Love

it may stalk over time
or pounce in a flash
but once it strikes
there is no escape

for there it lingers
locked in your heart
talons sunk
forever bound

if the one who strikes
reflects your glow
the wounds will heal
and the heart will sing

but if your love
is not returned
the talons will tear
and pain will endure

Cardinals

ornaments
amidst the gray
these winter guests
adorn the trees

in flocks they come
to take our gift
and in return
our darkness fades

War 101

shock and awe
bombs bursting
in air

oh say
can you see
the dead children

Christmas Cheer

joy to the world
consumption reigns
with gifts galore
beneath our tree

peace on earth
for chosen lands
while battles rage
across the sea

good will to men
who share our view
for christian faith
will set them free

silent nights
across this globe
as nature yields
to man's decree

oh come ye all
and join our choir
for all is well
for you and me

Red Tails

perched on limbs
in sun or snow
their heavy bodies
catch our eye

patient beings
these killers are
content to wait
for prey to roam

should spirit rise
their wings unfold
to catch the wind
and soar above

and then we see
that rusty tail
as sunlight strikes
their gliding form

oh to share
their graceful flight
and lift our souls
above the earth

Sundays

a foggy mind
coaxed from bed
last night's beer
drums my head

neatly dressed
packed inside
off to church
a weekly ride

in the pews
our dose of fear
a fashion show
god's word to hear

back at home
bacon fumes
canadian sunset
fills the rooms

sunday chores
assigned by name
dinner and homework
end the game

Shades of Gray

for some who face
this complex life
sharp lines divide
the good and bad

all is wrong
that is not right
what not divine
from evil born

there is no room
for calm dissent
no right to doubt
the cherished law

if in their mind
the matter rests
they cannot bear
another view

but would we not
be better served
by eyes attuned
to shades of gray

Metaphor

some must write
in prose obscure
to make you think
or so they say

but why not pen
what thoughts arise
in simple terms
that all might hear

I guess to ask
would be in vain
for artists know
what peers adore

they write what we
cannot absorb
and so their work
receives acclaim

and I would try
to share that style
if clever lines
could soothe my soul

Two

some moments
only two share
words expressed
emotions bare

locked in time
memories dwell
but do they rise
in her as well

November

drifting leaves
the scent of smoke
shorter days
toward winter lead

in the woods
a barren look
where silence builds
before the dark

but on the lakes
a lively scene
as ducks and geese
escape the snow

across the fields
the weathered stalks
where voles and quail
reclaim the spoil

and in the skies
the raptors soar
intent to cull
the weak and old

War

since man could hate
these battles rage
for glory sought
and power gained

declared by those
in safe retreat
their legions sent
to fight and die

and those who live
forever scarred
their bodies torn
their minds betrayed

though other means
might better serve
a force of will
is what we choose

if over time
our motives fade
a treaty signed
a victor hailed

though many young
are lost in vain
these wars endure
no lesson learned

Grade School

I see the black garb
the white edging
the heavy beads
and hairless crowns

I see scowling faces
and waving arms
hear painful words
and dire threats

they were fear mongers
the righteous ones
blessed as they were
and empowered by god

The Critic

a brilliant mind
though talents few
raised to know
his words are gold

from his fans
a power gained
for artists all
a fickle fate

for through his eyes
their work unfolds
a hopeless quest
or cherished gift

pursued by some
his favor gained
for in his hands
their fate may lie

creative works
cannot escape
his focused words
his critical mind

Public Saints

beads in hand
they pace the walk
sending prayers
for crimes within

rain or snow
a silent watch
their righteous stand
a public scene

for they proclaim
that life is life
and only god
can halt its course

but do they house
an unloved child
or open hearts
to shattered teens

for it they don't
these saints ignore
the pain and strife
their words demand

Remembrance

what thoughts arose
as they drifted north
perhaps of the game
or of tackles missed

perhaps of parties
planned that eve
or a promise to keep
the following day

perhaps of a future
ever so bright
a career to unfold
or children unborn

who would know
those plans were moot
to die in youth
that very day

and now as I ponder
that night long ago
when death seemed closer
than ever before

I cannot desire
more than I have
my life so full
their's cut by fate

Dreams

fragments of life
remembered or not
surface in sleep
beyond our control

persons loved
and others feared
crowd the scene
against our will

unleashed thoughts
in slumber rise
that when awake
would chill our soul

connections vague
in senseless plots
the mind unloads
what life instilled

Snow Geese

high overhead
white on blue
high pitched calls
turn eyes from below

riding the wind
cold in their wake
off to the coast
freedom on the wing

The Book

it must give comfort
to have the answers
written on pages
line by line

no questions to ask
no mystery to ponder
when ancient words
guide their thoughts

science might pry
but faith prevails
and truths endure
locked in a book

Oregon

from rocky coast
to desert rim
a slope of rain
a shadow of sun

a spine of peaks
divide its realm
majestic falls
to streams below

valley hills
of oak and grass
soften the land
where rivers run

along the edge
a rugged shore
wrapped in fog
and lashed by sea

above the surf
towers loom
seabird lofts
til waves prevail

Poetry

why resort
to lengthy prose
when just a phrase
or two
will do

Romance

we first succumb
as cautious teens
different creatures
alien beings

attraction builds
a change in view
thoughts uncertain
words unclear

soon we learn
our needs comply
though how expressed
takes time to know

one day sought
the next ignored
feelings drift
intentions blurred

if love unfolds
all seems well
but romance fades
and pain ensues

nature's trick
this endless quest
trapping hearts
thrashing souls

Autumn

from summer heat
a welcome change
the shorter days
a lower sun

painted woods
a drier land
restless flocks
escape the chill

with milder days
the urge to roam
a harvest moon
unfurls the soul

as darkness builds
and sun retreats
colors fade
and winter reigns

Newfoundland

rugged cliffs
a choppy sea
gulls cavort where
humpbacks feed

fog drifts in
to bathe the rocks
ocean views
for seabird lofts

spruce and fir
bent by gales
cling to slopes
above the swells

beyond the edge
a grassland sprawls
boulder strewn
and swept by squalls

inland bogs
and coastal bays
shape this land
of greens and grays

carved by ice
now rimmed by sea
its beauty shines
wild and free

The Owl

he sits in mist
as darkness grows
among the trees
a meadow view

for this is all
he'll ever know
no past or future
cloud his mind

seasons change
but his is one
rest and hunts
consume his time

no thoughts of death
or problems rise
he lives by feel
no plans unfold

but now a movement
caught his eye
on silent wings
he drops to kill

his meal consumed
at rest once more
summer heat
or winter chill

A Friend

once we met
the bond was there
enchanted by the earth
and all that she gives

new places
brought more wonder
new creatures
more mystery

simple things
were what we sought
no need for glamour
in nature's world

but change occurred
real or imagined
born of success
or stirred by loss

the truth uncertain
now that he's gone
still a friend
an eternal bond