FIRE AND ICE
in a series of memories we made; thinking back,  lack of clarity
fore-shadowing our fall, taken in by, inevitablely, left waiting
the writing was on the wall-we never thought through, to place blame
when it came down neither of us really knew how to play the game

we are two elements of fire and ice, within moments of love, we are
ready to blaze on-only to lose our way, sure footing-  hot turning cold
what happened to us baby, what went wrong, still, through
a series of memories recalled; where a touch-once meant so much

if only we allowed our passion to survive into another day
with a burn instead of dying with the cold, if only we had another say
two hearts on trial, guity as charged- a love placed on hold
we are two elements of fire and ice; mistaking something more, exposing it all

we were child-like to wish by chance-in an unlucky happenstance full-on
where elusive stars, shone far away, we hate ourselves for not taking another stance
we are two elements of fire and ice within moments of love-ready to blaze on
to eclipse us both;  as touch falls stone cold,  what happened to us, would we never learn

by Michael Perry

AMOUR

give to me
your body, I love you
let me
explore, be transported
into the one promise, we will share
within these moments
to discover,  uncover-**** for, begging
the meaning of love
my fascination-to, you, I, painstaking-ache
to be in love
a prayer-answered
you, I as one
let this be our sanctuary
shelter from, together, be forever
we live, love, take from each other
spontaneous, closer, overcome, between
above, the exalted, by light, in the dark
our love, so- we- become- this-for us
intense with body and soul-declared, we are
light as air, infinite this- we, made-ageless

By Michael Perry

WE KNOW OTHERWISE

there was a point to feelings unfinished
of all those little moments stacked up
once there was love, we called it that
our link to one another, still its about
those little moments, out of a life time
we took them for granted, in our
last attempt at feelings lost, we lived
we fought through it, we sought refuge
in each others arms, holding on, as if
our life depended on it, now we realize
without those moments, when love
tried to deceive, we have seen it all with
renewed eyes, making us stronger for it
like in the early days, when love was new
thoughtful, unable to break, we know otherwise
until that moment comes, regard it, anticipate

by Michael Perry

THINK ABOUT IT
end of the month
another day down
gathered in one place
ticking off time, going forward
or back, inside out- one by one
once one reaches the end
it repeats, and the count
starts all over again, thats how its
been done for eternity, a day
for night, a morning sunrise
an evening sunset, the morning of
the day after, all very orderly
in a month,  a year, for all eternity
what does it really mean- is there
more to it-then space and time
well, your guess is good as mine

by Michael Perry

SHE BELIEVED

She believed in the sun and the rain
in order for every day moments to be made
she was stronger than I, left to place blame

we sat together, as she spoke up animated
out of this one conversation, she held my hand
out of her pain, she was stead fast-in order to placate me

on this day, she spoke in a voice loud and clear
giving from the heart, I cried while listening
to the detail of her interrupted dreams, her fears

It's been awhile now, as I speak her name, out loud
in this very moment- she suddenly crossed my mind
as the sun finally came out, while stubbornly hidden by the clouds

by Michael Perry

Angel of the Street (Sleeping On Concrete)

out here alone, I became aware of  
my new reality, my home- it  was here, out on the street
like a bad dream, I was awakened
from a troubled sleep, you got down on your knees, next to me

you held out your hand, to this broken man
I did not know you, yet you
accepted me for me, speaking my name

my angel of the street
you saved me with your smile
without any judgement, there on the concrete
told me I was worth saving
taking me into a warm embrace, when
others could not see, you saw me
down here, on the concrete- you were my angel of the street

you were a stranger to me, as you
came out of nowhere, yet you knew my name, how come?
still, I knew not to question your intention, I could feel, they were real

with my whole world
caving in, you told me
I was worth saving, you comforted me with
your simple words that healed, you took my shame away
and just like that
you erased all the hurt in my eyes, simply with
the touch of your hand-and then

you were gone

as I raised myself up
ready for the first time, in a long time

to realize-

I had been visited by an angel-who with a saving grace
-gave me the strength to stand up and carry on


