The Devil’s Fiddle

Signs that might be seen as omens

send me on my way

the daylight waning for today

and luck still virgin on display

flying close to danger’s coven

 

The wind blows fortune’s empty cast

as trackless dreams setout

dispelling hope and bringing doubt

without a name to even tout

caught within tomorrows fast

 

I see each warning clearly now

they speak much like a friend

whose words as tokens try to bend

rushing blindly toward the end

captured voices left to bow

 

Those signs that led me all point down

the road is changing fast

no clear distinction first from last

my future damned to be my past

— the devils fiddle calling loud

 

(Saint David’s Pennsylvania: February, 2024)

This One Bet

Were I to explain

what then would I say …

That the moon loves its axis

that each dog has its day

That the question unanswered

most answered indeed

That each start an enigma

and truth often bleeds

That the mind unexplored

without mention at all

That from season to season

time stumbles and falls

Against my better nature

I’ll place this one bet

The answer you hoped for

— you’re never to get

 

(Dreamsleep: February, 2024)

One Voice

The playing field level

your words versus mine

A race to forever

embedded in rhyme

 

The score has been tied

neither side giving ground

Both phrases and couplets

inscribed to astound

 

It’s late in the game

when a stanza takes off

Outpacing the others

no images lost

 

As darkness approaches

but one voice remains

Returned from the heavens

— posterity claimed

 

(The New Room: February, 2024)