A Public Reading

Lifting up to

Turn a spark—

Didn’t think through it,

At least not that far.

Standing up

With knocking knees—

Kinda nervous…

“It’s a breeze!” Yeah,

That’s what they say

But they’re not me.

Please god help me,

I desperately pray.

Hmmm…

Now what do I do?

They’re looking at me.

“We’re waiting for you,”

They say, impatiently.

But I’m not prepared

To put my best foot forward,

So I stall a bit.

“I’d like to start,”

And I clear my throat—

“With one I wrote

A long time ago.”

And they are listening,

So here I go!

Elegy


Stained glass tear drops fall

Echoing a loving presence here

For all to endure, press on.

One passed onto another life

Seems so small pop is gone

But remains in minds and

Hearts of family and friends

Cooled out semi freeze blows

Trickling bullets of triumph,

Tribute and torrents of rain

Separate for the grand man

…


Father son and soldier in

Crushed bathing suits of blood

Honor guard leads stars and

Stripes, colors fly. Horses

Ride nearby come join the

Army, boys such sad intentions

Never wished it wouldn’t end

Never glimpsed the magic

Behind his handshake and

Choreography make us laugh

…


Dad come on strike with me

A jolly old tune follow in

Step on my command ready?

Sink and drive and glide

On by my facial whistle try

Mine haven’t tossed their backs

In time to go the distance

For my Kiwani fine day to

Celebrate a man’s coming and

Going we all appreciate your

Love and care we salute you

…

Sergeant major on top of

The front runners collide

Attack bring em back in

One piece please no thank

You for my pride I give

Myself until I die oh

So easy to lose touch

Not contain my cheers

Hoorays and woes steering

Through the days and

Nights come again thrifty

…

Young Boy Scout badge on

Training for life saving

Merit badge cling tools

Red roses songs and so

Much memories frail and

Tough inside good byes never

Enough man and wife

Son and daughter raise

The right hand and watch

As he stands among us

Strong and free: Kenneth

Harvey Kuhns my grand-dad.

Leaving You

Leaving you here.

Stop. I am here.

Close your eyes.

Come. Be with me.

Enveloped in the soft petals

Of a dwindling iris.

Tossing and turning

All night in my bed.

Realms unleashed.

Following you down,

Down the cold, dark steps,

Into the dungeon.

It is here,

Where madness thrives.

A small token

I leave with you—

Crumbs of bread

Falling into a withered hand.

Motions of Negativity

Lost in memories of yesterday.

Cringing from the pull

Of fantasy—not reality, no.

Something else begs me,

Oh, so tricky.

What can it be

That lies underneath

A gentle breeze—

So lovely,

In the afternoon—

Moves slowly,

Almost a cartoon personality.

Dreams cascade through

My view, though shattered be.

Collecting my thoughts, only

To see myself fall from pride.

Nature strikes me

With electricity.

My name moves.

My heart screams

In agony.

One more try,

One more day—

Elementary.

Laughing through the Tears

He was a funny guy.

He tried to understand,

And, if not, then

At least accept

Most people.

Some rubbed him the wrong way,

But if you needed him,

He was there for you.

And he could laugh it off,

If you were a bit odd.

Back in the day,

When we were housemates,

Then roommates,

He would chuckle at me,

Because I was book smart,

But I liked to dance at parties.

He usually passed

On the dancing,

But every now and then,

He could rock out.

He could be serious

When it came to prayer,

And knowing the Lord.

I know he prayed for me.

I’ll miss him.