Mal'trition

O the sweet smell of a bitter taste!
What honey glazed the nostrils
has wrenched a hole in the stomach.
Outpours all feigned illusions
in perfumed spittle the bleed bliss.
Once ingested this intrinsic virus
mutilates eyes, tongue, and soul.

Such flowers, though, that bring this bile.
Largest roses, drenched in color.
Cherry blossoms brimming with joy.
Lilies that wander into smiles.
Such promises must break a heart.
Not all such flowers are poison
but wisdom's gaze must learn the roots.

At each base there is a glorious desire!
Wanting and having are two sides of experience's coin.
'Tis flowers too quick offered
in microwave speed that renege.
These have broken bones through mal'trition,
severed not served, broken not built.
Beware the impulse that betrays.

Discliplin'

Treacheries arise from my attempts.
Broken fingernail chips in the wall.
Rock hard standards without footholds.
Ascent is found in the release.
Not of my arms but of Your blood.

Wobble blind traces in unseen paths.
Toddle on legs bent from gravity.
Rubber and road can't catch each other.
Movement is found on worn. knees
Not of my legs but of Your feats.

Slamming syllables accidentally wreak pain.
Spark fires from feral tongue's gas.
Poison drips in each sip loads the gun.
Harmony beckons a foreign breath.
Not of my mouth but of Your word.

Sunset

Smile glimpses His lips.
Twists in the moist air.
Glancing tinge of His wrist.
Setting the light just, right, there.

Piercing through the void.
Calling out a name.
Could merriment around His fingers.
Never twice the same.

Water colored grace sears the sky.
Sunshine face basks the halo of twilight.
Flamed mountains cast off the day.
Sky-formed story as He tucks us goodnight.

Friendly Firing

I teeter on knife edges.
Push me up.
Hold my tongue.
Grab, shove.
Harder!
Pain twists the tears to drink.
Quenches my thirst for blood.
Keeps me balanced in ocean cliffs.
Not too soft.
Healing gives clear thoughts some time.
Hammer and hold.
Cycle to and fro in a sea's rock.
Let my cradle fall until I see again.
Then cease again and I'll subside.
When the tide comes in
get me out.
Fear keeps priorities straight.
Keeps the water flowing.
Cools the hate.

Now,
hit me one more time.




Thanks to Mike for this Saturday's inspiration, "Hit people so they can feel release through pain."

Trucked Up

Hook my head
and crane my shoulders.
Help me from the ground.
Train my tracks
to steer clear the boulders;
to listen for Your sound.

Lift my chest
out of the smolders.
Revive me to be to Your heart, bound.
Guide my limbs
grown fully colder.
Burst life into my quaking mound.

Fuel my feet
to Your hands crafting.
Yearn my heart to Your glee.
Curl my toes
with metal shafting.
Strengthen my bones, so weak.

Let my tires
turn with Your gaffing.
Latch me to Your will a spree.
Hold my trailer
to follow me following Your rafting.
Rule us until we are set free.

Storm's Fade

Each breath notices
the weight lift.
Each cheek feels
the tear drift.
Gold flows from
the furrows shift.
Magma's burn cools
sealing the rift.

Back with better scope
the target is in aim.
The unleashed dog
finds itself tame.
We built our bridge
and walk over the shame.
We remember the syllables
of our names.

The house fell
from my reins released.
Our walkie-talkies
led our hearts to increase.
The nausea's rage
has finally ceased.
Our hands hold tight,
again at peace.

Rose Gold

We heard tale of the gold at the end.
But our roses were thirsty.
We ran full force, eyes on the rainbow.
But our roses were drying.
A distant dream wet our lips.
But our roses were deserted.
We ran until our age slowed us.
Our roses crinkled black.
We dropped so far away from home
with dead roses we never tried to smell.

Hearts and Heads

Heads bump heads.
Heads bruise hearts.
Hearts berate hearts.

Heads crack heads.
Heads break hearts.
Hearts betray hearts.

Heads war heads.
Heads crush hearts.
Hearts stab hearts.

