The power of poetry
to drive away love
A surrogate impostor
indentured above
Whether spoken or written
its message the same
All feelings imprisoned
in words that explain
When waxing poetic
the birds and the trees
Laughing not with you
but at you it seems
Intention enamored
from rhyme to blank verse
With hearts on the run
—and heaven to curse
(Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania: May, 2023)
Stay true to your words
embattle the storm
With rudder set deeply
each letter reborn
Stay true to the verse
in couplets of rhyme
To capture the moment
—in oceans of time
(Dreamsleep: April, 2023)
Rumor breeds fear
in the minds of the doubtful
Peace only found
in the hearts of the faithful
Heaven and earth
performing a nuptial
The past and the future
—betrothing eternal
(The New Room: April, 2023)
The mirror calling deepest
is the one that you avoid
Images run left then right
your back turned paranoid
Unwillingness to turn around
in fear of what you’ll see
Illusion as your proffered choice
—reflection waits unseen
(Dreamsleep: April, 2023)
Days weave together
as night tears at the seams
Light as it vanishes
deserting my dreams
The sun making promises
darkness reneges
The truth stays an orphan
that both will misgive
The rooster to signal
that devil’s retreat
Hope spawning a sunrise
where wishes beseech
All joy upon waking
released from the pall
The clock now a weapon
that hangs on the wall
In mutual exclusion
our psyches must live
A damned symbiosis
all take and no give
But hands will fall southward
the shadows reborn
This daydream a nightmare
—as twilight sojourns
(Bryn Mawr College: April, 2023)
Laws restrict
but can’t constrain
What happens freely
the light reclaims
Cause and effect
together apart
Squaring the circle
—the horse and the cart
(Dreamsleep: March, 2023)
All I need
is a promise I can keep
(or)
a vow I can forever make
The time indentured
newly born
(and)
the wisdom to know its fate
(Dreamsleep: March, 2023)
Building a bridge
for others to walk
light burning at the end
It’s never enough
to stand and wait
their crossing must begin
Toeing a path
in another’s steps
fruition comes in view
Toll again paid
in memory script
—to spite the dark eschewed
(Dreamsleep: April, 2023)
What kind of rational man
believes in justice
What kind of rational man
believes in peace
What kind of rational man
believes in fairness
What kind of rational man
believes in truth
What kind of rational man
believes he’s chosen
What kind of rational man
believes in God
What kind of rational man
seeks life eternal
What kind of rational man
—by His decree
(Dreamsleep: April, 2023)
Experience is fleeting
—memories are forever
(Dreamsleep: April, 2023)
An Anthology Of Perception 