the bow of love songs pulled just right
taut golden strings are pressed down tight
the passion-winged hearts of lovers unite
lift them trembling in sensual delight
to soar over moonlit rooftops above
ablaze in soul-fire magic of love
as lovely fate dances in moonlight
on this satin chill winter’s night
in her wondrous gown of stars
This city is my zip code
but it is not where I “live”
never has been
to me
this city
as are most cities
is empty of heart
void of soul
this city
that vibrates
with the rush and chaos
of synapse and sinew
this city
that vibrates
with the hum of networked urgency
data outdistancing comprehension
often the we can
beyond the reach
of should we
this city
teeming
with college’d clones
like-patterned minds
that surge with ambition
that submit to the agendas
good or bad
dreaming of early retirement
fearing an early death
this city
bedecked in stainless
and stone
poured
erected
glassen’d
this city
ablaze in halogen
aglow in neon
awash in tears
of the poor
this city
its haughty monoliths
of varying shape
differing size
flanked in concrete corridors
that criss and cross
blink and beep
that ring buzz belch hiss
— and stink
this city
that intimidates
in cold and calculated majesty
this empty city
as do most
abuses the human soul
it does not nurture
that seeks the folded petal’s mystery
that marvels at the smallness
of a changing frond
at the tart-sweet scent’d
gnarled bark
of mighty conifer monoliths
thrusting ever skyward
or the magic
of a budding branch
this city
does not touch my spirit
soothed by wind and water
thrilled by song of birds
or the swoop of hawks
this city
does not spark my wonder
stirred by the yelp
or bark
or bleat
of beasts
this city
cannot reach my soul
that needs to see a salmon’s trek
the open sky
the roll of unobstructed clouds
see the fall of stars
this city
has nothing for my soul
that needs to hear the crack of thunder
resound for miles across the plane
then off the mountain’s face
that needs the fresh embrace of rain
the crisp and quiet drift of snow
the hues and sway of living fields
this city
leaves my spirit cold
that needs to watch the orchard
blossom and bloom to fruit
see forests
thick beyond horizons
or feel the lift of cresting surf
no
this city
does not satisfy my need
to know the evolving natural wonders
that inspire
that swell my soul
that resonate my heart
this city
does not hold my soul
and so I look beyond
for my tomorrow
*
humans stacked in cubes
compressed so their soul can’t breathe
this is not the way
humans need nature
the heart and mind must be free
break the concrete cage
Here I’m wishing wishes for those days when life made sense. I’m thinking thoughts that tear at me for the things I failed to be. How I do welcome the damp dreary days of February, when my forlorn fallen face is commonplace. When no one intrudes to question what’s the matter. To tears I cry there comes no — why, because all around are caught up in the blues.
No, she will not excuse this sadly lost and broken man, who much too late understands I was a fool, and in this sorrow understands, love’ll not return. I am glad fouler weather will soon occur, to drive the joyful all around me to indoor spaces, so I’ll be spared the pain of smiling faces. My heart aches to feel her smile’s embrace. But that smile was the last smile to come upon her face.
This “found poem” is made from the first line from each monthly poem I posted in 2023. At the very bottom of this post is the title of each in chronological order. These first lines were not assembled chronologically.
The first poems from each month in their chronological oder:
Looking for America 1/3/23
Now 2/2/23
Hmmm… 3/2/23
Soaring Silken 4/1/23
I’m Here 5/1/23
Love’s Serenade 6/1/23
Kiss 7/11/23
Sweet Gold 8/1/23
Otherworldly Love 9/1/23
Femme Magique 10/2/23
Always 11/2/23
As you read this Christmas poem, with its taste of bittersweetness, see it not in a dark light — embrace it as a tale of an inevitable journey, to be with the one so beloved…
B rushed my shoulder on this morning’s train
then while in line to get my breakfast tea
at the market it was there again
from our favorite table it beckoned me
in the crowd at the festive mall
glimpsed like a flicker of candle light
I swear I saw it fleeting fall
upon the gifts I did not wrap this night
upon this tree, friends helped decorate
upon the greeting cards I did not write
in angry voice I bitterly chastise fate
singing carols this night, no no not quite
I see it there in every aisle
the shadow of your sweet love
elusive as a shopper’s smile
caught up in the crush and shove
it haunts me this night each year
the same night that you went away
in dreams you kiss away each tear
touch my lips that beg you stay
but tomorrow’s Christmas morn
I will not awaken broken blue
this night I’m no longer torn
love’s final act from me to you
it was our love — was Christmas
in my heart, this is forever true
beneath this bright Christmas star
I give my love and life again to you
on this blessed Eve’s midnight deep
my precious love — I come to you
* 28 musical artists whose song titles and/or lyrics featured in this poem
~
Counting Crows
Queen
The Moody Blues
Muddy Waters
Bill Monroe
Merle Haggard
Billie Holiday
Faith Hill
Idina Menzel
Billie Eilish
Lindsey Sterling
Sting
Metallica
Moby
Ariana Grande
Joni Mitchell
Paul McCartney
John Lennon
Manhattan Transfer
Donald Fagan
Hans Zimmer
Greg Lake
Toys Chorus
Katy Perry
James Taylor
Wendy & Lisa
Seal
Elvis
Hear me human
hear my wolf’s song
as I keen and howl
for our dying world
so too
you must howl
raise your human voices
use your words
use them now
scream of the injustice
of the real danger
the imminent danger
we must rally
to seek
and to secure
the sacred balance
hold it close
become its protector
not its abuser
pitiful neglector
correct your imbalance
with our mother earth
respect your precious
place of birth
stop your human stupidity
please
I believe
with all the wildness
of my natural heart
with all the strength
of my free spirit
that some of you
want to do your part
want to join the battle
join the pact
to bring balance back
my kind
and our earth must trust
that you will
because you must
life on our earth
is dying
but it seems most humans
are just not trying
your carelessness
is killing our mother
gaia
and killing you and I
a result of your
lethal human arrogance
and this might just be
our final chance
we cannot let it
just go by
