that first time
each breath
I saw you
each sigh
I thought
each smile
was a dream
each moment
you caught my eye
each laugh
I sought your mind
every soft dream
you saw me
each cherished emotion
a sky with deference
one we experienced
turned shimmering blue
completing who we were
changing deep purple
to exquisite true
those colours of the inquisitive sky
one's we still have yet
a glimmering experience
filling our exceptional lives
keeping our hopes
entreating encouraging dreams
to come creatively alive
insatiably just because
you were my muse and friend
then we two held hands
watching the trending sky
rearrange its marvelous colour
listening to our insistent hearts
striving for elusive love
once in a lifetime
perhaps once in eternity
love bestows a generous gift
reach out and take it
don't let it slip away
hold it close and embrace it
or we can throw it
into the divergent wind
carelessly watch it
emergently blow away
we can choose to be blind
or we can choose
to always see
first it seemed
a stringent parody
that mystic spirits sang
tunes with harmony and melody
lifting us both so high
whispering soft things
to both you and me
granting us joy and peace
nurturing the loving night
like a sweet lullaby
then gentle showers fell
cleansed we breathed a sigh
caressed by sudden shadows
parading through the challenging night
passion burst from the clouds
marking the changing sky
radiance lifted darkness into light
then the fading day meandered
flowing with streams of honey
sweetened with the nectar of our kisses
resurrected evening transpired
clouds spread sallow wings
emerging with sudden fury
my fallible heart cried out
aching for what I must have missed
I groped in that drowning darkness
searching that hopeless night for you
I wrestled with a cloaked dark stranger
desperately trying to cope
re-emerge from that optical dream
then as quickly as you fled
disappeared from my life
it seemed you again nestled
in my wanting open arms
holding you I gratefully breathed
seeing your courageous image
reflected in a advantageous mirror
it shone so clear
through that shimmering
I swear I could hear
your tender loving words
angel's amorous whisperings
commendable blessed singing
ringing in my amended ears
then you suddenly turned
quickly walked away
somehow that magic spell was broken
love somehow disappeared
just as I had feared
that last time I saw you
no goodbyes were ever spoken
darkness dared to venture
into that sullen day
aching memories filled the wretched air
ghostly spirits laughed
hovering there without a care
mingling with my long forgotten past
dissolving all our constructed dreams
into the solvent dust it seems
like roiling water
over the waterfall
I felt myself falling
saw myself crashing
dashed upon jagged rocks
all that calling love
I thought we had found
lay smashed and dying
I lay there too
trashed and unsound
sensing that I was finally crushed
finding myself broken
waking from a tragic dream
to find that I was crying

 

                  * * *

 

the sun
climbed the sky
today
out in the city
street
a homeless
guy
I haven't seen
him
for two years
now
he looks
ten years older
shuffling along
more hunched over
still
the sun
came out again
today
shining
down through
those fellow
pillow clouds
it was July
hot again
out
on the city
street
yet
that grey
old homeless
guy
still wears
his heavy
soiled
woolen coat
from what
I feel
life is toil
the sun
seems stronger
he
seems weaker
appearances
dirtier
than two years
ago
timely differences
more worn
out
more
helpless
more
hopeless
than two
years
before
the sun
climbed the sky
again today
more
those city
streets
where high
strangeness
seems
to forever
exist
in bitterness
alive
with so much
severe and clever
by and by
it was July
hot again
a dominatrix
raven haired
appeared
strutting dominantly
both men and women
stared
as she moved
down the city
street
from behind
I could see
she
behooved
was strong
striding
perfectly upright
dressed in
skin tight
leather shorts
with knee high
leather boots
and a well fitting
strapping
leather top
of sorts
her dominatrix
cohorts
from the front
I clearly saw
she was taunting
bare breasted
not a single flaw
carrying and flaunting
a black cat o' nine tails
swinging firmly
in her right hand
strutting down
that busy street
madly proud
smooth
skin tight
rounded melon tits
stood right out
firmly upright
on her
heaving chest
that dominatrix
walking
with a quick
sure stride
awkwardly
no one seeing her
speaking or talking
she had somewhere
to go
and somewhere
to be
somewhere
up ahead
beyond
that busy city street
the sun
came out
again today
shining
hard
down on
the city streets
another
homeless
woman
stopped
squatted down
on the sidewalk
shamelessly
lifted her ragged skirt
took
an easy shit
leaving
her pile
of droppings
on the hot
cement
that busy
downtown
sidewalk
streaming
with steamy life
such a modern
bag lady world
the impervious sun
perilously
shines
down
from
high above
the busy
city street
a bare breasted woman
dangles
her pendulous
naked
titties
out of her
ascended
apartment window
upended
she yells down
at some man
gazing up
at her
from down
on that broiling
city
soiled sidewalk
in glamorous
French
he shouts
out
something
recoiling
amorous touts
I'm guessing
since she
laughs
in female
swaying
her teasing
breasts
playing
in the torpid
summer breeze
down
on the city
sidewalk
he chortles
something
startled French
then in male
he
struts on
down the busy
city
street
that brazen
sun
climbed the sky
today
out
in the busy
city street
road rage
showed up
at an angry
red
stop light
one
fed-up driver
hopping out
stomping
up to
that other car
stopped
right in front
punching
that other
driver
through that
open driver
car window
it was July
hot
on that city
street
that other
martial driver
with that impartial fist
in his startled face
grabbed
his
loaded gun
sticking it
through his
dope car
window
making his
unquestionable
point
daringly
his finger
on the copeless trigger
as the other
hopeless anointed guy
haggard
turned to hapless run
snapped back to
his gapless barrier
some harried
safety
quickly shut inside
his expensive
gleaming
SUV
expensive rubber
top grade tires
screeching
leaving
drifting
smoke
hanging
dangling
in the hot
July city
street
the sun
came out
again
today
out on
those
mangled
city streets
heavy
fandango
traffic
raced crazily
up and down
every downtown
street
one pretty faced
pedestrian
crossed
while the light
was green
but halfway
to the other
side
that impatient light
turned
patent red
she sprang
clinging
to clanging me
standing impervious
in the centre
of that
hazy crazy
city street
unfazed
we
laughed  
glazed together
two staged
strangers
momentarily
stranded
brazen
traffic
unforgiving
no comment
or quarter
in between
two dazed
sides
of that city
street
while the perilous
sun
beat down
without
mercy
or retreat
such bitter
heat
the feteless sun
climbed down
the defeated sky
again
late today
just off
that busy
city street
in a vacant
alleyway
she and he
shared
one dirty needle
into two
unhappy veins
sappy
crappy
fentanyl
aptly raced
to their
broken hearts
splitting
them
apart
while they fell
OD'ed
heart
stopping
city street
experience
short
of deliverance
while covert night
overtly fell
and the stars
came
out
one
by one
covering town
on some
recovered
token
of those
dirty
broken
busy
city
streets