Heads lose heads.
Hearts heal heads.
Hearts hold hearts.

Heads ignore heads.
Hearts soften heads.
Hearts change hearts.

Heads refuse heads.
Hearts mold heads.
Heads become hearts. 

Plea for Brother-Blood

O Lord, let my words be laced with honey
For the bitter truths I offer as food.
Call brother-man to be brother-blood;
Soften granite hearts to Your woos.

Draw us as flies to Your sweet fruits
and remove our hostile haze.
Syncopate our mouths to Your heart beat
and thread us into Your loving gaze.

When my enemies lash at me,
Strengthen my bones to love;
embolden me to baffle them with kindness
and show them Your mercy is enough.

Let us clasp hands in Your righteousness,
before all time is through.
Before the purge; the cleansing wrath;
before each knee buckles to You.

Little Lots

Love your lot if it's a little.
Each cast may play a different name.
Each etched coin softly combed and whittled
Calls each chance to Maker's gain.

Little lots tip pots to brim
Even when they cannot see.
Smallest spark is dark's chagrin
When the Potter's clay is freed.

When all the lots are parking
And the long road is cold and grim,
Remember whenever embarking,
Every chance is up to Him.

A Lascar Goes to Undersky

On the prow of fortune rides the brawn.
Two handed, blood soaked vigor
works the grand mariner
and breath pulls it by the ears across the sea.

The horizon bends down to kiss the wet cradle
and in the sun's dimming glare red locks appear.
Willow wandered and deeply hued curls
yank the lascar's suspenders to the deck.

Hair wilts away from a wondered face,
illumined of its own accord, quirking her eyebrow
to grow his chest warmer and breathless.
Her pacified lips perk and tempt his grip.

He gives to gravity's plea and a promised embrace.
With ruby lips she grants his wish and coerces him to Undersky.
In slow flight she offers him a final breath from her lungs
and he smiles as the blue grows dim.







Thanks to Kelsey for this Saturday's inspiration, "Mermaid."

Snuggle Day

Sweet release in cheap chinese,
Asian TV shows,
and a perfect nestler
that fits right between the arms.

Long stresses are cut short
in reminding retort of all the rest.
Stay sweet and smiling all the while
and we sift through each other at the next.





For Lyndsay, my chief snuggler.

O Such Wondrous Bounty!

Avail thee to such wondrous bounty!
Success has beckoned my door
to bust hinges to particles of glee!
When searching such ghastly tomb
I did uncover such bliss!
At first my labor was of necessity
and the aging toils of life
but now when once the wrapping was removed
I was shot to the joy surprise's construct!
Enveloped in papyrus in the dark murk
sought a dim green that sung bright
as it was further revealed to the sun's rays!
What brilliant harkening brought my soul to elation!
For this growth of a long forgotten debts
has lain still against deep porters
awaiting once again to be brought forth
to such merriness and pleasures!
For once I saw the Granted eyes
I was caught quick in his stare.
Baffled I yet believed was more riled
when once I saw his brethren!
What chorus did sing to predict such candies?
For this work hath been granted new celebrations
and merriments untold and gladness unabated,
All because I found $75 when cleaning my room.

Sheep/Wolf

I promise I'm still me!

After the bitter repose
I suppose it goes to show
that my old twin face flipped
and dipped a strawberry
into chocolate's temptation
because the sensation promised
arrested hopes to stay
in chain linked ways
that trained my thoughts
to the wrong stations.
The elation and provocation
thrust a new translation
of my foundations
to considering cracks
instead of repairs
and the airs of caution.
Sudden commotions
purged forth the ocean's
of thoughts forgoing blood-boughts
to the boughs of common ships
bowed at the audience's refrain.
In short, my port grew too tall
so I fell into pride's thick garden
fertilized and hardened
by the too-late realized
nightmares of sweetly dreamed beginnings.

I'm sorry.

I bought forget-me-nots
to remember the flower's thorns
born from rocky-path cast seeds
and shed their peddled powers
over the coffin of today's death
to ship to Hell what is Hell's
and ring bell's for the corpse quelled.
Now quenched, the cadaver's lathering
ointment leaves a scent of disappointment
and I ache at the wake it left you in
and the chagrin that breaks your smile
into glimmered tears and tears
shimmered hopes of me
to puzzle pieces in ceaseless shuffle.

