Just Away
if you haven’t
a sense
of humor
I haven’t a want
of you
too much of life
is through
not around
or about
under or over
but through
and getting through
it
is a kind of death
as it were
where you die
but don’t die
be it the night
I search your face
for a sunny day
an unplanned split
lift of the lips
that gives way
a way
just away
TL
Emotion
it’s raining
in the woods
and hasn’t let up
the leaves are greener
for it
the roses never looked
as full
the blades of grass
cannot be cut close enough
the bark is black
its ridges gobbling drops
this weather is unwrung
for wings of fancy
and wind-blown strands
the mushrooms pop up
like umbrellas
you’d never know
a turtle was beneath
all the pinecones are wrapped up
tight
the puddles have submerged
the clouds cross
and disappear
the rain is singing its song
the toads seem to enjoy it
the worms are dancing
in mud
someone’s best day
is someone else’s worst
the greatest joy
is connected
to the greatest sorrow
within and without
TL
Self-Imprisoned
there’s a dad
in Oklahoma
who wishes
on every star
in the night sky
that he could go back
in time
he would give anything
in the world
to go back
to that moment when
there was still a choice …
he would’ve never
ever
done cocaine
he would’ve walked away
just walked away
but he can’t go back
in time
what’s done is done
his 4-year-old daughter
and 3-year-old son
aren’t coming back
he keeps looking for them
in his dreams
but the reality is
he found them
in his truck
last summer
after waking from his cocaine-induced slumber
he was sentenced yesterday
in their deaths
serving six or less
but when he gets out
it won’t matter
where he goes
or what he does
he’ll always wake up
in a panic
looking for his children
TL
Eeyore
eye an empty
treadmill
and step on
and go
at this stage
the weight ain’t
the only thing
I’m trying
to get off me
not even close
left
right
and center
there’s always
something
to dodge
rather see it coming
‘ya know
before it knocks me out
cold
hope nobody behind me
on this here treadmill
‘cause they might get hit
in the face
with all the lies
the ones they look ‘ya in the eye
pick up the pace
skip that song
need something more
fitting
that’s better
feel like bricks
on my feet
brownies are flying
1
2
3
4
cookies with chocolate
hit the floor
bowls of alfredo
and stew
and microwave goo
bags of crunch
salty, sweet
and sour
too much sugar
too much salt
and that was jest
yesterday
last week was not pretty
but this morning
I got back on the horsey
more like the mule
a 2-mile hike
trudging to the top
so worth it
the air is lighter
easier to breathe
TL