SUCCUBUS....rewrite...revision #3

Succubus

Her whispering voice in suffocating darkness

echoed where he lay in quiet nakedness

spellbound by the light of her eyes emitting rays

that cast shadows fluttering every way

on soft pillows and satin sheet

as he felt the kisses of her mouth sweet

Her ruby lips captured his soul

He remembered the warning of old

concerning her evil wandering spirit

full of vulgar nocturnal habits

He chose to not believe

in her dark power to deceive

Her long black hair in darkness blown

Her fingernails of ebony hard as stone

This dark angel, not virtues friend

was a delightful vision to lament

Now, with sparks shooting from her fingertips

her evil smile framed by carbon lips

He realized that she wasn't from mortal soil

too late to reject and foil

this wicked spirit in love disguise

that occupied his bed, flashing red eyes

Penny Pup...( rewrite )

PENNY PUP

'Twas a cold and rainy day out there

harsh winds pushed curtains of water everywhere

I was walking briskly jumping puddles with care

my attention somewhere other than there

on that rainy day downtown

moving with eyes unfocused and head down

I approached a homeless man

sitting next to a smelly garbage can

partly protected by the dumpsters lid

his eyes beneath a baseball cap partially hid

He said, " A penny for a pup...

I can no longer care for him

he barks and won't shut up

For a penny you can have him

His name is Slim..."

From under his poncho, sheltered from the rain

emerged brown puppy eyes full of pain

'Twas the cutest beagle puppy I'd ever seen

calling out to me with all his tiny being

I said, Slim, with me you'll be fine

and for a penny the pup was mine

As I walked away with Slim under my coat

I suddenly saw stars and lightning bolts

Later. when I awoke

in the gutter, my clothes soaked

head bleeding and my wallet missing

Slims' soft tongue licking my ears

confirmed my worst fears

Alas, that penny pup named Slim

stayed and never left, that's why I love him

COGITATIONS...revision #2 Last work of 2017...50 accomplished

Cogitations

 

He walked the twisted path every morning

ascended to a mountain top clearing

He sat there in the fresh air

the sun was bright, the sky clear

His thoughts were scattered and lost

he refused to be his thoughts

 

His mind was unfocused, not peaceful

filled with memories, fears and dreams hopeful

His spirit clouded by worries of things

that raged like thunder and lightning

Recurring thoughts controlled his happiness

clouds covered his consciousness

Ephemeral darkness floated over him

it was as transitory as venial sin

 

His thoughts controlled him that way

and he yearned to let them drift away

as he reclined on the mountain top grass

waiting for the thought storms to pass

 

Then, he chose to become the observer

nevermore the thought bearer

He beheld his thoughts as fleeting shadows

of distant memories and past echoes

he saw his yesterday beyond salvation

observed the illusion of selfish absolution

His consciousness absorbed the light

and he witnessed himself in minds sight

 

He realized that he no longer wallowed

in the vale of constant shadow

As the sun beat down in silence

He learned forgiveness and acceptance

The guilt, shame, anger, fears

resulting from events of past years

drifted over while he sat in the grass

and he accepted the demons trapped in the looking glass

 

 

Social Necessity...Revision #3

SOCIAL NECESSITY

His dream placed him naked on a schooner

warm winds enveloping his existential desire

salt spray drenched his tedious dreams

as he sailed on ocean deep

There were no clothes to bind him

no earthly shelter to protect him

no conveyance to transport him

no markets to conveniently feed him

He was free from society and modern gadgets

free from schedules to not forget

free from debts that must be paid

free from money that must be made

But, how would he survive like this

how could he comfortably exist

how would he be able to impress others

how could he express his hidden desires

Without society to enable his voyage

without family to love and acknowledge

without purpose to fill his day

without companions with which to play

'Twas a necessity for society to support him

to build shelter and toys for him

to provide comfort in found relationships

to absorb his thoughts expressed through grateful lips

to fill that hole in his otherwise boring existence

as he gave back to social eminence

satisfied with his work well done

living life in harmony and social fun

Moral Depravity...

