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In the

In the beginning
was the sky with birds
and a beach with sand
and a castle on a hill

In the beginning
was a deep dim forest
and a river that hurried
down a mountain side

In the beginning
was a new born babe
soft as clay
and helpless as fury

and all things begin
in fire or water
in earth and air
in the angry hued expanse
that joins night and day
and in the soft rosy glow
of the turning towards the light

Halloween Weather

Halloween weather has blown into town,
Crackling the treetops and lighting the frown.
Blankets to fend off the first breath of frost,
Windows bespackled and pumpkins embossed
With autumn's lace filigree nightgown.

That's what I've heard, though the west coast's renown
Mandates warm days till our winter drips down.
Autumn avoids us, and yet we've not lost
Halloween weather.

Shadows cut sharper, and spider webs crown
Each spiky palm tree, their fronds drooping brown.
Beaches stretch empty, the sea shimmer-tossed,

The Wolves

Last winter, the one came in a top hat,
snarling with all the tact of a mortician.
I have not forgotten his paw, black, spotted with stars

and hairy—he bade me kiss it, and I could feel the clotted
dirt on my lips, the polish of his black nails. Wolves,
I murmur. They wanted to be left alone. Then
 
they just wanted. And that was all it took. The sheen
of their thousands on the horizon, their bodies forming
a curve of silver light. The emissaries in monocles,
 
talking about the latest Badger installation in Vale 5.

The Wolves

Last winter, the one came in a top hat,
snarling with all the tact of a mortician.
I have not forgotten his paw, black, spotted with stars

and hairy—he bade me kiss it, and I could feel the clotted
dirt on my lips, the polish of his black nails. Wolves,
I murmur. They wanted to be left alone. Then
 
they just wanted. And that was all it took. The sheen
of their thousands on the horizon, their bodies forming
a curve of silver light. The emissaries in monocles,
 
talking about the latest Badger installation in Vale 5.

The Wolves

Last winter, the one came in a top hat,
snarling with all the tact of a mortician.
I have not forgotten his paw, black, spotted with stars

and hairy—he bade me kiss it, and I could feel the clotted
dirt on my lips, the polish of his black nails. Wolves,
I murmur. They wanted to be left alone. Then

they just wanted. And that was all it took. The sheen
of their thousands on the horizon, their bodies forming

Into The Shadows

Leave me alone let me retreat to the shadows Please don't come don't follow You'll only scare yourself long beyond tomorrow I'm ashamed can't you see of everything that you claim to be lovely! I am nothing you want and everything I need to put an end to struggle Oh, how does the purple raven bleed?

Excuse Me, Mister

Excuse me, mister
Have you seen this girl?
She's got a smile as bright as day
I seem to have lost her somewhere along the way

Excuse me, kind stranger
Have you seen her around?
I'm sure she's here somewhere
Just waiting to be found

Excuse me, pardon me
Please, sir, can't you see?
That finding this lost girl
Would mean so much to me

She's got a grip on life
And strong as one can be
She's memorized each line
And knows how to succeed

She's motivated, has a purpose
She knows just what to do

Oatmeal

                        Oatmeal

You connect me to my ancestors
--those immigrants, farmers,
hard-working, sweat-poring off the brow
praying, cursing men (women too)
the scum off the ships (no Mayflower for them)
finding sustenance in that bowl of porridge
finding joy in the little clumps amid the milk
finding warmth in the food and the heat of the bowl.

SHARKS AND RELATIONSHIPS

Lying on your bed together, watching
a Woody Allen film, Allen compares
sharks and relationships, always moving

to stay alive. You’d think that constant swimming
would tire us out, but no time for splitting hairs.
Lying on your bed together, watching

Allen joke to the camera, describing
his neurotic lifestyle, all his doomed affairs.
Sharks and relationships, always moving

beneath the surface, we could be happy, walking
along some quiet beach then up it flares.
Lying on your bed together, watching

figures on the screen instead of talking.

The Introvert

Living their life, tucked away, quietly aspiring to greatness, so many hours, uncountable days spent, longing to be someone, to make a difference. Then, when greatness breaches their doorstep, when even the slightest bit is at their fingertips. Frozen. But no, thaw friend, shake off the fear, this is what you wanted, yes? Always. It's here, your name, people will know it, your moment. Have you become too comfortable in your shell?
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