By Michael Perry

We Were
We were just kids       living for back in the day
it was 1984                  San Francisco remember?
I do,  Ileene was a girl  I knew          full of fun
she was    ready for anything                 one day
it was at the                               end of the year
she dressed herself                                 all up
head to toe  in                          calendar pages
what a sight                               she didn't care  
what people thought                    or said of us
we were young                          wild and crazy
it was the year                          fleeting days of
                   willing to just standout
to be                                                whatever
we wanted       in varying     forms of expression
                   what can I say?
that year                           she said it for all of us

By Michael Perry

BLACK CAT, BLUE CAR

forever lost in their missed steps, beyond the cracks
steel garbage cans line up along  the blackened street tar
received without reply, for in those times gone unnoticed
two are poised, in it's strangeness; a black cat, blue car

by and by, as time flies to lives unsettled or to pass
this life stands stagnant, unmoved, hot to touch, near and far
anyone who wishes, in a subtle voice, lost among the whispers
unfazed nor rattled,  side step, both; the black cat, blue car

on a city street lives collide anonymous silhouette, the alley
heading anywhere else beyond pavements façade, scarred
close enough to touch, by the ruts, lost in moments, to pass
together they poised, to stare down defiant; a black cat, blue car

By Michael Perry

ANOTHER TIME

wish it was-but it's not, so why not, just stop talking
can't we- how about-turn back time, come on, be real
while we wait for a glimpse of it; of something better-huh
a quality of life, a little sum, sum, more, half of a wish-
to hold out hope, how about today- is it a waste, to
think, maybe, just maybe, no, not now, come on, stop
your a downer, I'm a realist- so when then-soon? -no
it's none of those- why, not just another time; a pipe dream
of what could be- , so we wait, - still  we wait, waiting for what?
this here - right now, nothing feels good, as we stand toe to toe
there's no anticipation, we get in line; suffer through, with the rest
for we are the miserables- the in-betweens of what-when, u care?
maybe, another time- could be, whatever you say- I am not like u
half glass full, not me-I am empty, I got nothing more- so we
walk, continuing, heads down- hunkering against; while, the guy
next to me nudges; he asks almost embarrassed, not quite, can you
spare me a dollar for a cup of McDonald's coffee? I tell him, sure, I've
had my share of anger fueled caffeine for the day-i am trodden, fed up

By Michael Perry

MIGRATION

out over the horizon's touch
far beyond any reasonable land-
where the sun meets the sky
is a place that -never had a name
found in the  glistening waters of
the north atlantic sea; ready to shimmer
like mirrored glass; reflecting on the
bodies of the artic tern and the swallow
as they swoop in their migrational
journey back, looking homeward- not
stopping until- as  a pod of humpback whales
follow along- diving and flapping their tails
being the giant masters of hereditary- who
come  back year after year to the place
they've always known- in their constant search
for a shoal of krill-there till, as the sun sets pink
on a month of transitions-soon to be fully realized

by Michael Perry

ORDINARY OR NOT MORE THAN THAT

you and i
once made a pact, to be not
like everyone else, to be
ourselves, no matter what
everyone else did, so we would do
our best, to not be ordinary, to stand apart

so here we are trapped
in the same old routine, this life
we warned ourselves of what would happen
if we slipped and became ordinary
the drain of being just plain, it was not
what we signed up for, so what? resist?

so maybe, just a thought, for us to ponder  
here's a penny for your thoughts
it seems about right, in some ways
ordinary served us better, just saying
how we spend our lives now, it could be worse, whether
ordinary or extraordinary, we are together
shouldn't that be how it's supposed to be, don't you think?

