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

Frost

a fire in the hearth-
my well worn leather arm chair
and a mug of tea

frosted glass-
your cold feet
under my legs

Vet

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

cold sweat-
desert sands
abrade his dreams

Funeral

hands neatly folded
pinstripe suit and crisp linens
so properly posed

early sunday morning-
freshly turned earth
and rough sawn pine

Chemo

a black bitter pill
taken with a glass of bile-
so hard to swallow

november morn-
the push is over
now I taste salt.

Rain

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

sleeping cats-
outside the rain
turns to sleet

Devotion

black leather collar
tight around my neck lying
prostrate at your feet

cold stone-
village pews
stand empty

Peace

the telephone rings-
it seems you and I still have
unfinished business

woolen socks and
warm apple cider-
my phone in a drawer