Life's magic

magic lives
in all places
behind the masks
on all faces

in the sun,
clouds,
stars -
trees

on the band-aid
of a wounded
knee

in the kiss
you gave me

magic rises
from the earth

from the deepest
seas of blue
magic finds you

it's there when
you believe


and surprises
those who
don't

it'll make
the day rainy
to deliver
destiny as
two unknowns
slip
together
splash
into a sodden
embrace

Daisy

The daisy waits its whole life
to be plucked by small hands
worn and adored by the little girl
who carefully places it behind her ear

silent wind

quiet as
a still wind
breathes
without air

eyes peering
through me
vacant-
an icy stare

separated by
words-
speak
if you dare

please
if you care

where
are my words
are you there?

eyes vacant
with an empty
stare
no sign
of a trifle
of  a care

speak to me
if you will

words can heal
what silence
kills

spring lips

dreaming
in desire's cloth
wrapped up

velvet soft

a place to rest
my weary feet

soft like lips
of honey bliss
strawberry shimmer

moist green dew
smooth and new

the cloth beneath
the velvet nest
where enduring love
settles best

engraved in deep
soil smooth
sand letters
declaring
the tree's carved
promised words

desire's velvet
cloth
to rest my
weary feet
next yours

rest my love

on this velvet
cloth
atop
the grass
spring's dew
tomorrow's new

i'll save you
a velvet
soft
strawberry shimmer
honey lip
kiss

Lonely book

in a corner
at the edge
lies a book
quietly faded

a book alone
waiting for a
woman
with clean,
soft hands-
polished
fingernails

a careful caress
to dust it off

a quiet woman
with thoughts
that live in her
eyes
 
bring life
to the words
that were left
to die

My words

I am sensitive

I am strong

My words are a

Beast inside me

Struggling to get out

Fight the world

Master the man

The powers

That be

The “they”

That we talk

About all day

The “they”

That tells us what

To think

To buy

To say

To want

 To need

My words

Are a beast

That fights

For what’s right

The beast inside me

The beast

That takes charge

Lives large

Lives real

Not afraid

To feel

Feels God

Feels words

Words that change things

Rearrange things

Tall words

Brave words

My words are

A beast

a teacher's gift

when i'm working
the gift i give
becomes
a true story
a changed life
a work of
what some
would call fiction

too much to believe
when i'm working
the day escapes
as water disappears
through a drain

quickly and clearly
focused to its end

when i'm working
gratitude is the
best gift

it's all i need
for a spirit lift

when i'm working
i'm building minds
into genius
discovering the best
parts of the beings
i serve

The place I go

dreaming in a turned-down
smooth sheeted
1000 count cotton
cloud of fluffed fashion

deep olive sheets
soothing the soft curves
of each delicate muscle
aching from life

a mental vacation
at the mind spot
where all things are soft
cuddly nice and real
only in the imagined
palace that lives
in the place I go

on being small

the small ones dream
kind, sweet thoughts
in their tiny new minds

the thoughts dance through
quickly traveling rhymes

wiggle as they move
in a dreamy groove

think of fluffy puppies
merry meetings with bear

whip about
with naught a care
running amuck
skin soft and bare

delight in small
wondrous things
beings of magic
beings of light
that see the world
upside-right

tears from here

where i'm from
kids play outside
the woods are alive

the streets are calm
the people are not

the people are talking
all about walking
away or to

something new

it's a mismatched sky
looking down
clouds too big
to carry all the tears

tears from here
too many

so the angels
fill the houses
with leftover
sorrow

sorrow for no reason

where i'm from
no reason to cry
but we still do
don't know why

Haiku project

big and brown and square

buttered bread boulder in half

sliced on a hilltop

a toast gently shared

with love parceled perfectly

at the sunset's tip

top peering below

dreaming wandering people

alone holding hands

sharing a part of

forever love for two hands

towering embrace

building bigger hands

reach up to blue cotton clouds

watercolor sky

In this life

in this life
i am your wife

at this table
we dine
on cheese
and fine
wine

on our couch
we rest
from giving
our best

to the daily grind

in this life
we have son
whose will
is strong
for whom
i write this song

for whom
i'd jump
from cloud
to bridge
with my pinky
lift a fridge


in this life
he's the best part
our living,
breathing,
beating heart

in a life
full of words
none can be found
for this love
that i have
for every sound
of his little
feet
and his tiny
tapping,
clapping hands

