Spring Arriving

Nap if you will

in this perfect spring

dormancy awakened

just before summer

breathes its dragon fervor

casting a sunburnt crust

over this new, vibrant beauty

this hint of a quasi-promise

weaving a fine thread of solace

all gone too soon

Apollo draws his

golden chariot

fueling in turn

both poetry and plague

past where the sorrow kids speak

past where the muted hearts weep

Spring’s herald song

vast glory in color

fading out

before the fire winds

parch the dull earth

cutting the soil into bits

like overbaked brownies

Bringing us out of charmed wonder

our fleeting lullaby

to greet that

mammoth sun

spinning solar fire

axis swirling like mad desire.

About these ads

Tribute to the Tyger

Conflict arose

from a timeworn bookshelf

out of musty old pages

a master's lesson

innocence and experience

can you travel far

and never venture

into the Forests of the Night?

Leave the comfort of day

the soft side of the meek lamb

to find

in that blackness,

glowing eyes staring back

fearful symmetry

twisted sinews of the heart

rhythmic beating

cadence of time

rising, falling

the forest beckons....

Fearsome, the omniscient force crafts

both the danger and the beauty

blazing tiger eyes,

magnificent predator.

The path enters the forest

safety of light dimming

beyond the innocence of the lamb.

The hand that dared to seize fire

also extends outward

as heaven rebels,

the stars threw down their spears

sorrowful cries

the ultimate duality of human existence.

Envision the blacksmith as he worked

forging flames of fire,

the fierce blazing allure

stealth and prowess

and at the altar of the flames

we learn the lesson.

Seeking the Bard

You come to me

slipped from a dream

and from that lofty platform

where all players have played their parts

beneath that opulent moon

the curse of the star-crossed

the sorrowful stars have scattered

I knew your song

you sang it well

transfixed, I stood there

on the ballroom floor

picking out my destiny

one heartbreak at a time

It was then that I was drawn

when hot hands touched

palm to palm

the holy palmer's kiss

the clock stopped

like a time travel pendulum

Look there now

I was never the sun

knowing full well

than to swear by the moon

that deceptive luminare

casting upon

a jewel in the night

tears falling down on the cheek of those

destined to part in sweet sorrow

love that was stronger

but burned less

than moderate mankind

could handle...

The Ice Man is Coming

The hobgoblins quiver

when the Ice Man goes by

when he crashes Hallow's eve

makes little witches cry

the ghosts are left motionless

the gouls are overcome

when the Ice Man goes raging

the tricksters go numb

The wolves, bats and spirits

are stiffly about

When the Ice Man is afoot

and begins to shout

Some say it is Big Foot

dressed in costume

the little dark ones are glum

and stay in their room

The poltergeists become frigid

and the shadow people are stiff

when the Ice Man breaks out

and causes a shift

Part Abominable Snowman

very unspritely you see

The Ice Man gets loose

and shouts mightily

and the north wind it blows

and the shadows do creep

cold takes the Indian Summer

as we shiver in sleep

Teaching Is...

Turning in my P.R. keys

Going back to those

who might need me

Classes full of

boisterous, jostling

kids

talking too loud

not worrying

about the mechanics

of English grammar

they say

The Count of Monte Cristo

is too boring

Pride and Prejudice is also

I almost might agree

but its really about

building character

deepening understanding

as I well remember

my own distaste

for A Tale of Two Cities

meaningless outline

crafted by a would-be

English teacher long ago

I must make them see

knowledge is power

build in them

the drive to succeed

teach them a little

something about humanity

and respect

Respect others

Respect themselves

I will have

50 minutes per day

to accomplish this

Teaching is a lot

of things

and not for the

faint of heart….