• 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.