by Michael Perry

SO EASY

i felt so hopeless/ what more could i do/ knowing inside
something was missing/ then there was you/ with little more
than a kiss/ your gift has come to redeem me/ time after time
as our love becomes a flame/ my eyes are open/you've made me see

you are my breath- finally able to breathe
i am taken by you- bringing me back to life
in this love conceived, realized, you make it
so easy for me to believe that something this
good between us is real and will last forever

fulfilling all my dreams/ like a religion i am delivered
love has finally come true/ so easy; everything considered
you're love saved me/ like a clock without hands/ we fall
into the timeless sway/holding on/ you and i, all through
the night feeling our rhythm/ our forever- is here to stay

you are my breath- finally able to breathe
i am taken by you- bringing me back to life
in this love conceived, realized, you make it
so easy for me to believe that something this
good between us is real and will last forever


By Michael Perry

LOVE ON  

in the warmth of a first kiss  
or the chill of a relation in flux
we were better then this

with everything we have known
once truly believed in, our love slowed
each leaf of passion, fallen to the ground

what is left to say
as we stand like strangers
here now, arms out- kept at bay

we cannot explain
for being careless with our love
is it possible, have the strength to change

can we love on,  or have dreams deferred
save it within reason, have a plan
somehow make it right; explain the unexplainable

do we realize this
or apologize in vain
when feelings hurt-whose to blame

who were we protecting
with words that trivialize
emotions caught upending

can we love on, give up all we had
or should we make another go
face it all, the good, the ugly, the bad

by Michael Perry

FROM A POSTED NOTE

From a posted note found:

laid out in some fancy script
could have been really great, I guess?
one of many lines-maybe better expressed
how about in person instead- on it was written:

"I love you
let me
count the ways (100x)
to show you, starting
with today and always
it's you, it's always been you -who
I love and truly adore"-oops
:( I've run out of room-
flip the page; read on
Please!-there's so much more-I need to tell you-
still to come from me-stay tuned :)

by Michael Perry

THE BOYS

boys own this town, as they gather here, use their measured steps
meet at the corner, they own it--hot shots-looking around, ready to
keep their circle tight- tip top-from the looks; up to no good-

in the middle of the day, on a hot summer afternoon
with the agitation level at fever pitch, u don't breathe
for no matter, you can feel it, air, thick, like gun metal grease
the passersby, keep their heads down, walk on, click clack, run

if someone does decide to make a play- will they be prepared?
may be,or not -  give them a reason, just because, it will be quick-
watch- one itchy -trigger fingers it, lovingly-stock still, say the word
- the boys are ferocious- ready, prowling up, down, on the make

eyes are watching, up in their blood adrenalin pumped- fear them
zip zap, narcissistic concrete kings- looking for a fight don't even think
if you do blink- ****** on a zigzag -paranoid-deer in the headlights look
mindful, of the silence; ready set,punt- like a deadly-riff raff; game play

if anyone wants to try- u face an arsenal, of full armed-boys, trigger happy
you have been warned, runners will take on all comers; never the boys fault
they stake claim, come fully stacked-racked- making streets on this side of town

- so if you dare- be a pop, pop, bang- bang-hotshot, u be flippant stare down
the barrel of a gun-piece of cold metal steel, hot tempered, say your prayers- quick-
for if you -  made that fatal mistake-no u-turn, when you go cross their piece of turf

by Michael Perry

THE BABE AND THE BEAR

there in the woods-with secret eyes
made aware, to the deepening dark
that is filtering in, comes a sound made  
from out of nowhere appearing,  as this
changeling; a babe swaddled, under the
encrusted outcropping of rock; placed
there in it's sanctuary, by whom, no one
knows- no matter though, as the story continues
in the silence of deepening woods cleaved by
the dew gently gathering as it falls against the rock
face-in staccato time , to create a  wordless lullaby
all the while to make the baby doze-that is
until, along comes,  a she bear- who pads
through, she sniffs for a scent, and finding one
similar yet not;  like  other scents, found there
in the wood, she sees this babe, she approaches
coming close as she dares, as her warm breath
delights the baby making it coo,  she reacts as any
mother would in the circumstance, with the instinct
to protect and defend;  this little one, out of necessity
from any outside force; so all the intruders prepare to be
put on notice as she  settles in closer, using her thick winterized
coat  as the blanket, to keep them both warm;  and the baby
looks on with love - she sighs contented, as both close their eyes

