She is not
lonely
But makes all
who smile upon her
— lonely indeed
She is not
mournful
But makes all
who implore her
— cry like a child
She is not
boastful
But makes all
who look upon her
— beat on their chests
She is not
faithful
But makes all
who desire her
— pledge from the heart
She is not
vengeful
But to ever
betray her
— the gravest of sins
She is not
quiet
But from the depths
of her emptiness
— silence is born
(Dreamsleep: October, 2025)
Where your memories lie
are your promises kept
The past seeds the future
— as the present begets
(Villanova Pennsylvania: November, 2016)
Quirks
of fate
make nonsense
of us all
Shipwrecked
on a vain reality
we stand naked
— before the Queen
(Dreamsleep: October, 2025)
Is the artist in me a liar
or the one who lives proscribed
Are my words and deeds in conflict
which to breathe and which to sigh
Would King Solomon have an answer
to this split I often feel
Would salvation hold my name in check
or today my soul to deal
Do excuses, like intentions
pave the way perdition shown
Do the reasons then abandon
idle hope when left alone
Can the spirit claim what time has lost
in its quest to stay inspired
Can the truth once lit inside my heart
— keep all kindled lies afire
(Villanova Pennsylvania: October, 2016)
Time
in the caldron
the hour
unstruck
Hands
reaching skyward
while boiling
amok
The wise men
among you
all wait
to proclaim
What criers
at midnight
hope to
— reclaim
(Dreamsleep: October, 2025)
One day beyond mourning, a new sun to shine
a promise remade — not a cloud in the sky
One day beyond mourning, your spirit still warm
your flesh now at rest — on the hill past the barn
One day beyond mourning, the bed sheets unfold
your shadow uncovered — a gift mine to hold
One day beyond mourning, the sun in my eyes
new words in my heart — a mockingbird cries
One day beyond mourning, my soul free to roam
your paintings surround me — among them I’m home
One day beyond mourning, I walk to the field
our blanket still hanging — the oak that concealed
One day beyond mourning, I reset my sights
the day I’ll rejoin you — that heavenly flight
One day beyond mourning, all grief broken free
my name on the wind — as you call out to me
(Villanova Pennsylvania: September, 2016)
At the far end of the casket
his girlfriend hugged his wife
And told her she was sorry
that she tried to steal her life
Their tears then ran in unison
for a man who loved them both
The years they shared now testament
to a choice he left unspoke
They never met before this day
and would never meet again
But each knew well the other
and they almost felt like friends
The mistress left, the children wept
the grandkids played outside
His wife’s last words: “Your hell has passed
sleep well my love — goodbye”
(Villanova Pennsylvania: September, 2016)
It’s never what
but who
It’s never yes
or no
It’s never then
or when
It’s only here
— and now
(Villanova Pennsylvania: September, 2016)
We loiter in Winter
when it’s already Spring
Still hearing that Starling
with snow on its wings
We blanket our longing
as Tulips unfold
Transfixed by the fire
— of memories old
(The New Room: October, 2025)
Writing
the only suture…
when truth starts to bleed
(Villanova Pennsylvania: March, 2017)
