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.

Faded Glory

Something that started as an idea months ago, based on my impressions of the life of Lindsay Lohan.  I often watch her travails and shake my head in wonder, trying to figure out where in the hell the young girl that starred in The Parent Trap went to.



Oh, when I was young
I played in the sun
and ran in the sea;
everyone was fascinated by me
I was what they wanted to be.


But time came along
and it played its song.
Now I'm what you see
just a shadow, a fading memory,
of a beauty that used to be.


It's not what I planned
yet still here I stand.
When they look at me
do you know what all of those people see?
They see only what used to be.


So now I’m a show
I prove what you know
So that all can see
And tell their children not to be like me
That such beauty is never free.

The Sandpiper and The Sea

We sat on the sand, her watching the sea
and I was watching her hair in the breeze.
I love to watch her hair when it flows free,
like the waving leaves of some willow trees.

We heard the whispers of the wind and sea,
felt the coolness of the sand on our skin.
She turned to me, put her hand on my knee
and then rested her head beneath my chin.

She sighed and turned and then looked at me
and blushed so deeply when she saw my eyes.
"Tell me," she said, "what it is that you see
when you look at me like I am your prize."

I searched for an answer deep inside me
then lifted my eyes to look at the waves.
I saw my answer running by the sea
like so many small little feathered braves.


"I think." I said. "that you are to me
what I see running down by the sea.
Always following the waves and yet
so afraid of getting your feet wet.
Wanting forever to be so near
and yet always filled with so much fear
that you feel you must run and hide
whenever you see the rising tide."


She turned her head to look back at the sea
and said as a smile softly crossed her face,
"If that's what you see when you look at me
then I will always be sure of my place."

She turned from the sea to look back at me
her face painted red from the setting sun
"Sandpipers will forever chase the sea
and will do so until this world is done.

"And just as sandpipers run from the sea
I know I'll run when you want me to stay.
And I know that's how we will always be
with me chasing you as you pull away.

"But I'm sure that you will always chase me
when I turn to run from the rising tide.
Just like sandpipers always need the sea
I will always need to be at your side."


"That", I said, "is the way it should be,
with you always standing next to me.
From the very first day that we first met
I felt certain that our fate was set.
I've always known, it was always clear
that I always want you to be near.
Just like sandpipers follow the tide
I will always need you by my side."


We sat together still watching the sea,
the curls of her hair right beneath my face.
I felt her shiver and pulled her to me
forever certain that this was her place.

We watched the sun sliding beneath the sea
knowing that another day was now done.
"Come," I said, "let me show you what can be.
Day is over but the night is still young."

She stood with me, turned away from the sea,
then she smiled and started to run away.
I laughed, then chased her as she ran from me
telling her she won't get away this day.

I ran to her, catching her easily
and took from her lips a passionate kiss.
No one, save the sandpipers and the sea,
were near enough to see any of this.