Wood and Glass Squared...

Wood and Glass Squared

When framed glass and wood

greets the sun rising

the morning light stops hiding

and shines brightly as it should

The season's breath on frosted leaves

urges them to dance like living things

they soar on cold gusting winds

and fulfill natures' assigned creed

When outside squared wood and glass

and carried aloft on air currents

twirling and spinning in the moment

He is the leaf finally outcast

When awareness fixes his reflection

in the depth of life's wood and glass

his spirit accepts time elapsed

forfeited gladly to the next generation

Youth sheltered within expect sunlight

to appear beyond framed glass and wood

where it shines as it should

to warmly expose dead leaves in flight

So, when those leaves flutter earthbound

outside their framed wood and glass

they mark their lives as passed

and lie peacefully on the ground

A Life's Night...

A Life's Night

Whistling winds at my bedroom window

they sound like soulful sorrow

and with eyes shut I see darkness shown

while my wandering spirit roams alone

stepping lightly towards an iron gate

unhurried, but quite late

my soul dances above muddied grounds

to the tune of distant sounds

Light flashes stab my minds eye

painting colors as they fly

that fill dreamful hours

with perfumed painted flowers

as scenes from youth crystal clear

return vividly under nights' care

They sting misty windows in exile

and obscure my backward glancing sight

as night winds whisper mournful tales

during sweeping midnight gales

Distant church bells softly ringing

cram my ears with their joyful greeting

In dream, tears of happiness form

for the coming of the new dawn

where love carried on the morning breeze

will part that iron gate with ease

and just beyond that dreamful barrier

blissful joy will comfort this dream lover

while in the waning of the night

I wait to wake under warm daylight

Cradle to Grave...

Cradle to Grave

When the bloom of life

in conjunction with loves' might 

resides within its motherly shelter

waiting to become son or daughter

a tiny heart begins to beat

and urges life to grow beneath

Soon, the darkness goes away

and life's surrounding light comes to stay

pleasurable senses becomes everything

wrapped in mothers attentive feeding

love exists morning till night

the new world is a delight

Then, youths' fever arrives with the season

as Springtime seeks soulful affection

the discovery of earthly passion
Wrapped in soft flesh apparition

lingering in deep brown flashing eyes

smile wantonly beneath bright skies

as love whispers wonderful things

and carry moments on soaring wings

Summers pass as well as Winters

and life strains the heart ever harder

dreams become distant reality

they mock the pursuit of imagined destiny

The splendor of living holds together the heart

as years pass in existential fright

that surrounds survival in times ever dim

buffeted by societies cold wind

Time rolls through the years in swiftness

it travels in concealed tenderness

as expiration arrives dressed in silver hair

and we deny all through our tears

The slowly setting sun sinks in the West

the journey now needs a rest

The beating heart fades into darkness

it beats no more to support life's quest

Winter Coat...

Winter Coat

Every man needs a good winter coat

when winters' winds bring Arctic cold

Mine was passed down to me

with love and sincerity 

by a man I hardly knew

whose daughter in love I grew

That fine coat in its altered state

occupies in my closet a special place

'Tis a precious reminder

of a man and father

whom I knew in my younger days

that have quickly rolled away

'Tis much more than black cashmere

finely tailored and stitched with care

that belonged to one who died too soon

still it warms me under a cold January moon

'Tis a reminder of times long ago

when youth served me so

When I strolled casually as warm as could be

on sidewalks of Quebec city

and in times not fit for man or beast

was comforted by this overcoat on Montreal streets

'Twas a winter coat worn with pride

during Midnight Mass with family at my side

'Twas also worn on somber occasions 

at funerals when cold was in season

All in all, that timeless cashmere overcoat

that's now two scores old

still brings to mind precious moments spent

during my life and special events

REGRET...revision #2

Regret

Regret is not a bird

although its song is often heard

in the swamps of human desire

where frail dreams are left to expire

When glowing regret feathers in spirit rush
with wishful glory once a must

'tis time that has torn existence bare

as remaining days are devoid of care

Moments are filled with wishes hidden in grief

carried away on wings of time the thief

Regrets in vain keep emotions winging

as pangs of need never cease returning

while visions of dreams creeping

 stir the spirit into unsleeping

Regret is a feathered ghost in silent wings

that wafts in minds of those wanting everything

regret slowly invades searching souls

but contentment in flight is joy to behold