I can't keep the pain away,
only muffle the trip and fall
onto boards of nails without practice
and promise that I am better,
even when I forget,
even when I regret,
even when my wolf takes off its wool,
I am still a sheep in hopes of still waters,
soft, suffered songs,
and our fingers entwined.

Faceless Book

Numb eyes twitch
as fingers scroll down.
Small tear tilts its head
before the descent.

Powdered packages
are emptied in the bloodstream.

Eighteen hours
ten minutes
no smiles.
Friend of friend pictures,
smiles of strangers,
giggles of wit.

Curdles tighten their grip.

Lungs sleep and freeze,
eyelids paralyze.
No passion in position.
Drone goes on.

The concrete sets.

Some Dream

Someday,
hope will come home.
Somehow,
everyone still sleeps.
Someway,
dreams can grow.
Some may,
but not all do.

Surpise Brother

An unplanned event spent together
tethers a bond beyond mere expectations.
Gummy bear brawls and wherewithals
with video-ed walls make small celebrations.

Top gears turn and burn a memory's etching
and sketching molds into untold hope.
Maybe now the power will stand and stay
for the joy of unified bretheren's cope.

Light a spark for the first part of a trilogy
and filigree lined frames for each other.
Warm hands on flints spent with the gent
I've always had and known as my brother.






Dedicated to Michael.

Director's Voyage

And so the ship sets sail
zephyr backed and brazen in sunset.
Wood wrought from trees from earth
from buried hopes and loves.
Splash of wine dribbles down the side
and down my squinted smiling cheek.
I make ships and let them go
without any ocean feet for myself.
Now the captain will reign
and the boat will live through sea breeze.
Almost faded into the moon
I wave a soft goodbye,
pack my bag,
release my batted breath,
and go home.


Dedicated to everyone who made The Red Herring possible.

A Red Herring

Cast the line into the deep.
Draw an ocean of work.
Minnows fill blanks
and lake provides walls.
An odd shape pours forth
a proud stepchild of mother.
Haunt now the finishing fish
after labor sought was reeled.
hope was always in the water
but now it emerges strong.
A line and helpful bait
brought all the magic to life.
Sweat and bleeding tears
give breath to a wonder.
Now to release its full grown ilk.
Swim free and know your song.

Stagnangt Love

Distanced lover shadows sit sighing at the fountain's edge.
Barely dripping enough shade into the stagnant water
to ripple a refracted tear, salting a bitter hope.
Once, they brimmed each other's souls, played water's games,
drank its sustenance, splashed footholds in joy.

But the age of bucket-bringing has passed into fear.
Algae found home in between finger wraps,
eating each helpful hand that drifted too close.
Pipes are clogged deep with muddied words, egg shell shoes,
and an attempted pump that was constantly shut down.

Hope for the hard work of grimy hand-holding,
defrosting hearts, digging through mistake ridden sludge.
Pray for desire to spark the engine, purge the wreckage,
and the fountain's song to crest again over fallen loves.
Pull the the sun's path forth, and let the rainbow smiles reign.

Moon Lady

Night's light lack from stars cracked
swirls a skull with galaxies contained.
Fifty million pieces to forty thousand puzzles
collide and loose any sanity gained.

A surprise moon hides behind the horizon
planning a perfect smile for the darkest loom.
Her soft reflection of Daddy's twinkling face
and her great gleam shifts the tide of the war room.

All calms as the waves breathe a peace of mind.
The moon rests the wearied heart in her breast.
The chaos forgets its character and listens.
Moon Lady is the storm-caught's solace, home, and nest.




For Lyndsay. My rest from the storm and collisions of Tech Week. 

