Winter 3.0

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

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

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

Fall 9

left my tea outside
the cup is cracked
inside, a solid cylinder

Fall 8

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

Fall 7

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

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

Fall 5

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

Fall 4

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

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

Fall 2

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

Fall 1

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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