     * * *

 

that deep rooted tree
once flourishing
in my enigmatic yard
strong and full of mystical life
some thing perplexing
stealthily came along
carelessly cut it down
right to the very ground
I wept that harried day
surrendered in every way
after that continuance
because when I found
my fallen majesty
lying like a broken song
shattered and dying
simply forlorn
because of some
nonconformist nuance
of some token rights and wrongs
I hurriedly gathered
green shoots
hoping that even one
might root
so once again
my spoken tree
might grow and nourish me
one day tower again
fill up the welcoming sky
but my treeless yard
remains treeless
no matter how hard I try
I've erected a tall fence
surrounding my private life
along one side
I built a private gate
one forever latched
always securely locked
against all that invasive
lurking world outside
somehow I feel dislocated
jerking and obligated
I continuously rotate and hide
lacking free wisdom
once given by that strong wise tree
I'm still cultivating growth
a jungle garden of sorts
implemented in my outside yard
complimenting my limited perception
still I can't help but wonder
if both disgraceful and some hateful axe
chopped down my ageless tree
some obscure hex
arriving in the testy night
wanting to harass and vex
my uncaged soul
I strive to keep things clear
but still no shade now
that crass shrill atmosphere
vastly lacking love and joy
keeping me bound and welded
life held under that burning sun
perhaps one swelled day
I'll rearrange enough
find I've become svelte
shedding prickly and rough
open up and change
my headstrong ways
let a cooling wind
vigorously enter
energetically pass through me
like some blessed sage
enter my secret garden
blow open that locked gate
perhaps someday God
will grant me pardon
before knowing joy and love
forever leaves us
steals away all
below and middle and above
God's earthly wisdom
before I once again
nail closed the gate
before daylight fails
as clever night hails
so when I wake to hark
finally come to realize
darkness might last forever
and then it's much too late
 

                  * * *

 

this beating drum
marking feting time
beat beat beat
like our beating hearts
beating beating beating
keeping frigid time
beating and beating and beating
reflecting our rigid lives
time leading us into tomorrow
day after day after day
so what do we really want
night after night after night
time after constant time
we all wonder
over instant time
where can we
find what we want
that timeless drum
keeps similarly beating
on and on and on
keeping unbending time
as Brahman sun
climbs each morning sky
a shining solar star
every shimmering soulful day
keeping simmering time
while mistress moon
rises and reflects
all our neglectful waxing
so much tidal waning
oceans of disdainful gratitude
surely insane gravity
gainfully reminds us
time and time again
all we sublimely do
climbing timely mountains
gratefully diving deep
beneath the satiated coral sea
still we are insatiable
cleverly entrenched
molded to earth's curvature
mainly intent on surfacing
painfully breathing in
every sacred journey
behold human patience
ungluing nature
from this patient earth
such a heartbeat planet
is this just human vanity
amongst the roomy stars
or some other planetary dream
exhibiting motherly emotions
of shifting brotherly love
this solid liquid realm
morphing into ice and snow
vapour becoming rain
as we trance dance
fancifully romancing
some flowing sacred
mimicking Manchurian Cranes
this limerick feting drum
rhythm wanting holiness
to come
one blissful heartbeat
to come
one blithe thought
to come
one ethical mind
but mystical God
has segmented us
through time and time and time
if only demented we
could somehow be cemented
finial always rhyme
beat to beat to beat
vapour from cosmic heat
every pleading prophecy
has exceedingly revealed
those ancient seals
should be broken
exposing perfect love
inked as 'forever'
on our beating hearts
every singular part
marking God's divine token
with lingering everything
we do and feel
thus making time
beat and beat and beat
repeats completely
remarkably invisible time
is what we see as real

