Quiet

your slow gentle breath
in the forest silver wolves
hold court with the moon

icy water-
the sound of blood
rushing in my ears

Safe

lonely red roses
walked off from the outside by
a thicket of thorns

the sun
our children at play
in the back yard

Illusions

folding the laundry-
I struggle with the mundane
while fame eludes me

feeding the birds-
a passing peacock
opens his tail

Thirst

palm leaves shade the sand-
reclining in a chaise lounge
drinking in the sun

salt air-
margaritas
whet my dreams

Shelter

hard rain pelts the trees-
a hummingbird takes shelter
on my windowsill

desert noon-
seeking shelter
beneath the sand

Welcome

strange and foreign shores-
weary travelers embark
on their next journey

soft underbrush-
a fawn turns to the
welcoming sun

Listen

earbuds on silent-
subtly eavesdropping on
your conversation

sudden chills-
mantras I whisper
to myself

Cut

mirror finished steel-
chrome and crimson upwell as
I lick the razor

melting ice-
warm and salty
on my tongue

Vet

worn jungle jacket-
three tours couldn’t prepare him
for life on the street

cold sweat-
desert sands
abrade his dreams

Rain

low distant thunder-
the smell of fall in the air
as the rain rolls in

sleeping cats-
outside the rain
turns to sleet