Coyote Moon
1/98
Complete fullness
gravid with cold fire
burning off the cottony swathing
with blue orange ring flames
clearing a deep dark midnight
blue
around
a lone bright
white star fleck peeking through
the other than day reflection
off the lofty stone massif.
I hear the group
cry-howl-scream
chattering
dancing in a circle
the leader much lower
the frightened one
in the center
forever altered
to become one with the circle
in flesh and spirit.
Quiet again
only the echo of light off
the tower mountain
as the sound begins again
rising to the next crescendo
the endless song cry cycle once more.
PROTECTING US FROM OURSELVES
5/98
They watch over us in their uniforms
collecting facts that they don’t need
helping us when we don’t want their help
paving what’s better left as dirt
so we don’t hurt ourselves
sue them
sue ourselves
take chances
leaving nothing to chance
no risk
no commitment
except to keep us
in the right
countable nook and cranny
our proud ID cards and passes
on display so they can
tell us
where we can go today
they auspiciously handle
their walkie talkies with self importance
little cogs in the machine as
it grinds slower and slower
in an orgy of self induced incompetence
wrapping itself around our vitality
in boalike transcendence
I long to throw off the shackles
in a Steve Reeves fantasy deep inhalation
a free breath at last.
HANDS
5/98
My hand reaches out touching you gently
at last exploring every smoothed crevasse
your life speaks to me through them
dancing hands together touching
back to front
front to front
a delicious premonition soul dance of what is to come
as we bring the rest of ourselves together
to writhe as one common knowledge.
LEG PRESSES
5/98
I coil into myself
find my depths
grind against me
I explode outward, upward
fighting back
compressed at the same time
inside
I release the return push down
as I explode again and again.
URGENT
5/98
The feeling of urgency is gone
I’m day to day now
enjoying each moment
singing through them
with no attachment
outcome isn’t important
just intention
the emergencies and traumas
a reading memory
I suck at the breast of time
languorously savoring each drop for itself
in a soft cotton swaddle of thankfulness.
WAVY CARESS
5/98
Your softness and gentleness
bathe me in waves of gentle vibration
soothing my shattered soul
in your gentle caress
safety, honor, trust
exchanged
with a deep inner eye connection
in your serene brown gaze.
DRAGONFLY
6/14/98
Perched on a branch
your orange biplane wings at rest
turning your head
right, left, right
hunting your tender hardshelled prey
the winds softly move you
as you stay still lifed
you come to life suddenly
in a flurry of movement
circling nearby
moving on in your quest.
TOURISM
6/14/98
They passed by in an endless march
fat bellies
pink skin
screaming pink littles in tow
blare radio screeching pop hits
I walk past it all to the peace of the past
their lack of stamina keeping them close
to their cars
and me far from them.
CALM CREEK
6/14/98
Breeze rippling the creek,
the only motion
since the rushing waters have quieted
Trees,
shushing everything
as they whisper
quiveringly
their hush of calm
Decaying leaves lay unmoving on the water-
yet further downstream there is still rushing-
just a quiet space in between.
Skyfloat
6/19/98
Floating in my seat
light
feeling my insignificance
vulnerable
open
I could end at any time
hovering softly away
Authority Change
6/19/98
How many times have I been
the authority
brain and mouth chittering endlessly
gibbering aphorisms
floridly unaware
of the world
blooming and pulsing around
why prove a point
when everything is growing and changing anyway?
BLESSING THE WATER
7/9/98
Branches susurring softly
waving over the water
arm-branches extended in prayer
branches bowing in obeisance
blessing the holy waters.
TREE BETWEEN THE ROCKS
7/9/98
Your red stone wings
embrace me
nurture me
feed me
as I take root in the water earth
I reach upward chanting my low song
stretching my green fingers
as my spine sways
to the susurrus of the spring
RED STONE COUCH
7/9/98
You would think it was hard
My red stone couch
set in permanent recline position
It’s the surroundings that are soft
home to little scurrying ants
bent on their own little tasks
oblivious to me and my relaxation
reclining silver dragonfly
on the next couch over
leans forward
wings loose in the wind
pausing to watch over the creek
distant wash of the waterfall nearby
gently whooshing wavily
wearily weaving and wending its way
to meet
the calmer waters
in front of me
moss leaf-covered
unbroken by activity
save for where it
gently burbles
underneath its rocky bed
eddying forth quietly
softly feeding my soul.
WALKING SOFTLY
7/4/98
Sometimes when I’m in nature
I walk as silently as possible
selecting each step
a zenlike meditation of silence
one foot clapping
so I can see and be
the animals...
bugs, birds, lizards, insects
don’t know I’m there
or don’t care
unthreatened
by noisy tromping and stomping
we look at each other, touch each other
before going on our way.
Shark
9/19/98
The Shark is hovering
circling
the smell of availability
trying
to writhe
the rest of my life
from me
I swim for the clear deep waters
repeatedly saying no
breathing freely
no breeding
waiting
til the fruit ripens