Following No One

I seem to be slouching
Forward onto my hospice bed
But I still remember my name
And I’m sure the cat’s been fed
But I can’t open the Just Tart Cherry
And the shoulder’s crap as per usual
All the Senators have stopped representing
Their polity with a calm and disdain casual
Tracked my keys into the box
Outside the box of what I can remember
Who I am and where I’m going—
I’m sure Fest Acadien is still in November
Pouring the second merlot
They say it’s good for my heart
I should move over to Alexandria
If I’d ever own what it is to be smart
Summter lingers on here is Austin
Need to replace the ac filter soon
I hope the rains pass soon
I wanna to see the Harvest Moon
But I know what’s coming
And I should get ready
But I’m so tired these days
And my thoughts are unsteady
To pack all this important stuff again
Boxes in boxes, memories in stiff cardboard
I had followed her here, a path made easy
But now to move for myself, O Lord
I’ll die here in Casablanca
Or any likely foreign shore
Not ready for the next chapter
Not alone, at least; not anymore
But time to let Jack out into the night’s stew
Hey Mr Tambourine Man
In the jingle jangle morning…

Advertisement

Maple Leaf Dance

Faraway from the witnessing sun,
Escaped away from reproving glances of dead roses never sent,
Once dared think our love might grow,
But crushed beneath small expectation to answer for a knee unbent.
Loose laced shoes carry old feet forward on,
Stumbling with a book of ill written rhyme to find you there—
Polite as always but with nothing to add.
Assaulting the ramparts of indifference, I wonder if or should I care.
A frisson of longing ever lingers—
Some memories of dancing in our Maple Leaf Bar;
Happily ever after slips from old fingers
While an indifferent Moon grandly outshines any old star.

Progression

Now she’s gone
And it’s just me left here.
No, I don’t really think
I’d like another beer.
It’s a progression
In the park where
We used to walk over,
Is now all covered up
In a new spray of clover.
It’s a progression
And memories of us
Are now hard to hold onto;
The doctor says perhaps four months
Then I’ll be gone too.
It’s a progression
All the happy turns sad
About the time of sunset.
You wouldn’t like it here;
That I had agreed now I regret.
It’s a progression
Our kids are good;
I think we did pretty well;
Now nurses and lawyers—
All grown up from Farmer in the Dell.
It’s a progression
Yes, it’s time to rest
And for you to go.
I love you for coming,
I just wanted you to know.
It’s a progression

Life’s Not as Easy as a Cajun Dance

Einaudi lingers on the stereo
As burnt chicken wafts thru the door
Happiness takes its turn to go
The reason why matters not any more
I’d give anything for one more chance
But life’s not as easy as a Cajun dance
Tomorrow will be a lesser day
Twas oft told to watch what you say

The cat wants to so go outside
As paltry aromas scale thru a crack
Nuances are things I could never abide
And now she is another you’ll never get back
I’d give anything for just one more walk
But life’s much more than marbles and chalk
Dawn comes so early in the day
The sooner you’ll be off one might say

The keyboard rings out its golden tune
Time to drain a merlot glass quick
Bedtime approaches too ready and ever soon
Cat calls his return with condescension thick
Lonely and longing lie buried deep and strong
Life’s losses are worse when you know you’re wrong
Tomorrow will be another lesser day
A fresh curtain for any farce or threadbare play

Most Of All

The tickle of your gaze is comforting
The snug of you hugging completes
The joy in your smile is remembering
The little girl has grown
The young woman surprises and grows
Fonder of an old memory with the toss of your mane
Makes passing old acceptable
Graying can be countenanced because you have been launched well
For that I’m ever grateful
Thank goodness for you
Thank goodness I was there to see
You surpassing me
***
Love you
Love you more
Love you most
Love you more than most
Love you—
Most of all

It Will

Pity you couldn’t stay
You could’ve had me for a song
But of course you couldn’t stay
You couldn’t be away for so long
Your sister was nigh passing
A transition to a better place
You were there to hold her hand
You were there to stroke her face
To tell her don’t be afraid
To tell her everything’s okay
And you’ll be there so soon
And it’ll be a better day

Funeral home-bitter tears-cremation
Death’s clean industry will never end
You did your hard, honored part
Your Love and Spirit did well attend

Grieve, all should and will now
Love will take her keen shrouded bow
Hold onto the memories small and pale
You walk the path of an old, holy trail

Please, don’t be afraid
Please know everything’s okay
And all will be whole soon
And it’s already a better day

Eyes So Green and Plumage Rich Blue

Seeking the answer
At the door of your distain;
Turning away full empty
And all alone yet again.
The minor chords
Shuffle across the page:
Is there that heart of gold
For one of my age?
Pan Wren, Pan Wren
Take me to your nest.
Pan Wren, Pan Wren
Take me at your best.
Love in the pre-active;
Gazes of stillborn glee;
2014—a million years away.
You and I were to become we.
Record heat in October;
Your heart in deep freeze.
My lady glances away
And I get up off my knees.
Pan Wren, Pan Wren
Take me to your nest.
Pan Wren, Pan Wren
Take me at your best.
Left to wishing you well;
Ill-content with memories few.
Fly strong, Pan Wren,
Eyes so green and plumage rich blue.