Dead Cows Standing

once they grazed
in verdant fields
a placid herd
a wholesome scene

but now confined
in crowded pens
munching grain
from metal troughs

and there they stay
in rain or snow
in fecal muck
and acrid fumes

til rescued by
a packing plant
so we can feast
on marbled steak

River Bones

along the stream
upon the rocks
the bones appeared
a form intact

a case of ribs
a ragged spine
the legs attached
their hooves in place

a deer of course
had met its fate
perhaps from age
or coyote killed

the meat devoured
the skull detached
the carcass now
a chain of bones

and there it lay
beneath the sky
for mice and shrews
to gnaw what's left

denied a box
in gated lawns
its bones to feed
the river life

Unrequited Love

first hope
then joy
then doubt
then pain

more hope
more doubt
less hope
more pain

no hope
just doubt
more pain
just pain

The Professor

by early eve
he'd amble down
in boxer trunks
his cigs in hand

he sat to smoke
before his swim
a pleasant nod
would meet my gaze

and then he swam
a sluggish crawl
a dozen laps
before he quit

a few more cigs
until we closed
a word or two
for all who passed

and in my case
an offer made
a letter sent
to aid my goal

now decades hence
I think of him
his kindness lives
within my soul

The Flag

long it waved

across the south

near courthouse steps

on statehouse domes

a symbol of

the rebel days

when negroes did

as they were told

but now a rush

to take it down

since in its name

the hate unfurled

a call for love

despite the deaths

and all declared

the flag must go

one wonders why

it took so long

since we all knew
for what it stood

Kindness not Love

kindness
not love
will ease
their pain

kindness
not love
will win
their hearts

kindness
not love
will soothe
their souls

kindness
not love
will make
them smile

kindness
not love
is what
they need

A Promise Made

when first we met
our age the same
a young trainee
I sensed your grace

your symptoms new
myself inept
and soon the word
from others came

leukemia
is what they said
a dreaded fate
for one so young

the drugs instilled
a toxic mix
and soon your life
began to fail

from handsome youth
to swollen corpse
and through it all
your courage held

your pretty wife
was at your side
and through her tears
her love expressed

and for my part
a promise made
to face my death
as you had done

now decades hence
the memory fresh
your battle still
a source of strength

Winter Stream

clear and cold
it tumbles down
o're rocks and ice
through snowy banks

no sluggish flow
or muddy floor
no stagnant pool
or summer stink

a welcome sight
for bird and beast
when frozen ponds
deny them drink

Time to Live

the news arrived
a sudden jolt
a toxic cloud
of dread and fear

a fog of pain
his life on hold
a fervent wish
was made in vain

but then the push
to gather facts
to have a plan
to foster hope

and once begun
a sense of calm
the path now set
the journey clear

and past regrets
began to fade
as future goals
held less appeal

for now these days
held more import
his present was
his time to live