Frost (2009)

Layers of loose-knit gauze cover
The ground outside my door.
I itch to walk through that soft field,
To wrap it round me like a blanket,
The sting of cold air in my lungs
As I mark my path through the snow.
The early morning's best for such a hike,
No one else's footprints to distract me.

I walk in silence through the drifts

And flatter myself to think my path

Is one less traveled, and original; 

But I'm not so clever or inventive. 

I may like to think I am the first

But many trod the path that I have taken.

Snow and time hide their paths equally. 

But I choose my path, and that's enough. 

Justification (1988)

Funny, my way of tending,
in these lines I dignify
to call them poetry, to match
this word to that in likely rhyme;
turning out this dreck, spending
countless hours in my sty
churning out another batch
of pointlessly encapsuled time;
I wonder: why the constant bending
of reality as I
perceive it, into verse? To etch
my place in history, or prime
my ego? Affirmation pending,
books, awards and kudos high:
is that what I seek, to fetch
some self-esteem from what is slime?

I think the truth lies in the lending
of emotions, which defy
the written word - to these attach
the purpose, and absolve the crime.

First Date (2009)

Asked the question,
"What would a gentleman do?"
I ignored the answer.

I Cannot Sleep (2009)

Subtle ventriloquist, you threw
your voice with its soft ring into
my hat and now I cannot keep
it out of my head.

I count instead
the number of times my name passed
your lips, how often you laughed when 
we were abed... not wretched sheep.

Mixed Blessing (2008)

You say it's for the best... well
I've no reason to disagree
Unless our talk turns sinister
To matters of the world, or politics;
Then I have views of my own
I wouldn't necessarily share
With just anyone. 

An inhuman bastard? Do tell.
I wasn't there and could not say. 
I take your word for it, though you
Are hardly an impartial judge,
I'm sure you will agree.
I have exes too, and they
Were simply human, like you and me.
I hope you will agree.

In matters of the heart I know
That I am not the best judge either,
Saddled as I am with the same baggage
Or something like it. I'm no saint,
Lord knows, though I have tried to be,
When for brief seconds the flame 

Of faith burned brightly in me, 
I have tried to live and love
As God might have me do, had I
A better idea of His will.
I do my poor best,
I hope you will see.

Perhaps your view is better.
I'll say not a thing against it.
Only bless in me, please, and in others,
The discernment that leads us all to seek
That which would please Him best.
This would serve us better, maybe,
Than disdain or condescension.
I hope you will agree.
I pray you can agree.

Moth (2008)

Candle burning on the sill
Beckons pilgrims to its warmth
Luring aerial light-lovers
Bright, hypnotic, like an eye
Watching ever-seeking spirals
Reach the all-consuming target
Must we burn to learn the lesson?
I've a better end in mind:
Race you to the candle, let's see
Who can blow the flame out first.

In Vino Veritas (2008)

Folks in ancient Rome that was
Said in vino veritas;
Take a glass of wine and stay
Hear the words I have to say

You mistrusted passion's kiss
You are not alone in this
I fear my heart made you leave
Wearing it upon my sleeve

I looked forward to the day
When the both of us would pray
You asked to be left alone
I keep praying on my own

My prayer is a simple one:
God, please smile on what was done
In the name of love and life
Though we are not man and wife

It were never chastity
Still Lord, kindly let us be
In our thoughts and in our words
Let our sins fly off like birds

Hope may never see the light
In whose rays our souls unite
Yet when heart to passion dips
Soul meets soul on lovers' lips

Sometimes, if not always so.
I pray one day I will know.
It were paradise enow
But my glass is empty now