Today, as leaves dance to the dark earth
red, gold, brown
mist soars to obscure the high mountain peaks
a mesmerizing mood

Brings me back to younger days when I flipped, flopped, splashed
in a myriad of puddles
while my mother shrieked "Don't get your pants wet"
I asserted my independence and gloated
in my own  slap happy world
not a word did I hear

At once, I smell the dew
Grass still green from frequent summer rains
listen to the squeaky wet grass beneath my boots
take note of those tiny morsels stuck underside

A macabre walk in the clouds
a muzzy vision of the sticks in the forest
tree tops just a mirage
I snap a photo to trap the ghostly silence
which attests to my musing temper

Blinking lights
spray the Tennessee sky
black night noise
disrupts the calm

Silver bullets dash
through dense dark air
one harmed
one dead

Sirens bellow
yellow tape
shrouds the scene
common event
in this hood

Police suppress the fight
drugs pay the rent
cycle persists
more harm
more deaths

In darkness we nest
my hands reach to sense her mouth
she stirs to feel mine

Our fingers entwine
as we play with our faces
our lips smack as one

Juicy smooches stick
we can whiff each other's breath
laugh at our weird jokes

Two  lives commingle
two faces melt into one
lips bound
figures wrapped taught
passion shrouds them
one unique glimmer
tongues taste
all the rest
is shadow

Alone, in springtime, I cultivate my garden
***** my finger on a pink rose stem
a slight smudge of bright red blood
trickles to my palm
a blemish, no distress
resembles a red tattoo

I recall as a wee child
I would shriek at the glimpse of blood
time being I kiss the rose
grateful for its sugary fragrance
which edifies my spirit

She wakes with fright at light of dawn
lover is not beside
she yawns and whispers I do care
he'll return later in the morn

Their love has waned over the years
she assumes someone new
she yearns to search for this being
from this point she's dried out her tears

He calls her as the last goodbye
her breaths tight on the phone
no words spoken, silence
then begs him one more try

Friendship is a distinct bond
a closeness that breathes
swathes us in deep shelter
embraces all of whom we are fond

It unveils a trust
forever to clutch
keeps our verve together
with or without a touch

Give and take
promises to be
stretches distant paths
across the deep dark sea

we nurture this link
and bask in each other's thought
if one of us should pass
our peace chain will be naught

FRIENDSHIP
Why do friends snub one another
When rage batters them
No remark of what harm has taken the fury

Hence, one lunches a question
Is this person truly a friend?
If yes, then why not spew the fury?
And let is pass
Is it weakness?
Is it fright?
Is it foolish?
Does one dismiss it?
So that is the ultimate brushoff
Friends should never forget
Between us is undoubtedly the best bet

CLUTTER

Clutter muddles the mind
A plethora of ideas
Musings, dreams, disturbing notions
perplexed, a rushing river
oblivious to calm waters
suspends slumber, blurs blue skies together

A luminary space of disjointed concepts, daunting,
Dive with the dolphins, prattle with a parrot
Scrutinize the moon’s abstractions
Trim the inner linings
Tranquilize the chaos

I caught a snapper
belly white as sea foam
puff white clouds above

I am a female political warrior
burning with an inspiring cult
intense in logic
tortuous in deed
determined to succeed

Sensitive in essence
cold-blooded in flesh
no barriers to accomplishment
though strong, tolerant, compassionate
please, I invite you to spar with me

A mini-sphere ruptures
amends untold lives for all time
abandons those close to devastation
the angel of death executes her calling
upon a still warm body
a man whose depression pleads for her to save him

Those left behind
remember the decimation
nightmares
demise, hollow
only dark memories float
angel of death clinches him
at once, they bolt into an unknown space of her choice.

Dark world virus, kills those who gasp for air
solitary confinement smacks us all
distressed, we open the window and sob

we wail for those whose spirits have left us
we clap for those who care for our sick cores
and laugh for all of us who stay healthy

Thursday
last exam
edgy, jitters
study in a thick fog
troubled about the breakup
could she wait
one more day?

