Bird on the Wire

It's hard to imagine
the world after

Millions of people
hunt for food
and shelter

Acts of cruelty
and kindness abound

Animals and plants
keep on course
as always

We tell ourselves
we have free will,
dominion and agency

While scrambling on
the edge of oblivion

Poems like this
are being written
in the quiet tunnels

Of the lungs of sentient
beings everywhere

I am only a scribe.

Hibernation Blinks

Pallid leaves flattened by softened sleep
Nestle among the remnants of our waking dream

Our nostalgic ruminations glisten
In the afternoon haze
As the first pioneering flakes begin to fall

Leaving snow kisses that appear
Like forgotten or yet to be lovers
Before dissolving on earth's tongue

There's something tentative about the season
Months of winter still to come

In that pause between the deep breath
Of lighted trees
And the side streets banked with old snow

We find the path we carved out
In the unforgiving past
Inhabited by disappearing longings
And inappropriate ambitions

It's there in clear, straight lines
Beneath the layer of icy leaves
That our ghost dogs love to sniff
For the rabbity fragrance of tomorrow.

Winter is Coming

Sleety rain decorates the windshield
Leaving drops of glistening tears

I park with the others
Cars turned inward
Wiper blades folded down

Our cars look like optimists
In an unforgiving season

It's surely just habit
We should put that car cover on
Before the serious snow

Be well prepared, fellow drivers,
For the ordeal ahead

We could be polar bears with dwindling ice
Or Native people doused with water cannon
My little fears dwindle

My advice, stay warm,
Stay alert
And keep your phone handy