desire to feel exempted from age

methodically, I pen another page

chosen words that revive my inner existence

 prose filled with personal significance

my compositions in mind never quite done

cast gentle shadows in the midday sun

and like a slowly burning candle

illuminate the surroundings with fading light

Principles

In today's times of ease

we take for granted days like these

The past is beyond our sight

and within our lives sunlit bright

we ponder on generations long ago

where principles all would know

while in today's remnants of past times

proper conduct has gone to frozen climes

encased in personal feelings cold and stiff

'Tis hard to thaw this life's fabric

as old time values passed from father to son

are now victim of selfish fun

and the flash of violent colors blind

those who will not look away seeking to find

the warriors who challenge existences trials

they who wrap themselves in denial

with their morality setting the stage

allowing goodness to grow and rage

they hold standards always high

they create trash but ask not why

our society's sins of omission are dead

replaced by the glint of gold instead

with life grounded in mortal thoughts

and surrounded with items needlessly bought

'Tis now the time to eagerly seek moral conditions

To guide humanities fading seasons 

Blue Pearl Vision...

Blue Pearl Vision

Walking alone on sparkling grass

morning coolness under my feet

fresh are the marks where I passed

prominent on moist ground quite green

I notice other footprints in the dew

inviting a chase to their end

to eagerly pursue on this morning new

and together vanish like found friends

that become a memory in sunny hours

while the sun sips crystal droplets

that hang diamond -like on cold flowers

Then, I notice in hesitation that begets

refreshment from this wild beauty

beautiful gifts from natures' way

from cactus dry to webs fancy

soothing the spirit with their casual play

These offerings of Nature must survive

like the silent rose perfect and red

even as humanities insanity flies

chaos must be reversed instead

as our ship is a blue pearl

floating in a sea of darkness

Humanities oasis is this planet world

to safeguard it should be our quest

The Tower

Its angular contours rise towards the sky

Edges sharp like the sword of a Samurai

this structure proudly rises above all

It embodies a symbolic Freedom call

It casts flashes and shadows over the city

much like an eagles broad wings of security

This towering glass structure in essence

commands freedoms ideal by its existence

'Tis a sight to enrich a new generation born

As it rises from the ashes of the storm

Building and shape manifest continuity

providing our Nation with a sense of harmony

'Tis like a beacon naked with purpose indeed

built by American ingenuity and speed

that points straight into the Heavens blue

with roots planted deep into American sinew

One thousand-seven hundred-seventy-six feet of glory

fill the void of nine-eleven infamy

As the memory haunts and stokes societies fires

testing the fiber of a Nation who remembers

that day of terror on rivers shore

where heroes gave what was required and more

Amidst dusty ground and collapsed towers

brought down by cowards lacking power

Those who could only destroy with hate in our land

what they could not build with their hands

Our Freedom Tower rises perfectly high

and shines brightly in our Nations sky

forever a beacon for the worlds masses

For the tired and the oppressed of all classes 

Invisible

 

The mirror reflected everything but me

As I looked and perceived obscurity

'Twas the sensation felt that day

I sensed a regressive motion suddenly

then found awareness quite certainly

that revealed the direction travelled wearily

I felt empty like a shadow

wandering like a ghost I didn't know

I abandoned all that mattered

contained in vibrant dreams tattered

while nocturnal visions rived memory

revealing illusions that contradicted reality

and exposed the bleached bones of intellect

as years passed and time crept

I searched for something clearly not there

like unbiased recognition crystal clear

wrapped in a blanket of humility

my spirit withered in flaming glory

the mirror reflected nothing

my perception of reality truly lacking

Was I the wind I would be felt

Was I fragrant flowers I could be smelled

If I was the blazing sun

I would probably blind some

And if I was a hurricane I would be heard

and everyone's emotions would be stirred

If I was not so obscure

I'd be truly noticed for sure

But alas, I am invisible to all

No one sees me and nobody calls

 

The Blue Samurai.....revision #4

The Blue Samurai

Politicians have plans profound

speaking always with overflowing sound

leaving civil order and daily trials

to the blue Samurai

His sunglass shaded eyes

startles souls taken by surprise

he carries a flashy badge and blade

and sets limits on social charade

Raw power flows easily through him

as he guards laws and rulings

sometimes tainted with exceptions

as rebellion is today's bastion

Tomorrow, his blade will split moments

full of tension and torment

Social justice must endure in fear

that evil actions bring to bear

The code of civility and order

is neatly wrapped in velcroed armor

the hammer of authority pounds rebellious society

while the instrument of righteousness attains conformity

Residents should learn to fear

the blue Samurai ruling the town square

and law abiding villagers, for sure

should fear the blue warrior culture

Today I Died

 

