Hidden Souls

mornings live on the outskirts of darkness

just out of reach until called upon,

moving rapidly to intervene with us...

nightfall lives inside the town squares

of our minds. surreptitiously waiting

for us to drift into slumber once again...

both are joined and disjoined

as if destined to be Siamese twins

living on the horizons of thoughts...

light cannot exist without darkness

true is the reverse as well

not knowing which to rely on more...

destiny is the bastard child of planning

of which we do little, preferring to live

like those addicted - one day at a time...

normalcy invades our thoughts when

reaching for hope on the top shelf,

few can do so unassisted - small stools

no longer manufactured in the South.

we curse the brevity of life

praise those who believe falsely

condemn everyone who is different

believing darkness hides our souls.

June 17, 2025

Dangling Entanglements

around us on all sides
a universe lives
alternate sometimes
with multiple dimensions,
we choose to ignore
obvious reflections,
we being miniscule,
insignificant...
not in our own minds.
traveling the mind
through spacetime
looping through time
like rocks on a pond
sliding along...
connected we are
in front and back
admitting not the rare
associations we have
to life and its abundance
of freedom...
taken everywhere we go
but never for granted.
we see what we feel
feel what we see
acknowledging the very
fabric of our uniqueness
with poems and songs
celebrating what it is
that we think we have.
we squirm over the terms
of our expectancies
singing ourselves to sleep
when comforting loneliness

June 17, 2025

Dawn's Crack

dirty down dawn breaks through
night's pissy black darkness,
humiliating laid back owls,
howling like wolves at some
imaginary creature deported
out of heaven for a crime that
only human can ever commit.
an elusive dawn creeps through
the willows of forgotten souls
like rats through a maze with
no solution is sight...  still they
scramble around like soldiers
seeking a safe place to defecate,
shells whizzing by overhead...
indian songs of pacification
dart here and there looking
for the targets to which they
had been assigned, suffering
indignation if not found...
sea monsters awaken from 
shallow graves hoping to
disappoint the tourists who
have gathered at the pier for
weekly fireworks...  dawn came
too early this week, forcing 
many to return home early.
Nancy Drew came down to 
check for reality only to find
Chan got there first, selling his
story to reporters knowing it
would be different when published.
just another day in paradise,
just another group of illegals
crossing over for coffee and tea.

June 16, 2025

Changing Mentalities

lines are crossed, seasons lost
peril follows us all,
woven weaves unwind
unraveling our dreams
sadistic crowds mock each other
in the streets of Los Angeles,
tubes of lava flow underground
bringing in new species
only realized in nightmares...
victims of leisure crowd the beaches
looking to take home the sun
enduring the sand and water
to be bronzed all over
shedding their whiteness forever.
jubilant warriors dance and die
on the battlefield, rejoicing
in their deaths, leaving behind
a life in which they no longer
had the same beliefs with which
they had been born...
mustached tax collectors roam
the streets of our communities
looking for donations
finding empty souls and pocket,
the cradle of life now destroyed
replaced by artificialities,
remakes and deep fakes,
leaving us wondering about reality.

June 15, 2025

Night Madness

on the streets of battle
dead bodies lie,
gang soldiers and civilians,
mothers and fathers
brothers and sisters
no one spared
only violence served,
raids in the nights
or early morning,
difference still unknown,
leaders on their knees
learning how to pray,
slaves of labor
steered the wrong way,
gossip flows quickly
down abandoned alleys
fearing the worst
trying to rest assured
nothing calmed or sedated
except the thoughts
of who is next...
who lives - who dies
who tells the story of
all this night madness?

