Weapons grade narcissism,

 nuclear results

 

Fallout clear, scorching dear

—free speech its main assault

 

(Dreamsleep: February, 2021)

 

Nothing about life is impossible,

 viewed while looking up

 

Nothing about death is reversible,

 viewed while looking down

 

All in between is contestable,

winds blow North and South

 

Nothing promised, nothing cursed

—the choice to laugh or frown

 

(Ouray Colorado: October, 1995)

Positive freedom,

nose in the wind

Negative freedom,

refusing within

 

Shaking and straining,

the spirits set free

To pour or leave empty,

 at times disagree

 

Positive, Negative,

the labels of truth

Distilled combination

—like gin and vermouth

 

(Villanova University: February, 2021)

If

“Condemned To Be Free”

as Sartre said,

Then

doom me forever

—unchained and unled

 

(Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania: February, 2021)

The land of the free,

 the home of the brave

 

Inclusive together

—America saved

 

(Valley Forge: February, 2021)

The final poem that I write…

a comment on itself

 

(Dreamsleep: February, 2021)

It’s important

 what you get called

has a name,

one you can take

to the ivory

border

It’s important

what you’re called

is remembered the same,

today recollected

tomorrow

reordered

A mark on the stone

no longer

unknown,

your history and

legacy

rendered

Sapphire crystal

overlord set,

the past

eponymous  

the future

—kismet

 

(The New Room: February, 2021)

Alone with my thoughts

—the devil makes three

 

(Dreamsleep: February, 2021)

 

Wrapped in surprise

—the greatest gift of all

 

(Villanova Chapel: February, 2021)

You can feel,

but no longer find

the love

Surrounding,

no longer inside

the love

Remembering,

you cannot forget

the love

Lingering,

you wander in search

—of love

 

(Danville Pennsylvania: January, 2021)