Gabled Walls

We are the In
Between
The Middle
Absorbing and reflecting back
All the inspiration they have inside

We are the Many
Around
The Gate
Herding and harnessing 
All the good they long to give

They Touched

I heard him begin to breathe deep
Even breaths
Slipping away into sleep
Lulled  
Garrison Keillor on the radio 
If there’s ever a doubt
That the universe exists 
As much in us as we in it
Watch and listen
To a child
And a storyteller
At the same time

Allergic

And it all went black
There in the moment I realized
Nobody makes promises anymore
No one has courage 
Take vows from the ink 
Make them come alive
And the heat lightning rap-rap-rap-rapping
‘gainst my glass window pane
Will not prompt me to doubt 
It all went black

All The You

Summer’s plans
Perhaps never in the standings
But off the table now, I know
Go gently now
All the You
Muffled sounds of would-be cheers
All the vivid color
Seasoned, learned play-by-play analysis 
All the heartbreak 

Un

I became erased
Not with one bold stroke
So as to make the act noteworthy
Breaking News they could not avoid

Harsh, insipid words or kindlessness 
Carried excuses for roaming eyes
Earth made each 
trip ’round the sun 
As I disappeared, you sat on your hands

I toil now, with Epic hopes
Weaved with the smallest stands of gold
To ultimately decide
Do you deserve me 

Clinical

Though you know your words won’t change the truth
You’ll utter them, won’t you

When bitter honesty, rained down with lightning’s splendor 
Ought leave you speechless

Why the hope-filled hollow, a fathom deep and wide
Which dwarfs you -why the denial

When with empty hands and learned heart, you realize
Your faith was fated after all 

No One Told Her No 

I saw her there, waiting for ice cream
On a hot July afternoon
Two tiger lillies tucked behind her ear
Live and larger than life 
I expected honey bees might encircle her 
No one told her no
No you cannot wear flowers so large
Not behind that ear, at least
So orange
So alive

She’d not have heard anyway

She seemed otherwise timid and small
Waiting for butter pecan
An intended respite from the heat
No wonder that not long thereafter
The cumulus clouds
Which mimicked her blooms
Exploded
Bursting forth their relief
Her relief
Our relief