Now this thing about losing stuff.
You know at my age, it is not enough
You cannot be other than joking.
Or of my age the micky you are poking.

If only I could just find my way around
Need a map for this house and surrounds.
Each day is a challenge to us old folks here
Where did I put it, as it just isn’t there?

Do you need a list, or shall I just mention a few
I hit my head on a beam, lost memory it seems
My glasses were on my head the other day
I searched to see where they had strayed.

often I think about
getting off the train of thoughts
at times it's menacing
the sound of the roller coaster
speeding on parallel tracks
leaving a trail of absent thoughts
whirring behind in a flash
before I turn around
they are gone

I get off at the next stop
to cool my heels
but the siren of the engine
draws me in
on the same seat
that had me occupied

I realize I'd left behind
some worn out baggage
with stillborn poems

O for poetry that has to smite,
cite a history, bold and might,
invite decades that already passed,
dare then thou claim that words don't last,  those that ignite! And poetry yet has the writ,
for tears to fall, and fears to drift,
for trees to burgeon and buds to bloom,
dare thou then claim the poet's doom, thou who hast wit!

Shimmering through the haze of heat
bent hyphens circle far away
as they mark their swollen treat.
I change course toward them at mid-day.

Two miles through this desert land
like a wall I hit the stench of battle
just as the vultures start to land
and death beetles begin to prattle.

Burnt machines of modern war
with different symbols on their side.
Is that all this fight was for?
Far above crows call and glide.

I have had
so many awakenings
the glint of sunlight
on black stone
colorful fabric unfurling
in the wind
on sea or
backyard clothesline
the lively caw
of a quick-
eyed crow
and the rooftop
it flies from
somebody’s phrase
like a key
unlocking a door
in my soul
and yet my soul
climbs back
into the bed of darkness

We wear each other’s reflection
We carry each other’s shadow

We wear each other’s sorrows
We carry each other’s terror of darkness

Some guide us to pillars of marble
Others lead us to the wildflowers

At times my eyes see the veils of light
At times others see the dew of milky way

We can wear each other’s smiles
We can hide in the masks of sadness

So these words touch you somewhere
And you touch back.

I turn off the radio's tin clatter voices
they detract from the matter at hand
which is here, like a mandated choice
that knocks you sideways with a command

That tells of winds immaterial source
and drives the arrows of searching rain
into a long dry land, riven
from the sobriety of a dry course

The rain, blast aslant by the bellow of spring,
its first longing chant, in retreat, the winter wind
I watch as it transcribes buildings dry wood grey
into soaking red brown blocks, the droplets impale.

A new day is born
plants have newer leaves
spring had sprung
now will bring seeds

apples and oranges and watermelons and pineapples ,
yes peaches and pears
berries all kinds
grape vine
red wine

plenty of bananas

all just nature's
gifts free
but man will en-cash it
all do see

so behind your houses
in the lawns
plant guava trees
be happy its a sweet drink
and also for the mind
a nourishing ink

On the old steps Tomcat watches the cars.
He waits for the Man to return home,
to share a can of sardines, and perhaps
to sit with him on the porch,
while he is drinking his beer.

But today is a rainy day.
The man will not show up until late.
He will go directly from work to the bar
and come back with a girl.

Sometimes they are nice to the cat
and pour him a few drops of creamer,
they have with their coffee.

Tomcat does not like rainy days,
but he likes when girls scratch his ear.

Hold your soldiers,
hold your thugs,
hold your fire
against the people.
The nations are thirsty
for peace and unity.

Stand together,
stand for all,
stand to build all in one.
the future is crying,
the future is scary.
but the nature has it's laws,
nature justifies.

I hear a child cries,
for his parents are no more.
take the baby
give him life.
For him the nations are ours.
Our nations, our prides,
We must save the nations.