Standing hidden off to the side

naked and alone,

his aura too imposing,

his cover all but blown

 

A target of those dilettantes,

consummate poseurs,

his space they had surrounded

—his legend to procure

 

(The New Room: November, 2021)

Opulent solitude,

how rich it becomes

alone in one’s shadow,

times riches in sum

 

To revel monastic

o’er sultans and earls,

whose joyous reflection

—your diamonds and pearls

 

(Dreamsleep: November, 2021)

Lost in today,

 found in tomorrow

tears roll like silver

lace beaded swans

 Chasteness wanton,

timestamped forever

 music absolving

—calling beyond

 

(Dreamsleep: Novemeber, 2021)

 

Leaving the place you’re going to,

my ultimate regret

a thorny road of promised dreams

I fled but can’t forget

 

Leaving the place that claims my heart,

still beating—buried deep

your pathway marked with blood I shed

whose wound this distance weeps

 

(The New Room: November, 2021)

The infancy of evil,

infirmities youth

Children surrendered

—caught in its truth

 

(Dreamsleep: November, 2021)

The smoky structure of forgotten dreams,

buried in the breath of lost denial

Stealing from sleep what life rebukes

—disguising what the coming dawn reviles

 

(Dreamsleep: November, 2021)

Darkness cometh before the storm,

  mistrals threaten,

caution scorned

 

Mercy lost in its bloody hail,

 tempest raging

—hope assailed

 

(The New Room: November, 2021)

 

Not to be agreed with…

just to be heard

 

The flock singing hollow,

reechoing words

 

(Dreamsleep: October, 2021)

Individual’s individual,

summation of one

 

The snow always fresh,

no marks on the trail

 

Those tracks left by others,

a map to retreat from

 

Direction internal

—new spirit to hail

 

(The New Room: November, 2021)

In confessionals of doubt

he chased absolution

The devil unmasked

—his penance forsworn  

 

(Washington Chapel: November, 2021)