                * * *

 

this
time
era
epoch
this
is
our
third
world
war
all
tears
scars
fatal
wounds
enabling
words
confused
sense
demented
days
rent
into
mindless
night
ranting
right
twisting
left
bereft
we
fight
waging
war
thinking
we are
speaking
peace
 

 * * *

 

there are
those things
our parents
gave us
firstly
that spark
of life
where we
swam
snorkeling
in our
mother's
watery womb
secondly
pushed
after birth
emerging
into this
liquid world
from that
warm
safe place
we hated
to leave
they
gave us
life
hopefully
more warmth
nourishment
and love
then
there are
those things
our
parents
took away
from us
grabbing
things
out of
our
curious hands
snatching
things
out of
our open
mouths
secretly
stealing
things
they didn't
want us
to have
or hold
disappearing
those things
they
thought
would harm
us
even
at times
taking away
our
hopes
and dreams
like they
were
our
mistresses
and masters
knowing
full well
that one
day
we would
grow up
hold
them
accountable
for their
own
wrongs
and rights
look them
in
the eyes
chastise
them
for being
unfair
at times
only to
at some
point
realize
they
are only
human too
just like
us
they
were forced
from their
mother's
bloody
fertile womb
they
were
pushed
into life
where
inevitably
their parents
snatched
secretly
stole
things
away
from them
sometimes
thinking
horror
sometimes
imagining
strife
other times
being
heartless
even
mean
to the point
of being
dispassionate
maybe
cruel
rewriting
restating
all those
things
parents do
to vulnerable
children
because
of how
they were
once
treated
and brought up
because forgiveness
is difficult
forget
impossible
until perhaps
we live
long
enough
we
become
old
feeble
minded
when childhood
seems
a lifetime
away
in those
times
those
critical
moments
we
inevitably
wish
we could
go
back
in time
undo
those
terrible
things
we
did
unsay
those harsh
words
we
spoke
take back
all those
cruel
things
we
forced
on
others
give back
all that
was stolen
away
leaving
holes
in our
hearts
gaps
in our
lives
wounds
and scars
on our
souls
but that
isn't
life
giving
things
back
life
only
goes
forward
when death
comes
to find
us
in those
last hours
minutes
moments
we may
wish
we were
kinder
better
hearted
especially
to our
children
since
in
the end
we all
discover
we are
only
human
life is
short
not always
sweet
by far
goodness
and compassion
are so
much
better
than careless
cruelty
and misguided
derision
so all
those
decisions
we
make
in life
whether
we
were
derided
those
around
us
or whether
compassion
and empathy
found
us
living deep
within
us
allowing
sympathy
without
hiding
without
pretending
who
we
really are
and with
that
we
find
we
don't
need
defending
since
the light
emanating
from our
souls
is spiritually
right
and all
that
goodness
will
help
us
achieve
our
ethereal
goals
 

   * * *

 

deep in the forest
ancient spirits dwell
dressed in cedar cloaks
performing treasured dances
chanting and ringing sacred bells
wearing feathers in their hair
reciting stories that romance us
surreal songs echoing in the forest air
some have fur and thick shining tresses
a few have luminescent twisted braids
some wear glorious feathered headdresses
others carry their beloved
abalone handled obsidian blades
sheathed with aromatic red cedar wood
some yellow entities have two bent legs
there are those furious that skulk on four
assimilated forest spirits maintain six
altogether they create
an astounding varied mix
laying translucent roe
hidden nests of mottled eggs
variants have eight arms and twelve legs
some creations have even more
there are those soaring beings
expansive with their outspread wings
more than a few demand
they remain perfectly still
existing solely
rooted to the forest floor
still a number are ghostly things
howling growling apparitions
sometimes at night
you might hear them
rave and rant
spectres that recite incantations
there are those that glow in the dark
floating and remotely hovering
quietly humming while others chant
clans of mysterious phantoms
haunting every sacred place
appearing out of a mist
rising along wild lake shores
suddenly vanishing
disappearing into deep forest cover
those enlightened spiritual dreams
we may one night have
letting us glimpse the future
sometimes envision future lovers
there is remote blessedness
in the way those spirits behave
a connotation of divine nature
only relative God can confess
some speak prophecy
referring to an esoteric stature
sharing some divinity
God has touched them
granting spiritual light and cosmic features
clearly they are celestial creatures
inhabiting this earthly plane
they exist without ego
living in the regal forest
displaying shades of wildness
guidance that is never vain
if you listen closely
you'll sometimes hear a chorus
visions singing sacred songs
venerated singing deep in the forest
nature spirits revealing intentional energy
conventional nature that never rests
every divine stream and river
every sublime glacier and mountain peak
those are the solemn places
where those perfect spirits exist to speak
if ever those entities completely disappear
mankind will surely suffer more
so some of us that have eyes to see
those of us with ears to hear
soulful spirit we should adore
resplendent nature is obvious
relative to earthly life
relevance that is wonderfully clear

                       * * *

 

