We die
but once
while living
through a horror
a thousand times
We die
but once
ignoring
what our freedom
most defines
All life’s
a choice
our future claimed
when dealt
at our behest
Another
chance
to beat the dealer
the trump card
— in our vests
(Septa R5: March, 2026)
The Winter
of my
discontent
Embryo
of my
soul’s intent
Summer
calling
deep within
Hope
to answer
on the wind
Dove’s
releasing
peace in flight
Angel’s
harping
— pure delight
(Dreamsleep: March, 2026)
In two rooms
at opposite ends
of today
the devil pays my rent
Forcing me to
finally choose
but one
debauchery
— or repent
I partied in one
and wrote in the other
as
distance
protected
the lie
A dualist slave
in the paradox
of hell
a prodigal
— whose well had run dry
(Dreamsleep: February, 2026)
The dream
taken seriously
but never myself
Whose course
is replotted
as ice starts to melt
Life an
eternal
shipwreck of hope
But lifeboats
sit waiting
— where wishes refloat
(Dreamsleep: February, 2026)
The Choice
Prescience an Angel
that rides on the storm
To bring us good tidings
or danger to warn
Spreading its wings
that determine our fate
The choice to jump on
— better early than late
(Dreamsleep: February, 2026)
Time Unwound
Looking ahead
today is ignored
Tomorrow unpromised
this moment secure
All joy in returning
where riches surround
To presence surrendered
— where time is unwound
(The New Room: February, 2026)
Now & Forever
I married
character
You married
cheese
I vowed
for life
Your words
to tease
I married
beauty
You married
lust
I am
still married
Yours
— is a bust
(Dreamsleep: February, 2026)
First
Last
And Always
— Have Something To Say
(Dreamsleep: February, 2026)
Neither
happiness
nor misery
But the
kinship
they imbue
He who feels
the deepest
grief
Is to joy
most open
to
Life dissolves
without
context
No moment
stands
alone
For light
to shine
it needs the dark
Wherein
the truth
— is shown
(Dreamsleep: February, 2026)
Each day
its own treasure
Gifted
alone
Attached to
the moment
In liege
to the throne
Today
not tomorrow
Our key
to the gate
Unlocking
deliverance
Forever
— to wait
(Dreamsleep: February, 2026)
Montagues & Capulets
The trouble
with me
is you
The trouble
with you
is us
The trouble
with us
is them
The trouble
with them
— is me
(Dreamsleep: February, 2026)
The Inkwell
Arrogant enough
to believe in his words
begging to be heard
Committed enough
to run from the crowd
couplets crying loud
Living each phrase
in debt to each thought
the moment duly caught
His pen is refilled
the inkwell unmired
— new verses to aspire
(The New Room: February, 2026)
Indentured
Beyond
the critics
Beyond
the pundits
Beyond
agenda
— beyond the hype
A poet
lives
Without
pretension
Indentured
to the truth
— and light
(Dreamsleep: February, 2026)
Cracks Of Wonder
Some situations
embraced by instinct
When reason is powerless
to explain
All words fall useless
in cracks of wonder
Where prescience waits
— our hearts to claim
(Dreamsleep: February, 2026)
Where Fortune Smiles
You get one chance
to make it right
to capture sound
and bottle sight
One chance alone
is all you’re willed
to box the moment
time distilled
You get one chance
to make your mark
to chase the demon
from the dark
One chance alone
if fortune smiles
to etch your name
— where memory files
(The New Room: February, 2026)
Kerouac Calls
Hitchhiking
my way
into
tomorrow
My thumb
in the present
My heart
— in the wind
(Dreamsleep: February, 2026)
I remember
mission children
before
the devils came
I remember
music and laughter
before
that night of flames
I remember
a priest who pleaded
before
they took his hair
I remember
a maiden girl
before
her screams despaired
I remember
a wind that blew
before
the Hades storm
And I remember
a moon that cried
before
that blood-soaked morn
(Dreamsleep: February, 2026)
An Anthology Of Perception 