When did the global depression

begin

When did the leaves start to

wither and fall

When did the answers start questioning

themselves

When did the love vanish that springtime

recalls

Now, every method begets nothing

but madness

Now, the rotten pudding harbors proof

deep within

Now, every deal is dealt from

the bottom

Now, disowned and orphaned

—the truth cowers in sin

(Villanova Pennsylvania: September, 2015)

My DNA lettered

My bloodstream in verse

My feelings in couplets

My last goes to first

My breathing in prose

My expression in rhyme

My horizons unwritten

My soul there to shine

(Villanova Pennsylvania: October, 2015)

         To live inside

           your laughter

         To your hearts

           will I belong

         To write each hope

         eternal

         As all wishes

           turn to song

To My Grandchildren: October 9^th, 2015

I lived inside her laughter,

I slept inside her song

I wrote inside her meaning

—till our wishes all were gone

(Villanova Pennsylvania: October, 2015)

How do I exit gracefully,

how do I end it all

Can I rewrite the terms again

before the final fall

The kids now counting every day

the moments still all mine

The days and weeks of years gone by

a measure now defined

How do I finally say goodbye

and start anew again

This world peeled back against itself

no more left to befriend

Regret a word best left behind

for others who have sinned

Stepping into eternity’s vault

—last check to cash within

(Train #56 ‘Vermonter’ To White River Junction Vt. 3/22/2018)

A ray of warm sunshine

—sparkling delight

An arrival so blessed

on wings of a sprite

Its music plays silent

from distant to near

Springtime is calling

—the meadow so dear

(Villanova Pennsylvania: October, 2015)

If I don’t first have your eyes,

will I ever have your ears

If I don’t first have your mind,

will I ever have your heart

If I don’t first have your eyes,

will I ever have your ears

If I don’t first hold you far,

—will I ever hold you near

(Villanova Pennsylvania: August, 2015)

No matter how much

you bandage a lie

The truth bleeds

—through and through

(Villanova Pennsylvania: March, 2018)

Taking a last breath inside

  the final moment

All perception at once

inhaled

  —never to be released again

(Las Vegas: August, 2015)

Was that dollar Sunday morning

a twenty Saturday night

Is that empty bottle you can barely see

the excuse that started the fight

Is that torn and tattered jacket

what was once your Sunday best

Is your life worth more than nineteen dollars

   eyes blackened—never to rest

(Villanova Pennsylvania: March, 2018)