Featherless

(clipped version)

sometimes
when no one is looking
I reach to the sky
and say 'here it is!'
among other things

a skyward reach
is quite common
among
featherless
bipeds

Interviews

there are p's and q's
to mind, and whys
and wherefores
to find, and shoes
to be well shined...

...shirt ironed
glasses cleaned
eyes and hands and body
each with something to say

Do you wonder
sometimes
about interviews?
I do.

Plane sight

I can't see it from here
but I hear the distant drone
of a small plane in the clear sky
beyond my trees

soon it fades
for me, at least
while for the pilot
it's just vibration

Lindbergh stayed awake
by keeping the window open
could have nearly touched the water
and saw things

What a day
to be in France
and see the little plane
come down to land

Nuts by the door

A small handful of nuts
almonds, to be precise
slightly salted, in a jar
kept by the door

they came from -
who knows where
like hundreds of other things
within a few steps

the paint stays on the wall
for quite a while
then needs some attention
this happens so slowly

the bug on the window screen
behaves much like all the others
that have been there before
it's a popular place

my dog has gray hair
around her eyes
she walks carefully
and seems to smile

Dyslogia

There is no practice for substitute. This invert is logicated. The Fall in Spain rains plainly on the mane. Some sort this will get all dayed out. I get friends with a little bye from my help. I just love someone to need. And I someday pray that you will mean what I see.

Chance Meeting

synchronicity in the city
delayed driving
predetermined parking
not at all what I was expecting
but there you were

vanishment

letters and meaning
released, unmade
beyond retrieval

Back Yard Gig

summertime back yard
aged brick
elegant with ivy
mulched landscape
tables, chairs, and a breeze

from work early by freeway
plenty of time
and grass to play on
a neighbor's dog howls
warming up

wheel and carry
past cooler and concrete
out by the plants
black boxes of sound
guitar cases laid by

electrical details
roadiless plans
configurations figured
microphones standing
the power light on

guests arrive
meander
the dog has gone quiet
time to play
set list gently blown across the yard

they seem to like it
more guitar, cowbell, etc.
lovely wooden drumset
resting on the grass
how unknown

a song about dolphins
unheard until now
back yard premiere
the neighbors seem
to be ok

done
at a reasonable hour
sunlight remaining
freeway cruise
coffee house next

Undrained

The water stands
reeking, opaque
my rolled-up sleeve
wet, patience consumed

decisively,
a large bucket below the
plug, and a large wrench
yes, and with a few turns

it is amazing
how well water
runs along an arm
down to my shoes

but that was before
and breathing is easy
while the laundry
quietly spins

In the Still Quiet Night

In the still quiet night
the cat asks to be in
and I open the door

The sun will be up before long
time to get some rest soon
but first a few words

Life goes by
You can't always get what you want (thank you, Mick)
Trying does matter

Sometimes
you really are in the best place
though it may not seem so

Other times
the answers aren't around

It's good to have a place to eat and sleep

Some people have incredibly good sense
most of the time

can't get past the feeling
it's all been said before

electricity is amazing

and so is water

it's really time
to get some rest

see you later
...

Morning Boot

Awake is a relative term
with a mix of components
that boot up each day

and depending on the state
things were left in
it may take longer

years sometimes

like Descartes
undoubtedly
thinking comes first

or does it
since it may be possible
to be awake without thinking

yes, I'm sure I've seen this

then there is the phenomenon
of warming up
half an hour at least for violin

wide awake
are we ever there
or does it keep shifting

not a simple on/off question

Father's Night

Several children
have lived here
all their lives
(well, except the eldest)
along with a few dogs, cats,
and the odd lizard or two.

This house is simple
more cabin than house
first conceived and built
100 years ago (nearly)
there is almost room
and lots of light

The dishes are washed
at the sink.

The warm air is blown
by fans.

The trees house various
squirrels, birds, and bugs.

There have of course been:
trips to the emergency room
broken windows
formal complaints, and
boyfriends staying too late

But what I remember tonight
is holding each of them
to comfort and calm
and laying them down
to sleep

cell phones, et cetera

cell calls to cell
to reach, to touch
to exchange codes
to create, to grow

et cetera

this sea of infinitives
begins, and rarely, or falsely
ends, as the ancient
Coelacanth shows (yet so rare)

and ancient western-speak
sings loftily to the wind
while millions drive past, and
cell calls to cell

we hold these phones
to be self-evident,
to pursue happiness,
and let the sound of freedom ring

[I finally got a cell phone]

pre-storm poem

Hail in the west -
thunder echos
and inland seagulls
cry misplaced tunes

my glass of wine
thoughtfully waits
while lightning queues up

light wind gusts
brush leaves
then subside

a loon flies past
hurried, warning
of approaching brilliance

Last Call

wordless whispers, a
last call for help, in
language of depth-bound ships

calm water belies
the history of lost hopes
and dreams

this too,
shall have been
forgotten

childlike writing
puts questions
where they belong

and each day
has its own
questions

o my fugitive,
my wild, wild
fugitive

forgotten lines
remembered late

remembered
late

remembered

late

Finding a few moments

Reach down behind the sofa cushion,
and find a coin, or failing that,
a pin that stirs the wisdom of sight

Pull the refrigerator out from the wall,
reach for the broom, erase
evidence of long quiet months

Feet make scuffled patterns
and stop too soon, no footnotes
while others scurry on, searchless

Time passes, untired, moves
dreamless, imaginary construct
of elusive substance

Time Brakes

(for no one)

Sticker on the bumper
Passing opportunity
Knocks me over

Days of silence
Will return
On the way back

Thinking of you
Wish you were here
Ciao for now

uncomposed

the notes

were not

written

Fence Memory

Many years ago
I built this fence
to keep the dog 'in'

Now, the gate can stand open
and the dog just looks

When I was nailing the final pickets onto the rails,
a neighbor girl (who was used to cutting through)
made one last run and slipped through the space -
her smile is still etched in my mind.

Gentle June

This morning
I sample the heavy metal
from a link on my son's website

I remember spending hours
listening to those big plastic disks
via diamond transduction

The sound of the needle
sliding across grooves
like life jarred off-track

It's a lovely quiet morning
Birds and distant traffic
and a clicky keyboard

The first cup of tea
tall children waking up
telling me their dreams