They Patiently Breathe
twilight fluff
ivory, coral,
now charcoal
this walk’s timing: perfect
the little girl pauses on the corner
straddling her white bike
she grunts as her small dog
lurches towards us,
pulling her partway over
we return “no worries”
for her sincere sorries
my mind unwinds
from a busy day behind a desk
my dog’s nose rarely leaves the ground
her explorations, heighten her mentality
the peak is backlit now
only soft light remains
house finches, crickets
become this evening’s backup singers
eastward, the clouds hover
untouched by sunset brush strokes
they patiently breathe in darker shades
fade to mere shadows.
(Five 1225 - Neighborhood walk)
Decades
Gotta do it!
Need to do it.
Expected to do it.
Probably ought to do it.
Not really feeling it ...
Again and Again
When I came, you ladies were singing.
At me, across our game you smiled.
I was yours then, though unknowing.
Our tomorrows? I was beguiled.
At me, across our lunch you smiled.
With courage, I’d simply asked to sit.
Our tomorrows? I was beguiled.
Your heart, did you know I’d have it?
With courage, I’d simply asked to sit,
in the canyon on a lonely bench.
Your heart, did you know I’d have it?
The sky fell, too many stars to quench.
In the temple, on a lonely bench,
we sat close and wondered what it meant.
The sky fell, too many stars to quench.
When to ask with no chance of dissent?
We sat close and wondered what it meant.
Suddenly, heart in my throat, I knew,
when to ask with no chance of dissent,
the first try timid, the second true.
Suddenly, heart in my throat, I knew,
needing your touch and smile together,
the first try timid, the second true,
what stars promised would last forever.
Our story, far in the future then,
surrounds us now, again and again.
This is a Pantoum, a lyrical and purposefully repetitive form that lulls a reader into contemplation. This was composed for my wife, Julie's birthday in 2025 and reflects on the early months of our relationship.