Blue Moon Dance

Riding rolling fields, these ancient oaks
Begin to dance and wave their ancient arms
Again as blackened branches scratch the sky.

It is the blue moon dance of anchored bark.

12/23/2003
-Paso Robles earthquake-

Holding On

I’m a kid again, flying in circles around my dad.
“Hold on!” I scream as a dizzy blur of houses,
Trees and summer grass race by.

He laughs at me, then shifts to supersonic speed.
I hear the wind and look at him to see
His smiling face relishing the joy
Of giving joy away.

1/27/2001
-photo credit to Cliff Philipiah-

Open the Door

Open the door and let its swinging
Breathe life into the room.
There’s fresh air in your smile
And blue sky in your every word.

Sit on my softest chair and tell me
All about today’s adventures
Before you have to leave. I’ll bring
The milk and apple pie.

Open the door and scatter all
The dusty shadows of the past.
Chase the tears with gentle hands
Upon my sandy cheeks.

Hold me tightly with your eyes
And ‘I love you’s.’
Just open the door and wish you
Didn’t have to leave again.

12/23/2000

Haiku Beachu

The beating shoreline
Thunders like a ravished heart
In a winter’s storm.

12/3/1999

Abstract

This rusty abstract, recreated with
Each healthy step, lies behind me – still
And silent – waiting for another breath
Of air to orchestrate a brand-new dance.

11/28/1999

Harney Lane

Barbed wire redwings, guarding yellow seas.
Waist high wild oats kissing vineyard green.
Plaid cherry pickers climbing ladders high.
Red, white and blue cemetery sky.

5/30/1999
Memorial Day trip to the landfill

So Misunderstood

September’s sissy hides behind the shadows,
While October’s bully blows smoke ring “O’s”
Around the neighborhood.
“So misunderstood,”
Say November’s chattering busybodies.
“He’s really a sweet little boy, but odd. He’s
So misunderstood –
Strangely strange, but good.”

9/30/1996

Morning Dusk

The nights are longer now – that blaze of glory
I used to see stealing up the grass
And roses is hiding east of the Sierra.
Maybe you can catch it when I leave.

Our little friends are later every day.
Like you, they’d rather catch an extra wink
Of sleep before they brave the cat’s meow.
It’s almost time to flutter out of bed.

The engine’s gentle rumbling is my song –
A giant, snoring beyond the backyard lawn.

8/26/1996

 

Hanging Out

Mosquito eater just flew by.
I see his brother hanging high –
Caught and strangled in a web –
I do believe he’s very dead.

They like to hang out at our door,
Little knowing what’s in store!

5/2/1996

O, Priceless Paragraph

Praise thee, priceless paragraph.
One word thou never wert.
Meander, lecture, make me laugh;
Serve daydreams for dessert.
Cliche or chaff, I’ll not complain
About thy boring best.
Just ravish me with rare refrains
Or jolt my soul in jest.

The ages all agree to treasure thee
With gabble, gossip, grins and grateful glee!

12/3/1998