June 14, 2025

Blue Sky Mornings

a cloudless blue-sky morning
stars from the previous day
remain high and out of sight,
feckless birds frolic and hold
congregations nearby, hoping
to be selected birds of prey,
wondering illusions hit the
ground like twisters right
out of the movie, hiding
behind buildings until the
light of day where more
destruction can be observed.
crews of workers' delegate
responsibility to watch and
swoon over what they hear
as the rumblings of destruction
make music on the ground. 
manipulated twins hold up
their skirts to commemorate
shared birthdays while vets
pass out popcorn to customers.
a silent majority speaking
words never heard lay on the
ground for street cleaners
practicing their vows before
members of the council while
shoveling manure afterwards.
all in a days' notice and only
when blue sky mornings arrive.

June 13, 2025

Facts Set Free

clarity follows understanding
understanding follows investigation
investigation follows questioning
questioning comes from wanting to know.
crowds of thoughts line up like
people wanting to believe what
they hear or see and if verification
always seems to lead to truth.
truth is only that which can be
proven in court or law, having
very little to do with the actual truth.
clarity is an illusion of the facts
as presented or explained,
always being interpreted...
always being modified...
always being used by those more
clever to mean what they want
and not what really is...
facts come from data
data can be rearranged and words
can be used to transform beliefs.

June 11, 2025

The Old Man

on a front porch
on the side of a hill
just off a windy back road
a lonely man sits
with book and memories
of a simpler time...
no family or friends has he
this lonely old man,
a wife who walked away
years ago, leaving no
no clues or explanations,
a child who left shortly later
wishing him nothing...
but could no longer stay.
a brother and sister who
turned their backs on him 
years ago now over
things he had said in anger,
no second chances...
alone on a hill he sits
pondering nothing except
wondering why he's still here.
locals see him as a stranger
avoiding at all costs,
mail is delivered only when
the old man's not outside.
not a word does he say
to anyone, except the birds that
sit on a nearby tree branch,
staring at him sitting there.
into town he goes
once a month, no more
grocery bags sit in the back seat
of a two thousand and five Chevy.
one day he will die and no one
will want to bury...
courts will order him tossed inside
the cabin burned to the ground,
the fire department will be the
only ones at his funeral.

June 11, 2025

Glass Walls

window glass slides in-between my
thoughts without asking permission,
menacing ideas transform themselves
when shattered into tiny pieces...
fragments of my life flash and reflect
the distance of life's blessings when
served to someone else instead...
curled up on the sidewalk like a snake
are my shriveled memories pulled
out of mental storage like one was
more than obsessed with revenge...
janis joplin songs in the background
play as wiper blades are torn off the
windshield of the sliding glass wall,
beggars stand in line for leftovers
the hogs refused to eat as they were
too busy devouring my legacies...
no one know what they don't know
and no one cares that they do, but
someone cares that the music is dead
and awards night has nowhere to go.

June 10, 2025

Wealth's Legacy

sacred, are the rules we follow

written down by aristocracy

governing the less fortunate

perceived as all too ignorant,

sacred is the word of law

around which we govern all

those who cannot, and who

we rely on to decide for us,

the way our lives will migrate,

older and wiser are they all

dressed in their fancy clothes

with their arrogant attitude

looking down on those who 

are perceived to be like dogs.

called the constitution it is

for our future salvation and

a book that holds all the secrets

on which our greatness depends.

where whites and blacks are

just like wealthy and poor,

the two shall never mix,

forever silent are the respected

as time waltzes by as if it were

to be served equally to all.

June 9, 2025

A Sunroom's Gift

a wall clock indicates almost noon
windows up - five out of twelve,
a cool breeze enters...
pushed by tree arms just outside
blocked sunlight not inside,
flashing mirrors keep birds away
hummingbirds too, much to
our mutual dismay...
strips of silver ribbons reflect
a persistent light prevails,
summer rain last night fell
moisture seeps into and around
a fresh mowed lawn...
birds squawk high in the branches
balancing on the bobbing limb,
blackened clouds from the west
approach our southern location,
pushing out the pastel blues
with the precision of a boxer,
pressures rise - temperatures fall
drops of water hit the roof
along with muted thunder...
doors close on my winged thoughts
just like on the inclement weather,
safe, sound, and protect are we now,
sitting underneath our sunroom roof.