by Michael Perry

THE SWAN

the male swan graces the water
without any effort, his lithe neck bows supreme
as he plays up his suspect regal lineage, with
tail feathers splayed, he introduces himself by
doing circles around, hoping to impress, seems though
this queen will play indifferent, having a standard all her own


by Michael Perry

HEAD OVER HEART (or vise versa)

to speak of love
it begins with the heart
have no doubt, though
your head will always ask for equal time

listen to all the words
that are coming through
do they ring true, or
fall flat - to give you false hope      

whichever way you want
to believe  know that forever
is on the line
when it comes to head over heart, or vise versa

hold your ground, do not give in
until  you are  convinced, truly
talking it through-a second opinion helps
when it comes to head over heart, or vise versa-listen to both sides
                          
by Michael Perry

BLUE

I called you on the phone
when you didn't answer, I left a message instead
needed to hear your voice, just one more time
I'm so sorry baby, so sorry for what I said
I wanted to explain
no matter what it takes
I really miss you, I made a mess
without you here, next to me, my heart will surely break
I need you to believe
when your not around, where do I go from here
feeling like the color blue, what can I do
don't you understand, why can't you see
I'm so sorry for what I said
I'm such a fool
what was I thinking
when I didn't say I love you back, when I do, baby, I do
it never crossed my mind
I didn't check with my heart, I just assumed
now the pain of losing you
is tearing me apart- instead
I need you to believe
when your not around, where do I go from here
feeling like the color blue what can I do
don't you understand, why can't you see- let me spend
the rest of our lives- making it up to you

By Michael Perry

WATER IS LIFE

for me water is life
i am a child of the water
born in January, an Aquarius
i am like a fish, with gills
for lungs, kept under the water
i live and breathe, thrive
but if i am kept from, taken away
made to lose the source, all but keeps me alive,
the essential essence of all that I know
i will suffocate, unable to
survive, die

by Michael Perry

ABOUT LAST NIGHT

about last night, still dulled, leaving a blur
of the anonymously random, reason unforgiven
that of the two strangers-who met last night-
legs and arms in a tangle, twisted, together
expectations sated-and within the dimmed light
of the early morning- the light peeks through-
from the dark curtains slightly pulled back-to  
reveal what remains of the disregard; all the disorder
that collides within having been sustained- from
the pulled back sheets bunched into a knotted pile; or
the random lip stick stain left on the deflated pillow case
as one reaches for ; onto the sticky vinyl table top, left are
two glasses, still half full, or the random change spilled
haphazard onto the rug, silently;  left there to die a
couple pennies, two nickels and a dime- while the two
nameless strangers gather up, their belongings, they
crisscross the room-absolved of a momentary lapse of guilt
to begin their exit from the room- letting the door slam
shut behind, as the elavator bell rings; it swings from side
to side, the paper customary sign, a reminder to the maid
that the room will need a thorough cleaning, once more

by Michael Perry

SCENES OF WINTER MORNING

in the morning as
the **** frost lays gathered
crystalline grey white keeping hold
across the landscape for now until
the tepid warmth of day slowly climbs
and like a blanket to be rolled back
another crisp winters day is revealed underneath

by Michael Perry

MAKE RIGHT THE WRONG

on days countless, empty headed- would
lead into something random, where
I am not complete, of missing a
thought or two, a slight remembrance, here
there, comes a flicker of light, to come; go
there-into this dizzying fog; to consume-to
over come me, in an instance, no control
taking every word from out of my mouth- each syllable
missing their cue, to where, I am, I was, what now
for losing them; into the air- this mixing jumble
of words sentences going no where, as you sit
watching helpless, with just your simple touch
it steady's my focus- to make right the wrong

by Michael Perry

ABSENT

seems so don't know why
i cannot defend, or explain
still the fact remains- if only
to -you not me cutting the cord
a bloodless coup having invaded
to take up all the spaces, absent of time
no moments remain, with a killers revenge
that has no name, it comes between us, am i still
do i realize, wish i knew-unprepared, lost
my world as a whole turns upside down
if only-to go back, in a change of scene
to draw up-give back, you taken, took from me
the circumstance to change of place, i live with
am overcome, to a feeling of being startled-is how
i wake up from this, ongoing nightmare of me
you, a scent of us still remains, then, my body begins
to ease in, once more, i will close my eyes, and a
tear falls, silent-I am not ready, as it draws me back
against my will, to take me down deeper still  

