Hesitation

stalled at the crossroads
the future hinging upon
a stranger’s kindness

canna lilies-
the hummingbird
indecisive

Familiar

walking side by side
my constant companion long
before I met you

ebb tide-
our footprints
in the sand

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