June 8, 2025

Darkness Reveals All

evil silently lurks in the darkness

as does the good side,

patiently lingering and luring

reluctant recruits from their cribs,

church going child molesters

spouse abusers and alcoholics

all dress the same way,

garments of fashion and leisure

tucked nicely away in styles,

no one knows for sure who they are

where they have been or from

where they recently arrived...

but here they all are, mingled

among us like rats in a cage,

waiting and planning the deed,

plotting out their escape and

lines of commination as if

normal is no longer obscene.

beside us they live, watching as

we curiously go about our business,

ignoring their presence and their

sideways glances into our space.

evil and goodness lurk together

in the same shadows in the same

back alleys and dirty gutters...

they were once us as we were

once them in different lives

seldom investigated but there

nonetheless...  side by side.

June 6, 2025

Forlorn Wondering

through fields of doubt, we march

good toy soldiers forever faithful

missing arms or missing legs

it matters not for us...

we paid our dues to another piper

very much in favor of the tune,

out of key but never out of beat,

our brand turned inside out

worn outside in for kicks...

never in public will you catch us

flaunting this or that above our heads

like fanatics on a collision course.

we dine on caviar and wine

or Pepsi and cracker, it's all the same,

bending of the little finger and such

when holding the china...

we live on sloppy hallways sides

slipping to and fro in bare feet,

watching for broken glass

blown in off the streets.

normal lives are for cowards

we are forgotten at best still the

unusual aspects of life have

its benefits none will deny.

June 6, 2025

Acquiescing

on the corners of
madness and
enlightenment,
I turn my attention to 
those who weren't
so lucky...
those who bathe
themselves in the 
attention of others...
those who dream
but never do...
those who fishtail
their lives around a
monumental goal
without justification...
those who understand the
evil in life, embracing
it without question...
those who stand on the
corners or in the alleys
pitching pennies
for a meal...
those who dangle on the
end of society's nose
as if it was customed
tailored for them...
my attention has become
short-lived when patience
mean little to those who
want to steal from me.

June 4, 2025

Nothing to Lose

float aimlessly in a sea of bliss
swing on the handrails of joy
lay down worries carelessly
bask in the sunlight of youth
tell no one your secrets
live a thousand lives in one
dine with the devil if you can
look into the sky on a dark night
practice yoga in your spare time
walk a crooked line often
swim in oceans once or twice
push thread through a needle eye
stand on your head to drain fears
maintain a reputation of gratitude
walk barefoot around scorpions
look down your nose at no one
value life above your own
eat fresh fruit once a day
follow the mediterranean diet
honor your parents and siblings
walk a thousand miles without shoes
beg for forgiveness to no one
always follow the golden rule
believe what you can but doubt
understand death is the beginning
remember who treated you fairly
smile more often than you used to
write poetry in the sand and
save sea shells if you can
we are all each other's children
love like there is no tomorrow
and be thankful for yourself.

Jun 1, 2025

Waffling Memories

memories of a previous time

waffle through my thoughts

like smoke from a barbeque,

leaving smells and flavors

reminiscent of simpler days

when boys played cowboys

and girls played house...

a time when fathers cooked

chicken, hamburgers, and hotdogs

on backyard grills and mothers

made potato salad, baked beans,

corn on the cob and casseroles.

days where no one locked their doors

we moved each other's lawns,

sang carols to those homebound

hot chocolate - doughnuts afterward.

neighborhood dogs ran freely 

cats got stuck in dogwood trees,

corner lot houses were the center

of the community and we all

got along with everyone, never

worried about gender or ethnicity.

males committed misdemeanors,

speeding tickets rather given,

police cars were signs of security

and everyone was there to help.

those waffling memories don't

visit me much anymore but when

they do, are a pleasant surprise.

June 1, 2025

.