Make me, take me
Mold me into your spirit
Let us enfold into one
Perfumed lips smack together
Honeydew bodies overlay
rose-scented breaths entwine
love has wrapped us into
a blind drunk package with a red bow

DARK MAGIC
Listen, the owl's hoot
a glance at his yellow eyes
wonder if he dreams

OUCH
A night in the barn
all swallows flutter about
screech, shrills wound my ears

CATCH-EM
Bats have widespread wings
augmenting their rattling speed
unless they are trapped

Three jobs
home to my musty hovel
little sleep, weary, red eyes
three mouth to feed
husband took off
no time to complain
barely time to breath
government stinks
selfish, heartless
we live or die
no work, no pay

Heart pains me
seen rich people
think about them
I dream wealthy
sit on my lounger
by the cool saltwater pool
sip my margarita, indulge
but awaken to my reality
some day my dream comes true
rich people detached about us poor
need more money to survive
no hope in my lifetime
just wish my kids win the lottery

Clockwork
midnight encroaches
a silent, old male reappears
to forage for leftover food
in unlocked, rusty garbage cans
street lamps divulge his coal black eyes
treacherous claws, slick snout
the moon’s torch accentuates
the thickness of his brown, hairy torso
his agility
every evening, his midnight supper
awaits his vacuous belly
no matter how paltry

A pair of expert free divers
High fly into the clear aqua sea
They splash in unison
Deep cavities in the water
Wide circles of ripples
Shapes obscure in the abyss
Bubbles surge to the surface

In the dark blue deep
Figures interweave
Hair swings back
Plucked by the current
Immerse in freedom
Envelop in sensual desire
Seek intimacy they both covet

Sea creatures embrace them
Who thirst equally
lovers kiss among
The psychedelic colors of swimming species
Who encircle them and share their secrets

Four walls close in on me
cramped space, barren
small slots force in sunlight
passing clouds, a sliver of hope
strange sense of being
deep breaths
many still to arrive
no privacy
far away screams
claw walls, sweat
curse words, threats, gangs, violence
populate this prison
hot, steamy, smelly, airless space
hunger, my innards ache
gruel, tasteless slop
reality is blind
sleep, only consolation
disturbed by black night noise
grasp at memories, dreams
no sense of time, monotony
boredom surrounds
wait
no one should ever exist like me

Old Grandfather clock greets its demise
the singular timepiece for old Mrs. Wise
What's to be done, I shall not know the time
who gives a ****, says her alter ego, you will be fine

Pitiable Mrs. Wise entrusts that clock
indeed, the soothing sounds of tick tock
in what way shall I know when to do what?
don't rankle says her ego, you'll be smack on the spot

Wherewith I know when it's time to sleep?
Thou shall see darkness shush not a peep
at what moment shall I ready the tea in the morn?
when the moon whispers its forthcoming dawn

In the absence of my clock, I am utterly lost
be sedate Mrs. Wise the clock has been tossed
a notion just came to me and I shan't ever tell
but now I hear the time by the old church bell

My untried timepiece is really quite fine
Hence, my body clock moves in a tidy sum of time

LIFE STORY

My tenuous wings
persistent wind blows
weakens my spirit
lazily slump
into a warm
wrinkled hand
my ***** forego
demise awaits

Stranger’s kindness
induces my second’s dream
wings fortify to fly
once again
kiss the flowers
hop the grass
hope

This day
my life’s story
edges towards
the earth’s abyss
where my fellow
extinct butterflies
belong
in this totality

Hues of warm and cold
spirit cleaves
dark and light, blue and white
spectacles of sinister clouds hover
viscous rainbow lips
bespeak intensity
lukewarm beard
defines the divide in desire
though in dreams
torments in the halo
images of sorceress enclose
scents of rapture breeze in
awaken in sublime void

Summer moon winks to my delight
but when he shows a scowl
he shrouds me with fright
the stars, they eternally shimmer
and cause my eyes to blink
I plead with them again to turn the lights much dimmer
a lonely star tumbles to the ground
I run, legs flying, to catch it and miss it
mother says come, I guess I'm homeward bound

Each warm summer eve
When the moon peeks from a cloud
I gaze at his face

When his lips pop up
I'm convinced he views my grin
It causes a giggle

When his lips sink down
I wonder about his mood
Do I change him so?

Eyes shut late at night
I see the moon in my dreams
no clouds to hide him

Opposites entice
surge of the season
heat scorches the golden sand
swim towels scatter, soda pop cans astray
smell of suntan lotion and seaweed
trickles of waves bubble to the shore
last idle days of summer

Culmination
sun's energy pales
beaches hollow, beseech sunbathers, walkers
footprints of Sandpipers scamper
scents of salty waves swell near the beach
bright red faces fade, scabby skin

Brand new flavor bursts in
muffled breath of cool air
slight breeze swings one's hair
refreshes the core
hints of red, yellow, green hues
alight on leaves
sun glowers
fall beckons

A hummingbird flutter
shreds my gut
agitates the peace
no method to shut
my alter ego seeks its best
to settle this critter down to rest

