I remember
holding you
those gentle nights
irreplaceable moments
out in your rambling garden
when the humbling stars came out again
all those bright southern lights
we watched the wonder of the Southern Cross
like pieces of Australia and Antarctica
prayers finding their way to heaven
all the sweet kisses in the world
those cherished garden nights
such is garish love
like a storm in my heart
I dare to hold you close
even though we're far apart
closer than a heartbeat
closer than a kiss
you're in me
I'm in you too
some warm summer night
when the hot day has given out
when twilight has launched arrows into my heart
I'll hold you in my arms
we'll swirl in that torrid dream together
while the charming stars come out
all those exceptional reasons we're apart now
twirling like a myth somehow
whirling words that made little sense
changing furious seasons in space
those hard kisses we'll never share again
passionate memories of you in that special place
grace can be my only recompense
perhaps when we wake from this stolid dream
we'll find ourselves in that charmed place again
we'll share ripe peaches and sweet cream
love says the stars revolve around myth and romance
so I'll hold you close and kiss you
while we join with the adventurous stars
there we'll explore each others eyes
wrap each other in our arms
burning bright like blazing stars
as we dance across the love crazed sky

  
   
                             * * *

those ideas we sow
planting seeds
just below a scratched up surface
many grow free
beacons of hope
sprout and bloom
annuals
two linear things
crouched side by side
along another garden row
I'm giving biennials some room
but those other things we plant
perennials and shrubs
juicy berries and long lived trees
those other amazing things
planting wonders for the future
today we nurture
tomorrow's garden story
that music we play and hear
all those notes we hold so dear
a dance with nature
only love no fear
clearly sacred value
talking the same language
planting the same seeds
we're nurturing our wondrous gardens
not just for today's everyday needs
but for future glory and future seeds
all that mothering energy out of the earth
delicious nectar feeding the world
utter joy found in this garden mirth
such sweet fruit as the world unfurls
   
    
                        * * *

I thought of you

throughout the night
 
dreaming about
 
where we'd been
 
together then
 
you and I
 
but when dawn came
 
you were gone
 
when trill morning broke
 
you weren't there
 
when the sun
 
called out your name
 
you had disappeared
 
when the still day cried out
 
love had come and gone
 
wond'ring how we had all gone wrong
 
just as I had always feared

 
 
                   * * *

I wrote my name in the sky again
when the sun refused to shine
I told the worms in the earth
you were never mine
I sang a familiar hymn
a vow of the earthly divine
reminding me of all those lost words
words that sounded like both yours and mine
that high familiar ground
we both tumbled off that mound
that pounding fall from grace
from love's quiet loving place
those unfounded words we both mumbled
turning away as we stumbled
instead of speaking clearly
face to face
I carved your name in my heart again
when all the light in my life refused to shine
when dark night came again
I cried for you
no love or shame
still nothing good or true found
no one but myself to blame
just the same
I've buried my feelings
deep in the fearless earth
I've scratched loamy love from my life
I'm a loveless worm again
whatever those segments are worth
  
   
                        * * *

I remember
that summer
so long gone
when we ran
barefoot
across the dewy lawn
after school ended
that new and welcome summer
we fished with our friends
off the old wooden dock
that early morning calm
out at Lac St. Anne
in the gentle summer dawn
do you
remember
a summer trip
long ago
when we all skipped
barefoot
along that dusty country road
cool summer when we camped
in those wild rocky mountains
where restless east meets the crested west
those glorious snowy peaks
such marvelous vestments at sunrise
glacial testaments with majestic sunsets
relative mountains in that objective place
where living trees reach out
wanting to marry the loving sky
such ancient history
sentient mysteries we envision
those youthful visions we create
childhood's creative mind and hands
landing like a convergence of creative water
rapid rivers conceiving rugged valleys
carving deep gullies
plateaus cradling crystal lakes
that clear thirsting quench
grand with herds of wildlife
all those gems and conceptual trees
convening forest realms
existential creationism
such conventional moral schisms
rational childhood divisions
summer's bejeweled decisions
exploring the diamond mind
where ruby joy and emerald wonder
show us gemstone dreams of every kind
featuring smooth facets and rough extensions
elements of the quizzical kind
where childhood and spirit walk
talking about every creative part
youth reminding us
a shower of creative life
with some remembrance
some semblance in part
of intentional inventions
assembled recreation
rememb'ring innocent summer
those youthful glorious days
when we ran half naked and barefoot
children at our best
young eyes and hearts
awed by rare summer sights
like flightless chicks in a nest
that canvas of starry night stillness
sheltering the spotted fawn
if you could
remember where we stood
the graceful doe with her new born fawn
nature's summer frill and freedom
I remember manicured summer lawns
where we tumbled until September's chill
remembrance without a rumble of contention
virtuous we're humbly still connected
that long gone childhood 
sweet memories
of all that innocence
those childhood intentions
  
  
                 * * *

this current
rushing stream
at times a perilous waterfall
some crush dream
alarm it seems
this covid-19
like lush Christmas
rushed and disappointing
and utterly lonely
like blustery Easter
the dead and the dying
disjointed by conflicting crosses and a reckless past
liberal lightning makes me believe
there are confederate storms that shall last
appointed by the democratic lord of the world
Ra speaks to earth's insurgents
things broken are broken
echoing a morbid resurgence
recurring broken dams
landslides and trust emergencies
comets are storming the night sky
emerging trends forming in many lands
summer storms urgently remind
fire sales should be last resorts
bureaucracy and pageantry of every kind
reckoning angles with supporting reports
some mindful invention
surfing every intentional wave
intent economic power
cohorts with executive retort
propaganda boosted by blowhards
supreme executive raves
all those respected glittering rivers
slivering glaciers once freely gave
reeling regency into urgency
reckoning and the steely world court
  
                 
                        * * * 

those words and visions
inside our heads
those times that made us
laugh and cry
by and by
seeing all our dreams
as restless clouds
in the relentless sky
i was born on the tenth
on the eleventh
i wore feathers
in my hair
war paint
rearranging
my tattooed face
my squinting eyes
staring into the duplicitous sun
gauging autumn's fall and old man winter
in that dreamy stead
waiting for lilac spring and sunflower summer
all those carrot top words and broccoli visions
salad dreams in my winter bed
those cold dark times
starvation almost saw us die
by and by
all our replacement dreams
complacency so it seems
we can only try and try
cookies for breakfast
donuts for lunch
cake for supper
wonders and stars
adoring the steadfast sky

  

  
                                   * * *