Friday, December 18, 2009

Winter 3.0

frost seeps
in through the cracks
snow rips
in under the door
beers burst
in the garage

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Winter 2.0

coffee spilling freezing
in a white instant
on the hood of my van
ungraded papers falling,
whirling in the snow
I bend down
and gather them up
to my left
I see red
frozen blood
at the foot of the door

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Winter 1.0

cold in the forest this morning
wind whips up the back of my coat
snowflakes vanish
into the black of my coffee
dog runs back inside

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Fall 8

tea is brewing, steaming
guitar leans against the chair
dog settles in beside the fire

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Fall 7

outside grey clouds swirl
the first snow piles
on the window sill

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Fall 6

sun's is going down
as I head to my jeep
crows gather and fly
most I've ever seen
silent flight over the empty field

Monday, November 2, 2009

Fall 5

layer the coats
pull the zipper tight
dog takes this moment
to sniff the pumpkin shell
so bright on the curb

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Fall 4

hear the white pine wind
rain slips in under my umbrella
glad for the honey in my tea

Friday, October 30, 2009

Fall 3

wind is slow steady and cold
little girl holds her coat closed
lets go of her witch hat
runs, jumps, to catch it
as it swirls with the leaves

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Fall 2


the ball slices the air
catch, elbow tuck, run, straight-arm
mud freezes to my knees

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Fall 1

stumble through the forest
whispy warm from the sting
of birthday whisky

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Brick House Grind Down

slip outta the car
stand in the parking lot
stop listen - hum of cars
day is cold -4
frost is thick and white
it mostly covers the graffiti.
look down at the debris
chucked from windows above:
rulers, math sheets and pencil crayons
- no stapplers today -
rusty beer caps and brown glass
little weed bag blows, swirls by the door
walk past the massive wall
all those bricks look heavy
breath a stage sigh - huff - and walk in

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Summer's Tracks and Signs


birkenstocks are worn
to the cork
brand name burnished
off my "new" basketball
arms sore and burning
weight bench sagging
finger tips are toughened
squared off
from heavy gauge strings
binders bursting from
poems and such

summers been kind and blessed

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

A Couple of Days

I whip through the office
maze of desks
buzzing computers and files
smash dash
and pass before the bureaucracy
snags me and pulls me in
tasks and tasks can stack
a couple of days
I shout: "I'm not here"
and slip out the back.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Garret

Garret of
the from the hip arrow twangs,
and questions on the nature of
arrows, bows, and bears.

Garret of
the perfect mud
shoring up the sides
of his sand volcano.

Garret of the
shoes and jokes and pure fun,
holding his trophy for the biggest fish.

Thanks for the blessings
of Garret.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Fallin' Down in the Falls

I've wandered
slipped up past old heaps
clutter and cigarette butts
through the alley
climbed high up over the streets
thrown brown bottles down
crashing the night
been with the townies
as we sip first burning whiskey
out behind the rink
trying to look like it don't hurt
seen lads punched and thrown
landing on the beer cases
stumble strut around
or walk with purpose to "the party"
served beers at 15
local tavern bends taps for anyone
if the cash flows
high school jackets or not
danced in a hops soaked frenzy
in the teen heat of the gym
nipped a pull of a strong drink
poured it - glop
into my morning coffee
bottle tucked back into the locker
next to mine
sipped cold beers in the shack
wood stove pumping
as the high hat thumps
and guitars unceasing
in the winter night
sure... I've fallin' down in the Falls

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Ode to a Lawn Chair

reach into that jumble
of toys, balls, rain coats and chairs
wander over the field
pick your spot
yes - out on the edge
of the soccer field
nice spot
further out the town houses
ring it all around
single family homes next
and mini van roads
suburbs - yes,
but this is your spot
your place
of your lawn chair retreat.

Monday, June 15, 2009

a forest poem

Heavy work
sun's heat makes
it through the leaves
sweat
a double sting
on my deer fly bites
brush cut and piled
marvel at our work
road cleared
rabbit runs
down his new path.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Wool Coat

This old wool coat
has served me well.
Almost wish it was older
connect me to times
long past.
Older version was
blue plaid perfect
for short legged walks
around the forest yard.
This one is warm; dark
sucks the sun warmth in deep.
It will serve me well
to wrap my wee ones
in giant arms.
A double coat
for this well loved load.
Might try to get the old one back
rebirth from a garden shed.
It hangs there now on a nail.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Beams

these beams are saturated
deep and full
of Songs
even the floor boards could sing
with a solid boot stomp
yes, these old songs
hang thick
dirty, messy blues
and full fat rock chords
good day in late spring
with the promise of more songs

Monday, May 25, 2009

Broken Windshield

Pillars Cracking
straining under ancient impacts
scattered dust and rust flakes
snap
the cool winds pull
down a white washed slab.
through a windshield
of a Mercedes.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Derby Window


swing out of derby
climb that tree
take a photo
cool
in your jim morrison t-shirt
move on through
the pine tree forest
the spot where you saw
the severed deer leg
Sunday - we'll see you
sitting on a rough pew
on chapel point
looking out at the boys fishing
in the bay
turtles on a log
later two different boys
read and debate Mere Christianity
it wasn't all cult posters
and beer boxes in the window.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Fishin'

Cast aside -out -
on the lonely street
same street
as last time
only with a little
more need
dozens of phone calls
fishin'
with a different line.

Monday, May 4, 2009

A few...

A few last moments
of spring cling to the ridge
probably just some old pile
dumped over the side.
Even a few anvil clouds swing
around the side of the field.
They rise in hope
of a final Spring deluge.
Summer begins to hold sway
small but strong steps.

Waves of heat shimmer
above the roof.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Somehow a Soul

Somehow a soul exists
in this lovely rise
there's just no telling
a kick and a role
call out to the one
not joined in this embrace
in a few passing moments
old soul partners
will meet and relate
through blue eyes

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

A Poem Turns 10

smokin' in some lost
alcove
a simply still moment
each haul
a sweet meditation
a quiet breath
all the reasons forgotten
in the light clarity

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Elect

i'm elect
i'm electric as the video
game beats and beats
the electronic pulse is magic
go make your beat
beat that game
electrify every experience

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Humming

sit around, or stand
talk about the things good people do


weight loss, plastic water bottles
sorting cans
and your summer pants


eat a salad (with no dressing)
as the pizza drips


head back down to your room


alone


the computers hum