To Read to Write

I dream of library shelves
stacked with coffee and time.
Heart poured pages, backwards
picture books, and brilliant minds.
Stories primed with grandeur
and subatomic precision.
Pick of the litter through reviews
and cover colored decisions.
Simple solace in a party
bumping with well worn words.
Long dead fingers scrawling
with broken nails to be heard.
Ancient and modern insight
that gives sight into my chest.
My mind in a tar-pitched basket
rocked by wisdom's waves as they crest.
Punch the clock at opening
and let the rain fall into night.
Grab the torch of time's thought
and find my soul alight.
Sing the bright melody
of the waltz within my head.
Then turn my pen to the void
and empty my ink until I'm dead.

Grateful

Mint on my pillow.
Gust in my sails.
Massage in my neck.
Hope in my glass.

Brimmed with wonder,
refreshed from the tilt,
at the smallest drop
from the Largest Hand.

Unstable Ground

Essential Rebuilds

Build the blocks
on high regard.
Pile the dream
and a hope or two.
Anthem the cranes
to grand achievements.
Climb each ladder
to brighter endeavors.
Flagpole the fortune
and gaze clouds below.

But the trick
is corners cut.
To rock of truth
built is cracking.
Perception's fire code
is breached.
And the all falls
down down ground.
Find the true stone
and begin again.
Everything old is wiped
and opinion forms again.





Thanks to Josh for this Saturday's inspiration, "Essential."

Tech Week Haikus

Eggshell bubbles drift
Everything may break in bits
But miracles stand

The work is hard won
The work drains body and soul
But the work is good

Time grits its teeth hot
Claims its roots burn with full drought
I have learned it lies

Brim-full cup balanced
Tightrope hopes are hook caught
Skillfully full, free

Hannibal was right
Despite choas' gapped womb
Plan comes together

Music and Math

Quiet thought.
Ninja wit.
Keira Knightley smile.

Never bought.
Silent's hit.
Dreams that last for miles.

Planned through.
Other shores.
Music of puzzle's pieces.

Masculine brew.
Listens more.
Honor never ceases.







Dedicated to my brother, Michael. Happy birthday!

Watering the Horse

A sad sulk over the smoked wood stretched across the room.
Hey, Daddy Proud. I'm thirsty.
Another glass tipped with water swirls over the hollow slide.
Hey, Daddy Proud. I'm thirsting.
A third brimming water flits across the bar.
Hey, Daddy Proud. I'm empty.

Fireworks

Singing sweet song
to sleepless dreams.
Tear the rocket's rage
from the socket's seams.

Brazen the solitary sky
with a moments hope.
Chorus brings the stars
out of night to cope.

Droplets of lilting light
fein life over awed eyes.
Celebration of hope's glint
embalmed in fire's cries.

Every Bodies

Why does it matter
for skinny or stout?
Do horses hate small whinnies
or do odd hooves freak them out?

Even apes like their shapes;
too-long arms, fat, and covered with fur.
Do you think there's no mate
for an out of shape ape?
That's there's no hope for apes
without shapes just like hers?

Are zebras too stripy?
A little to black or too whitey?
If the hair is thick or the hair is thin,
Will a zebra leave ya
for not looking like other hims?

Is there such thing as a too-short giraffe?
Or if one is too tall do all the others laugh?
Do whales complain that their blubber keeps them warm?
Do bees bite each other for not buzzing the same as the rest of the swarm?

Maybe instead,
now please hear me out,
no one's too skinny,
too tall, or too stout.
Nobody's body
is too curvy,
too flat.
No one's hair is too thin
or belly too fat.
No voice too high
or color too odd.
Whatever you're shape,
learn to love your bod!

Just make sure you're healthy and clean
and then whatever body you have will stay.
From there it's learning to look in the mirror
and say, "Hmm. Yeah. That's good. I'm ok.

Half-Vacation Haikus

Half vacation starts
Page turns sync with coffee drips
Grins seek relief's sigh

Shower rains calm breath
Time to sift steam through glad teeth
Run the water cold

Remember my chair
Soak in the sink of cushion
Sleep glazes my eyes and hour

Go to bed later
Finally watch that movie
Sleep in an odd room

Quiet morning's sun
Slow, lovingly cooked breakfast
Best spices ease mind