Commitment

acrid smoke rising
the ruins of our marriage
burned and smoldering

twilight-
our wedding vows
worn and tarnished

Death

empty eyes soulless-
sliding down the razors edge
between life and death

soft rattles-
promises of release
in the tall grass

Fatherhood

butterfly kisses
half asleep on my shoulder
soft breath in my ear

cool breeze-
your tears
slowly drying

Hollow

awake and alone
the contours of your body
still fresh in my sheets

a startled thrush-
impressions left
in the tall grass

Memories

faces of the dead
constantly with me waiting
for my eyes to close

lost souls-
the silence
of the fen

Contemplation

the great blue heron
gently gliding just above
its own reflection

standing water-
a perfect sky
at my feet

Time

much have I witnessed
during my earthly journey
and I am humbled

etched in stone-
recounting our
shared history

Delta

split in two at birth-
all these years spent searching for
that which makes me whole

wild horses-
where the river
meets the sea

Sleep

your head on my chest
the sudden twitch of your leg
as you fall asleep

contemplation-
the sounds
of soft breathing

History

an aging oak tree-
all our sins laid bare beneath
the outstretched branches

a shoe in the grass-
the tire swing
motionless