Rest

evening in the woods-
footfalls in the the underbrush
betray my silence

a park bench-
convincing a crow
to let me sit

Insomnia

dull red numerals-
precious sleep stolen away
minute by minute

the wee hours-
eyes wide open
In the darkness

Drip

rust stained porcelain-
hard metallic drips echo
off the bathroom sink

far from sleep-
the dripping faucet
maddening

Sensuous

crimson fingernails
lightly drawn along my skin
leaving ghostly trails

rain streaked windows-
we agree
on safe words

Temptation

tiny wisps of light
at the edge of the forest
dancing in the dark

the nighttime sea-
distant sirens
in the dark

War

twisting in my sleep
I smell the blood and cordite
and lotus flowers

torrential rain-
countless lost
to take a hill

Age

slowly settled in
every movement painful with
these old weary bones

well worn stones-
shore water’s
ebb and flow

Homesick

strange muted voices
filtered through thin hotel walls
keeping me awake

overcast-
alone again
far from home

Prayer

snow laden branches
bent over in silent prayer
to the cold north wind

unanswered prayers-
the stone floor cold
against his cheek

Winter

the last leaf of fall-
waiting for the warm spring sun
buried under snow

falling sleet-
an icy glaze
on english ivy