Your Attention
You bring a rise
of color
to my cheeks
that creeps up
all sneaky like
from my nape
to heat my ears
before
spreading out
over cheeks
and proclaiming
that you
are the one
that makes
inner butterflies
flutter
with just a glance
Seeking Freedom
I am ready
for the steady patter
of raindrops
drip drip dripping
as the clouds
wring themselves out
and the world gets
a cold water bath
to wash away
the stench
of humanity’s touch
upon its surface
I am ready to swim
in cleansing waters
and let it all
slide away
Blue Skies
A promise that
spring comes
not with the
whisper
of sweet words
but with
the soft brush
of a lover’s fingertips
over skin
with each kiss
of breeze
upon the skin
and every trill
of birdsong
that sweeps
through senses
Hood Canal
I miss the crunch
of stone and sand
underfoot
at the water’s edge
as the tides
reveal pools
filled with
shells and crabs
while clouds
float
over high hills
and mountain peaks
in the distance
while scents
of fresh crisp air
fill my lungs
and clear away
the cobwebs of life
The Sentinels
Safety comes
in the shadowed line
of those that
stand guard
to protect us
from that
which we don’t
want to know about
and in them
we intrust
our safety
as we go about
our lives
unhindered
and blissfully
ignorant
Welcome to Hell
Sit and wait
and change your mask
sit and wait
and change rooms
sit and wait
and change the shirt
sit and wait
and change rooms
sit and wait
breathe slowly now
sit and wait
again
sit and wait
another room
so it goes
and goes… and goes
Twisting the Leaf 