DREAMLAND

Dreamland

 

When strange visions appear in sleeping eyes

Alive is the land of dreams

with purple horizons in twilight skies

greenish ocean swells and crystal streams

sparkling as they flow on randomly

the vision following shadowy borders

that twist and turn softly

as golden rays illuminate wild flowers

flooding over mountains far away

and etching the fog-shrouded slopes

revealing another priceless day

born to renew your spiritual hopes

as souls encased in vessels of flesh

can feel and see and hear

natures' gifts during their eternal quest

experiencing earthly beauty everywhere

stand in fields blooming during summer gales

feel the warm rain on your naked body

walk in shaded fragrant vales

where pleasures only live for today

as strange voices floating in the night

whisper lustily in sleeping ears

only to open the vaults of earthly delights

filled with some regrets and lonely fears

awake as salty tears on glistening cheeks

form rivulets flowing senselessly

and gather on soft bedsheets

as you nurture visions that stay

for a moment in eyes shut loosely

in shadows and colorful scenes

living in mindful momentary stay

during life in the land of dreams

 

The Times (part 9 ) Perfidious Rapture

The Times ( part 9 )

Perfidious Rapture

When minds' meadows are tempered

by life's turbulent breeze

and flashes of solemn joys are shattered

by events that truly displease

creating images of spells and power

that in the prophets' vision eclipse

the rays of our limited hours

as words of doom flow from trembling lips

falling hard on personal horizons' rim

where faceless multitude gather

basking in the light of senseless whim

and for a moment cause impending disaster

when pitfalls lurk in the pictures painted

as the prophet speaks his mind

about shaded gleams of tomorrow tainted

and lost hope in the future unkind

'Tis time to turn love on full bright

make it everlasting deep and loud

fill life with realities colorful and right

and rend the darkness in your life's clouds

The Times (part 8 )

The Times (part 8)

(2011 Mississippi flood)

Mighty rivers' silvery train

swollen by incessant rain

natures' hand tore Midwest skies apart

pouring a deluge in the countries heart

the Mississippi bulged and roared

as rushing waves swept nearby shores

advancing torrents quickly crested

striking homes and devouring lives' invested

merging with countless streams swollen

and purging nearby lands of houses broken

churches and temples crushed and overturned

as prayers shouted are never heard

homeless families with teary eyes

silently turn their faces to the skies

pleading with arms outstretched in vain

seeking the end of drenching rain

river wide broadening to sea deep

spares nothing in its watery sweep

painfully, Louisiana hearts beat

absorbing the blows on flooded streets

swift currents in New Orleans town

move towards the Gulf on down

as muddy flows test grief engulfed residents

but will not defeat them during this incident

The Chest

The Chest

The chilled winds screamed like a cat fight

as I rummaged the attic that night

an old chest partly hidden from sight

sat in fleeting shadows gray and stark

it drew attention by its graceful form

mysterious presence in darkness cast

drawing one with temptation strong

heartbeat rising quickly fast

as sprung latches let the lid open

would it reveal ingots within

would candle light shine on fortune

I paused with deep breath taken in

then, found the chest filled with words

short ones, strange ones, long ones abound

some nouns, adjectives and adverbs

also in the mix, verbs and pronouns

enough to construct sentences

and gather them into chapters

words of beauty and fragrant essence

words worthy of human rapture

'twas a treasure greater than gold

seeds of consciousness and wisdom sown

grown into stories and poems of old

and woven into fabrics of fantasies flown

The Times (part 7)

                                                 Osama Bin Laden  

                                Broken is the spell that held us long

                                    our view of terror observed with scorn

                                          Osama Bin Laden is dead

                                              with a bullet to the head
 

                                     Justice delivered finally

                                          on the second day of May

                                             ten years after the evil deed

                                            that planted retribution seeds
 

                                      America did not forget the innocents

                                        murdered in that cowardly event

                                    our Nation now rejoices in the moment

                                            mental relief at last joyfully spent
 

                                     Forget not that ideals never die

                                           the evil torch will be carried high

                                              and spread the flames of terror

                           in America, far beyond those flaming towers
 

                Stay alert, remember always that the towers burned

                        protect your land and lifestyle earned

                             for they will not relent in their hate

                               of our great democracy, the United States

                                  relish in the land in which we dwell

                                         and resolve to guard it well

Water to Wine

Water to Wine

If I could turn water to wine

everyday would be a charm

the cost of water not even a dime

the miracle causing no harm

Merlot, Beaujolais or Zinfandel

Even a nice Riesling would do as well

Functions and weddings I would attend

with invitations galore without end

Oh, what a manner to live

endless joy I would give

with countless bride and grooms to toast

'Tis certain I'd love the most

meeting new people of different taste

my wine never going to waste

sipped most cheerfully by all

endlessly flowing at beck and call

Banquets, parties and conventions

all attracting my undivided attention

my name would live in infamy

in the annals of the State Liquor Authority

The Times ( part 6 ) North Africa

The Times ( part 6 ) North Africa

The evolving times have no memory---but left

scars in the desert of destruction strown

on the burning sands, war metal crushed with deft

heaped piles of scrap in battles little known

towns in ruin--barriers of scattered stones

where once lively cities, clean streets spreading

on golden earth where desert winds had blown

spices in air--sweet scent of life smiling

now gone these times and cherished homes

misery brought by greed's hold on life

men with no mercy ruling strong

seeking wealth and dealing strife

upon the weak and shackled throngs

the States' shadowy might

rules while the timid rest--growing ever strong

while time-wrinkled men with hair all white

dictate laws sadly all wrong

evil seeds possess the crown

kingdom rulers of citizen slaves

as greed reigns shackled men frown

till the floodgates break releasing freedom waves

flushing Autocracy to a shallow grave

The Times (part 5 )