Moral Depravity

The way to eminence ran through him

and was afflicted by depraved offerings

She dropped to her knees with hesitation

his hands in her hair directing her action

and without emotion or passion

she swallowed his bitter love potion

The stench of unchecked power

struck like a cold shadow on a flower

to later focus National attention on abusive ways

while accusations of corruption saw the light of day

in revelations of deeds past

and memories of capitulation cast

Victims relived their loss of self-esteem

buried in the darkness of precious dreams

the revenant ghouls of forced consent

rose from shallow graves of depraved events

The unchecked control over powerless persons

who remained silent fearing derision

loomed over young victims seeking fame

as the abusers played their depraved games

LEAVING...Revision #3

Leaving

He drew his eyes away from hers

tried to deny her passionate pleasure

but the night held a fateful storm

dictating that love from him be torn

'Twas a night cold and silent

enveloped in emotional investment

darkness appeared with a vengeance 

foretelling sorrow with its gloomy presence

cold reality blew through his dark hair

as windblown leaves scattered everywhere

His love breached National boundaries

his whispered words found denial instead of glee

The moment dripped with meaning

as their time was quickly unravelling

Years passed and that night remains with him

much like a pregnancy everlasting

as full term visions of love and ecstasy 

stained by fickle destiny

caused time marching through wasteful history

to squander his soul for a National folly

Mind gangrene followed, came and went

hours and days in darkness he spent

as he watched waves sucking sand in retreat

lapping the shore, tugging at his feet

Words flowed and were absorbed by the tide

lost in the surf where they could hide

and the dream remains as gray hair grows

forever entwined with all the memories he knows

Nature's Lighthouse...

Nature's Lighthouse

When the Masters of words shine

their verses burn my mind

and encourage me to rise above their shadows

reach higher than my ability knows

with splendid verses mindfully written

that seek to infiltrate words spoken

In mind, I capture the dance of floating snowflakes

that settle peacefully on verdant blades

I notice a pregnant belly in gray skies

emptying its crystal contents far and wide

to insulate sleeping creatures underground

while desire to record all of this is found

I need to paint prose of natural things

peeking through my soul window while writing

and while dreaming my dreams fickle

to cherish nature's miracles

to witness its depth in words unspoken

as poetry describes life's mystery

that lurk behind dynamics we cannot see

There's heavenly purpose living in placid scenes

bathed in blissful skies of pink and cream

easy to notice as seasons flow

this wonder I need to know

as visions infiltrate my bards brain

take root and quietly remain

I want to ignite the lighthouse I can be

seek to illuminate earth's natural beauty

like quiet valleys dripping seasonal changes

smothered in brilliant yellows and oranges

beneath drifting white cloud caves

that transforms colors with hues and shade

My imagination explodes, sending light beams

projecting natures colorful scenes

that temper human moods and emotions

and invite all to bathe in this contribution

I desire to peek at infinity

where an ending can never be

seek to travel on a beam of light

and ride to a future bright

to live in that place where dreams condense

while doing it all in the present tense

 

Word Invasion...

Word Invasion

Like a stealthy submarine rising

from dark depths slowly appearing

surfacing in mid-dream

with no apparent reason, it seems

Like a vessel on a Holy quest

invading my cozy ocean of rest

Words floated through my sleep last night

vivid word imparting my dormant sight

They were softly illuminated by moon like light

pleasant to behold in my dreamful eyes

Behind sleep curtains drawn

this word bounty in ghostly form

cut noiselessly through my hazy sleep

and projected a golden gleam

Wild neural cascades dancing in my sleep

pumped creative juices from down deep

and revealed phrases never heard

while feelings came forth in brilliant words

Flashes of electric blue lightning strikes

sent full sentences into heavenly flight

and they soared with new found creativity

while mental winds buffeted their stability

Precious prose was exposed to violent gusts

they travelled far searching for literary lust

to pleasure dreams in blissful rest

with their loving embrace in sleep caress

Powerful words in vaults hidden

do wait in the darkness mostly forgotten

'Tis a mid-dream duty to resurrect

those words from a fate worst than death

SHOOTING STAR...

