to get back to square one

having not learned a thing

is an unwanted victory

rest is not easy

as we all know

slates are not blank

glowing in the dark 

are the faces that have me sinking down

simple chords sound so beautiful

on the outskirts where I live

being cut off at the soul 

has left a jagged feeling

only yesterday 

we thought time was on our side

holding on was much simpler then

and the sway kept on so wonderfully

making it matter is what we wanted

it didn’t need to be taken all apart

if I see you in the darkest night

I promise to keep your dreams within my heart

it will come to take you down

oh yes it will

names are what is forgotten

but you will never be

stay awake is what I asked

using a whisper was my mistake

gaining nothing in spite of the truth

makes for a worthless trip

if we shall meet in yonder morning

the sun will shine for me

fallen leaves freckle the path

in the park where I walk

I’m gaining strength 

from autumn’s air surrounding me

tragedy lurks, it should not be sought

we will not be less broken

a misplaced note

has me hanging on

bargains struck after midnight

leave questions about true fate

slipping through hands in the rain

raise exhales from deep inside

avert the horns

and you will celebrate another day

the calendar marches at its resolute pace

my eyes pressed tightly seeking a memory

but time has never faded your face 

children unable to say goodbye as life became less free

precious gifts stolen

too much they will never see

swallowing hard we exited the home we made together

one last time

unfathomable were the ideas of you not coming home 

grace endured as a white flag called the fight

tomorrow immediately became unimaginable 

hearts and souls gaping

like shining eyes

there for eternity

stars map the sky

in the morning mist you were not looking

a change of speed arrived unannounced

just as rhythm found its pace

the moon holds a full heart 

as it bounds high above

walk on with hope

under layers

marred innocence roams

dormant it lay

the crime

not because it was not found

but not cared for

tempered by fear

keep the horizon in your sights

it is where day meets night

the dusky night brought pink and yellow

to the evening’s affairs

step out front 

and live within the awkward night

there is darkness all around

but I see you outside my window

early autumn winds have begun to cool

no less devoted to the cause

When the world around you stops and a deep in your gut sickness arrives. “This can’t be happening” repeats in your head. It can’t get worse. Just wait. Ultimate fear begins to set in. Nothing is more real or surreal when you feel the best option is to jump. Disbelief lays down with panic. All unfolding in slow motion. And it just got worse.

A black line pushes toward the ground. Yellow smoke and debris mushroom in its wake. Blackness envelops the chaos. A beehive of activity all around. Attempts to reassure are needed, but fall flat with what you see. Eerie pockets of silence hang below once sunny skies. And once again amidst the destruction, death rains down. Unimaginable thuds haunt in real time.

White dust. Screaming sirens. Emotions flow unbridled. Tears streaming upon empty faces. The blue September sky is still there – holding angels – but it’s hard to see. In an instant everything has changed. Living on will now demand more.

this love you found

it’s me through and through

it may be broken

but still my love

I give you me

it’s what I have

did I mislead your heart

with a look or promise

did I offer what I do not own

apologies for all I am not

is there a message 

when candy pink dresses the sky

an ease back in your chair kind if peace 

is drawn out when nature’s heart is on display 

tell me departed 

do you see what I see

the beauty

the pain

the love

playing solitaire in a crowded room 

as static crackles in the forefront 

his loneliness grows

left here looking at pictures of you

it all matters, but not like before

he would not lie to you, only to himself

it was just that

an attack 

trouble filled the space

all at once

where time once ran smooth

staring off in the distance seems useless

as the sunrise comes for everyone

for the hopeful 

for the pained

and for me