The Slow Crawl
Summer heat comes
and I’m not ready
to deal
with the dripping
of sweat
and cling
of cotton cloth
to skin gone wet
with the exertion
of simply
breathing in
stale air
as windows stay closed
and the AC hums
writing activity
Gideon’s Challenge
The Unfurling
Knots loosen
as pressure eases
once outbursts
of vivid emotion
spill forth
into the light
and are
washed clean
by the kiss
of your love
as you finally see
what has
been hidden
and curled tight
into a knotted bud
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge
Fragmentation
Feelings of failure
bite deep into flesh
and I ache
for the box
with sharp things
inside
long ago sent away
into safekeeping
as the realization
comes
that the failing grade
in matters of the heart
is an F
not E for Effort
but F… for Failure
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge
The Return
Wade in
at your own risk
as dangerous
tides
bring in
treacherous bits
eager to find
shore
I see you there
like the
incoming tide
untrustworthy
and yet
we wade anyway
wanting to trust
but wary
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge
A Moment of Peace
Let’s stay
right here
where the peace
and quiet
have no enemies
and the
disruption of
chaotic moments
is a thing
of the past
lost and forgotten
as we wallow
together
in this moment
of silence
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Gideon’s Challenge
A Bit More
How is it
that the thaw
happened
while my eyes
were closed
in a slow blink
and now
dried husks
begin to green
as spring
whispers
on the breeze
and every day
brings just
a bit more
rain
Twisting the Leaf 