Brian's ghost
resurrection
off that chat
room wall
words at most
cause surrection
beyond a satiated pall
this and that
an online call
I thought I saw you
with your Robin eyes
copping that chat room view
once I thought
I saw you crying
all those words we wrote
I felt I was trying
who guessed that
you thought I was implying
this was anything new
wishing I could
simply melt into you
then enter Brian's ghost
some other sentient
remarkably living in
my one room wall
I felt possessed
knowing you
expected me
markedly to be
that chat room ghost
when I close my eyes
I still see you
posting words there
one ghostly line
mostly one after another
telling me you were fine
you truly seemed to care
but like Brian's ghost
a rogue that isn't really there
those surreptitious words
pasted in my lucid mind
I see other poster's boast
that everyone can find
true love invoked
within that chattering room
like a chat room host
that truly cares
so even after you're gone
Brian's ghost still remains
seemingly you refrain
perhaps though
you've found another
some other enchanting spectre
relentlessly venting
posting haunts again
but your french
chat room name
kissing make believe
initially sustaining
at least partially undercover
disguised by all
that chat room fuss
always ending up
being quite the same
will we ever know
when enough is enough
all those chat room lovers
making players want to play
those vagary chat room games
when Brian's ghost
still suddenly appears
out of my one room wall
writing ghostly lines
out of the emotional blue
talking about apparition love
comparative words and chat room lies
I knew that you knew too
still some of us are wizards
a few chanting shaman
sometimes venting seers
but ghosts don't always chant or see
through love's chat room disguise
even though you and me
raised our loving swords
our brazen words
making us feel crazed
chasing us
to the next
further riveting level
when you initially called me
your ritual caressing voice
I must confess
pressed my landline phone
what I finally heard
when you signed in
french kissing me
you found me
insistently seated alone
in my consistently vacant room
patiently hand in hand
along with Brian's ghost
you convinced me
we could be
crazily together soon
embracing our chat room love
Brian's ghost would
complacently be there too
summoning true apparition love
conjuring that heartfelt holy ghost
reminding us of that wanting view
those few true chat room spectres
continuing to haunt online
that lonely chat room world too
 

                       * * *

 

who was Holier
John the Baptist
who lived in the desert
eating locusts and honey
ranting and raving
denouncing wealth and money
or Jesus of Nazareth
who lived walking long dusty roads
drinking wine and breaking bread
politically speaking
wanting to change Jewish culture
wishing to remand
both Jewish and Roman vultures
if souls need saving
John the Baptist
wouldn't have lost his head
if love is all we need
Jesus wouldn't have been victimized
he would have just kept preaching
pressing Saviour Spiritual
and brotherly love instead
but who of the two
was ever Holier
God only knows
maybe all Holiness
dwelt in the burning bush
perhaps like yearning Jonah
swallowed by that churning whale
the only things
we'll ever know
are remnants from those tales
that over time have certainly prevailed
if John was just ranting and raving
if Jesus was just hoping and craving
then their Holiness was just a lot of imperiled fuss
thus that Holiness is nothing but human stature
for all Sacred nature accounts for Holiness
God's Divine universe as well
then there was Spiritual Milarepa
living in his cave
eating his nettle soup
Milarepa didn't rant or rave
he kept his politics to himself
God doesn't recount kings and queens
or despotic presidents from hell
this glorious earthly world
is where we're born and die
so we'd better make it good
otherwise the planet suffers
including you and I
if we all made right choices
in God's eternal view
all creation rates as equal
if we fail the external earth
continue living internal lies
letting money and privilege
have the proudest loudest voice
we'll discover there is no Holy left
we'll find that Spirit in this world
has no Divine or Sacred sequel
 

                    * * *

 

is it this or that
what exactly is the mission
pussy cat twat
is it fusion or fission
or the cat in the hat
creation's unions
is it humpty dumpty
or some other solemn illusion
does commensurate
invite communion
what if we are just too late
what about all this delirium and confusion
can we ever know our true fate
are we all immersed in a fatal pool of delusion
or is there liquid flowing on the earth
that heals these types of wounds and contusions
should women continue giving birth
or should God dry up every womb
should we limit the size of every human girth
where has all the prized laughter gone
along with all that lost good-hearted mirth
perhaps this planet is just one big tomb
what if aliens openly arrive
for that long awaited family reunion
should crop circles be expected
are those anomalies supernatural
does humankind need to be corrected
or will nature do something to keep us alive
is life here on earth unnatural
or is existence here simply contrived
what about prophecy and legendary myths
is this archaic storied controversy
a precursor to future death or bliss
will tomorrow bring about a better world
or are we too deep into this mess
what if blue Krishna suddenly arrived
reciting sutras and other sacred verses
what if Arjuna and Ganesha showed up with him
what new beginnings would that trinity express
would the world still be finite or just be redescribed
would other gods arrive making us bow down with redress
confess all our earthly sins and terrible deeds
reminding us our seedy roots are clans and tribes
reminding us about our neglected spiritual needs
have we disregarded understanding and true wisdom
should we all bow down to Judaism and Islam
is that why so much we do makes the world writhe and bleed
needless to say we've polluted sacred water
heedlessly we live our lives as if we are gods
in fact we are just cheshire cats and mad hatters
if the queen of hearts is what truly matters
then we are lost just like alice
every twisting rabbit hole we venture down
will take us further from that sought after crystal palace
so if we're just a bunch of reckless sods
wanting to own and drink from a golden chalice
we're just a horde of destructive hooligans
simply wanting to steal all the gold and every crown
someday we'll wake up
find the world is more than just white and black and brown
rediscover we've been nothing but fools again
our general consentment has delivered us
to this fatal bitter tragic brink
resentment can't resolve what we do or think
and when we finally disappear
nature will give a tearless sigh of relief
knowingly bow down to fearless God
the expanding universe won't even blink
simply continue on to eternity with a knowing nod
 