Shooting Star

Through the golden beeches not far

I spotted a shooting star

A sight that traversed the Autumn air

on that October night quite clear

'Twas beyond a vast field of green

rich with corn stalks and flowing stream

a streaking show of light from heaven down

flashed across the steeples of our town

It's passing reflected on a serene pond

a momentary light from space beyond

briefly spending itself in night chill

as it disappeared over the distant hill

Starlight was eclipsed in a moment

by reddish fire quite extravagant

a vision gratefully grasped

beneath a firmament lacking an overcast

All Souls Night...revision #3

All Souls Night

I hear the sound of rustling leaves

a soulful chatter in the dark night breeze

The cold wind slaps my face

and I quicken my homebound pace

Thoughts of evil in mind surface

cold fingers brush me with hellish purpose

as I walk near that place, dull and dead

close to where rest all the souls departed

There are specters lurking in woods and glades

their whispers in the darkness fade

the dimming light turns my vision dead

I sense departed souls lurking ahead

Staring through the darkened pines and woven vines

visions of ghouls become vividly mine

My footsteps hasten and limbs turn cold

on this winding path forbiddingly old

Surrounded by woods soaked in clinging mist

lost departed souls most likely persist

and nearby marshes hide fearful things

covered in darkness deep and forbidding

Fear slowly creeps up my back

visions of hell become a fact

while scurrying shadows fill my sight

and become real in mind tonight

The smell of death on this night late

consumes my imagination in horrendous fate

and paralyses my core of mind

as logic falters and terror I quickly find

I cannot shake the chilling fright

that evil dimension of all souls night

as I feel their spectral breath

the unseen reality that exists in death

TRUTH and TRUST...revision #2.

Truth and Trust

Once in America upon a time

there was truth and flowers most sublime

 colorful reality was fixed in National light

and life seemed so right

Those times have now passed too soon

as truthful buds no longer bloom

Our Nations' capital with reasons cold

has made truth too fragile to hold

Now trust, like promises broken

is assaulted by words falsely spoken

as citizens seek to end the honeymoon

with the false prophet, hopefully soon

Once upon a time

truth was savored like a fine wine

but now, the train of truth has left the station 

without saying goodbye to a frustrated Nation

FLORENCE...Revision #2

FLORENCE

Waking early on a September morn

my lovely dreams from sleep torn

A most pleasant scenery, I do recall

Colored my memories, but not all

of a distant yesterday that in slumber came to me

from Florence across the sea

We strolled sunlit piazzas there

the warm September breeze messing our hair

Large umbrellas cast shadows cool

on granite fountains and reflecting pools

Crowd noise reverberated on courtyard fixtures

filling our souls with adventure

that immersed us in that beautiful setting

of pink marble and tourists bargaining 

for paintings, postcards and religious prints

while we were enveloped in Autumns winds

Sidewalk Michelangelo's created works with chalk

Exquisite pieces where tourists walked

People from many Nations

became part of our visitation

Then, came Florence night with full moon above

This memory frozen in love

while on the watchtower where pigeons flocked

moon shadows settled on the ancient clock

as my presence stood still in time

and all senses captured a place so fine

Alas, I remember his youthful love

as we walked beneath the moon above

BLUE MAN...

Blue Man

The blue man somehow knows

what defines him from head to toes

'Tis the mixture of shame and regret

compelling him to never forget

that mélange of green and yellow

which creates the color of sorrow

Memory induces him to recall most

the beauteous times, now only ghosts

that he holds precious and tender

as he fears to surrender

to cravings of forbidden desires

existing in fires smothered that still smolder

Life conditions bury his soul ever deeper

until it becomes the sullen prisoner

of parted lips and foul breath

that become spiritual death

as he exists in a paradise lost

and mourns the wasted crushing cost

He shouts at destiny's hollow breeze

Hears the murmur of time's flowing stream

his gloom is reflected in society's mirror

while despair fills him with terror

He wants to repent for his abnormal desires

but still seeks the rapture of old pleasures

The blue man's guilt haunts his delight

he quietly weeps under the cover of night

MANDALAY BAY....59 dead...+500 wounded...

Mandalay Bay

Cascades of screaming lead

rained down from golden heights

to strike the living and the dead

shattering the concerts peaceful night

Life below became less than cheap

as the slayer in his crows nest

made lady love on this day weep

while he stole lifes final breath

Everyone scattered on the bloody venue

Young and old wading though the slaugter

as volley after volley the sniper strew

that extinguished youthful fire

Those inevitable minutes in the gold tower

marked a twisted path to glory with death

that stole life from sons and daughters

while a deranged individual had no regret

These frozen memories grab our soul with icy hands

as National sorrow floods our spirit

We still fail to understand

the meaning of all of it

I KNOW WHO I AM....

