Un-Breaking

The young poet gazed at the ancient face
the Moon took no notice, although
she made an exception to the clouded night
and shone brightly to shred cover to gauze.

Inspired by the moon-showered night,
where the near orb suspends
against a sea of eternal jewels- the young poet
wrote small words that carried an enormity
-a moment that overwhelmed her breath.

Then she gathered- unbreaking her cut glass heart-
small notions and tinkling moon beams
to soothe the lonely syllables, and join them
on a string of boundless love

res publica

The pale and wantful look shook me from sleep,
the public incarnate, a troubled beast;
its needy and baleful sounds make me weep.

The deadly hunt in slow but ceaseless sweep
deceivers, caught by friends it feared the least;
the pale and wantful look shook me from sleep.

No sanctuary found, where shadows creep
beneath the cross, greed is still High Priest;
its needy and baleful sounds make me weep

In precious palms a destiny of truth to keep
an hopeful face to dawn’s crawl from the east
the pale and wantful look shook me from sleep.

Hidden on dark roof tops, a tragic leap
delivered to capture, hoist on falsities.
Its needy and baleful sounds make me weep.

In pitch it fell, a numb and blinded heap,
Aswirl in chaos, and mocked by foes at feast
the pale and wantful look shook me from sleep
Its needy and baleful sounds make me weep.

Villanelle No. 23

Through distance, though you are far, far away
I hold you close in vivid memories
I smiled as I heard your laughter today

T’was a passing moment I’d wished would stay
The kind that lift spirit to peace and ease
Through distance, though you are far, far away

An image – my hand, sand, a windy day
As I fold to hold it, you watch me squeeze…
I smiled as I heard your laughter today

Like droplets of sunlight piercing the gray
Warm rise fills the eyes, so likely to please
Through distance, though you are far, far away

in mumbled sounds and soft touches, we pray
a certain gratitude to mysteries
I smiled as I heard your laughter today

As I let thoughts wander, and mind at play
Idly speak your name, and breathe wistfully
Through distance, though you are far, far away
I smiled as I heard your laughter today