What, who, or where

 the sages portend

 

What, who, or where

the shamans belie

 

What, who, or where

 the scholars defend

 

What, who, or where

—not questioning why

 

(Dreamsleep: November, 2022)

 

The only time we escape

the jungle

—is in self delusion

(State College Pennsylvania: November, 1970)

Through a distant awareness

all eyes unmasked

The answers vacant

and fading fast

 

The horizon changes

from front to back

All reasons caught

within its trap

 

Time despondent

its seconds tear

Whose reign dethroned

inception near

 

The weight uprooted 

a seedless fruit

The past, tomorrow

—and present moot

 

(Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania: November, 2022)

 

The older the prophecy

—the more desperate we hang on

 

(Dreamsleep: November, 2022)

To live non-affirming

to live not at all

To hide in the shadows

and creep down the hall

 

To live uncommitted

new doubts to contend

All time intermittent

repressed till the end

 

To live without friendship

alone on the rock

A wandering echo

reflections that mock

 

To live undecided

with doubt your best friend

a future derided

—the present pretend

 

(Dreamsleep: November, 2022)

Death was invented

when life tired of the living

Eternity flexing

—the muscles of time

 

(Dreamsleep: November, 2022)

Tomorrow’s lullaby

in footnotes to Dylan

Tomorrow blistering

confronting the sun

 

Tomorrow lingering

while calling your name

Temptation disguising

what’s never to come

 

Tomorrow’s redemption

the present to ransom

Tomorrow in voices

a chorus of ghosts

 

Tomorrow forgiving

each sin of unmaking

Tormenting each moment

—you treasure the most

 

(Dreamsleep: November, 2022)

Be wary of a narrow faith

that chokes the Mystery dead

Be careful of a promise made

that hides beneath your bed

 

The strongest bade, a deeper jade

from yellow mixed with blue

To mock the wonder heaven sent

—in weaker shades of hue

 

(Dreamsleep: November, 2022)

The bigger the battle

the greater the man

His future uncertain

his past to command

 

To struggle ennobled

beyond outcome or fate

Godlike in war

—divinity’s mate

 

(Dreamsleep: November, 2022)

Seventy years…

and what have you learned

Don’t give me facts…

what have you learned

Keep your opinions…

what have you learned

Look into my eyes

—what have you learned

 

(Dreamsleep: November, 2022)