Snowfall
12/11/96
he looks into the falling snow
remembering his love
while forms and colors fade away.
the comfort of fur gloves
is counterpoint to cold embrace
sigh of wind and hiss of snow
stinging touch against his face:
soon he feels it glow.
he marches out to find the street,
turns to trace it up the hill
to the meadow where they'd meet,
stop and watch it fill.
the snow pours on in waves
to frame expansive screen
where memories are played
of nights and days of dreams.
Yet there he found no other,
called and heard no answer,
bitterly turned homeward
shivering in the weather.
Snow Pictures
2/9/97
Snowflakes dance the air,
each crystalline latice unique,
bearing a battery of meanings.
As trees don white cloaks
tiny life moves underground
and all the surface slows.
The paths are hidden:each traveler
makes its signature
in tracks for all to read.
If the wind is still
snow can be a curtain
ahead, benind, all around
descending endlessly
smothering reality:
if the wind is still,
it is not wind.
If wind is blowing, snow
can lash and tear
at cheeks and eyes, anywhere
not covered.
Spacesuit figures
of little boys and girls
wrapped in coats, scarves,
gloves, boots and pants
are common ornaments,
sledding slopes,
skating ponds,
building forts and figures.
Snow is traffic slowed
and accidents, arguments,
clearing driveways, walkways,
a hot cup of coffee, tea,
or maybe cocoa.
Snow Seen From a Vu
Tracks in the snow
impressions on whiteness
they go away
away they go
before the greens, greys
and muddy brown
of spring are sown
into the carpet.
The trail from here
seems longer from near,
but from above
to eyes in the sky
our bodies in snow
make footsteps:
tracks in the snow.
So Long
8/2/98
We've known each other so long,
but lately something's gone wrong.
Never thought I'd say this, but I--
I'm looking forward to saying goodbye!
You were my love, my only one,
my stars, my skies, my morning sun
until, somehow, things became
more important to your game.
I always tried to be here for you,
but you wanted more to do.
I could never be that perfect man--
I tried, but that's not who I am!
We've known each other so long,
but lately something's gone wrong.
I never thought I'd feel this way,
but I can't take much more today!
We now sit silent when we used to talk.
Now we don't move when we used to walk!
I feel we're living separate lives
even when you're by my side!
Even when we're on vacation
to the ocean or an exploration,
we can't leave this alienation--
How can we change this situation?
We've known each other so long,
but lately something's gone wrong.
Never thought I'd say this, but I--
I'm looking forward to saying goodbye!
Someone to Talk to
The rushing people crowd around--
won't take a minute, or slow down
like we're moving to drummers pounding sound.
Can't we slow, spread time around?
I'm just looking for someone to talk to,
a little light to brighten my day,
give the parkside crowd a walkthrough,
listening for someone to say,
I'm just looking for someone to talk to
a friendly greeting to pass my way.
Won't you give me a moment to ask you
to sit with me, maybe share my day?
See the runners burning the highway--
if they'd spread wings, surely they'd flyaway!
This killing race seems to set us crazy,
turns your brain, sets your eyeballs hazy!
There's no winning when you can't stop racing--
no rest, no time, nothing is pleasing.
If we own our time, why do we keep squeezing
every second--is there any reason?
I'm just looking for someone to talk to,
a little light to brighten my day,
give the parkside crowd a walkthrough,
listening for someone to say,
I'm just looking for someone to talk to
a friendly greeting to pass my way.
Won't you give me a moment to ask you
to sit with me, maybe share my day?
Semper Reposit
The rows of squares are so unbroken,
each case on lid wrapped tight and shut
against our world. Six or seven, or eleven
tall the boxes stand, according to height,
stacked not to topple in a regular way.
Appropriately dim light and stale air
accompany the structural groans of timber
strained. Dust stirs, settles
to the desk below,
and on the nodding head
no longer provoking sneeze, snort
or tears in tired eyes.
All is as meant to be
in the dead litter office.
Starthief
The dreams you shattered were mine--
the life you abandoned was mine!
How can I feel pity when the dreams you took away
were never put in song, never brought to day.
You stole from my life, stole from our time--
a whole generation with one less to rhyme.
You tried to escape to dark purple sunsets,
then you were gone in eternal eclipse!
The dreams you shattered were mine--
the life you abandoned was mine!
You were the great leader, the legend of song--
others still copy what you passed along.
Your incomplete portraits stare from the wall
inside, witnesses to giant's fall.
The memories linger, but no longer grow,
for the artist left at the peak of his show.
The dreams you shattered were mine--
the life you abandoned was mine!
You left us so empty--what you took away
remind us forever that nothing can stay.
Still Waiting
I am still waiting to see you.
It has been so long
our messages
could not satisfy
the hunger in my eyes,
the thirst I feel inside!