in this life
i am your wife

i am a mom
most of all

a mom of a boy
so big
so tall

Waking

a sad story
a morning glory
morning laurie
that's me

a sad story
the revenge
of my bangs

open my mouth
out come fangs

squinted eyes
ready for
demise

voices kept soft
so i don't go off

oh morning
you hate me so
oh morning
my story is sad

bring me some coffee
donuts and treats
cookies and chocolate
and anything sweet

they'll melt the chill
of the morning ice
as I transform
into someone nice

My locket

my locket
holds your picture
and yours

one forever
gone
and one
next door

one that i
wish i could
see more

the other
my pride
always
next door

in my locket
that's
where I hide

my loves
from hate
my cares
from cold

my youth
from the lines
of growing old

i protect my dreams
in silver and gold
i demolish worry
with what I'm told

it's always too
soon to stay
to fold

life's too short
for small talk
so make your words
large
and your heart
gigantic

your giant gestures,
all romantic

the stories you tell,
the size of an ocean
your body, your mind
always in motion

life's a grand parade
of costumes and bliss
say i love you
then, let's kiss

Ex-boyfriend

and so it is
and was
and wasn't

that's the
truth
or was it?

what will
i do but want
you whole?

a piece
won't do.
   or will it?

Thoughts of you

I can remember
your face

the way it dropped
into a puddle
when i cried

i don't want
to remember
anymore

the memories
are sore

i turn away
so i can't see
the face
in my memory

but my eyes
are not free

it's a thought
that demands
i see

you can
smash all
the pictures
delete
the files
throw all
the stuff
out the window
in piles

the memories
remain
like a stubborn
stain
you've almost
forgotten
but then
it appears

even if you've
kept it in
the closet
for years

an old note
a mindful regret
it could be over
but it isn't yet

Birds to sing

With a faint whisper
i speak to my dead
grandmother
ask her about her day
How's heaven?, I say

didn't have the chance
to memorize the lines
of her face
or the soft feel
of her warm embrace

wish that i
could hold her breath
close to my heart
fate much too early
split us apart

the days grow
longer
to bring in spring
i know she's watching
everything
she'll send me birds
outside to sing
melodies
to ease my work

messages
inside each song
messages
to make me strong

i know she's watching
everything
and sending birds
to me
to sing

You

behold my heart
smashed
like a
peanut shell
forgotten
on the bar's floor

thought it would
live there
forevermore

a moment passed,
you opened
the door

a moment of meaning
a moment of might

the moment that switched
the dark to light
demolished the demons
from the night

a second can alter
the outcome of life

Open a door -
meet your wife

With Our Words

with our words
we'll heal the world

alter the course
of things gone wrong

set it right

with our words

mountains will move
people will groove

to the sound of the drummers
and longer summers

kids playing outside
instead of video games
we'll be playing pretend
with choo choo trains

with our words
imagination will live
hearts will give
freedom will return

with our words
we'll make a plan
we'll make it happen
we'll take  a stand

to our words
people will listen
the page will glisten
oh so bright

with our words
we'll get it right

No Time

working on a cure
for the bored
inspiration for those
wearing
homogenous clothes
heading to the shore
in convertible droves

those betrothed
for reasons unknown
together
but still alone

heading to
the office
in a carpool
stuck with a boss
whipped like a fool
tied to the cubicle
till after eight

no one noticing
that you work late

with a paycheck
that ain't so great

you raise the
debt ceiling
and lose
your feeling

mind
and heart
becoming numb
wondering
if you've always
been dumb

too smart
to play this part
must oppress
your thought
do what
you've beent taught

working away
your dreams
and your time

working away
till you've parted
with your mind
sold it the company
that paid for house
that feeds the people
you don't get to see

feeds you and me
but not our hearts
sold it to the man
who keeps us apart

High School Crush

if i follow you
will you hear
my steps
as they linger
in your shadow?

