Shy Ghost Confesses

Happiest I've ever been,
unseen, between, at edge
no pressure, no one needs me.
I see, hear, understand,
no burden of being seen,
heard, understood, free.
Haunting is my heaven.

Off

Sky heat bleached
too pale for summer.
Not quite right.

Air too still too hot
exhaust tainted
Not quite right.

Grass parched, trees
faded barely green
not quite right.

Shoppers intent
blank faced, rushed
not quite right.

Mind exhausted,
holds against fear.
not quite right.

To Be Continued

Each time I think
the circle's spun,
layer spirals off.
I've just begun.

Acceptance

I know I can't catch stars
in a magic jar, release
each for wish come true.
I have to settle for stars
in the night sky, opportunities
I don't control or wish for.

Mourning

Mourning is made of yesterdays,
endures today,
denies tomorrow.

Wishing for a Boomerang

I wish it were that simple,
what you give out
comes back to you.
It is sometimes true,
a tendancy, not a rule.
If being good and kind
could assure only
goodness and kindness
would fall on those I love,
you bet I'd be up for sainthood.
If fairness assured fairness,
I know I'd never cheat.
It doesn't work like that.
Innocents starve every day.
Villians take power, thrive.
Life isn't like a boomerang.
I wish it were that simple.

Risk

Yesterday I read about a young officer
who found his pregnant wife dead in the tub.
Probably aneurysim. Cause didn't matter
when he tucked his motherless children
into bed last night or when he found her
shoes under the table or had to look
in her purse to find a number to cancel
her appointments, explain her absence.
Marriage risks that kind of loss,
whole fiber of family unwoven in
the moment a heart does not beat.
Yet he risked it. I risked it twice.
Love is stronger than loss.

Nonfielders Prayer

Please don't make me shortstop.
Too many balls, too hard, too fast,
too many choices, stakes too high.
I'd rather bring you lemonade but
If I must play, but me in right field
where at least I can see trouble coming.

Magician

Out of lake mist
magician all in white
reaches for round moon,
sings owl song, sways,
chants to night wind.
Transforms light to wood.

Inheritance

If I should die
before you are ready,
remember I loved my life.
I rode wild waves,
got knocked around,
came up with treasures.
hiked steep hills,
foot in front of foot,
came down in peace.
I didn't get it all right.
I know I hurt you.
You know I'm sorry.
I've told you.
Keep what gives you strength.
Remember what heals you.
If I should die
before you are ready.
Remember I loved my life.

Final Draft

Each word, breath, move, choice
reflection,deflection construct
my submission to the Book of Life.

Night Circus

Tight rope quivers,
hard to balance in the dark.
hard to juggle hope and fear.
Night terrors lurk
No net until dawn.

Who?

Ice house swirls with faces,
waitress, couples, pin ball kid.
Voices laugh, murmur, rail.
Thought rises from mind shadows.
Who will be next to die?
How? When? Don't ask why.

If We Hide our Faces

If we hide our faces,
We will miss our reflections,
If we hide our reflections,
we will miss our expressions,
If hide our expressions,
we will miss our intentions.
If we miss our intentios,
we will miss our essence.
If we lose our essence,
we will disappear.