When understanding dies

—blood is all we have

 

(Dreamsleep: December, 2023)

Tasting like music

each word marches on

Out of the vacuum

flavored in song

The future parades

on both sides of the bridge

The band denied entry

so close to the edge

 

The toll taker muted

arms point to the sky

Pedestrians hover

and wait to get by

Guide wires of silence

restrung play adieu

When the drum major signals

—it’s safe to come through

 

(Dreamsleep: December, 2023)

Can you go crazy

without language

madness unclear

 

Can you reason

without dialog

or words for your fears

 

Can you think

without symbols

progress undefined

 

Can you tie it

together

—without names in your mind

 

(Dreamsleep: December, 2023)

The entropy of life

— is shame

 

(Dreamsleep: December, 2023)

The message complex …

your form should be simple

A carrier pigeon

no longer confined

 

Direct and straight forward

the fault lines will rupture

The magma exploding

—forever to find

 

(The New Room: December, 2023)

Some people write

 poetically

And some write

poetic prose

 

Both front and rear gates

lead back to a garden

To harvest

—what is grown

 

(Dreamsleep: December, 2023)

It’s always dark

—until you open your eyes

 

(The New Room: December, 2023)

Most of us learn

to live with our demons

Seeing them coming

hearing their call

 

More in the night

when silence is running

Taking their place

to hide in the hall

 

Most of us learn

to live with our fears

More real when imagined

the images churn

 

Once they’re inside us

denial forsaken

To wed the dark moments

—whose effigy’s burn

 

(Dreamsleep: December, 2023)

 

Blame …   

deep and abiding

Praise …

a fleeting call

Infliction kills

affection shills

Their contrast

casts a pall

 

One …

a timeless burden

The other …

flits away

Tomorrow’s pain

all joy abstained

Entrapped

—where memories stay

 

(The New Room: December, 2023)

How the world

should be

and isn’t

My choices

could

but don’t

 

What maybe

might

tomorrow voids

The spinning

vortex

—won’t

 

(Dreamsleep: December, 2023)