on open water

we looked on open water for a week
a warm green sea true eater of the sun
great arm of ocean not river or creek

this was our respite from a world made bleak
by constant duty service on the run
we looked on open water for a week

in hope of healing certain the unique
sense of the name would give us what we'd won
great arm of ocean not river or creek

immensity of peace that we could seek
as fullest respite when each day was done
we looked on open water for a week

with smiling faces that forbade critique
of any statement that would overrun
great arm of ocean not river or creek

where we end moving easily and sleek
towards the sunset knowing it was fun
we looked on open water for a week
great arm of ocean not river or creek

Chant royal of the scholar and his cat

in hidden corner there's a place for sleep
you know it well and will come out to play
in your good time meanwhile you'll let me keep
my larger vigils on this cloudy day
seeking the wisdoms of a time of pain
with half an eye cocked for the coming rain
and senses focused on approaching night
(we know it's coming though the day is bright)
hands put together purpose that is kind
while every heart is poised for instant flight
into the bright dominion of the mind

the lives of people never seem so deep
as feline hungers in their simple way
you are the wanderers and we the sheep
our normal tasks will seem to your delay
from urgent hunger and there is no gain
from what we're doing that seems to you plain
it does not come within your line of sight
provides you nothing of your household right
the sort of thing that is best left behind
lest it should bring a darkness or a blight
into the bright dominion of the mind

your eye is focused on the things that creep
across the yard that you would wish to slay
we know this and for fortune will not weep
but wonder at the words you'd like to say
if speech were given and you could complain
at being bound in by such a golden chain
as if we punished your for our delight
and thought your chiding visions could indict
our cruelty in keeping you confined
but see you move with happy summer light
into the bright dominion of the mind

prince you might think this subject impolite
and such debate is not the best to cite
yet we must take the pathways that we find
from your dark rule of chaos and old night
into the bright dominion of the mind

in sudden summer

these storms have turned the world all green
and sunlight limns the leaves in gold
no time today to chide or scold


we look and smile the birds all preen
while eager hunters become bold
these storms have turned the world all green


for beauty we have set the scene
a story known and often told
that hearts are broken and consoled
these storms have turned the world all green

empirical wisdom

no matter what the words remain the same

echoing blandly down the aching years

our beast once wild has now turned safely tame

your voice is one that could with depth proclaim

ending to hurt and to the weight of fears

no matter what the words remain the same

as when we started infants in the game

certain that we'd be the new cavaliers

our beast once wild has now turned safely tame

and we have come despite the threat of shame

to know the meaning of so many tears

no matter what the words remain the same

still they are uttered out of need for blame

while horror is doled out in lavish shares

our beast once wild has not turned safely tame

and cowers uncertain of the fading flame

as each who waits at last wails and despairs

no matter what the words remain the same

our beast once wild has now turned safely tame

to the point

they fill in visions and repeat in sound

the touch of light on rock the moving shade

marking a changing time then the parade

of trucks and buses moving folk around

since we must hurry to get off this ground

back to our homes back to the normal trade

of simple speaking in words that are flayed

out of all meaning then twisted and bound

a short escape leads to another place

with older energies but the same tide

washed on that shore beneath a certain light

allowing these historians to trace

the roots of anger and the base of pride

straight to their homes in certainty and right

westward gaze

for a short while we sit and watch the sea
the ships that pass the people on the shore
and then turn back to what we were before

there's understanding here of what must be
a straightforward accounting of the score
for a short while we sit and watch the sea

smile at the world knowing that we agree
on the good things that no one could want more
than such warm moments till the final door
for a short while we sit and watch the sea

shapeshifter

this empty form with simple sound

is filled echoes amplify the space

they occupy but lack the grace

to be both honest and profound

as keepers of spirit and pace

this empty form with simple sound

becomes the whole complete and round

that we desire more than the chase

of life itself marked on each face

this empty form with simple sound