The Times (part V )

Bold spirits will rise up without fail

men shackled and full of fear

will battle till only freedom remains

shoulder to shoulder, thousands there

do weep for Libyan children slain

their blood by Loyalists shed

cries sent towards heaven in vain

call for vengeance on Gaddafi's head

rivulets of warm blood in gutters run

illuminated by flames lighting the sky

for each drop a rebel stands

to free the land or die

every metal carcass there to see

pounded by the flying beasts of war

as many shredded foes shall be

a jackals' feasts for sure

sad and fearful rules will Libya maintain

feeding the chaos along its shores

until they are free of Autocratic chains

and shatter those shackles to be worn no more

The Times (part 2 )

The Times ( part 2 )

When clouds black with rain

swarm over Mideast Kingdoms far away

and frowning Gods of war sustain

chaos and revolution gives them sway

many seeking change, dance in the skies

then dare to span the abyss

of Autocratic passion in whose eyes

have tamed human desire and freedom wish

a thousand cries give righteous worth

reason to quench chaos and live

to dwell without despair upon the earth

refreshed by the drink that liberty gives

and dream of footsteps taken swiftly right

that sate desires exposed to the heavens

seeking the clarity of bolder sight

and observe despots from power driven

Stand fearfully at the feet of history

where earlier monarchies, the noble race

with proud and pompous ways in vain

were uprooted from power with certain haste

Look now abroad as fertile realms are drilled

land where black gold causes unrest

where tankers sipping from earth are filled

and taken away to gratify the West

The Times

The Times

When common diplomacy corrupted as flown away

and global morality in pure hearts sway

the taste of absolute monarchies like milk sour

does blight Mideast States at this hour

Rulers and tyrants of petrol wealth

have crowned themselves in tyranny dealt

and brought misery to their nations

with their royal yoke in choking fashion

have stirred bold spirits to seize power

taking the path where steel carcasses smolder

with promised help from world coalition

refreshing the taste buds of revolution

Monarchs will soon be overthrown

left in the ruins of sand and stone

'tis when times have memories unveiled

that life's monuments that once prevailed

seek history rising from ages that flow

when tyrants fifteen score years ago

paid scant heed to people seeking destiny

as they cut and pared national boundary

former times in the eighteenth century

are now displayed again for all to see

The Times..( part 4 )

Nippon Meppen ( The Times part 4 )Meppen

The Rising Sun racked by natural fate

as multitudes chained by events wait

earth parts and life's temporary domain

shakes daily norms with unwanted pain

quiet hamlets by sparkling sea

find roofs torn by Tsunami

flood and fire in ravaged glades

even sweep away wailing babes

monster blue waves turn brown

as they shred homes in Sendai town

only wild birds on wing

have time to save life and limb

Then, on Eastern shore shrouded

the nuclear genie rises upon the clouds

drifting in grey spires amid the shouts

earthquakes again come and hurl their shocks

dust and fragments of broken rocks

deep within earths hidden faults

rooted in crusty plates below watery salts

crushed are the helpless buried abruptly

perished in muddy tombs that awful day

misery brings help in swift fashion

hearts given to strife in action

thousands missing all swept away

by untamed elements running astray

even in this abyss, hope dares to stand

shining eternal light upon this land

Writers Block Penetrated (continuation of 'pen' series )

Writers Block Penetrated

Words like dry Savannah grass

feed the wildfires within my grasp

as plumes of literary smoke rise ever higher

driven by the winds of clear desire

they envelop daily routine and opinions

cover the fabric of hidden visions

drift silently, then dissolve and fade

as they touch the sky casting wispy shade

like a knight in iron clothing

astride his horse armor shining

vision feeds the attainable dream

conquest of the blank page, it seems

where the sensual pleasure of written prose

is sometimes blocked and comatose

the key less door will set you free

release you from the shackles of conformity

as your literary cloud of words

somehow makes sense of the absurd

Evicted

Evicted

Out of the body that shelters me

dark is the night as dark can be

I thank God in the night cold

for the fire in my steadfast soul

in these wretched circumstances

I've not complained about life's changes

my spirit is hammered but unbowed

as I'm wrapped in a dark cloud

but I know that beyond this place

resides hope that time can waste

and yet the advance of fleeting time

shall find me unafraid and feeling fine

for it doesn't matter

where next lies my shelter

for I am the architect of my fate

the pilot of my soul in its altered state

Wash Suspended (continuation of 'pen' series )