Cracked and Crooked

cracked mirrors
line the hallway
of my mind...
hung improperly
most are,
tilted high or low
erases reflections,
hung too close or far
distorts memories,
cracked glass lines
the floor,
replaces carpet
limits mobility,
scenes too many seen
already...  poses
strokes or lapses,
aimless gestures
fickle fingers flick
backwards glances
family and friends
avoid exposure...
I am what I became
he yelled at the doorman
who refused entry,
then skated away to bag
last month's groceries,
light refracts crookedly
on cracked mirrors
and on those souls who
refuse to replace them.

May 31, 2025

Mind Vacancies

Vibrations ripple through the souls
of the forsaken...  those with whom
mankind has abandoned...
wealth supplants poverty
injustice surfs the waves of laws
cresting before reaching shore,
pseudo leaders brandish claims
of what will be provided
nothing ever changes except the
size of their once thin pocketbooks,
education runs silent like a stealth
submarine mucking up knowledge
held in sweaty palms of ignorance,
times leans on itself for security
as age quickly turns us to putty,
youthful exuberance is brief
repeating trite phrases of sanity,
leaping from one building to another
before surrendering to retirement,
hedge fund managers trim not their
own products when advertising is
so easily purchased by competitors,
robots run marathons in Boston
instead of collecting federal grants
to advance their circuitries...
united is the buzz word of fornication
while we divide ourselves with words
that the common man no longer hears.

May 321, 2025

Spilling Summer Showers

bands of rain leak out 
from the sky around me
like a draining sieve
dividing and separating,
birds walk around searching
discovering what they need,
inside protective coverings
a vast majority remains,
even those on sandy beaches
who only accept showers
from the seas or none at all
when saddled up with tanning.
strolling down the surfaces
of sidewalks uninvited,
flooding the lowlands and
course for golf, forcing
inside occupancy instead of
drifting along with the sun.
curiously looking
some of us are, wondering
shy all the fuss - omitting those
who clean for a living
or those who are obsessed
with not - altering their gaze
to more promising ventures
soon as the strong clouds fade.

May 30, 2025

The Gift Unwrapped

urgency dictates her presence
out of the blue arriving
sleek and slender appearing
a righteous point of view,
puddles form around her
liquid exuberance at best
longing and being longed
drifting inside our consciousness,
like a bevy of thoughts pending
a tactical delay nonetheless...
nimble souls gain confidence
in festive admonishment.
preserved in the oils of life
vibrating herself out of sight
wondering which level has
attained her and how long
will be the night...  display
out in front of us like a gift
needing to be unwrapped.

Mary 30, 2025

Reading the Signs

sun creeps up over most horizons

light break through the dismal dark
birds leap out of nest to feed their young
blades of grass shake off the dust
worms leave their sacred holes
trees groan as they stretch their bark
clouds move in silent overtures
leaving sculptures in their wakes,
blue skies reflect the oceans while
absorbing other spectrum light,
birds fly in arc around earth circumstances
navigators no longer use the north star,
whales scare off the killers who scare
off the dolphins who scare off the sharks
so people can enjoy early morning waters,
babies cry and men tie ties before taking
their hot coffee with them, looking
at the news during their daily commutes,
felines cry out for morning treats
dogs sit by the door to be walked
mothers in bathrobes cook meals,
darkness is replaced by light and the
whole world comes alive at different times,
sunshine is the catalyst for life and
life is the reason for our motivation,
we all are what we have become and
not what we intended to be as the
chaos in which we find ourselves
tends to mold us according to its will.

May 30, 2025

Entertainment for the Retiree

tree waves in the backyard form
light shines through their leaves
rain pummels the environment
no one is left the same...
wind's silent howls can be
imagined by even the least
faint of heart - trivial concerns
leaving the most damage.
ask me why I am here and my
answers will always be the same.
here is where I am today
there is where I am not...
applaud the circumstances of
my involvement here...
as it goes unnoticed by most.
victims of circumstances we are
not yet arrived...  although
forecasted they have been - we are
just awaiting their arrivals.
homegrown and naive we most
certainly, have become, looking 
for answers where none exist
watching the wind blow and howl
as if that's our daily entertainment.

