The warts are ugly
the wrinkles deep
The flesh now sagging
deprived of sleep
The eyesight failing
the hearing gone
But words still call
—from tomorrow’s song
(Villanova Pennsylvania: June, 2016)
Ipse Solus
Not like her,
And
Not like him,
And
Not like you
—I write!
(Villanova Pennsylvania: June, 2016)
Poetic Triage
Today a Poet needs to cast
a hook with many tines
To reel in those who’re lulled to sleep
with cautionary lines
These days a Poet needs an edge
much sharper than before
To cut through all the excess flesh
—that blocks the metaphor
(Villanova Pennsylvania: August, 2018)
A Tinge Of Lilac
My window opens wider
as my focus narrows down
The words are now much richer
than what I used to think profound
The light brings joy and substance
filling corners deep and closed
Its breezes tinged with lilac
—all negatives exposed
(Villanova Pennsylvania: June, 2016)
Words Of Hope
Left on their own,
my words turn to prayer
Renewing my faith
—confirming You’re there
Spoken aloud,
they lodge in my soul
Warming my heart
—and keeping me whole
(Villanova Pennsylvania: June, 2016)
The True Cost
The answer never welcome…
‘The Price Of Joy Is Pain’
A question forever mired
—in perpetual disdain
(Villanova Pennsylvania: June, 2016)
Prisoner Of Disguise
The words flock together
and stretch on the frame
Their meaning runs over
still wet from the pain
The canvas is porous
the easel maligned
The curtains blow outward
faces calling in mime
The streets all a-chatter,
it was Paris in spring
And striving to look busy
the most important of things
Looking back at my window
above the tannery so high
A shadow stares back
—and I flee in disguise
(Villanova Pennsylvania: June, 2016)
Forever On Hold
A literary sociopath…
Hemingway wrote
Both gifted and tortured,
his words they provoke
A verbal combatant
with battles foretold
His last the most fatal
—all memory on hold
(Villanova Pennsylvania: June, 2016)
The Rebel
Was there ever a rebel
on the inside looking out
By definition he’s outside
—his legend to shout
The insurgent, his tactic
playing Russian Roulette
Holding the status quo hostage
—with fear and regret
(Villanova Pennsylvania: June, 2016)
Dark Reflection
We are never
so afraid
As when frightening
ourselves
That face in the mirror,
the one that won’t leave
A shadow looming over
—eternity’s sleeve
(Villanova Pennsylvania: June, 2016)
