winter almost hurts
i remember being touched
the sun seems long gone

These wandering parts
Have finally met their match
Now they must duel

“…then on to Paris.”
“We’ll chase red balloons through parks?”
“Sword fights with baguettes!”

I so hope to dance
And to touch the four corners
I can’t abide Could

Please don’t put on
Practical shoes
They’ll trip you
And trap you
Your whole soul you’ll lose

Please put on leathers
Or wear white whenever
It’s all the better
To grab tight the throttle
And drink from the bottle
Of wild
You’ve Eagle feathers

Veteran Motorcyclists, Veteran’s Day Parade 2014, Milwaukee, WI

The stuff of your dreams
The ferocious and the calm
Thrives safe in my arms

Genius graffiti artist unknown, Milwaukee, WI

I’ll venture a guess:
You plant those ancient flowers
due atop your heart.

Not off-center, no.
Immediately above.
They grow with each beat.

So soft is the spot
Where a friend walks, even if
From afar…so far.