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)

Harder vison

 softer rhyme

Lion tamed

—tomorrow thine

 

(Dreamsleep: April, 2023)