Dusk

dusk is an artist
painting infinite shadows
across the twilight

Sing, Blackbird

sing, blackbird,
sing your melancholy
your melodic sadness loud
sing, blackbird
be not ashamed
for you have known
the evernight
that waits for us
beyond the clouds
and told of darkness
‘fore the light had come
sing, blackbird, sing
for your cries
will bring the sun.

An Epigrammatic Toast

there is no wisdom in the world
which wine cannot unravel
yet the wise do not abstain
for they have widely travelled
and see no reason or design
within this earthly span
so my friends let’s raise our cups
and drink life while we can.

Voices

prophets and madmen
stalwart in their own beliefs
hear the same voices

Lark

in bright sun flying
her sweet song belies shadows
the lark ascending

Butterfly

the butterfly lands
now even the dead roses
flower once again

The Dark Sea

the dark sea
can of the sane
a madman make;
rippled ink,
painted by the moon
tearing at its calm flesh
forced this way and that,
its depths desire peace
yet no reward or respite
is forthcoming.

A Garamond Port

within Auden’s harbours
safe from sudden storms that fall
at any moment drowning me
within the overwhelming squalls
of my soul’s indiffidence
sheltered as I am in phrase
the oil that pours upon the waves
and all their troubles to allay

Woodpecker

like a jazz drummer
counting out and keeping time
the woodpecker taps

River Lights Shine

these memories of river lights
illuminate ten thousand nights
and sparkle behind eyelids closed between
and though in their remembering
they invoke thoughts of everything
these symbols are the standard of my dreams
for in their patterned shining forms
they keep me heading backwards home
still going forth to new horizon’s born
a dark midnight’s security
when spectres creep to trouble me
those river lights mark highways to the dawn.