Cliff edge narrows, steps in place
danger looming strong
Height above me terror laced
searching right from wrong
Summit beckons, flag to place
and leave my name among
Flocks of pilgrims reaching grace
—to finally belong
(The New Room: July, 2022)
Cliff edge narrows, steps in place
danger looming strong
Height above me terror laced
searching right from wrong
Summit beckons, flag to place
and leave my name among
Flocks of pilgrims reaching grace
—to finally belong
(The New Room: July, 2022)
I spend my days
in celibacy unchosen
living the desperation
we share
Anguished in the knowledge
that needing you unbroken
transcends the sentence
of this chair
I hear your words, I feel your touch
imprisoned by our love
and wish to free you from this pain
to meet again above
My memory holds each tryst endeared
your beauty most sublime
to relive as I stay in place
—virility confined
(The New Room: July, 2022)
Destiny looms despite my luck
its hunger cries and waits
As Vincent ran but couldn’t hide
—a prisoner of fate
(The New Room: July, 2022)
Time regresses
images blur,
memories detained
Tokens injected
into the madness
—forever to remain
(Dreamsleep: June, 2022)
I went to sleep at fourteen
and woke up at forty
A prisoner of reluctance
—casualty of time
(Dreamsleep: July, 2022)
What are liberals without conservatives
truth without spin
vision without sight
peace without war
strength without weakness
…three without four
What are predators without prey
the moon without earth
storms without rain
trees without roots
jailers without prisons
…hurt without pain
What are chains without links
ice without cold
death without birth
children without laughter
cruelty without kindness
…pens without ink
What are seasons without Winter
discovery without fame
time without moments
letters without cursive
voices without ears
…praise without blame
What are ravens without wings
vows without promise
kindness without meanness
masters without slaves
today without tomorrow
…joy without sorrow
In Reference We Wander
In Deference We Pray
(The New Room: July, 2022)
You never know when
you’re making history
Each footnote marking
—a soul on fire
(Dreamsleep: July, 2022)
It was just another concert
in just another town
Each face a mirror looking back
my words they sang out loud
Another lonely tour date
another strange hotel
The music plays but not for me
—too late to ring the bell
(Dreamsleep: July, 2022)
Be proud you’re a Poet
be careful who you tell
Your words once absconded
—from heaven to hell
(Dreamsleep: July, 2022)
Tears embedded
three ring delight
Star-crossed harlequins
pigmented fright
Echoes of laughter
masking false smiles
Greasepainted fantasy
—clowns in denial
(The New Room: July, 2022)