I know who I am

I say to no one

" I know who I am "

as my resolve slowly weakens

while my tomorrow relentlessly happens

My life flows like a river

that must surely empty into something bigger

dictated by the Universal clockwork

that rules the orbit of our earth

I stare profoundly into my life's mirror

and see myself and no other

the optically inverted reflection

is processed instantly into the proper direction

Left is right in glass corrected

and right is left while reflected

I say to no one

" I know who I am "

but the mirror is eternally wise

and my reflection holds a surprise

perfectly released in spite of small distortions

that shade the substance of my quiet intentions

A reality not self-evident

but nevertheless needing comment

 During childhood knowing not who to be

I sought the light of destiny

In that mirror of distorted identity

and found subtleties present in youthful me

that shaped the person to be

and today that individual is me

55th REUNION....

55th Reunion

Where are the songs of yesterday

those musical notes splashing relentlessly

in the placid pools of our memories

that are embedded in our individual identities

Where is the swift current of our youth

that floated our future then in bloom

and transported our spirit on adventures

that altered our innocent nature

Those special genial times of growth

that cement our precious days of old

Live in our collective memories

as we recall our former identities

Now, our gray hair grows thinner

Having experienced Earth, Wind and Fire

We've worked our fingers to the bone

While absorbing the Rolling Stones

and our past shines like a pearl

because we knew the Duke of Earl

Years have passed quickly like a comet blazing

while Elvis still has not left the building

Little Anthony and the Imperials

are still remembered by their songs trivial

The Supremes and Johnny Mathis soothe our minds

with lyrics soft and kind

and our time flows on a steady stream

carried by the current of our individual dreams

only to remind us everyday

that we are all made of musical clay

to be reshaped into something more

when we finally leave these earthy shores

HARVEY......

HARVEY

Looking down from imaginations height

like a soaring observer of natures' might

I beheld water instead of land

'Twas difficult to see and understand

as countless rooftops in Houston still

looked like orderly little hills

and the once placid suburban green

lurked under a brown watery scene

From my perch, I watched the agony

of the many faces I could see

as the firmament poured rain cold

in a deluge on Houston's soul

and from the breast of tenderness

neighbors rallied in their quest

to rescue those in distress

true empathy flowed from citizens and knew no rest

It reflected Americas best

PLAY....

PLAY

Morning arrives in a sudden way

 light stabs the consciousness slowly

It sweeps night darkness away

and beckons everyone to discover today's play

Shall we be children again

and join with grown friends

to gratefully seek the passion of games

that remain much the same

while the spirit renewed by the morning sky

absorbs the joy of today's play delight

Memories of youthful companions

embedded in games shining in recollections

are where play in its splendor lives

and pleasure is what it gives

Adults become children with play

children become adults with games everyday

Play sharpens the senses, lifts the spirit

fills all souls with the joy of it

games are the spice of life

and without play we would not survive

THE MARKET

The Market

Near to heaven is this place for me

a feast for my eyes to see

Melons sunning themselves on a table

incite a squeeze on the double

as my eager fingers seek to fondle

but a stern look warns of trouble

The scenery comes and goes

shoppers mill about like mimes in a sidewalk show

they gesture at merchants with silent lips

and bargain for avocado dip

Life at the market is never dead

it brings fine memories I cannot shed

as a spectator in the riddle of market life

it fills my soul with tender light

my awareness focusses in its quest

to discover the merchants very best

My spirit roams at this festival

of offerings of nature celestial

I spot sweet fuzzy peaches

exposed to my tender squeeze

arranged for a delightful show

perfect in their circular rows

Strawberries stand out in a blush

they offer me their sensual lust

as my memory brings back fondly

their chocolate cloaks on a Summer Sunday

accompanied by bubbly Spumante 

that stirred my passions and ecstasy

Plums and bananas for tasting

exposed as shady offerings

summer warmth endures rambling fools

while they absorb pungent sensory tools

that draws their mind away from daily cares

welcoming shoppers from everywhere

The markets charm helps me survive

and appreciate natures tasty art

while embracing social essence

beneath a Summers' sun presence

UNCORKED DEPRESSION....revision #2

Uncorked Depression

Sadness without a cause darkens the moment

and hopelessness leaves footprints that torment

daily existence assaulted by social waves

that silently drench the spirit and  stays

Storing nothingness in empty bottles

where the grape relinquishes its purple

as the taste of emptiness eventually shatters

the promise of future desires

Uncorked hopes conjure pleasant dreams

visions of reality not what it seems

where the soul is led to believe prophecies

that exist as monuments of dubious entities 
while the orange sun burns bright

casting shadows on the altar of National pride

 America wallows in this condition
while led by an idiot making command decisions

 entrenched in the halls of ignoble rule
and tweeting words of a narcissistic fool

that promotes class and wealth division

in the greatest of Nations

Saratoga Prophet....

