It’s the things

we love

that destroy us

Taken inside

beyond

cover and shield

 

Killing us

softly

killing us sure

Lambs to the

slaughter

—heartache congealed

 

(Dreamsleep: August, 2023)

Left (front) Dust Jacket Quote:

 

“The bats in the tower

 rats in the barn

Night befits cowards 

who run from the storm”

 

 

Right (rear) Dust Jacket Quote:

“When the woods are full of the enemy

—start your fire at their backs”

 

Running from

the voice of my conscience …

who’s deceiving who

Guilt ridden fear

embedded too dear

one and one still two

Trying to change

what’s inherent

my thoughts both twist and bend

With words falling deaf

death’s coronet

—judgment reprehends

 

(Dreamsleep: August, 2023)

Dominatrix of silence

leather clad temptress

enchaining the moment

in bondage allured     

 

Her fear but a prison  

of far away soundings

and seraphic voices

—the future insures    

 

(Dreamsleep: August, 2023)

Killing a memory

—birthing a lie

 

(Dreamsleep: August, 2023)

Are you frightened by things

that return in the night

 things that crawl inward

 things lost from sight

 

Is darkness a veil

to hide and conceal

what daylight sends running

what daylight reveals

 

Your memory a spring

that evening coils back

reloading your fear

as shadows attack

 

And sleep brings no refuge

when dreams have been damned

whose nightmares will haunt you

—till dawn is at hand

 

(Villanova University: August, 2023)

Light

bids me welcome

darkness retreats

Alas

poor death

thou must be alone

His gate

reopens

before yours has locked

The harp

of an Angel

—calling me home

 

(The 1^st Book Of Prayers: August, 2023)

The child of

a desert wind

and a mystery …

he swept across the land

 

Knighting each moment

with martial intent …

death

at his command

 

All enemies chosen

with glorious care …

each battle

zero sum

 

His legend immortal

written in blood …

the future bespoken

—eternity’s son

 

(The New Room: August, 2023)

 

 

 

Old age brings

delusion

Youth the vengeful

liar

Caught between

confusion reigns

As time restokes

the fire

 

Tweedledee

and Tweedledum

The Brothers Grimm

delight

What doesn’t rob

by light of day

Will steal from you

at night

 

Wisdom rots on

twisted vines

That choke

the palace walls

Where jesters climb

in ill attempts

To heed the

emperor’s call

 

Senility

humility

Where folly

once was young

The years have come

the tears have stayed

—tomorrow on the run

 

(The New Room: August, 2023)

Never able to break on through

 caught in the time capsule

of yesterday’s tomorrow

he wandered alone …

Searching the darkened streets

of Santa Monica

hearing the music—chasing the words

dancing as demons followed behind

Channeling ancient voices

 trapped outside a future closed

to his irreverent questioning

—lost within the storm

 

(To JDM: August, 2023)