                                 * * *

 

so much
unforgiving reticence
forcefully thrusting
this churning world
into our yearning lives
chastening our empty laps
how much
yielding forgiveness
lovingly trusting
this changing world
helping us learn
coercing us to rearrange
our hungry thirsty lives
yet all these minor burning gaps
creating untold rifts
between what is shiftless truth
and what are giftless lies
still major faults exist
how much
is too much
before we finally realize
this very real earth
is speaking to us
imploring humankind
to see past every cryptic guise
that cheats the earth
of what good it deserves
so if we would only mind
recognize every critical link
remind ourselves
how much
is too much
before this wanting old earth
sinks
folding in upon ourselves
retaining nothing
but barren shelves
collapses
finally going
deaf and blind

           * * *

 

imagine
in the beginning
grinning Icarus
flying too close
to the burning sun
austere centuries pass
human yearning
man learning to soar
restricting fear
eventually more constricting
rocket fuel
launching time
V 1 Rockets
ghouls in the troposphere
V 2 Rockets
inventing stratospheric tools
jet fuel
Atlas
Agena
stacking fuel tanks
Thor
Ablestar
journey through the mesosphere
Mercury
Redstone
attacking thermosphere rules
Scout
Rehbar
physical Goddard
attempting to be physics masters
ballistic missiles
Saturn
racking up explosive disasters
Sputnik
Vostok
breaking through the ionosphere
Mercury
Gemini
orbiting below the exosphere
Apolla
Soyuz
tracking Space Stations
Salyut
Skylab
refracting science
Mir
Tiangong
factoring Space Shuttles
launched through earth's atmosphere
Ares
Griffin
orbiting the planet
SpaceX
Dragon
piercing that bloodless hymen
Virgin
hurtling wealthy masses
inventing orgasmic space travel
Mariner
Mars Lander
Sojourner
human reflection
Spirit
Opportunity
human redirection
Curiosity
Perseverance
space travel addiction
further intonation
Tianwen
Zhurong
relevant incarnation
Mangalyaan
Artemis
Mars and beyond
planetary connection
Icarus reincarnated
imagine fondly
fire gods and winged entities
flying galactic revelation

                   * * *

 

a song sparrow
comes to my garden
every summer day
that zen he sings
pierces my heart
straight as an arrow
not speaking pardon
his songs are sweet and gay
those cheerful melodies
he freely brings
refresh my soul
with his wondrous art
my little bird
comes to me
reminding me how
some things are right
while I work along the rows
glory reaches down
lifting my heart
every song I've heard
each one so glorious
perfect and magnificently free
carrying me through each precious day
into the magnanimous night
while I tend my cherished garden now
I wait for that sparrow's welcome return
sometimes glimpsing him in flight
so that is how my garden grows
nothing is separate or apart
that blessed little bird
like my sacred garden
replenishes divinity
in my elated mortal heart

 

                   * * *

 

I'm shrouded now
wearing a sky blue sheet
covered from head to foot
in one hand
I'm holding holiness
in the other
I'm holding unholy hell
my hands are extended outwards
from each of my devilish
human and angelic sides
on one side stands a holy cow
on the other a demon looking sly
whatever all this really means
only God can truly tell
an angel rides
upon my shoulder
guiding me through my days
at night a ghost appears
some spirit that is much colder
when I'm in a mood
I give that spirit the gears
but still no matter what I do or say
that ghostly spirit stays
I'm demanding now
with another coloured shroud
this time it's snowy white
changing my towering appearance
out in public I startle every crowd
I'm like an apparition or a ghost
no one can honestly tell
if I'm from heaven
or if I've been loosed from hell
I circle groups of people
quiet as a mouse in church
suddenly I'll thunder
making everybody cringe and lurch
from there I'll disappear again
until prophecy is ready
until the time is nearing ripe
on that day I'll appear covered
wearing a shimmering crimson sheet
on my shoulder a long billed snipe
one I've risen from the dead
heading into extinction
finality has overcome
we've failed both the plover and the snipe
for one brief moment
that snipe's will should call
I'll hover o'er a sacred lake
watching countless species fall
even though I'm floating free
enveloped by some translucent mystic air
though no one sees me hover there
all the greed in the world
has blinded people and most don't care
so they never know or clearly see
what species are still alive out there
this once flourishing blue planet
boasting so many varied creatures
winged and finned and legged
every size from big to small
now fewer and fewer
remain to mate and call
so many corrupted features
vanity created this extinction pall
when I am soaring o'er a sacred plain
come down to earth again
I'll remove my crimson shroud
I'll stand on every shoreline
obviously being laughed at
by every jeering crowd
but that angel on my shoulder
is sorrowfully weeping
just like burning me
that holiness I held in my hand
has vanished into the roiling sea
while holy hell is celebrating
knowing that people will never see
they've been such fools
now fueling this tragic bend in things
will usher in this cruel
distinct and crashing end
for creatures like you and me
on that final day
when the consecrated universe
held a solemn funeral
for the desecrated earth
everything was shrouded in black
every existing thing attending
lacking joyful happiness or any mirth
even God and eternity's angels
choirs adorned and draped
bearing eternal long black sheets
surrounding themselves conversely
with relevant external streams
of creation's universal tact
this final shrouded funereal act
deemed absolute and necessary
because of what tactless human's had done
daring careless action and living so adversely
that every sacred poem and song
all of nature's creatures
human carelessness
employing thoughtlessness
had over time destroyed
simply because of selfish human greed
self centredness and crowning blatant egoism
beyond the earthly bounds
past survival and any real need
due to misguided politics and cruel despotism
violating and perverting
all the earthly good
every hopeful spirit and essential seed
human's eventually obliterated
nothing can ever be mitigated
when evil and destruction
construct each daily deed
so shrouded all in black
the universe and God itself
wept tears of universal grief
wishing from the very start
back in that sacred garden
when blessed Eden dwelt
human's had not strayed
but stayed focused on divinity
remained on that infinite holy track
 

