The Monarchy of October

From my quiet pitch in my pj's

the dawns dark fire rekindled

under the coal clouds

embers embracing day 

remembering and warming

their undersides

pink lily liver bellies 

waiting for white to shine on...

The shadows never slept,

spoke the moon softly

who watched 

the menage a trois

of Mars, Venus and Jupiter

atop the altocumulus stage

late and lascivious at this hour-

A hush and the sky gives way

to orange, Octobers delicacy

indulgent, licking glad and warm, 

Indians wave

at the passing warm breeze 

the kindred Monarch

of summer reborn 

taking the Santa Ana pass

linger now

A black phoebe cracks

shells in the slow stir
of rise and shine

human voices splinter

lips labor for slivers, 

making first words

untruth

whispers and thoughts

are better for the butterflies

already dressed 

for Octobers occasion. 

Image by By Lisafern (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons.

One on One, or Eleven

I.

It is only breaking the rules 

if you are playing the same game.

II.

They are called Higher Truths

because they go over the heads of those looking down.

III.

Popular and award-winning are not goals,

they are only endings.

IV.

Despite the reflection in the mirror,

you've only met in passing.

V.

Success is doing what you're good at every day,

even when it is not successful.

VI.

Education is a service, learning is a luxury,

and comprehension is a privilege. 

VII.

A nest egg is for your children's future.

VIII.

Spend your legacy in your lifetime. 

IX.

Real love is pure selflessness. 

X.

Dreams are conversations.

XI.

Art tells secrets.

Creativity is light and light.

Image By Internet Archive Book Images [No restrictions], The world's history, a history of the world.  via Wikimedia Commons.

One thing at a time

Looking at parts of the hole
I see
minuscule matters
and things such as these
meta seek and micro zoom
You said and I said
We mean
the small pieces, by letter
one
It's hard to hear
the echo is blurry
what do you see
in the closeness?
One
there are clouds
clods of dirt and minerals
gems, fools gold
made into shiny clay
by the minuteness of
concentration
pulled into Virga
amounting to nothing
but the pressure to become
one
haboob
passing through
what was
once
a lush landscape.


Image by Grant W. Goodge, NASA, in N. Caroline, Virga from atop Flat Top Mountain.

Scratching the surface

It began then,

I used to practice on voodoo dolls

Aligning with the pencil first

But even then, something jerks the wrist

As my thoughts grow, futile

To chase after it

Vexing and curses said

I feel the weight

Of an eight-ton boulder of granite, leaded

Asserting its antiquity

On my shoulder, I can still try to erase

Rely on random distraction

Bolts are bold sparks-there I said it-

Losing my place

Lets me go

I fight with me

Incessantly, and yet words escape

Somehow-I’ve always been this way

Scribbling furiously, relieving pressure, dying inside

Without a place to put

What I no longer have room to hide

Scratching the surface with graphite

I hope the day comes when

Ink doesn’t remind me 

of my own blood.

Image of drawing by Carl von Bergen (1891) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

Dining out in broad daylight

From behind the glass wall,
you can see it all from there-
the horizon, of course
vast.
Crystal clinks in the sharp
busy air, the noon rays
get in, somehow.
White linens, lemons and Jazz,
a breezy air the pelicans cruise,
forgetting it's Tuesday.
Ice water in goblets gratis
bread before salad, indulgences
flowers on food, eating our cake.
Reserved
murmurs accompany
a cackling laugh,
which barges through, interrupting
-the ambiance-
Who is watching Who?
Crazy gums with dirty fingernails
talks nearby, asking questions, I think,
to the blue sky
the grey ocean, is stoic.
Retired and grey,
they too test the cement benches.
Lazy days and costumes, all passersby
on either side of the unshatterable glass-
repast is served.



Image By Islandyachtclub (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

Mans Machinations (Haiku)

The best invention
mankind has made yet
is a personae.















Image by By Brush & Pencil [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons 1898 costume artists festival.

Brilliance (Haiku)

Flaws are just unknown
inclusions to consider
when held up to light.









Image By Zultgems, LLC (Zultgems, LLC) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons.  Zultanite rough crystal.