Seasonal Change

cold air streams through the valley
like a service provider without fees,
cats remain curled up inside, some
on a low setting heating pad...
furnaces churn out the heat,
fireplaces burn dry wood...
fall has finally arrived, and we are
are caught without our flannels,
chocolate and sweets once a seasonal
treat, now sits on the countertop
cooling for consumption, as we
play video games, sometimes
answering tweets that have been
sent to us by mistake...
inside we are bound without any
restraints for several months,
losing our summer tans as we
wrap up in blankets to stay warm,
seasons are no longer kind to us
our bodies no longer respond well
to the change - minds resist as well
we don't always notice the change,
reading lamps are on, we sing with
lost harmonies watching our breath
flow out in front of us like some
ghostly spirit leaving our bodies
in search of a better residence.

November 15, 2024

Nature's Way

along the leaf a caterpillar crawls,
robins necking in the trees,
squirrels room freely from tree to tree
more like monkeys in their frivolities,
ants dig holes under tree roots
chipmunks hiding nuts galore,
season after season comes and goes
routines never change here...
ducks on ponds paddle end to end
wild turkeys in the forest hide
especially in November...
deers and does walk freely by
hunters reloading bullets,
snow lays on the ground comforting
those living underneath...
snakes in caves hibernate along
along with their furry friends
and those of us who love the sun
have long since gone home...
nature does as nature lives
we can learn a thing or two from them
but only after we find a way
to put our past behind us.

November 14, 2024

Turning Tides

muted sounds from the mountains
ring out across the valley proper
signaling season's end...
muted sounds from the city
ring out throughout the streets
signaling a changing ownership...
muted sounds from the homes
ring out in the suburbs
signaling a new era...
peace be with you - and to you
keeping a wish list of hopes
and those of fear as well,
pay attention to the teaching
of your children, now that the
devil has come to town...
live vicariously in the debt that
has been amassed as though you
are the only one deserving...
redeem tomorrow from today
for fear you might lose it all.

November 14, 2024

Free our Freedoms

climates of distrust survey
our free lands,
flags unfurled fly high
and oh, so proud,
we are united in our animosity
against a common foe,
divided in our lack of respect
for differing opinions,
we challenge and debate
ignore and confuse,
lie, cheat, and steal to prove
our more valid points, 
delivering our souls from
those elitist watchdogs,
who prey upon the innocent
and ignorant - we conditioned
them as well to be that way,
with strong wills and backs
we muster in ranks of an
original militia to protect  and
defend the honor and
integrity of those who cannot,
we bend a knee to no one
and no nation who believes
our freedoms are free.

November 13, 2024

Lighthouse

long and tall it stands
alone and silent
strong and sturdy
light shines out warnings
in all directions sent
three hundred and sixty
in the darkest night
storm clouds and all
pellets of sleet
lightning blasts into
the ancient ground,
mariners pass by its
towers, recording points\
on navigation charts,
steer clear of it all
live another day...
sleep another night
eat another meal
long and prosper live
free and clear of spirits
take the night upon you
bury the darkness hither
sound the alarm
pass the news - we on
land beseech you to
forever and a day
safe and free will be.

November 12, 2024

Politician

rescind and descend into darkness
barred and blocked from replacement
dishonor the disloyal and fight inside
the opposition is exacting revenge,
hate what is not understood and
love only those who voted for you,
make a pledge not to pledge anything
to those who won the people's voice
since they cannot be trusted...
turn to the past for verifcation
pronouce the future dead on arrival,
live the day as if expecting birth,
giving nothing to those who have
little to offer in return...  and...
above all else, remember this if
remembering nothing else - you
are a politician and are therefore
bound to never telling the truth.

November 12, 2024

Saving Animals

creatures large and small
fat and thin
long or short
white haired or brown
sleepy or active
all gather in my presence
and be saved from the
horrors of alienation,
neglect and starvation,
we protect you as you
protect us with your
loving, unfailing company,
we are yours to have as
you are ours and we
live lives together...
as it should be...
lay down your body next
to mine and feel the
compassion in our 
togetherness...
we are free
we are joined
we are saved
in our eternal attention
to the plight of your
hellish existence.

November 10, 2024

Manifestations

down the road distant
fog emerges -  a likely
precursor of sorts...
one way or another we
decline responsibility,
looking beyond the
manifestation as if it
were an unlikely hoax,
a remark that disparages
our purpose - our meaning
a wind of change blowing
through the minds of those
who claims ignorance 
since ignorance prevails,
a self-admonishing truth
hidden by the courts in
false claims and convictions,
lining up along the streets
to praise the victors in 
songs of adoration like
building the pyramids 
and all godless structures
occupying our southern
hemispheres of growth.

November 9, 2024

Consequences

restlessness is pervasive
surrendered dreams,
cowboys mending fences
sailors on shore leave,
criminals planning robberies
policing streets improved,
a host of vacationers
spending money on tours,
righteousness prevails as
the new social standard,
farmers using illegals
picking crops the people
can no longer afford,
rain washes away sins
no one sees today and
the rulers rule emptiness
instead of the dead who
had elected them before.

November 8, 2024

Queen's Lace

lost and lonely

along the roadside flourish

umbrella shaped

white lace seemingly

poisonous and

foreboding it is...

queen Anne's lace by

name is called,

pretty to the sight

but not the taste,

and those who practice

in the arts of deception

find it oh so familiar,

hairy, solid and

tripinnate it be,

not really in the

queen's family...

thought to be hemlock

soon discarded

put in pots instead

attracting insects.

November 7, 2023