self is a shadow that follows the spirit

They say that champagne
is a celebratory thing
with it's bubbles flowing
from bottom to top
like some ethereal dance,
or lesson about life's hard work.

Don't give me that;
it's just alcohol
fermented in a slightly different way.

The Russians prefer their vodka,
down south they drink Mezcal.
I'll just get what I can get
and call it a night.

There’s a feeling in the air
That brings me back to here or there
A special moment in my life
From childhood or with my ex-wife
And I’m aware I can’t go back
It’s something like a heart attack
It makes me gasp for precious air
It feels so strong, it isn’t fair
The two-edged sword of memory
Reliving what we used to be
The feeling is so bitter-sweet
But I think, what if we didn’t meet?
What if I didn’t take that job?
Smile so wide or heavy sob?
A pocket of the atmosphere

There in the evenings darkened sky
An old moon struggled to light the heavens
It is the same moon that sends its light to you.
There when you look up we see the same

The moonbeams give no warmth to us
Yet as it is seen by us both at the same time,
It seems to smile, and warm our ways
In that instant it has joined our feelings

In the knowledge that it joined us together
In that same instant without a mention of time.
Glow on old moon, you are a quiet to my soul. .
There I can see love reflected in your glow

leaves perish, baring branches, trees grieve a generation gone,
...........................................................................................................

There is undoubtedly nothing perfect
in human strife
be it living with a girlfriend
or a lovely wife
all seek perfection in a boy friend
hardly one anyone can find
yet we all must keep perfection in mind
and
strive to be the best that we can be
let the rivers of perfection flow
the aromas of roses blow
and
as we trudge along the vast loneliness
in the universe ….
let’s compose poetry terse
in all kinds of verse
freestyle or Western
and
keep the imagination far behind

If I have any advice today
it's this:
today, don't be a shark.

Doubtless, son,
you will want to swim
and indeed fool yourself into thinking
that going against the current will build your resolve.
Believe me, it will not.

Sharks are muscular things
when you look past the sets of teeth
all pointed up
like razors in their wide
gaping mouths.
But if they don't swim
they sink;
and today I am in no mood for sinking.

to some l o v e is a four letter word, to some a mirage, a heartbeat for the gifted
......................................................................................................................

What caught my initial gaze
was eyes of deepest emerald green.
I didn't hardly see much else
as I fell into them.

Next came that cheerful lilting laugh
which rang out often through the day
and matched perfectly the happy voice
released by diminutive form

I soon learned the perfect fit
we made when we came together
and my fingers ran through that fine hair
with the perfume of summer love

All these thing from long ago
tell of why I once loved you