                     * * *

 

is God punishing us
with all these tragic fire storms
massive hurricanes and floods
all that mortal mess and muss
will these temporal events
become the tempest's norm
will secular geysers spew more CO2
unbalancing earth's compromised atmosphere
about that terrible view and even more
will tumultuous volcanoes more often erupt
destructive rivers of lava
ranging plumes of toxic gases
corrupting more of the planet
creating even more constant fear
displacing more population
dislocating human masses
permanently removing even more creatures
what about the rising sea
can anything be done now
how will all this affect both you and me
I doubt if prayer can be enough somehow
nature has the upper hand in all these cases
deadly viruses brand doom and gloom
all those scared looking faces
burned into our minds eye
what terrible changes have we loosed
opening a once securely locked door
letting unprecedented climate
changing our once true ocean blue
that unstable sky is looming
above our crowded planetary room
tomorrow will there be even more horror
it seems terror is landing on every shore
is glorious God punishing us
or is this sorry plight all our fault
our greedy uncaring nature
soiling our sacred home
creating all this perverted muss
someone immoral has invested
something villainous so disturbed
raided a once secure and blessed vault
was it me and you that caused this deadly fuss
was it simply because we imitate vultures
emulating that inglorious
short-sighted human stature
or is it inerrant fate and destiny
twisting earth's inherent nature

                       * * *

 

I'm dreaming again
about a perfect place
I'm hearing a sweet voice
seeing a beautiful face
I really love to see and hear
this other wondrous space
where everything is magic
where everything seems dear
what a blessing to find
that perfect uncrowded place
where simply everything
is brilliant and crystal clear
a place where nothing
is ever painful or tragic
some mystical heaven
where you are there with me
where love surrounds us
with its marvelous aura
a place where love empowers
everything we do and see
where each refreshing breath
fills us with supreme divinity
all the brilliant fauna
all the healing flora
exist with that same heavenly affinity
where sacred abounds in everything
including you and me
what a world we could live in
if only all our hearts
could wake to feel the same
what glory would emanate
from our very shining souls
if compassion and empathy
flooded this tragic world
like a welcome healing rain
there's a sudden overwhelming joy
in all these perfect dreams
seeking everlasting love
enveloping that perfect world
would surely feel the same
when splendid love and joy
call our honoured names
when poetry and songs
fill our craving minds
that ready special place
is what we want in kind
when you were there beside me
staring deep into each other's soul-filled eyes
all that pain and hurt we'd felt
simply disappeared and died
as that perfect celestial day
dissolved then somehow vanished
I strove to embrace and hold
all those feelings we had felt
I prayed that forever
I could keep them here
fastened to my needy heart
where I'd eternally feel
seeing them forever dear
clearly as a reflective crystal
that mystic pool of refreshing water
something God had made and conjured
for all of those whose hearts and souls are injured
for those of us whose lives exist in tatters
what a perfectly regal place
where only flawless love and joy
would ever truly matter
  