May 30, 2025

Appearance of Light

light appears out of nowhere
a crack in the wall unsealed
desperation unleased
motives unusually conditioned,
justice failed twice
laws of an older time

no one bothered to complain.

light appears out of nowhere
a jurisdictional mandate ignored,
sympathy dwells in isolation
geographical regions in peril,
where to go?
what to see?
it boggles the mind immensely.

light appears out of nowhere
fugitives on the run,
clandestine meetings cancelled
rumors abound in silence,
no one admits to anything
justice hangs on the coatrack
officials down in the mouth

light appears out of nowhere
someone paid the bill,
echoes of thanks throughout
not knowing why they are cheerful,
aides step up to the podium
accepting appreciation
still wondering if there hope.

May 29, 2025

Hiking Backpackers

smells of fresh cut grass
smell of barbeque
waffle through the air
together - intermixed
still uniquely different,
early morning drizzles
flow in and around
an off-white misty fog
blocking directions
for mountain hikers,
camping beside ponds,
not quite lakes but large
enough to float across,
dismal thoughts of the day
lay underneath the dying
embers of breakfast
doused with leftover coffee,
packs a little lighter as
the journey continues...
one with nature - stress free
the enticing slogan read,
not mentioning the reality
amateurs often discover,
wilderness exploring
finding themselves and
their sense of purpose,
destiny calls out like a
coach over a missed play
and the opposition
scores once again...
troubles packed away safely
leaving the keys in a
safety deposit box while
making sure the latest 
walking boots are purchased.

May 28, 2025

Downtown Slums

lies buried in the night
along with souls who
didn't work out right,
bangers going door to door
women closing the curtains
wanting death, no more...
cities scream at their alumni
hoping for better support,,
we just live here they say
since there's nowhere else,
dogs bark at the city lights
splashing in dark puddles
of blood that constantly
roll down the sidewalks,
never knowing who they be
since no one claims them.
change elects mayors but
no change do they promote,
residences fear more of the
as they board up windows
and move across town,
since that district is better
by the gangs that freely
flock to popular corners.
eyes in the highlights
stun the city dwellers whose
night on the towns ends
tragically like all others,
we claim there's no solution
when some know there is.

May 27, 2025

Mental Pulse

tunes from the ancient times

enter my thoughts often,

assisting in my neglect of

new century artists...

not the Celtic vibes on ytube

nor the Scottish folk songs

or the twang of bluegrass,

the slang of country, or the

harmony of funky folk.

my mind pops to the rhythms

of the blues and the lyrics

that make you sad and think,

the power of music in those

words will stay longer than

the styles of dancin' to which

your body naturally swings.

it's a DNA thing...  I think...

we get it or we don't and

who try to understand will

never feel that mental pulse.

May 26, 2025

The White Lighthouse

a white tower with a black helmet
stands that juts out into the water,
waves splash over its concrete and plaster
as if trying to push it away from tragedy,
a beacon of light shines brightly
day and night, giving passing vessels
warning to stay away from danger...
locals call the structure a lighthouse
sea captains call her a savior...
the man who operates the guiding light
lives inside her and has for several years,
cooking his meals on an iron stove
with local wood from the neighbors
to pay for his constant services...
the man in the lighthouse is old
and feeble - not much longer will he live,
the locals worry not for this occurrence
and no one to replace him they have,
"yonder she blows" say the sea captains
a nor'easter to beat all storms declared,
the old man hears of the storm and
makes sure the light is fortified...
in the morning no white tower is
seen standing nor any remnants at all,
as if nothing on that piece of land
ever existed there, neither the old man.

