Over the fire

  and across the coals

We made it to safety

  our innocence tolled

The memory enough

   to scare and profane

What fate never mentioned

   —as we straddled the flame

    (Villanova Pennsylvania: March, 2015

Listening To Clapton’s ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’

It was Hemingway

  early

And Dickinson

   late

Those early

  exposures

The trail of

  my wake

No bar left

  unvisited

Or brawl left

  unfought

No school that could

   answer

Dialectic

  untaught

Now this corner

  I sit in

Both welcomes

  and warms

And the thoughts

  it retriggers

No movement

  just form

I once had

  looked over

What I now look

  within

From this chair

  that I captain

Where in virtue

  —I sin

(Villanova Pennsylvania: March, 2015)

A people once censored

  their limbs on the rack

All knowledge and freedom

  under constant attack

But cream always rises,

  and cows do come home

The truth never captive,

  enchained—or then owned

(Villanova Pennsylvania: March, 2015)

If you stare into the Devil’s eyes

 with righteous intent

You will always return

 —transformed

(Villanova Pennsylvania: January, 2019)

A late night deposit

  from my spirit to my soul

A transfer without interest

  all currency stole

The bank’s main door won’t open,

  the drive-thru is dark

The side door unlocked

  with the hallway unmarked

The clerk’s eyes on fire,

  as she asks me my name

“It’s there on the check”

  I repeat in refrain

“Your last transaction I see,

  we’ll be losing you now

“This account to be closed

  —take the elevator down”

(Villanova Pennsylvania: March, 2015)

Public exposure…

  part of the game

Open disclosure…

  paid for with pain

A window through time

  opened once and then closed

Immortality’s portal

   —the minefield you chose

(Villanova Pennsylvania: March, 2015)

Those chances I take

  transfigure my brain

The risk and reward

  metaphysically the same

They rush through my spirit

  all fear on the run

Transformation now total

  —the cost zero-sum

(Villanova Pennsylvania: March, 2015)

Old men making deals

  the young taking bullets

Politicians to steal

  no one to prevent it

Athletes and rappers

  sit on the throne

Parents and teachers

  their message disowned

Freedom on trial

  both inside and out

The world in denial

  —all truth cast in doubt

(Villanova Pennsylvania: March, 2015)

My mind often visits

  those places you fear

My soul, my protectress,

  my words as my spear

My voice now a fortress

  from oncoming attack

My spirit embracing

  —those feelings you lack

(Villanova Pennsylvania: March, 2015)

Do your politics define you…

 are your views then left or right?

Does the axe you grind cut sharp and clean

 or tear into the night?

Do the precepts that you claim to own

 just end up owning you?

Is every word what you believe

 —and to thine self be true?

(Villanova Pennsylvania: January, 2019)