The angel of peace
settles on earth
to inform us
of earthly worth

So much to learn
to ensconce our differ
we shall resist
at whatever trickster

The path to peace
lays onerous to thought
we ought not fear
the trend to be caught

We hope to instill
those who will listen
that peace is vital
for a life to glisten

Let us harmonize as we trek
on the pathway to still
as we ration our divide
strengthen our will

Flag-draped wood box slides down the ramp
drizzle slightly dampens its vision
dark, bleak early morning
my eyes blur, hours of bawling, heaving
dry tears on my face and clothes

My little ones hold tight
looks of fear emanate from their eyes
bewildered, blank stares
soldiers, soaked, motionless
never move, show no emotion
do their duty

Flag gently folds in perfect form
gives me a gift
though I pause
Stand, unmoved, frigid
vacuous, no one stirs me
thoughts ramble
why him?
I am a widow

Dawn
sun peeks above the horizon
billowy white clouds dangle high
mist hovers low to the ground
rainbow colors stretch
as the gasses flow
into the swelling round balloon
a straw basket lay
on damp long grass
in wait for our journey
we board, listen, smell the fumes
to our surprise
bottles of champagne
black caviar

We lift off
as the engines roar
we greet the sun
but only for moments
we can almost touch the cotton clouds
we climb as they dance around us
dive, skip around tree tops
then swiftly surge upwards
like a gymnast's cartwheels

The gasses ease
as we gently drift toward earth
we look below
at a field of bright yellow flowers
as we put down on this soft cloth
greeted by French school children
all giggles, they stare at us
and our rainbow balloon
but what would this journey be
without an ending of champagne and caviar

Watercolor rolls on my canvas
as a sprinkle of tears on my cheeks
cool colors of blue, green, purple, jet black
mimic my sober mood
I scrawl repeatedly
until I strike my resolve

Trees obscure the atmosphere
lakes succumb to burnt umber
vacuous canvas swallows my spine
hues of paint befit my spirit

Gratification commands accomplishment
my cheeks prove to be dry
so too the consummate work of art

I trust that my next attempt
reflects a warm-hued mood
as the break of dawn awakens
strokes of red, orange yellow
splash on my canvas
in a flight of frenzy
my hand on the run
as my world unlocks
clarity prevails

Dandelion white seed cloud
ticklish to my nose, giggle
as it was when a young child
puff the airy seeds
whiff, only the stem remains
years ago, I rendered a wish
longed for it to come true

At present I am an aging arthritic
As I walk routinely about colorful fields
near my house, I pick these featherweight belles
say to myself "Am I too old to realize wishes?"
I ponder, and given that I am a sentimentalist
I go for it!
Blow and tiny seeds flutter and alight on me
I believe it is a good omen

While I walk I discover a bench, slightly hidden
behind a broad oak tree, all the while I hold the stem
sit, eyes close with ease
breathe the scent of freshly cut grass
slowly submit to a space between wake and sleep

I am in France, countryside, by a river
Ornate chateau, vineyard close by
stocks our bon vivant taste
acres of hillsides covered with
yellow **** and purple grapes
ancient road edges up to the chateau
garden of green, yellow and red vegetables
presents to table
freshly cooked by chef Henri
the pool is cool and refreshing
just as I approach my dive

I wake up!!
what a lovely sojourn
medicine for the arthritis
,

Whoosh, hiss
slow burn
murmurs
glides right
earth swells
slender clouds
flow by
silent saints
sun peeks, hides

Whine
bald treetops
glides left
thump
****
skyscrapers
heads bob
rumble
thud
breathe

My age creeps
like a ghost, silent, sinful
eyes with bird wing creases
oozes out of its corners
deep crevasses from nose to chin
ruts in between the eyebrows
wrinkle cream slops on
day after day
night masks, stiff,sticky, peel-off
contemplate the mirror
ouch!
more remedies

Serious reflection
I scrutinize faces of women my age
compare to my own
but who ages gracefully?
someone buries poison in my genes

I mull over my close family photos
smack from both sides
my fate screams
father has worry wrinkles on his forehead
mother has a double chin
grandmother has floppy underarms

I persist to my Hungarian ancestry
beauty experts agree these young women are stunning
I explore older family photos
still I detect the same
creases, wrinkles, ruts, blotches
I weigh my options
surgery? fillers? Botox?
scary notions

I think I'll dream of those pretty young Hungarian women
let nature decide my fate

Rain pours down on my broken core
my nerves pulsate from the soak
still I quiver, though I dry myself
in the warmth of the sun
darkness besieges within
as the world passes me by
my comfort lay in the blackness of the ocean
lifesaver that has its absence
only fleetingly