The sun beamed through my open window

in golden shafts of bright yellow

with glorious dawn rising in pastels

I did not pause to drink this morning spell

with this untouched reality of the new day

was too busy to stay and play

I did not linger to say goodbye

quietly leaving on the sly

the morning air was sweet

but I did not notice while breathing deep

The sculptured stone of my workplace

In mind left no trace

and during the course of tedious hours

I only wished to someday retire

Yes, I had plans for tomorrow

concrete visions from my lips would flow

Of places around the world with bright nights
and treasures to behold in subdued light

I did not laugh and smiled just right

with emotions too transparent for human sight

I did not say, I love you today

and now the burning suns' stabbing ray

lights up the crimson pool slowing growing

around my broken body awash in suffering

I did not notice that truck blocking my way

I died today

Forgetfire

 

Memories carved in mind long ago

weigh heavily like rocks ever so

rocks that crush the spirit very well

with tales written but never read

manuscripts loosely bound

is where redemption of mind was found

together with 'Johny D ' dulling my senses

breathing night air orange blossom scented

while surf crashed on the deserted shores

embers of memories on the sand evermore

as pages of tales in faraway lands

tremble in my unsteady hands

they will never see the light of day

as glowing flames bring ashes to stay

and rise in smoke on this sweet night

purging mental horrors and frights

of actions taken and not forgotten

for an ideal ugly and rotten

as reality was distorted and accepted

and remains in mind bitterly tasted

on this night burned away forever

turned into bluish smoke and cinders

years of heavy burden carried daily

now released from memories' crushing way

gone in the flashy glow and extinguished at last

with a powerful stream of golden fluid cast 

Church Doors

The parish Church is locked and empty

but still projects an air of dignity

I touch the impressive wooden door

wanting to feel Heaven once more

A sudden breeze sends leaves flying

they sound like Angels whispering

announcing the buildings mortality

abandoned to salvagers' mercy

Not long ago souls were there satiated

beckoned by steeples and bells now dead

Salvation existed within those walls

decorated with statues of marble tall

Lives were consecrated and unions blessed

Baptisms full of Grace was the best

The body of Christ offered to all

Most Holy Eucharist it was called

and for those in mental distress

confession was available to quell their bawdiness

The sound of emptiness now beckons old hymns

that soothed souls in spiritual questionings

Our salvation now lives in hazy dreams

as Divinity has vanished it seems

and fervent desires for Paradise

are left to individual device
S
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Dragonfly Lane

 

Beneath the canopy on road shaded

the dusty lane was gravely and twisted

as we journeyed with expectations fated

to Dragonfly Lane in mystery shrouded

'Twas where the mystical cottage stood

sheltered by coniferous and maple forest

As the Clan assembled in Boreal woods

They came from all points of the compass

Mike and Colleen from Toronto city

with Gabriel and Kailyn casting their spells

Phillip and Nadia from Montreal vicinity

Mike and Jennifer from Toronto as well

with revelations of Clan addition to be

and grandparents G. with much love to spread

'Twas the best of times all would see

The Clan Olympics of Summer fame

were fiercely played and gracefully won

under blue skies and sun fire flame

One for all and all for one

And in crystal waters fish were tempted

moving like shadows made by light

chasing bait that was voraciously ingested

many were hooked and gave great fight

From the dock on delightful Devils Lake

we swam together with glee

splashing and diving for enjoyment sake

Letting our combined spirits free

Card games, boat rides and great meals

all enjoyed and orchestrated flawlessly

with precious bits of paradise all could feel

as time under heavens light flowed gently

The moments shared that week

will inspire the stories of tomorrow

as the Clan happily seeks

the cherished love of life to follow

Thus, may we always care for each other

enough to gather in Summer games

and forge memories that really matter

like the ones of Dragonfly Lane

Expectations

 

He wonders and silently ponders

in all his days hours

as the routine of life daily

forbids his soul to stray

and search the uncharted tomorrows

He seeks visions to follow

as his borrowed charm shyly hides

all hope so casually denied

He walks the twisted road alone

as the joys of life seem wrong

They flood the minutes of every day

silencing hope in dull delay

But words of strength scattered around

spoken over life's thunderous sound

resound loudly to pleasure all

and rise to heights clearly tall

Doubts lurking return nevermore

as hope is deposited on foreign shore

and souls from all around

expand the limits of prose unbound

until anticipation fills the goblet

overflowing with words in mind set

and the sweet liqueur of hope

is slowly sipped and swallowed