May 25, 2025

Hummingbirds

plastic owls tied to iron rods
guard the entrance haphazardly,
all who desires...  enters...
deck boards pale with age
dismiss recent construction.
carpenter bees find new places
at which to bore their holes,
old one filled in with mesh.
overhanging trees from a
neighbor's yard invade
disturbing the careful balance
on feng shui, casting chaos
on a tranquil environment.
lighthearted gestures conveyed
barriers between us widen,
lifting out the noise, leaving
us with blessed silence...
a fence of closely planted shrubs
works best of all, allowing
only nature's little one to
move freely about - rabbits,
squirrels, chipmunks and a
plethora of squawking birds...
only the hummingbirds have
failed to return this year.

May 24, 2025

Pillars of Frankness

to remember is to forget

selective are our memories

bold and imaginative

not reality but what we recall

as if our thoughts rewrite

all past tragedies,

successes and indifference

adjusted by our temperaments

and self-incriminations...

along with facts poorly recorded

and lives lost who might

remember it differently...

we criticize the imprecise

yet that is what we are or

have become when recollecting,

pillars of frankness gone awry.

May 23, 2025

Sans Souci

in circles my thoughts wander
without purpose or direction
aimlessly they thread themselves
in and around my actions as
would be the behavior of a snake
if one were here...  doubting
my own analogies, I step from
one metaphor to another,
not sure what to find or not,
although something must
bear the fruits of my labors
otherwise, all is for naught.
in lock step my dreams wrap
themselves around the nearest
convenience, hoping for some
kind of balance to this life, we
have been cast into like bees.
hearts and souls long for a
little restitution but receive not
the slightest raised eyebrow.
we are without purpose or any
meaning yet we strive because
that is all we know to do here.

May 22, 2025

Madness

corners of rooms shed no light
to those sitting in them,
walls move endlessly back and forth
closing in when the time is right
backing off with the light,
ceilings lower to meet the floor
the floor disappears in confusion,
strobing white lights pulsate
with the fancy tunes from outer space,
violating the inner space
in which I spend my days...
meals on wheels roll by without
to hear my request, forcing me to
eat the air that surrounds me.
desolate and destitute are we
who live in this environment,
wearing clothes from the wrong
tailor, sleeping with Pinocchio and
all his minions like fish in a
large pond that shrunk overnight...
we look into the heavens and see
the devil and into hell we stare and
see all the glorious angels who
have finally come to save us,
taking us home where we belong.

May 21, 2025

Nature's Awakened

 

morning fills the frame

of one's imagination...

blue sky and fluffy clouds

a rising sun and soaring birds

overlapping mountain ranges

light to darker in hues,

trees of all shapes and sizes

illuminating flowers creating

the perfect depth of field...

a dream of dreams

seemingly random in appearance

not the same without sun

perhaps a full moon will see,

nature's magnificence

seen everyday here abouts.

May 20, 2025

A Passing Reflection

a transparent mist covers all

except the chilly feeling

coursing through my veins as if

heated blood had been overlooked,

muted colors of yellows and reds

seen in the mirrored lake,

reflections of a few still standing

although most have gone bare.

uncertain is the vision...  that...

which side is the real reflection

and am I standing here like normal

or have somehow been flipped upside down?

a curious scene to say the least

if I do say so...  but even more so

regarding what is going on with me.

nature's glasses have been provided me

more than once - each time refused,

lots have been casted by those around

as to who is actually standing on whom.

all the same to me...  it is...  since nature

is the one creating this scene and we

are just passersby and only observing.

May 19, 2025

Golden Pond

layered mountains in the distance
faded colors of browns and greys
pines with vibrant greens layered
in the foreground of vision...
heavy fog weaves its way through
pocket valleys down in-between
what was... and, what is...
orange clouds meet a blue horizon
darker ones squeeze inside, letting
us know rain might be coming.
early morning or early evening
the view is always the same,
more or less locals presume,
casting doubts on northerners
thinking they know a thing or two.
atop a ridgeline, we sit, not with
a camera or a phone - this is our
home and has been that way pretty
much near all our lives, except
for the times not remembered,
relying on those to tell us so...
yonder we live, in the second
valley, just a few miles off the
two lane, where the road forks
twice and the willow guards the
entrance to the golden pond.

May 19, 2025