will you hear
my breath
as i whisper
your name
in my mind
hoping
somehow
you'll know
that i love you
even though
i'm not sure
you've looked at me
once?

will you remember
the way my eyes
were glued
to the back of your
shirt
and each time
you turned
towards me
i slid myself
under my desk
in hopes
you didn't see?

will you ever
know the
notes i wrote
or feel the
saline leak
of loss
I felt
without even
knowing you?

the smell of
your shirt
and knowing
you were smart,
like me
someone
maybe I could
one day talk to

was enough
for me
to declare
my forever love

but i didn't

only my
journal knew
my forever love
for you

Autumn's leaves

life and time
forgotten past

memories
you thought
would last

diminished and dusty
in the back of a shed,
covered and rusty
like last year's rake

what's at stake?

when the rake
is reinstated
into your yard
and the memories
fall like leaves
everywhere
you lean into them
and are surrounded
by color
and comfort
and friends that you miss

last year's dinner dates
and one last kiss
a twirl of your arms
in the crisp air
to bring forth
a perfected prayer
for the pictures of your
past
to live long enough
to last
to the next
beautiful moment

it arises
like the sun
in the sky
like a
birthday
surprise
and the days
are alive

Success

waiting for the storm
to subside

feeling the drizzle
dripping inside

it slows, it slows
the seconds melt

away

drip, drip

it stops

replaced by clouds
forming memory skies
escapable by
the mountain's highs

avoidable through
sun's glorious rise

the love, the color
the last demise

the climb
the stretch
the grand surprise

you've always been there
you'll realize

Your feet know

follow your feet
find a way
to travel lightly,
think brightly,
carry on

follow your feet
the way they go
follow your feet
they're sure to know

what to do
who to see
how to get
to the front row

your fancy feet
dress them up neat
then follow them
to the beat

all dressed up
you're super fly
ask your feet
they'll tell you
why

Tinfoil Hat

magic lives
in my tinfoil hat
i wear it shiny
and brand new

it lives to protect me
from the forces of evil

the government plots
the corporation's designs
sets me free
from mind control

My conspiracies
are the way I unroll

so you think I'm paranoid
do I make you a bit annoyed
once we find out
it'll be too late
do what you can
to protect your fate

if what you find out
doesn't make sense
don't let it go
you've the right to know


education
is everything

without curiosity
the mind's
an empty thing

Sometimes mind tires
with dreams
and desires
and plots and
devices
and worry
for futures
that burn

so i think
and protect
and find out
what I want
I believe
what makes sense
and think a lot