By Michael Perry

TIME HAS COME

to myself, I think the time has come
I've made up my mind, It's taken me years
to understand- it was never my fault
I  was blind to facts while always taking blame

today is the day, we both face the truth
you will not change, so change begins with me
I counted each day as a prison sentence
you as the warden to keep me in lock and key

why did it take so long to recognize why
I have no easy answers to explain
love is blind, and each time you think
that with a little more time, things will change

as I touch the doors handle, my hand shakes
I don't turn around to look back, or I will
surely remember the pain- it's tuesday morning
at 3:30 am- I've finall y taken all I can take

the street outside is silent, the light is barely through
my life has been a blessing, yet I've always felt the curse
as my mind races faster than I can comprehend, I stand here
thinking- my feet planted, to reflect on, a freedom deserved

by Michael Perry

NO ME WITHOUT YOU

you've shown me in ways a love so true
from out of everything good-I don't take light
for I know there is no me without you

looking forward as the whole world turns
we make ready our own gravitational pull  
coming together often  in a love fire burn

years from now as the sun rises up in the sky
and the moon shows bright  every night leaving
only the stars to tell our story of love undenied

By Michael Perry

A KITCHEN ROMANCE

spoon loves to fork
fork loves to spoon
knife chimes in-cut it
you crazy kids, go on
and get yourselves a room

By Michael Perry

BEEN THERE (anthem for those feeling love-challenged)

we all tell ourselves
once maybe twice, been there
each time-ready
to take it to the tide, we say
love at first sight, making us two of a kind
out of every bad relationship
we will overcome, love is
like a mystery not defined, our hands to the fire

we say we tried it
as we gaze into a crystal ball
looking for that person, hoping
someone will look back, the point being
we know,  we knew better, still
there will be
no visions of happily ever after

each time it may
feel like a sermon being preached
over and over, we know
the emotion, still
love comes at a cost, hard to hold
out of reach, coming up empty handed

why is it
some of us find it difficult
to overcome the stigma, of being single
when love, comes and goes
playing elusive, with our hearts, still
the battle is hard fought, i understand
been there myself, so persevere
someone is waiting, looking to be found

By Michael Perry

WHO DECIDES

it's cold today
as we stand near
the upturned earth creating
the last resting place for him
too young to succumb, his body
could not help itself, so it
succeeded where he failed, taking him
without fight or argument
so we wait here as
the hearse pulls in, followed by
a couple cars with others like us
who cannot believe, we are here like this
saying our good byes
it doesn't seem fair, or real but, who gets to
decide that- obviously it wasn't him, if it was
he would be here too, standing next to us
looking down-instead of up

by Michael Perry

FOUR LETTER WORD (version two)
we believe
albeit crave-to remain- once defined- we plead
forever- I and you- hard to explain-we give it
receive it- state it in our prayers
we live it –keep it- all in the name of love
so profound
lost to the stars-we will remain
standing in awe
a word used for devotion
spoken for or used with the eyes
a word
to be lost on a page
fighting back to be heard
most powerful- having no comparison- to live
made invincible- in small dose-or a physical reaction
heaven or hell
the pain and passion
upon the alter-of wanton devotion
a night or a life time- most symbolic
fueled by emotion-made to testify-praise love
spaces filled-as in the blood returns
synapses burn- we surrender to- je t’aime
bold and blessed- stay forever- heart beat
saved by-embrace it- for the moments we create
love so chaste- breath taking-swept away- memories made
all in the name of- love

