Americana

Lands and mortals are blown high

At the mercy of powerful weapons

Clashing armies and leaders

Bent on congressional power.

 

The standoff is fierce and bitter

Sides and lines clearly drawn

Rules and ethics pushed aside

Awaiting a jury’s impression.

 

Civilians left without homes

The war changes everyday

Sacrificing all collateral

Toeing the Wall Street columns.

Hallelujah

I sing to the birds,

Fly with the deer,

Climb to the skies,

Free of all fear.

 

I laugh at the bees,

Poke fun at the bears,

Swim to the falls,

Free of all cares.

 

I call to the owls,

Dance with the mice,

Run to the stars,

Free of all vice.

 

I speak to the wolves,

Rest with fireflies,

Dream of the moon,

Free of all lies.

Falling

There’s a certain

American expectation

Kicking in at birth

A picture of total potential.

 

And after that

We’re all falling

In fits and starts

Making ourselves unequal.

 

So we cry out

For another way

To define the body

That we won’t ever escape.

 

Trying to break

The damning pattern

We take risks

Flirting with raw frontiers.

 

Catching a whiff

Of unburdened purpose

Our souls fly up

Burning through imposed atmosphere.

Beauty

Found in the authentic.

Discovered in the wilderness.

Seen in the quiet moments.

Majestically rewarding those who take notice.

Portrait of a Young Mother in an Airport

She sits down,

Baby-blue plaid

Held against her

Royal blue stripes.

Blonde with a blond,

Catch-all bag produces

Goodnight Moon for him

But the passing lives distract.

Waves and smiles

Sent their way

Soften the edges

Of an impersonal community.

Shared blue eyes

Finally read together,

Followed by adjustments

Dancing in the chair.

Out comes food

Accompanied by grins

One wide and toothy

One perfect and relieved.

Their time comes

Everything gathered up

Arising with purpose

Off to another world.