Rio Grande

it trickles from the lofty crest
to tundra pools in grass and rock
from there it flows in icy streams
that merge atop this massive block

and down it snakes beneath the spruce
through aspen groves and hills of pine
through fragrant woods and meadows gold
through swirling pools and falls divine

this eastward run to san luis
though rather short is very steep
and thence it rumbles o'er the plain
beneath the ramparts broad and deep

and soon it curves to face the sun
and weaves a path across the floor
to bypass domes of molten rock
and cut its way through lava core

for now it lies within the rift
where thinning crust is pulled apart
and on it flows to drier lands
where painted skies are nature's art

past faulted blocks and barren domes
past desert scrub and watered land
it leaves a swath of marsh and wood
before its flow by humans dammed

from here below it angles east
and forms a rift of man's decree
through walls of rock and lush preserve
a final run to meet the sea

One not Only

we humans hope
in days of youth
that one will come
to heal our pain

a special soul
a perfect match
the one designed
to make us whole

and so we search
an image drawn
of one immune
to human flaw

we cannot seem
to trust our heart
awaiting signs
that never come

alas we learn
as years go by
that love is not
confined to one

though love endures
returned or not
another chance
will come along

Never Again

the signs unfold
before our eyes
the words of hate
the troubled mind

we do not act
we look away
perhaps from fear
or simple doubt

and then the peace
to violence lost
and we declare
never again
once more

Toy Guns

we loved toy guns
on christmas morn
the smell of caps
a holster worn

some were shiny
silver or black
injuns or tigers
provided to wack


favored toys
designed to kill
though just in play
a power thrill

we humans sing
let freedom ring
as kids we learned
the gun is king

Christmas Mystery

born to poor
the story goes
a simple man
a simple life

his legend lives
in written word
his thoughts inscribed
for all to hear

and yet a mystery
still endures
though not of powers
long bestowed

more the question
how his church
though wrapped in faith
could lose its soul

and how the men
who preach his word
defend the pain
that they impose