secrets

stick this writ in draws of breath
blown like glass your elder sent
wrote the note Beethoven heard
deaf ear fled the wriggling worm
destitute a test concerned
regale transcend recall the sperm
that crawled the wall
of no return.

a moon no more

there silence
hand shaking sadly
primrose peace
steal composure
for a plea
my kingdom for remorse
setting suns aside
hidden will
master plan
a lonely man
a tide unturned
a fist full of quip
make it quick
set apart
a heart to be
alone your own
relinquish the fish
recede tenderly
cowardly
a moon no more
would darken skies
that tell of woe some
alibis
have no thought a dimmest doubt
I am alone a darkest cloud
hung up in a sky so blue
alone at midnight without you.

resist the gist

slip into a ripple of sea too bright to sink unseen
with everything we haven’t been you’re everything to me
in some ways greener than the trees in summer sage
in summer wind to trace the ace of queens
a child again pretend do we create
her majestic countryside these United States
still what will of daffodil fulfilled with no mistakes
catch a cold on beaches squall call for water breaks
as the foam blends the bones for fishes washed ashore
flowering grasses growing tall hiding in the rough
a child playful as a pup
her organdy garment soaked above the knee
tiny hearts sewn on her bonnet
where there are skies in eyes so blue to untie the moon and let the
sun be done for a day or two in the backdrop of a set the picturesque
recessed upset of
a light too bright for night-
expect the blessings of the early morning dawn
your heart is strong the angels caught in the mid heaven
sing to return the song they stole drunk on the beauty
of Venus and weary they lay down their arms for peace
for every living being in the universe, listening to their
every heartbeat as they are written
smitten with the love of the elements
gathering stones to honor the present
bring the essential tide to cool
foolish cruelty in the name
of responsibility-as I am but a
hypocrite to resist the gist
of capability.

friend for life

reserved in public places
she holds back
what she may want to say
yet in a candid moment
the sun has broken
through the clouds
when the day becomes beautiful
and the rainy night abounds
she is beautiful
her eyes tell a story
of the love inside her heart
that but for the minstrels
keeps her mind in tune
the kindness in her gentle hug
as blind as I am leads me to
a quiet peace a reverence
common cast when day is past
that raises my soul to heal at last
to all the absurd ambiguity strife
my sweet friend for life
with liberty a sacred trust
an anchor kindred spirit fair
and just
every bit as lovely as a doe in the wood
understanding nobly all is understood
may she always feel as free and as good as tears may cry
as an ever changing sunset
in a most promising sky.

he was there

he smiled encouragement a man of honor
representing family ethics
white collar
mourned the 6 million
they were martyrs
Baruch atoi adanoi-as we light the candelabra
a holy man who hadn’t been to shule
schools of thought fishes swimming opposite in twos
upon the Larchmont lawn the morning dew
he was there but seldom home, were you?
the evening papers Adli Stevenson
he believed in him like no other mothers son
righteous indignation bright external gifts
all that money could buy-two dollar tips
cars boats colleges trips
faithful never able to come to grips
how he loved horseradish on his gefilte fish.

when

when the painting keeps you from fainting
paintbrush in the hand
hand me down from mama
and the intrepid man
slight of hand
onions around the lamb
makes me feel so humble
truth is that I can
right the wrongs of stumble
across the crooked land
cook for me a summer feast
sweet the orange yam
counterfeit a smile
for everything I am
to look on till tomorrow
for love is felt more than
the swelter of a lie
may helpers never die
remembered Queenie’s apple pie
a flaky a crust am I.

wondering

moon pearl white
hung in the depth of night
vows lift spirit clouds
water breaks a star is born
shout embossed golden bevel
heart soldered bright metal
lost love brittle
settle sequence salted buttery
into tense regard subtly
haven’t learned the pain of sorrow
into the night I
never knew her bliss
is what I miss
to honor the badge
of tribes gone mad inside
a weakness for pale eyes
thoroughly wise
her prayers into hazel skies
I wonder where I might care
to feel a calm will bless
a kin to see her son
would sense the world his happiness
of much a thing is won
address the best inspire him
to greet the world with everything
for her little boy
toiling and triumphing
there is gold in them there hills
you did well all his well loved life
in the moments you may be wondering.

please remain

I love you mellow
existential fellow
roll down hills viridian green
to wade brook and stream
blown apart by windy rain
paint portraits please remain
when I cannot see the face
you are so dear to give your chandelier hanging here
round pink table
holds my ginger-beer
spicy soda cool clear to toast your lime corona
rest shoulders
in the fabric of the sofa
blanket throws over toes to comfort her
music soothing softens city sounds
window blinds darken rooms and brows
where magazines and catalogues cluster
on coffee table square low polished to a luster
coffee cups cream custard silver spoons
rounded as a full moon
pillows fluffy plump ready
for dreams as ripe as cherries
in the sleepy afternoon.

walk the way to town

psalms soulfully suggest
a revolution deducting lucid
thought as willows cry distraught
the mossy ground wet with tears soil toils not to drown,
lift your dressing gown across the lawn, through the
merciless mud and twig looking
for a truth to give, please hold
me in sustainable arms, as wings are for birds that fly and I, can’t get up
off the ground as little flowers act as if there’s nothing wrong along
the lonely walk the way to town.

willingness

stability a mobility
ability a mentality
a noble cause
chivalry not dead
a plastic mask a rented bed
thank God my body is still mine
a slice of bread to mend
mankind
to feed a vacuous state of mind
you lead me here instead
with everything that you have said
willingness to win the wars
wellness will right the stars.