I find solace with the sea creatures
I am lulled
they greet me with an enduring glance
no pretense in my sanctum
voices of my sphere
who empathize with my pain
and, as I exit for a time
I deem unsavory
the colors of the detached world, onerous
I totter after my soak, rattle with unease
my repose is dark, as I yield to the inkiness in peace

Summer storms thrash about
slants the rain
boom clouds, lightning bolts
abstraction in the night skies

When it passes
at the dim light of dawn
rainwater cuts deep ruts
into the hillsides
rocks and mud crash land
to their resting place

The sun all dressed for the day
shrivels and dries the earth
tidies up the setting
bushes and flowers, neatly planted
stand *****, raindrops atop
to enhance color and scents
ahead of the next blast

**** trees surround us
but for a lone re-leaved shrub
pine green, pristine scene

Cloudless mid-blue sky
peeks though a thicket of trees
Woodpecker at work

Brown barn roof blankets
with pine needles and bird ****
a nest sits upstairs

His life hides behind a clown's face
pasty, psychedelic paint, gooey glop
please refrain from the peel
frigid tear drops
trapped into a cold, black stone

His broad euphoric smile
melts my inner core
my pulse dances
candles shimmer
on his pearl white teeth
I am awestruck by their beauty
as the light peters out
we caress in the shadows
though I remain fixed on that white beam
in my mind's eye

VEIL OF HOPE

Breathe, for we are swept
Into a wave of freedom
Close to a calm sea

A shear veil of hope
we sense a new dawn
Our mourning expires

We spiral, sturdy
With confidence and spirit
Which flows deep inside

My mood dampens
as the short winter days advance
my inner spirit sinks low
I bury myself with covers
lethargy, loneliness seeps in
darkness stabs me
my patience diminishes
as does the day's light
if I could hasten
this frigid world
my mood ought to soar
to higher ground
as long spring daylight
elevates hope
to those
whose blackness
is hell.

Your reflection
mirror of obsession
moves
like a slow waltz

Rough seas assuage
subtle fog
faces concealed with cloth
awaken to a ghostly city
albeit, hesitant movement, unsteady
as prisoners' death rise
distance demands

One fervor to fly
like cooped up birds of prey
takes priority over all else
flocks of birds' salvation

Emotions unbolted
hurry to taste the rain
soak the sun
sense the buds, smog
sweat of the city

Bizarre is the normal for us
rousing, prior to lockup
as it is, eager, a fresh smell
touch, passion, like strangers anew

The moon wakens my evening nap
compelling beams of beguiling yellow light
render my eyes to flutter
bespeaks of intensity
captures my focus
spellbinding lust stalks me
cascades at midnight
begets a lecherous mood
scents of burning embers

Stagnant cow brown eyes
a face of blues
embeds tear droplets  on my cheeks
I strive to boost your spirits
all I sense is a hedge between us

Maudlin face, head tilt
blood shot eyes
robed in black
she stands with tremor
before a cold gray stone
epitaph wilts

An anniversary
in the absence of celebration
scrambled sentiments bolt through her head
guilt, loss, anger, emptiness
temper that persists
to the cold core of her bones
despite the blistering sun's potency

Worst of all
a child's grievous capture from life
dreaded spectacle that no parent need behold
spears the bedrock
by no means overlooked

All that prevails
skeleton dust
beneath the dark, dank earth
endearing sentiments stretch through the years
laughter, cries, togetherness, family love
trappings of life she holds tight

I ring the bell
my step-mother greets me
she slaps me in the face
shock, dismay, anger, fear
“Your father died and you should have known.”
who is she to treat me like this?
I glare at her for seconds, she returns the same

Silence for a moment
“Where have you been these past years”?
far from the turmoil, I say
we hate each other
I retreated from my dad’s life
his insidious stare
his menacing mind
his crafty presence
“you have caused his death;
you drove him mad with your ***** tricks.”

I move closer to her face
to clarify
she shuts me up
no slap this time

I go to the morgue
heart attack
touch him
the last
she can’t accuse me
she has no one
I have a life

Red, plump, juicy, sweet, a bit prickly
a wee green flower sits atop
I tiptoe carefully through
tiny earth paths between rows of bright red

I pick strawberries
when school is finished
and the hot sun reaches its peak
trees are heavy with leaves
some branches almost reach the ground

My basket is always full
well, not quite
eat one, throw one in the bucket
I smear my lips and tongue bright red
a mess on my freckled dace
I lick my lips, afraid to lose a morsel

My grandma bakes strawberry pies
I stuff my mouth
globs of whipped cream

okay, ready for more!