What use catharsis

when there’s no forward progress

and we wallow as before?

~

What helps us let go

and move ahead is often

a mystery even to us.

Riding this weather

seesaw is definitely

not some child play.

~

Skating with the sun

over the waves of the day

ends with surfing the sunset.

The consequences

of our conceit will come due

with exponential interest.

~

Already interest

has begun to compound, but

we’re oblivious.

Almost seventy

degrees. The sun’s working hard

this February morning.

~

Be not beguiled,

by this sudden balmy bit,

winter’s yet to throw its fit.

Like Hopper’s “Nighthawks”

he sat at the bar, thinking,

“Is this date over or not?”

~

Even when we’re with

others we can feel alone

and crave our own company.

The door is locked. There’s

no way out. Inspiration’s

fled. Perseveration starts.

~

Perseveration

seizes the mind and smothers

creativity.

One wild bike ride’s

infectious adrenaline

writ large in silent cement.

~

It’s as though you were

on that long ago ride, now

cast in eternal concrete.

If you want to get

a strike, you’re going to have

to lower your pitch.

~

Or, change direction

once the batter thinks they know

where this whole thing is going.

A walk in the rain

may seem romantic, but not

at seven am.

~

Romantic, maybe,

in the high heat of summer.

Winter Romance must have snow.

Last night’s warm caress

raised peepers from their slumber

to serenade hints of spring.

~

Also stirred sleeping

skunk who filled the air with some

lingering, pungent protests.

It’s hard to be kind

to others when we can not

be kind to ourselves.

~

It’s hard to accept

any kindness from others

if you’re looking out for strings.

“Small-Group” politics:

twice the rancor of Congress

without meaningful import.

~

Struggles for power

instead of solutions bring

rancor and meaningless mess.

Just when we think we’ve

figured things out life throws us

another riddle

~

These little riddles

conspire to keep us sharp

as we await the great unknown.

As meadows dotted

with columbine in summer,

so too the sea with shore birds.

~

The world is filled with

abundance. We just have to

take the time to look.

“Be good. I love you.”

were a parrot’s final words

to his human companion.

~

While we scan deep space

searching for intelligence,

it’s, right here, regarding us.

Why don’t people care

about the parrots we kill

through negligent indifference?

~

When we consider

only ourselves, we’re cut off

from those whose planet we share.

When anything goes,

can we expect anything

of value to come?

~

Values are funny,

fickle and ephemeral things,

prone to interpretation.

On still winter’s nights

the distant cattle lowing

in chorus with nearby owl

~

The moon fills the stage

with soft, glowing light as we

listen to this night music.

Sun strokes bare branches,

comforting them this cold day.

May we bring warmth and light too.

~

Soon a dappled shade

will be wanted for relief

from summer’s sultry swelter.

Capitol hot air

could inflate nineteen balloons

and blow them all to China!

~

It seems hot air got

them to the Capitol so

they’ve more than enough to spare.

There’s a way out and

there’s a way in and often

it’s through the same door.

~

Transiting doorways

is both going out and in

to the new from where you’ve been.

The aether ate it!

Not some sob-story for school;

actual technical glitch!

~

Sometimes the glitch is

external and sometimes it’s

not. A glitch is just a glitch.

It’s called the House Of

Representatives, but whom

do they represent?

~

Congressfolk should be

made to wear NASCAR Jackets

proclaiming major donors!

Ever cheerful hearts

make their own dancing music

much to hollow souls’ dismay

~

May those cheerful hearts

bring music to all of us

so we too can join the dance.

It’s possible to journey

without leaving home.

It just takes an open mind.

~

If your mind is closed,

no matter where you travel,

you’ll take your prison with you

Meteor flahes

Cirrus clouds illuminate

Coyotes howl undaunted

~

To coyotes such

things are all in a day’s howl

which they’ve perfected.

We hope for honor

and truth from those we elect.

Instead we get what the heck.

~

When we’re left a choice

between graft or corruption,

disengagement has appeal.

Sun shining brightly.

Frosty grass snap-crackling.

a crisp January morn.

~

We have to take care

not to add plop to snap

crackle on our frosty walks.

When things fall in place

after a time when nothing

went right, we rejoice.

~

Seems a miracle!

…but, in fact, it’s a product

of grit and perseverance.