a strange taste

i am
once more
ajar
askew
depression
i try it out
roll it on my tongue
testing my palate
tasting
thinking
not quite it
too alive
alert
too feeling
feeling stuck
stagnant
disconnected
brain body
slipping
missing
desire is there but
stalled
stopped
hopeful
powerless
no breakthrough today but
optimism for tomorrow
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a strange taste, 4.20.2024

minor magic

dusk turning to
peaceful night
only time i can drag myself
out for a walk
sometimes
triggered
muscle memory of
midnight jaunts
throughout my ages
late night scampering on
a golf course that was so much more
rolling hills that were
countless scenes
bringing back memories of
childhood dreams
arms
flung wide
blowing on a dandelion puff
remembering how all i wanted
was to start running and then i’d
fly
float
into the sky
but also knowing my
minor magic
of how i can spin
dizzily
down a staircase
hopping railings
floating down
doing the impossible
but for me it’s
possible
dancing on ledges
ignoring that innate fear
respect of heights
walking running
creating my own liminal spaces
dancing close to edges

(i’m telling you
minor magic
we all have it
we all had it
as kids but
trust me:
it’s not gone
not for good
not forever)
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minor magic, 4.19.2024

spring

fleeting
ephemeral
fragrant aromas waft on still chilled breezes
fresh life bursting all around
buds blooming
the young calves frolicking in the fields
the sun
prodding us all like too-early sunflowers
to angle our faces up
up
up toward its warmth
a slow smile spreading
a fresh sense of primal hope
flooding our bones

(often
in my mountain state existence
to be doused with a whirlwind of snow
that does nothing
but make me laugh
and shake my head
because life is
delightfully
predictably
unpredictable)
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spring, 4.8.2024

The Dragon in the Mountain

There’s a dragon in the mountain
That protects the town below
There’s a dragon in the mountain
And if you know it then you’ll know

You’ll see it in the winter
When the snow reveals its scales
You’ll sense it in the summer
If only from our tales
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The Dragon in the Mountain (unfinished), February/March 2024

Once again getting inspiration while driving. Photo below. This is more meant to be in the style of an Irish folk song. The first bit came right away; the second bit just a few days ago. Maybe I’ll finish it. Someday.

Totally a dragon.

November 1

you say you’re afraid of me
you say I’m the only one who
loves you unconditionally
and god knows that I do
I do
which is why it hurts so much
when you’re the one who has managed to
break my heart
shatter it into tiny little pieces
though you love me too
and it makes me wonder
if, because you don’t know what it’s like,
if you can love unconditionally too
and whether someday
you’ll let fear override
and leave me here
broken for good
still loving you
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november 1, 11.1.23

hiking in millcreek canyon

crunchy leaves underfoot
a crisp bite to the subtle breeze
campfire smoke wafts
a crackling fire exuding warmth and
an unmistakably fall aroma
it’s scarf
and sweater
and beanie
and cozy blanket season
leaves fall
drift slowly to form a carpet
of golds
and reds
and orange
cuddle up and get cozy
this perfection is fleeting
a magical period that will
slip away as soon as the frost comes
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hiking in millcreek canyon, 10.13.22

about a donut shop

they say if you hear someone being racist
– even if a family member –
call them out
(not in, just out)
because it’s the right(eous) thing to do

but have you ever?

and how did it go?

the chinaman who owns the donut shop
he said

do you have to use that term?

would you prefer chink?

(because that’s sooo much better)
why do you even need to mention the ethnicity?
it’s not like there are multiple donut shops
ah yes, the one owned by the friendly
Chinese guy, as opposed to the white dude.

and all I got was a lot of “Well”s,
and a lot of sighs
and I wouldn’t call myself woke
(hate the term)
but the descriptor of race, I’m
realizing, is hardly ever needed

call out, if you think it’ll work.

call out, if you don’t care about family dynamics

often it’s not that simple
it’s not black and white
(it hardly ever is)
and sometimes it’s just best to
swallow
and stifle
and roll your eyes
and complain in private
knowing that while you’re never too old to change,
you also have to want to.
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about a donut shop, 4.7.22

1.28 sunset on Gates Pass

dusty air
wind swirling
clouds look promising
last light stunning
saguaros swaying
clouds might seem too dark
(but i know better)
(i’ve seen this before)
the desert wants you to have patience
and faith
and it will reward you
as it always does
if you’re in tune,
if you respect it,
if you listen closely
the desert will always
ALWAYS
give your soul what it needs.
always.
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1.28 sunset on Gates Pass, 1.31.22

hiking to 7 sacred pools, sedona

fresh
rain
breathe in
inhale
breathe out
exhale
towering red rocks
bird song
trees
agave and prickly pear
civilization nothing but a distant hum, the
rushing waves sound of cars passing by
an afterthought
simply background noise
nothing more than white noise
backdrop to the peace
and beauty
and spirit
follow the path marked in
red dirt and
red rock and
feel at one with the
universe.
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hiking to 7 sacred pools, sedona, 01.22.21

en automne

golden light
golden leaves
and reds and oranges and
crisp air
biting yet friendly
a gentle nip that will turn
malicious soon enough
bonfire scent
the taste of apple
of pumpkin
of cinnamon
fall!
oh glorious autumn!
the best and
the greatest
time of year
let go
(like the leaves)
and embrace
the change of seasons
nature’s glorious crescendo
before the cold, dark days
seep in
fall –
stay a bit longer, if you please.
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en automne (alternately: fall is the best season: fight me), 09.29.20