                  * * *

 

in my wooden life
I find myself
playing vital notes
sometimes two or three
even four and five
accompanying my presumptuous life
performing familiar chords
like intimate words
describing myself
using punctuation
which undoubtedly denotes
my particularly distinct
sumptuously growing tree
a fluctuating rhythm
keeping me alive
a lively dance
with all the ladies
and the lords
a profound waltz
inscribed by me
I've broken into pieces
some separate part
for each new day
one token note
lifts me up
into the waking sky
the very next
I'm somewhere
far out
in the soaking sea
when I'm playing
a full wave of chords
it's the spoken key
describing me
I find myself
speaking notes
that sometimes
aren't all free
I'm leaving notes
some drawn on a wall
other singing notes
I'm leaving hanging
in the ringing air
bringing at times
those epic feelings
I'm like a caged bear
pacing back and forth
across a greasy floor
those unctuous notes
making bear fat ice cream
thinking too fat life
is full of strife
I just want
to escape hardship
find a path
that I can wander
where I'll be truly free
but that's a dream
I can only ponder
knowing full well
that time and circumstance
may never deliver
that ever precious
dancing key to me
beyond each stasis note
every chord I'm playing
far past equilibrium
those dominant songs
harmonizing in my heart and head
I know that ascendant life
is often upwardly singing
about the curving dead
so I always keep
walking as I'm praying
all those familiar vibrations
I'm always hearing and feeling
all those musical notes
constantly vibrating
through my brain and head
for posthumous now
in this sometimes humorous life
I assume I'm staying
one trying day
things will vie for change
maybe some crying day
I'll sigh when I wake
find I've woken deranged
I'll sound discordant
even though I'm playing
those once familiar notes
scribbled in familiar keys
I won't recognize myself
or those things I've said
my sky high dreams
may just become
nightmares
when I stir and wake
I may find myself
lost in the blithering dark
those times may be
where loathing will
find nobody
truly cares
there will be days and nights
when I'm completely
off the reframed mark
but still my untamed world
remains bright and leafy green
the night sky reminds me
that often I don't feel
anything but blue
at storied times
there is nothing
I can ever do
to make me see
where I've been
is an unworthy path I'm on
even though at times it is stark
when I'm feeling
quite lost
still at any cost
I have to remind myself
timely life is short
nothing ever lasts
in my selfish past
I've done what I can
sensing my deft refrains
often have been gifts
most fairly good
in my drifting dreams
I speak oaths to myself
do all those things
that maybe I never could
but dreams are dreams
sometimes there is no lifeboat
so I should continue
wearing my wooden coat
those notes that would resonate
leaving me eating pudding
knowing that I could float

                 * * *

 

this house of cards
our reckless lives have built
staring at those phones
forever grasped in sweaty hands
all those daily feckless events
that shape our petty world
everything today happens
beating the bloody band
when extraordinary actually occurs
we inevitably compare
all those crazy things
to some staged movie
that enraged digital film
compared and replayed as groovy
seriously displayed
upon that miniature
my phone screen
we feel betrayed
when taunting
bashing tweets
scream and yell
throughout the digital streets
acting out anonymous
trolls and haunting
raging on a fearsome tear
we're torn and feel forlorn
when social media isn't there
on our celebration days
when we feel
like we are let out
escaping for a moment
or at times
on long weekend engagements
released from our gilded cages
feeling like we are meant
have the utmost right
out in the public street
where people parade
drink and party into the night
kicking ass on that oh so familiar tirade
en masse needy people feel entitled
should selfish greedy intolerance
always make that right
what about our ready political sin
those misguided beliefs
we're so often immersed in
I'm watching that old 1975 movie 'Jaws'
I've been swimming there without pause
reminded by those beach scenes
only white skins are ever seen
besides that cruising grey shark fin
rich and white entitlement
that's what this world has been about
certainly not much has changed
maybe now the world
spins even more deranged
twist and shout
while people of every colour
madly dance about
whether you're president or chief
or just some homeless shmuck
stuck and mired in some drug filled street
money still rules the world
making wealthy ruler's
that top percentile of entitled elite
some think a loaded gun
held in their paranoid hand
wielding a forceful deadly shield
equalizes and makes the martial difference
entertaining a safe and level playing field
where everyone can equally excrete
all their internal rage and pent-up heat
now that July 1st has passed
now that July 4th has come at last
what is there to celebrate
should we celebrate
all these national failures
is there a rational flag
equally created bearing any shape or colour
are there people anywhere
waving about saving peace
save some noble street parade
entreating a truly compassionate feeling
where varied beliefs might even integrate
uniting countries everywhere
but we humans have failed miserably
star struck patriots should look in a mirror
realize they are part of their country's complete failure
so many compromised people are hungry
living in treachery and absolute fear
social failure is a modern reality
if we have eyes to see
those hordes of clenched upraised fists  
wrenching complicated days
entrenched both far and near
so many countries and nations
pathetically fail poor and average citizens
corporate law continually skews
new planetary decisions
the common view is derision
raw soulless business
screws the world over
mirroring demonic denizens
there's this domino effect
screwing the world over
spewing pollution and environmental degradation
not correcting things that demonize
that's not progressive education
not what good-hearted people
can honestly rationalize
no one would ever call correct
colonialism fascism racism
imperialism capitalism communism
these misguided isms erecting
every dangerous house of cards
when hurricanes spell out realistic ism
in real terms of relative humanism
people should wake up
realizing humanity is hard
greatness does not celebrate misguided ism
all those made up countries
made up doctrines people hail
which continue to superlatively fail
celebrating and parading
overcrowded stables
full of unstable and unreal egoism
if there is anything
we should celebrate
it should be stable and capable nature
since so far at least
some of providential nature has survived
beyond our careless reckless
heartless human greed and cataclysm

