The Funny Thing

The funny thing about chasing a sunset
in a curved world
is each step forward
takes you back.
A lesson in patience, indeed,
if not in futility.
Waiting for you is like chasing the horizon.

She Couldn't Do It

She couldn't do it.
She tried, she really did.
Fingers held so tightly closed
white knuckles, nails biting palm.
She'd visualise release.
One finger, two, now the thumb.
But it never worked.
Muscles cramping, tendons popping,
She hadn't visualised this.
Her spirit, her heart, her eyes
squeezed tighter, matching
the pain of her iron grip.
She'd strangle things
(herself) to death.
She just couldn't let go.

She Wanted To

She wanted to walk barefoot on the beach
and feel the rocks on her soul.
She wanted to catch the rushing train
whose whistle sounded loud through her
window at night.
She wanted to pack her car with each
mossy memory full to the top and head for the coast,
then toss them one by one into the sea
and watch them sink.
She wanted to walk through fields of wheat
in white linen and brush her fingers along each stalk.

Running, Leaping, Bounding

Running, Leaping, Bounding!
Front flips, back flips
full 360's
He laughs with his whole body
Bent at the waist, head thrown back
Hands and feet, slapping, sweeping the air
He is actively engaged in the act
He laughs and moves like a little boy
Eyes dancing, energy crackling
The perfect compliment to
the dreams and ambitions he holds
as a man.

Nothing Better

Nothing better she thought.
Nope, nothing better in this whole wide world
then driving down 1-15 in a rusty blue Subaru, dirty Chaco feet on the dash
headed out of town.
Windows rolled down, but not to far,
got the Baby in the back.
Boy driving, can’t hardly hear the music but it doesn’t matter.
Wind so loud against the rack, but you’ve got to keep the windows down.
Air conditioner doesn’t work.
Summers just started and already she’s got a
Sunburned nose and a cheek full of Dill Pickle Sunflower Seeds.
All washed clean with a dirty Nalgene full of sun warmed water.
Lots of plans, so many summer plans.
The back so full of camping, climbing, hiking, kayaking gear,
you can’t even see out the window.
Doesn’t matter, we’re not backing up anyway. Headed straight.
Headed straight for summer sun and the big pines and the rushing river
and the cool nights and the slack lines and the camp fires and adventure
Don't even get me started on the adventure!
Nothing better she thought.
Nope, nothing better in this whole wide world.

If Your Need

If your need to out run your troubles,
sends you into an endocrine spured panic,
each revolution of the treadmill,
(or perhaps each passing city block)
each full rotation of your cycling sneakers,
on rubber, sand or asphalt,
I pray will calm your troubled soul
will clear your mind and slow your racing heart.
But if not...
Then let me be your still desert night.
Let me cloath you in cool and calming darkness,
cover you in stars.
From clear springs let me cool your fevered brow.
In my expanisve sky may you find your healing
solace.

She Took

She took each blade of summer lemon grass, the smooth pebbles washed by her ocean and dried by her sun and set them with the flowers of each spring, fed by her rivers of emotion.
Laid together on her mountain bed she tied them tight with leather straps.
The smallest bundle, it weighed the world.
Opening her mouth, closing her heart, she swallowed it whole.