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.

A sublime silence

descends after heavy rains

punctuated by slow drips.

~

Today as the sun

rises and mist ascends, sweet

silence fills the space.

One lone maple tree,

planted here, so far from home,

brings joy, despite its sorrow.

~

Relocation can

bring both joy and sorrow

as we settle in.

Sometimes there’s nothing

to salvage and it is then

best to just let go.

~

Most things in this world

have some real salvage value

but is it worth all that work?

In the cold grey dawn.

after dancing one last dance.

it’s time to pay the piper.

~

And the memories

of that last dance will bring us

pleasure beyond price.

Miracles happen

and sometimes we’re on schedule,

but mostly we aren’t.

~

Schedules, sages say,

comfort neurotics and are

safety nets for simpletons.

Oh! Dear! Another

stillborn poetic promise

published before inception

~

Poetry resists

schedules and defies all of

our best intentions.

Another rainy

day, but not a real cold one –

that helps a whole lot.

~

Rainy days provide

Not just the promise of spring

but also time to reflect.

We all seek guidance

as we travel through this world…

some navigate by instinct.

~

Whether from outside

or inside, we seek light in

order to find the best way.

Rising sun, rising

mist – nature’s gentle signal

that we should rise too.

~

Some rise misty eyed;

Others as bright as the sun.

As for me, I lounge abed.

The multihued glow

of a chill winter sunset

warms the soul if not the flesh.

~

Our souls need to be

warmed whether by sunsets or

just by happenstance.