Compelled to fight dirty,

in attempts to stay clean

The shadows conscripted,

clandestine and mean

Surprise as an ally,

you stalk and you spy

To vanquish the monster

—declawed and defied

 

(Villanova Chapel: December, 2021)

Will,

the highest power

ensouled

 

Choice

so anointed

—sacred beholds

 

(The First Book Of Prayers: December, 2021)

Often life more cruel than death,

pandemics to defy

Each breath of pain a new refrain,

whose fate we must comply

 We live each choice right to the end,

all consequence dethroned

Until the reaper grants reprieve,

no mercy to be shown

 This giant chorus sings aloud,

discordant and alone

The fear we face subservient to

the dread of the unknown

Those tracks we leave with blood to mark,

the distant by and by

One choice remains to end the game

—a final last goodbye

 

(Dreamsleep: December, 2021)

The essence of wisdom

lies in simplicity

hiding in plain sight

—for eyes that can see

 

(Dreamsleep: December, 2021)

Like water…

fear seeks its own level

Rich or poor

it wades through our consciousness

Driving us inward

toward sirens of darkness

Shrilling the moment

—with lyres of doubt

 

(Hereford Inlet: December, 2021)

Do words serve the meaning,

or meaning the words

 

Simply delivered,

complexity heard

 

Muddled presentment,

the message undone

 

Brevity pointed,

to pierce zero-sum

 

(The New Room: December, 2021)

 

From the beginning

we shake hands with death

At first as a stranger

when caught in its net

 

And last as a friend

bearing gifts from beyond

A bridge for one crossing

past futures begone

 

While leaving behind

 the measure of fate

 Transcending tomorrow

  we unlock its gate

 

What’s last becomes first

closing open interred

a singular journey

—not shaken but stirred

 

(Watching 14 Peaks: December, 2021)

 

 

Spiritual commerce

Poetic lies

Phrases for sale

Proselytized

Prescience begins

Necessity ends

Words given freely

—tomorrow defends

 

(Dreamsleep: December, 2021)

In the poverty of sound

hides a final goodbye

Mortgaging the silence

with debt to decry

 

A tenancy of sorrow

with melody banned

An orchestra homeless

—foreclosure at hand

 

(Dreamsleep: December, 2021)

You can’t think your way to faith,

all reason unadorned

 

Or speak to what is felt inside,

self-knowledge most forlorn

 

For those invested time must bow,

a legion unto one

 

As seas will part and bushes burn

—in rapture’s kingdom come

 

(First Book Of Prayers: December, 2021)