Afloat

iron seas and skies
sailing into the north wind
my face to the rain

solitude-
my paddle dips
into glassy water

Commuting

eaten alive, wedged
in the belly of the beast
resigned to his fate

roaring water-
the spawning grounds
await upstream

Anxiety

mired in my fears
a prisoner of what was
slave to what might be

hawk’s shadow
into a deadfall
a rabbit tail

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