                            * * *

 

in the
rambling desert
there are
ambling dunes
that will
sing to you
infinite camels
will speak
definitive tongues
as the blessed
defining moon
comes out
redefining night
being poetic
a kinetic lover
your companion
when a burning
generous bush
passionately appears
if a serpent
slithers near
hissing prophecy
predictably flicking
a forked tongue
tasting tepid
night desert air
you'll know nothing
is certain
that burning
compassionate bush
rationally exhibiting
a mysterious marvel
a brilliant glow
may be light
an unmarked
irrational way
demand you
heedlessly follow
that serpent's
slithering trail
blatantly towards
morning's dawn
forward to
a yawning sea
black scorpions
shall fondly
proudly attack
challenging you
tawny sand dunes
will react
commanding you
even if
the starry sky
is sparkling
gleaming emerald
or radiantly blue
if you find
an orange oasis
that isn't
a velveteen mirage
but something
believably true
with fruiting
date palms
and a bubbling
refreshing spring
good God
will send you
certainly beyond
that able store
instruct you
somehow sail
across an unknown
fervent sea
before your
heart and soul
will ever
be truly free
before your
weary eyes
could ever
realize
that you are
remarkably
the same
as me
what if
every ocean
markedly turned
to sand
what if
every and all
continental land
intentionally turned
to dust
God must
want us to
eventually turn
to ochre
then red
a rusty must
with all
that dry
ancient sand
enveloping
our ambling souls
how far
can we
ever ramble
should we
amply speak
in ancient
foreign tongues
what if
all our
goats and horses
grew wings
suddenly
flew away
would God
wake us
from that
rueful dream
speak in flames
tell us
we aimlessly
just can't
gainfully stay
what if
that hissing
serpent stopped
to lick and taste
our very
anxious souls
that stinging scorpion
lead us to
a deserted mountain top
where exists
no desert
fruiting palms
or bubbling springs
where champion
winged demons
senselessly appear
sending us
to another
distant shore
more over
both heart and soul
is shackled
so we could
never be free
so we would
no matter
how clever
would never
clearly see
the light
surely know
what's right
never know
you are
the same
as me
would another
vast desert
appear to us
or would
the universe
suddenly dissolve
if rambling
sand dunes
can't resolve
this world
maybe Mars
is where
we all
should be
that finger
perfect entropy
of eternal God
a reaching hand
that divine
imagined creator
a sacred earth
this blessed innovator
wondrous and great
embarkation's negotiator
caringly revealing
some eternal fate
would remarkable heaven
unlock some golden gate
welcome us in
or would heaven's door
be securely closed
because we
this human species
could never
be compassionate enough
convince divinity
that we've been
good enough
rate well enough
to unlock
that shuttered
cosmic gate

         * * *

 

these roots
I feel
beneath my feet
anchoring
the whole of me
my very soul
to this bountiful spot
my heart and limbs
convincingly fixed
to what I've got
in this trim place
mixed by time
this betwixt space
where life rhymes
there is ample distance
consistently far beyond
insistent tumbling
but rumbling thunder
in one rhythmic instance
I woke to wonder
imagining what
that humbling view
might truly be
troubling too
without these
intrepid tangled roots
withholding me
without songs
suddenly without reason
void of this place
mangled images
yet respectfully true
without rights
painting the sorry sky
melancholy blue
vexed by so many
tainted fickle wrongs
such storied angles
without these
strong deep roots
I can't help
but wonder
how and why
this inept world
could exist
or would
this adept living
universe be
nothing more
than spilt milk
some existential mist
perhaps just a bit
of grimy murk
could needled trees
start new
a few leaf out
would wingless bees
ever or never
buzz about
I'm a deciduous one
inked and infused
midst a musing forest
my inkling thumb
bemusing humanity
these wrinkled digits
revealing some
flexed ideals
sometimes curled and rigid
indexing other
growing trees
not neglecting
pollinating bees
I've tried unfurling
raising anchor
navigating on
seeking some
or other
earthly spot
if uprooted life
is just a wandering plot
yet still vibrates and rhymes
somehow wearing
another cogent face
in some other
much less distant
sacred place
tear out
these shallow roots
escape if
we can
believe in
some other
spoken after plan
talk faithful man
walk about
tread another
vast unknown span
let us be
like our earth mother
let mature cones plummet
from this very summit
verily to the ready ground
spread viable seeds
look after
those lasting
various earthly
genetic needs
let the varied sea
birth upon
every alien
sandy shore
something
a rising
expansive tide
can't resist
or simply hide
convinced since
abiding seas
must float
uprooted trees
what trusting nature
lustfully seizes
rafts of beginnings
uplifted by divine stature
a constant sailing notion
navigating wherever
forever in motion
revising each and every ocean
yet venerably contented
advisedly attempting
as this redemptive world pleases

                    * * *

 

I just can't forget
the way you touched
my heart and soul
I know I talk too much
you couldn't help
but walk away
those wondrous days
we spent by the sea
all those nights
we made love together
under the brilliant moon
beneath a myriad of treasured stars
just you and me
unfazed by jealous Mars
I just won't ever
let all of you go
even though
so many days
have come and gone
since you left me grieving
leaving on that sad dawn
all those magic moments
when you kissed me
I passionately kissed you too
love just wouldn't
couldn't let us be

           * * *