A Prayer

When there’s no person you can talk to

What you say just goes into the air
Alone since no one understands you
Don’t dispair
Say a prayer
Whatever your religious persuasion
Feelings  must go somewhere 
There is always a heart to receive them
Don’t dispair 
Say a prayer 

Tenderness

They said it was a mere cat

Just an animal, a pet
The dog who happily ran to me
Every day for fifteen years
But they creased my soul 
With welcomed familiarity
Their loss brought a tear
It’s not that they are human
I won’t  resort to caricatures
But once loved, they endure 
Don’t despise those who are tender
Toward any living thing
Lives that creased my soul deeply
Welcome and familiar people
Not all are still around 
I have cried for them 
Mentors and those I mentor 
Find a place in my heart
Close and distant friends 
I won’t accept caricatures
They are vibrant and alive
Never apologize
Nor try to justify
Tenderness   
 
 

Milkweed

While lying in the grass, dreaming

I felt a gentle breeze
A milkweed silk floated by 
Suddenly I was aloft too
And someone had joined me
In white painter pants
We skipped along alfalfa tops 
That quickly gave way 
To a pond and Lilly pad flowers
A turtle stretched his neck to see
And a frog just missed us with his tongue
We laughed at how silly it had become
It was the perfect date 
We drifted higher into the trees
By a nest of hungry baby birds 
Droplets of water fell from the leaves
And we dodged them by leaning together
Then we passed through familiar gardens 
Our miniature view brought out beauty 
Exceeding all we could ever ask for. 
But the dream had to end
As we lighted onto a porch 
Where the fun started 
We smiled at each other 
And said … goodnight.  




What I Ought

I ought to turn away

The words are in the air
But every way I turn 
I see you standing there
As unlikely as it seems
And careless I must be
My thoughts just go on back
I cannot get them free
With every ounce of strength
I try to keep it cool
Everything I do
Makes me look a fool

Give a Care

I I visited a place; where no one gave a care

They didn’t wear nice cloths; they didn’t do their hair
They hate each other’s guts; no one’s ever fair
When there was a need; they they’d only stand and stare
No one tried to work; all their time was spare. 
Cars are always parked; they’re not going anywhere
Content to live their lives; avoiding pain to bear
Life is nothing more than a sordid self affair
They’re always all alone; nothing’s ever shared
The only cards they play is the game of solitaire 
They can’t experience love; their hearts are in despair
I tried to help them out, but they acted unaware 
If someone listened up; I would just declare
Where no one has concern; love is never there

Savoring

I write a letter every day

It seems there’s still so much to say
Conversations every night
Just to make my heart feel right
It’s not sad and I’ll be fine 
I’m always staying in the lines
A void inside for a while
Memories that make me smile
Discoveries oh how I love
Savoring the little stuff
Time can still be a friend
Exposing things that never end
 

Seasons

As the leaves shed their green

And we lose the warming breeze
Like a kite the hammock swings 
The birds we love no longer sing
Mesquitos cease to bite
Geese begin their flight
We’ll be alright
Seasons come, refreshing change
Loss and gain in full parade
If we fight and fret the loss
Joy and hope become the cost 
Look ahead, a welcome sight
Time will come for our delight
We’ll be alright
 

The Cure

You’re acting so devine
Gotta keep my thoughts in line 
Seeking for a sign
In the stars
Hate to be so emphatic 
But my nerves have kinda had it
Maybe I’m an addict
So they say
Your thinking I’m demure
But I’ve always been sincere
I’m just looking for a cure
Can we find it? 

Claims

Reality claims that we’ll never be

I am a dreamer and you are a dream
We’re still together in some galaxy
I look to the stars for our story
Every night When I stand in my yard
I watch how happy we are in the stars
Lay my head on the pillow and visit you there
We’ll hang out together where nobody cares.