By Michael Perry

ADDICTION TO

out of an ember
as the day fades into night
made from sparks-
of burning faith  made right
to become flame,    we, in this, our heated exchange
having bodies fleshed out
by the shadows, as we are
****** upon hallowed ground
willing to whisper speak, for in our preemptory prayers
out of the soul searching it demands
we proclaim
this divine intervention, we are consumed,
with hearts exhumed, by these stolen demands, we
take heed, to breathe it; as if our last,
ready to
ignore mind over matter
the body and soul, is overcome, free-fall, letting go
to be-  human after all, within our limited capacity
we will accept true love, unable to explain it , other to say, more than this
the complication of- drove us here; with love like a drug, having no remedy or cure; our addiction to this
is made bigger- than we both could have realized

By Michael Perry

OUR TIME OF NEED

its always been about the words
with us-what we said
how we said them- in what form ; in which
way- to love, using words to hurt, with words to shame
how words give creedence- lay blame,we used
words to bolster our claim, we used them to prop us up
to make us feel better, when we needed it when-
and now -
it's about the words unsaid; in this our here and now
being altogether inappropropriate, for us-in this
our time of need, they are meaningless, they carry no weight
in this, our time of need, nothing else seems to matter, as
we  come to understand-that we have other senses- unused
unrecognized- hardly ever-thought of, till now
ready to reciprocate- in this-         our time of need.

by Michael Perry

MY LOVE

my love,   my love
with a hearts on fire, my heart is filled with desire, I speak your name
enuciate- dedicate my life, to touch, of this woman, my breath barely
escapes, flesh made reactive- rush upon the tide, the moon is full-white upon white
in hot whisper- cold sheets- collarbone kiss; touch of tongue, cleft of thigh
with sweet desire flame made high- moments succincintly, love has meaning
there up on the altar flesh of our truth- dawn is close, in shared communion we
look to the joy, out of the bodies hum, we will claim the unbidden, to each to each
in singular times, we are bound one  to one-flesh made of our purpose; a vow-taken
as the two souls awaken- we continue on, on -to; to give in, to, as we consecrate love

By Michael Perry

THIS WOMAN

today, I am reminded of you, in most days you are of
a random singular thought, my silent pause, my somehow
happy image to reflect, to look back on, with a smile or a
tear or two, you are an indelible mark upon my life this
woman of silent strength and dignity, who stood tall, in my
life-she, who surrendered her love to me forsaking herself
above all else, she who gave me breath to speak, my sight
with eyes to see, a mind to think it through, my senses given
pause, to me you are, above all, so take this time, life is precious
let every minute count, never forget, for if you don't all that
will be left, are random photos and the piece-meal memories

By Michael Perry

DAYS ARE

days are
fleeting
one page at a time
they fly
try to catch them
or not, who are we to say
when we
have no control-of where
or how they go
one after the other
left to future's rearranging
of their importance-by date
logged into history's book
where they will remain-
left to others
to agree or not, worthy or infamy

By Michael Perry

FAMILY

we come
together
maybe, once, twice, as a family
knowing blood is thicker than water
we tell ourselves, until the moment
someone slips, saying the wrong thing
then it happens, all hell breaks loose
the fists will fly, making like sticks and stones
and no surprise, there will be broken bones

by Michael Perry

LOVE PLAYS A PART

love plays a part
in all of our lives
whether it be
familial, genuine, or the pure
love is stronger than life itself
reaching beyond even death
for more than anything
the human mind cannot comprehend
so as you assuage the pain let it ebb, flow
cry yourself to sleep, when the  tears let up, dry
know that love will be there, to carry on, remain infinite

by Michael Perry

OBSESSED

what is it, tell me, as you twist and squirm
on the couch next to me agitated, or something
so tell me-this is not you-as you get up; and i
try to move in closer, and you cross the room
to the fireplace, to stir the dying flame, poking it
and in an instant what should have come alive; died
you are still standing, half in shadow, clearly fussing
and momentarily, i forgot where i was,  in that time
you moved further away, i find it hard to take a breath
you did not notice;  i know whats coming- as i see it
in your eyes; betrayal- giving you away, i feel nothing
i stand up to freshen my drink, stare into the mirror
on the wall, i don't turn back, i walk out of the room
i am like a stone, cold, un-moving not giving you the
benefit to explain- i am no longer obsessed with love