Our separation
is only in miles:
our spirits are so close
we touch, we kiss.
We can be one
while we choose this!
Storm
1/1/97
Clouds come rolling cross the skies,
stars wink out, and
fewer serve as guides
for people who still seek them.
Flashes play horizon tag,
a tension builds electrically, and
surface stretched beneath the sky sighs
awaiting the first strike, when
wind rises west toward east
and leaves and wrappings
tumble walk the alleys,
searching for a nook to rest.
Rain begins as squirting shots
driving hard under ‘brellas,
invading clothes, spearing eyes,
diving kamikaze fellas.
Thunder wipes conversation clear
and the bushes and trees surge
sideways, brushed by giant hand.
Then all is still,
streets soaked.
Giant has moved on.
Surely
11/9/97
O surely
you must have known I lied
the day we said goodbye.
I broke down deep inside!
I said
we shouldn't see each other any more,
we had gone a little too far,
and it was time to close the door.
I couldn't tell you
that I was just afraid of love,
that you were all I could think of
but I was not prepared for love!
Now surely
I never will forget your face,
the beauty in your eyes, the places
you took me while we were embraced!
And surely
I didn't really want to hurt you
I only wanted to spare you
the pain I knew would follow me through
all my life.
Sweet Dreams
10/27/98
Your smile could light
the morning sky
my sweetest dreams
are in your eyes.
How can I know you?
Am I wrong?
You make all my words
a love song!
The world is rushing,
all confusion,
and sometimes our goals
seem illusions,
but though I feel
out of place
it resolves when
I see your face.
Tall Slim
2/2/98
I wonder where you're going
and I wonder where you've been,
tall slim girl with
exciting eyes,
looking at the scene.
I thought I knew you from somewhere,
another place or time,
your face, your lips, your flip of hair
seem close to me as mine!
Who are you, lady mystery?
Why can't I find your place
in my maze of memories--
I know I remember your face!
It was a far-off time: it must have been,
for the memory to cool.
Now the ashes of fires seem to stir
as hot sparks always will.
It seems I knew you long ago
in another place and way.
We were friends until you told
me we couldn't stay that way!
I wonder where you're going
and I wonder where you've been,
tall slim girl with
exciting eyes,
looking at the scene.
For the Kids
Trace fingers slowly on the threading
bottom of each pocket.
Touch coins, account
to telephone
and hear the kids again.
The click and tingle of the bells,
the metal face and dial
are combination safe
for the moment.
The coins fall--
never come back.
Food can be had
from berries.
Water runs in drains
and streams,
drips from the heavens.
Shelter is your arm,
or other.
Only the children
hours unique
are necessary.
Tonight
2/2/97
Tonight
I'm locked inside my home,
the family is upstairs
and yet I feel alone.
Outside
the darkness in the trees
rustles in the breeze
but it can't come to me.
Inside
the images parade
across the bright facade
like every other day.
And now
I wonder why I'm empty,
wonder what I should be,
wonder how I can be.
Town
houses stare vacantly,
windows empty, dark,
framing introspectively
room outside reflectively.
Air hangs expectantly,
awaiting the humanity
to river the banks,
floors of concrete,
walls of stone.
This is image
only man can cherish:
it is desert
that the rat calls home.
Far away
songbirds,
far away
shady grove.
Children play
in suburbs:
from the city
life has flown.
City
houses crumbled images,
abandoned facades, and
granite overspace
stackup to compress.
Spaces are bold,
squared-off, bordered
territories black and white:
unity is concrete.
Can our science control
the fusion reaction?
Trouble with Teacher
10/20/98
Now the teacher's not talking.
He's looking at you
and you suddenly wish that
you weren't in school!
Your mind has been flying
far and away--
now everyone's waiting
for what you will say!
Now what can you answer,
your face growing red--
whatever the question,
you feel you're dead.
You try to act thoughtful,
try to act cool--
don't let them pin you
with questions in school.
You say you are thinking
and now everyone knows:
he asks someone else to
pull the window closed.
Truly
10/20/98
You make me
feel so good
like I never
thought I would,
and your smile
illuminates
like the sunrise
of each day.
Why is it that I can't say
I love you truly?
When we meet
I drink your smile--
leaves me dizzy
for a while.
When your eyes
look into mine
it's another
cup of wine!
Why is it that I can't say
I love you truly?
Now I hope
in my mind
we'll be together
for all time.
A few words
I will need--
just enough
to plant the seed.
All that I have to say
is I love you truly!
Turn to You
12/3/97
I turn to you
my love
my want
my need.
I want to taste your
sweet love
complete love
heat, love!
Why must I wait
for you
without you
I long so!
Don't turn from me
my lady
my destiny
don't set me free!
If we can't be
together
forever
let's hold this moment sweet!
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