The Moments

The moments between the minutes are the hardest.

Those silences between the seconds where the clock doesn't tick,

those are the times when doubt whispers to me.

Those thoughts that thwart my serenity

inhabit the instants between supposing and surety

that fill every random corner of my brain.

Doubt is always standing right behind me,

mumbling maledictions, murmurring madness that

serve to disquiet any moment of delight 

I might try to take from this life.

The Cherry Blossoms

In the back yard there's an old cherry tree.
Its trunk is cracked and some branches withered
and when you look it is easy to see
every storm and winter it has weathered.

In years gone by it would fill with flowers,
bright white blossoms that weighed its branches down.
When the blooms fell from those leafy towers
they'd cover the ground like some young bride's gown.

But now the tree fights to wake from the cold,
each bud that blooms taking longer to grow.
Every spring not as fruitful or as bold
but still the tree tries to put on its show.

There's an old cherry tree in our back yard
that flowers even when its life is hard.

That Which You Seek

No night has ever been so long
it was not followed by a dawn.
Never was darkness so complete
that the sun did not force retreat.

No winter ever dared to stay
to see the flowers bloom in May.
No flood has ever had the cheek
to wash the highest mountain's peak.

So whatever now may be wrong
accept it will not be for long.
What now tastes bitter will be sweet
and what's undone will be complete.

Even the lost can find their way
and find the path to end the day.
Do not let your resolve be weak!
and you will find that which you seek.

A Spring Haiku

The cherry blossoms
as they fly through the warm air
are snowflakes for Spring

Life Among the Ruins

Is there any life among the ruins
green shoots amid the clutter and decay?
Is there anything now remaining in
the verdant fields where I used to play?

I remember when the sun shone so bright
on every warm and wondrous summer day.
Now there's not a single sunbeam in sight
just a rubbed out sky filled with clouds of gray.

The front porch where I'd sit and play my games
is littered with leaves like some lost bouquet.
The doors hang crookedly on twisted frames,
the wind shakes the walls as they twist and sway.

And who'd want to rebuild this wasted wreck?
Who would pick up the stones from where they lay?
Who could find any hope, even just a speck,
among the ruins, clutter and decay?

The Rewards of Age

In life it is inevitable
that we grow from child to wizened sage
and while youth may be enviable
the best things are those that show their age.

Worn shoes are the most comfortable.
The best wines are of a certain age.
Our old friends are the most affable
and good books improve with every page.

So enjoy your youth while you're able
and as you get older do not rage.
While the years are unavoidable
you're only old if you act your age.

Cinderella

Cinderella, don't you run by so fast-
there are so many things that you will miss!
Grab hold of these moments and make them last,
slow down, don't run, and take in all of this.
I know that you have to be on your way
the magic is gone and the clock has rung.
All the stories I told to end your day
are now put away and that book is done.
But look around before you leave this dance
at all the wonder that's been given you 
for you will never get another chance
to be this young and see the world so new.
What you have run past, what you leave behind
your youth, your dreams, will be so hard to find.

The Birds in Winter

The birds in winter
as they fly and softly sing
    (over the snow)
remind me of spring.

The Old Coat

I still have the coat that you gave me
years ago, when we were very young
and everything we were going to be
was something that had yet to be done.


It's a bit worn, the fashion is old
but I wear it when a hard wind blows.
It keeps me warm when winter is cold
but that's why you gave it, I suppose.


I've other coats, some plain, some fancy
and this old coat's had a good long run.
But none seem to fit me as easy
so I just keep on wearing this one.


I'll wear it until my story's told
and when I've gone on to my repose
then it will be put away or sold
just another part of my old clothes.

Driving Out To You

As the sun goes down tonight
in the last of this day’s light
know that I’ll be thinking, dear, of you.
When work is done today
then I’ll be on my way
to spend this night, my dear, with you.

I wish I weren’t so far
or had a faster car
I’d have more time to spend, my dear, with you.
But now I’m wasting time
by writing down this rhyme
when I should be driving home to you.

So when this day is done
and you see the setting sun
know that I’m driving out to you.
And when I’m finally there
you’ll see how much I care
and know that always I love you.

I know that there will be
a day for you and me
where I will be always holding you.
But ‘til that day is here
know that I love you dear
and that I’m always thinking of you.

All That Remains

It's gone, I said.
Whatever was there is dead.
All that remains is a ghost
living in my head.

Every once in a while
it bangs and bumps and rattles it's cage.
Every once in a while
 I talk with it
  and tell it it's dead
   and living only in my head.

And sometimes it can't see
that it's dead and it's gone
to everyone but me.
And it rises and runs
and tries to sit in the driver's seat
but it can't find the keys.

It's gone, it's done, it's a ghost
living only in me.

108 When the sun goes down tonight

When the sun goes down tonight

And the day turns into cold dark night

That’s when I know everything will be alright

When you’re holding me in your arms tonight

That’s when I know that things will be alright.

You know it’s been a real hard day

You know I almost lost my way

But if you’d just hold on and let me stay

Then I think that I could find my way

If you’d just hold on and let me stay.

I thought our time was over and done

That it passed away like the setting sun

But I’ve realized now you’re the only one

That can hold me past the setting sun

And I know now you’re the only one.