My shadow, my friend

watching my shadow's pattern
chase me through the room
brings much joy

takes  time out of
finding a toy

it follows me here
it follows me there

it never gives up
only waxes and wanes

it never complains
or feels my pains

sticks with me
through thick
and thin

doesn't know how
to let me win

doesn't judge
and can't sin

gently shows
me who I am

lets me change
him at my whim

doesn't talk
when I sleep

never tells
the secrets I keep

Working for the man

filled with a rage
nothing can assuage

fuming with fury
fighting for glory

there is no end
to this story

I call life

lots of joy
and much strife

tension thick
ropes wound
tight

around my
hands

trying to work
while doing
head
stands

working for
the man
with the
master plan

working for
what
i can't stand

the meaning
of which
i'd like
to demand

blowing the
whistle
leads to
dismissal

have a mouth
to feed
that's mine
and yours

and big
mouths
close
doors

Shake and sweep

if you're feeling

underscored

your life a pile

of laundry and bored

take yourself 

on a rock

tour -

sing to your broom

as you slide

across the floor

slippery pants

shiny shoes

shimmy your feet

scoot your boot

who gives a hoot

open the shades

let the neighbors see

soon you'll

have 

copmany

Stop

when you find
you're running in circles
jumping straight
at a missing target

you know you've
gone too far
you've passed the line
you cannot stop

your bunny legs are on
and hopping

racing passed the turtle
who is stopping

for water and rest
a life that is best
a friend in need

slowed to saunter
to see and savor
to be saved
to save
your bunny self
by putting
on your turtle feet
and stopping

Purpose

finding purpose
on a dreary day

in the middle

knowing the
question
why you're there
is grey

but the answer
saves the day

the answer

lost for now

the answer

you are waiting
for

its promise
of arrival
is in time
with the
way you fly

riding through rain
to reach the sky

Live

laugh wildly
as if rainbows
invaded your soul
with warmth
with color

run away
with ROYGBIV
run wildly

live

laugh loudly
run quickly
let your colors
trail behind

live lightly
hold tightly
dream mightily

live

Head Cold - A Haiku

head fog bewildered
squished thoughts fighting for a chance
to be understood

Breaking out

beyond repression
lies expression

beneath depression
lives aggression

above the lies
arrives the truth

without the gossip
we save our couth

many of the lost
have found their way
somehow made it
back to today

no time machine
to save you now
future forward
you know how

save the day
do it your way
have you want
without delay

give up the mope
grab your hope

don't do dope

Mind chatter

keep going
momentum
moves you

stop...

too much
movement

go >>>
you've taken
too long

listen
your mind
knows
all
if
you
can
hear

Me

if you undo your mind
fall into a haze
let the thoughts out
it may amaze

unlock the stress
put your feet up
undress

stop your hurries
and your worries

let the past be
be free

be kind
to the person
you call me

Drifting moments

growing wide 

like smiles

on a summer

day - next to dripping

cones of ice-cream-

vanilla and jimmies

lick them off

crunch the candy

coating into bits

of dreams,

digested like

a book, in small

fragments,

the moments 

drifting away

as quickly as the sunset

fades and the summer

becomes the past

diamonds are not love

a

l'il

sparkle 

and shine

tell the time

has drawn near

you're wating to hear

the words will you

marry me

be my

wife

ok

I

don't 

want to

wear your 

big diamond ring

just want your heart, that's

everything - to me, those rocks

cause strife and war - horrors

so gigantic, unromantic, 

makes me frantic

want to save

a small

part 

of

it

pick up dad

little angel
fast asleep
dreaming of stories
to tell and keep

tired from teeth
that won't tear through
hurting but happy
all the same

my sweet, sweet
boy of only 2
there's nothing in the world
i wouldn't do
to block the pain
to keep you happy
to make you smile
to hold you close
for a while

the peace of your breath
helps me live

your small hands
turning books
your funny looks

soon, you'll startle
shocked and mad

yelling "pick up dad"

when you get here

when you get here
look for me

i'll be the one
with the sign
smiling loud
proud to call you

mine

i'll be the one
without
a frown
drowning in
the sea

when you get here
save me

i'll be the one
gasping for air
waiting for
your breath
to share

i am the one
who'll always care
you'll see my hands
beside you heart
soft and hoping
we'll never part

you'll see my mind
in your desires
will put out the town
with our fires

when you get here
wait for me
i'll be the only
one you'll see

Finding home

i'm looking for
a place called me
a place that's built
for all to see
it's got tall mountains,
a deep blue sea

it's got the dreams
and eyes to see
the gods bring
light for all that be

i'm seeking out
a place for me
with sun and wind
and earth and fire
and all the love
that
we desire

i've found here
my family
my favorite ones
to have near me

they laugh,
they're silly
with  so much glee
so glad
that they

found me