Wash Suspended

Rhythmic sounds heard downstairs

in the early morning hours there

lying still in my feather mattress bed

snuggled in soft sheets over my head

sounds coming from that washing machine

mechanical wonder harsh and mean

cherished by my Grandma this washer

the one with the fancy agitator

torturing sheets into becoming cleaner

Also equipped with hand-cranked wringer

dedicated washday was always Monday

the process consuming most of the day

Harsh noises and fresh smells

I still remember them well

clean sheets and all forms of clothing

sorted into wicker baskets ready for drying

they await the famous clothesline

to be erected on emerald lawn so fine

like a serpent winding in grass for sure

creating a geometric sculpture

held up by wooden sticks strong

supported here and there in sunny warmth

Then, the wash would hang casually

blown by the breezes of the day

fresh smell of the days labor

drying in the afternoon hour

As I played hide and seek

between the newly hung sheets

Tahrir Square

The Times ( part 3 )

Love freedom if you dare

as you gather in Cairo's square

leaning on the edge of fate

stranded in isolated wait

hearing the winds of time lament

as your shouts are heaven sent

in this land ancient steeped in pride

like the sands blown far and wide

young spirits mark Tahrir Square

with full-hearted thunderous cheers

all have chosen for freedom soon

over the tyranny that everyday looms

during those dark nights trembling

change is the quest for days coming

the people have cast their souls

to hammer a system corrupted and cold

as revolution in its splendor lies

inspired by Democracy in citizens that strive

to seek basic human dignity

blown in by the sandy winds of destiny

whispers turned to shouts are heard

clearly all around the world

as noble ideals forged in gloomy days

must conquer autocratic ways

Hard Water ( rewrite )

Hard Water

Silent lake granite still

gliding swiftly over the icy chill

blue-gray skies and crystal flies

swirling around stinging the eyes

sounds of crackling energy unbound

for a moment shocks and astounds

revealing portals to the underworld

as dark glassy liquid swirls

baited offerings cast below

standing firm with frozen toes

seeking to catch the prize this day

then, breaching the moment blue-gray

a speckled beauty from down under

magical sight always to remember

as seconds seem to last forever

quietly standing there on hard water

JUMP ( rewrite )

JUMP

As mornings' crisp coolness fades

the golden orbs' rays thru thin air wades

floating silently over earthly arch

'tis time for today's' march

to the chow hall where breakfast smells abound

eager young faces gather around

knowing today's' mission

some skip the meal due to tension

mindful fear plays out but briefly stays

swept from mind by disciplined ways

Then, in full gear carefully checked

they stride rhythmically to the roaring monster on deck

once inside all secured and orderly

the jump master barks orders to everybody

remaining alone in personal thoughts

anxiety subdued and silently fought

the moment to test is quickly here

hooking up hands shaking, fighting the scare

then, stepping into nothingness floating free

seconds last forever, time stops in gravity

a sharp jolt brings back reality

as they float beneath that beautiful canopy

Saratoga Rose Compensation ( continuation of 'pen' series )

Saratoga Rose Compensation

Beauty flowers in the Adirondack foothills

the fragrant Rose blooms ever so still

it brings pleasures to couples young and bold

seeking to capture life's moments untold

'Tis in its stately presence

that love ignites at no expense

focused by a flower delicate and sweet

fueled is the night with sensuous heat

fireplace alive with pine-smoke scent

warmth radiated from logs twisted and bent

as French onion soup under crystal bright

revealed a glint in her eyes that night

wrapped in the presence of this special flower

past discarded and forgotten forever

'Tis where a love lasting arose

wrapped in the magic of Saratoga Rose

Pent-up Village Politics ( continuation of 'pen' series )

Pent-up Village Politics

The establishment possesses virtues unused

that must be probed for their abuses

where thinly disguised gossip of random lives

are coolly observed and critiqued nine to five

politics of small towns, dramatic as novels read

make for an exciting taste of homemade bread

while struggling for local honor to live by

personal crusades and loyalty fly high

heroes are born where none exist

to battle nebulous antagonists

circumstances and characters surface and shine

faithfully displayed in prime time

dressed as jesters of power derived

pushing the boundary of taste

and caring not a whit for social waste

as said heroes waver 'tween hatred and lust

shouting inspired musings 'tis a must

parlour tricks and humanists

all love small town politics

in the moment savoured joyfully

as establishment leaders remain on holiday

Death Penthos ( continuation of 'pen' series )

Death Penthos

Kiss me not softly when I'm dead

just whisper a prayer in my ear instead

to comfort my soul leaving this reality

as it begins the quest of its' destiny

close my eyes now staring still

for they cannot capture the light at will

now useless in our world of color

they must prepare for the darkness under

stare not at my ashen face

for I'm gone from this earthly place

fix your gaze upward silently

feel my soul smiling joyously

shed not tears for my present state

rejoice in memories to compensate

I'll now live in your minds more often

and will for certain die when forgotten

for now, I slowly return to atomic form

renewing natures' elementary norm

as my substance carries on in words written

to be absorbed by future lives begotten