Saratoga Prophet

Horses in the early light

reflect the morning sunshine bright

they welcome the days' warm ups

bring to ear their muffled gallops

while a railbird chirps out a warning

sings a song of rain coming

Nearby, excited patrons mill about

they hardly hear the prophet shout

There will be rain

There will be rain

A forecast to muddle the bettors minds

while their dreams of fortune wait in line

Then, like a fragile announcement hard to behold

post time nears and clouds roll

Skies become heavy with moisture

spoiling handicapping pleasure

The sun, like a gold dagger proffered 

enters the darkness of its scabbard 

railbirds fly to shelter and gather

as rain muddies a cholate track

and jockeys offer the torrent their back

Then, the railbird prophet sings out

this time in a joyous shout

I told you there would be rain

Now enjoy your spurious pain

Mountain Meadow Moment...

Mountain Meadow Moment

I emerged from a white pine grove

sunshine baked the trail like a hot stove

wild flowers lined a path narrow

that curved through the Aspen bordered meadow

The warm grass smelled of strawberries

wild fruit pleasure on wind ferried

to where blades of greenery occupied fully

the pastoral landscape I saw that day

I silently questioned the usefulness of this grass

and did not dwell on its past

I enjoyed the moment of this place

as beauty filled time and space

I absorbed a quiet day of Summer

as time elapsed from minutes to hour

my existence flowed without a spoken word

only to be witnessed by passing birds

Human Nature....Courage...

Human Nature...Courage

The essence of beauty

lives in all of humanity

'Tis found in every hair, every eyelash

in every smile unabashed

it dwells in every soul

as time passes, bought or sold

it resides in mornings sweet

after a long nights sleep

Beautiful humans of many kinds

harbor resentments wallowing in their closed mind

that shades moments in their lives

and not only from nine to five

as they all fail to realize

that humanity is us idealized

existing in truth and trust that stand

like pillars of behavior we need to understand

as we all seek to recognize moral authority

that should rule our National humanity

we must reject offered falsehoods

that corrupts human natures' good

NIPPER......

Nipper

He sits there, peacefully erect

where fantasy and life intersect

his large floppy ears

enhance a longing distant stare

He sports a shiny coat of fiberglass hair

with spotted colors blanc et noir

that makes his presence glow in noonday sun

while he surveys his dogdom for fun

Royalty resides in his oversized look

High above on rooftop stuck

His destiny to fate assigned

He sits erect, easy to find

in the morning hanging fog

He's NIPPER, the Empire cities pawsome dawg 

FATHERHOOD...

Fatherhood

The satisfaction of a night well dreamed

solidified my future in the sphere of sleep

as pleasant visions occupied my dozing core

and my nocturnal escapades existed evermore

However, dreams vanished in the light of day

scattering the contents of my midnight stay

and their echoes from joyous sleep

urged me to take the leap

'Twas sometime ago when life was fresh

every moment embraced in a warm caress

everything shining with newness

held the glow of future promise

Invisible stitches in the fabric of time

bound my existence loosely defined

'Twas for the future for which I pined

while I sought purpose in dreams sublime

I envisioned tomorrow as an imposter 

Hope disguised as a cold winter

that announced the coming of days dreary

with true love a distant possibility

My soul visited nightly despair

I needed a mate to truly care

someone to color my dreams concocted

someone to introduce meaning sweetly scented

where summer leaves gently swayed

as my children smiled and played

while I felt the softness of their skin and hair

and realized my purpose thriving there

With her help, my realm of dreams became reality...

DEBACLE...

Debacle

When squandering precious time

in ephemeral pursuits

casts shadows in inquisitive minds

it throws a veil on the obvious truth

But I know better

The light that glows in beating hearts

burns into pulsing brains

with happiness content to survive

all setbacks and daily strains

But I know better

Failure resides in dreams instead

like the darkness that occurs nightly

and time is wasted by confused heads

that search for the forbidden fruit hanging sweetly

But I know better

Unrelenting passion is the cornerstone

painted in the color of love

and love choices cut to the bone

dripping pooling tears and blood

But I know better

Bloody debacles coagulate quickly

and time appears to slow

as victory is declared desperately

by those who claim to know

But I know better

Obvious failure is easily found

When seeds of wisdom are cast about 

and find no fertile ground

to germinate and quickly sprout

But I don't know any better