by Michael Perry

IN THE ABSTRACT

you make me feel, have given to me, a happiness
i never realized, before, something felt, i thought i lost
a need to be filled, easily craven, wanting more, of love
which was given freely - made so real, no need
to explain further any more of this, i am ready for
you to lead me  once more, to the fount for a drink
fill my cup, be sustained- as nothing you  or i  will
take from this life, or next  -the question of how or why
as it lives on inside us both-the unquenchable  thirst for love
i found in you-you saved me-  i was taken to the brink-
come to think of it-  the simple fact was- we were
a dream once made of shades; a lost reality found
only in the abstract-before this, now we take care, keep safe
this fragile thing; a love  to be felt, we will claim fully as ours
we give into, a life to be lived, a love given, taken, shared

by Michael Perry

EVERY FALL

every fall, that time for burning leaves
once ignited they will lip and curl up
making little wisps,  charred, they rise far
carried by the shift of wind, each
small ember reminds me of fireflies
as they flit on a sticky July dusk night
now a distant memory, still being it's
late October, ready to  remind, with it's
chill, beginning to insert itself, I rub my
hands once, twice, and the day fades
more quickly now,  trying to get this
chore done, every year the leaves fall
I burn them, and they continue to pile up
a never-ending seasonal curse, what's worse
the cold or the leaves, I race the clock, my mind
wanders  as I watch the remains, using my stick
to disperse what's left of the pile, I make small ones
here, there, when my wife  calls from the open door
releasing welcome warmth, the house beckons me in

by Michael Perry

From a Hill

from a hill that gives chill swept
by the pacific northwest sea lays
below me the view appearing endless
except for once in awhile the
letting down of deciduous leaves
that fall from the single
sullen yew; in life mistreated
by weather and age yet, stays
entrusting the visitor, to find no disappointment
from this vantage it keeps hold
as for my gaze, anywhere else
would simply pale in comparison
as I stand here and now

By Michael Perry

CRAZY MAN

I am a crazy man
one who lives to take risks
with each turn, every time
building like a drug, fills me up
to make the adrenalin grow
keep me high, be so powerful
I am able to leap tall buildings
in my reckless abandon, I own my
destiny, for whatever it takes
I can beat you, this-every time
to feel ten feet tall-still, make no
mistake, there is no substitute
until mortality- stares you in the face

By Michael Perry

He said                      She said
   what was said- by who
when, where, what day, time
accusations                ***** shame
such a crime                       time goes by
            water under the bridge
            or fueled by animosity
           turning into a- blame game
                   no one wins
he said                                    she said
        - round and round- it will go
                  in a vicious circle
                 -how to explain- court appointed
***** laundry- tossed about- shouting over each other
having no end         and so it goes- little pieces
            of a marriage-that once was
                                                             ­ thrown away

By Michael Perry

INTO THE MIRROR

I wanted to beat-the system
to live well-past prime, where age
is a number a relatable, an idea
transformed in flesh, here now
looking into the mirror, this morning
I realize, my face is unrecognizable
appearing aged, drawn- where a spark once
lived-from what I remember- to stare back
this stranger, in my own skin, I don't comprehend
maybe its the lights; or the turn of my head, false hope
as with everything else;  age catches up, time marches on

by Michael Perry

I SHALL NOT WRITE AGAIN

i shall not  write again, i can hear
myself say, is this the end
when the words fail to materialize
on any page, i am angry with myself
sad withdrawn, what  is happening to me
there used to be a day when, i would
literally see words write themselves, and
now nothing, what am i to make of it
i am beginning to feel spooked, i have heard of
times like this, but not expecting it for myself so
as i sit here wondering what is next for me- i hear
in the other room, the clock on the wall tick tock away
and so i smoke on and on endlessly, trying to cope
all of which creates an unhealthy haze surrounding me
beads of sweat gather at my brow, i can see for myself
this is real as i bear witness to a blank lifeless empty page

