After All

what else is to be done
after all the living through
not needing to be lived again

what was open is closed
what was closed is open
to more of the precious same

Inner Peace

is comfort and security death
to the artist as Dawn Powell
ironically said nothing normal
anymore eighty years later I
might as well be more chill

chaos anger defiance replace
ideals of civility inner peace
is all we ever had to turn to
denial precedes imagination
of multiplying human value

Written Out

first a person then a pattern
circumstances already await
what happens by chance or
predetermined opportunity

choose if you have a choice
as if inventing what already
exists as potential you alone
embody what has to become
written out in invisible blood

This Blur

if I were clear-headed
what more would I see
or is clarity a quality of
youth clear-eyed clear-
eared distant horizon

this blur is clear enough
what I see and hear more
than I can understand or
know what to do with
without undue struggle

Drifting Off

is the degradation of this world a trauma
consequent stress requiring relief by dreams
or is it too slow to register though all around us
not enough oxygen or hunger for transcendence
belief in possible betterment on multiple planes

what follows is no fun watch out get ready
denial only goes so far nostalgia dumb whole
beautiful ways of life irretrievably lost live on
imagining ourselves there virtually soothed
then drifting off as if everything is improved

Sharing Air

wish I could sing and chat
with myself and others too
celebrate with you unending
miles and years apart memory
almost as good as being there

is it love or pure good will
links us higher than personal
all-one sharing air promising
to do better if anyone asks
and really trying to be good

The Cards

suddenly I can shuffle after
some years of not being able
fingers sore and too weak to
release the cards smoothly I
used a machine what else that
I've lost can I get back again