full jaundiced moon
an icon out of focus
night heat of urban smog
cannot be blinked away
distant events appear smeared

tanka 4.1

two floors down, a man
died suddenly this morning,
recently moved in
never met him out walking
never did learn his full name


tanka 4.2

true in his future
had many windows replaced
the labels still cling,
this morning, two floors down, a
man died, nothing could be done

A helpless mourner
Lilting in her deep sorrows
Raven in darkness
To lighten her nightly scars
Whispered her pray’rs to Selene

within nature’s realm
no imperfections exist
what is, nature meant,
imperfections, play of words,
growing, flowing, rewriting

the sun knows, out there
are more powerful forces
but it keeps spinning,
radiant in life without
a care in the universe

wide-eyed cats dream each
night of catching bright, full moons,
gazing mesmerized
scrutinizing its movement
leaping until morning sun