by Michael Perry

TAKING A WALK

in the city visiting  to take my mind off things
for a just little while, so i thought maybe taking a walk
would be enough to clear my head, on this day somehow  
i took a wrong turn veering off  the usual walkabout
it was early spring, with no coat  still i felt confident
as i looked to recognize  a landmark or two, i was
sweating bullets, soaking through my tee-shirt
as a little voice said stay calm, while i clearly was
not- crossing over into a state of panic, it was mid-day
with time on my side-still i   could not figure out how
i had  made such a mistake to lead me this far a stray
by now i had walked for quite a while, feeling parched
i wanted something to drink, so i looked around, the
neighborhood was typical, close together , lots of two stories
with front facing porches, i sat down at the nearest one
hoping no one would mind, within a minute, my breathing slowed
my pulse beat a little less hard, then from out of nowhere, stood
a person over me and i looked up, to see, they were dressed
in a white robe, diaphanous see- through, like a cloud, i blinked
then they called me by my first name, i thought: who can this be?
the voice was reassuring and put me at ease, they said you walk so fast you need to slow down, i asked why? because they said there is no rush you are already home- i was confused, my mind  began to swim-while up ahead- i saw a commotion with lots of people gathered around milling about  i stood up from where i was sitting, i decided to walk over there -i heard people say- he never saw the car - he must have  been confused, to walk  right in front of it, as i looked over i saw someone lying in the street who looked like me, as if i was sleeping  but  surely that cannot be  as i was standing right here, and the people continued to walk right by me as if  i was not even there, someone else said - such a shame he was not from around here, no one here recognizes him- soon i heard the sirens  and  the crowds started to stir  then break a part a little more in order to let the officers in- they started asking questions
while, taking down notes, then i felt  a soft tap on my shoulder, it
was the stranger asking me  if i was  ready, i began to feel calm, reassured as the surrounding voices  waned, we turned around to  walk back the way i had come, thinking i was lost, turns out i wasn't at all, and with each step i took, I felt myself, grow strong becoming more alive, if that was possible to feel ten or more years younger too

by Michael Perry

DISPARITY

such a picture perfect
with windows, small house, garden
on a hill, blue sky, green grass

plenty of open spaces
acres of land, fish in a nearby stream
room to grow, fresh air, the stars at night

displayed on a rack with other magazines
has a price tag unknown
out of reach for many, except the very few

by Michael Perry

SEASON

Tender buds break
up through the snow
sun gently caresses
to warm the cold heart
reawakening it's dormant soul
oh bless-ed day
feel beyond the ice of death
brought back to life
in this our season of change.
By Michael Perry

LUSTRE

You and I
once made a pact - to a love that was new
as the years gathered, so did the silences
as we avoided conversations, to be in the same room
we once did-now not the same as the
golden lustre of youth slowly died, so do we here, surrender
with our hands up, clearly  the stars that night
such a long time ago, did betray, the innocent beginnings
of a love that was never given a life to breathe on it's own

by Michael Perry

ELEGY

as the dusk heightens against an early
winters backdrop, she walks, her head down
as she thinks of; of him, he so full of presence of
life itself, bigger than he; entering a room and
so quickly noticed, she smiles at that; of him, of them
how happy they were, planning each day together
never thinking it would end like this-she walks past
the lines of river birch, and scrub, as singular leaves
brush past her shoulder; she enters through the gate
to the small church yard and the cemetary beyond
within a stones throw, she stands in front of a stone
with a familar name, husband, son, father- as she reflects
on a life not fully lived- had she only known; on what could
have been, but will now never be- as a cold drizzle distracts her
on further thoughts of him, she turns with sentiments now lost into
the air itself- - she walks on alone arms folded against her chest
as she steps back into the approaching night

by Michael Perry