listen all night

he could literally sit

and listen to the rain all night

the work place brings everything

to a stand still he waits until the storm

clouds pass before he dares

a trip out in the town

with big city envy occasional

bolts of lightning across the sky

a blueish white light only lightning has

anyone seen an extra thought

floating through the wet night air

cools down with the moisture in the rain

the clouds slap high fives with the tree tops

he sits quietly at the bottom of tonight...

sort of out of the ordinary

the rain rattles the windows

as the wind forces it horizontal

plenty of smoke already

ready for whatever

they decide to throw at him today

a day in the life

of something

sort of out of the ordinary

sort of normal

back room

eyes closed and dreaming...

plan an early sleep

even when I try to plan

and early sleep

(so I might wake feeling rested)

end up on the porch all hours

even when I tell myself to use

the keyboard

(might speed up the process)

end up on the porch

pen and new page

even when the dog snores

louder than I do

wonder if the smoke

keeps him low to the ground

asleep on the floor

next time I try to plan

an early sleep maybe I

will take my own advice

so I won't have to wake

with the need for 30mg a day

even when I try

to steady the hand

and uncross the eyes

staring into the bowl

half full most of the time

planning a restful night

even when I try

to squeeze out one more page

on a night when the skies are hazy

but the full moon breaks through

anyway as if it knew

which buttons to push a test

of patience and tolerance

just trying to hit forty

and find some time to plan

some restful sleep...

under foot as I walk

remember when

someone would bring me coffee

near the biggest high school

in the area

every day there is about

one hundred school buses

up & down the street

always sitting near the window

so if the sun happens to set when there

wouldn't miss it

became a regular

not even twenty

years old at the time

little bit strange what the mind

comes up with when you let it

wonder away for an hour

or so then right up to the face

the music alone out on the porch

and most likely create the isolation

only choice is to use it

some advantage

bringing whatever truth

existing to light this chalice

or the path that exists under foot

as I walk...

planned all along

back at the table

covered as not get wet

not for one moment

understand the night

time shivers he’ll be lucky

if he doesn’t break all his teeth

unconsciously as if intentional

was an option what’s the surprise

one month aside from another year older

much wiser or at least more knowledgeable

about the current state of our nation

under attack by the corporate terror

created at the highest point

out of sight

power monger standing with iron shoes on

life, liberty and the pursuit of happy times up

the liars time has most definitely expired

unless they somehow grab the power to continue

their reign comes down nearly fro-Zen in April

no one seems to want to admit it might be snowing again

if the cold doesn’t snap out of sight

508 automatic style might rhyme might not

read on how many coffees will he drink

without food to absorb the insanity of reality

makes all the clouds seem much too close to the ground

remembering the days when

a ride at midnight was nearly expected

and now nearly non-existent

like clear air for a day is entirely too much to ask for

time off here now and taking it anyway

he’s back at the table with his vision elite

and thoughts on the blues stringed instruments

from upstairs the sound insulates him from the clouded sky

above now he’s back to familiar spot

because twenty-five years ago he was in the very spot

facing in the other direction playing with the keys

break for a moment to suck on some smoke

quick hold it deliver directly to the brain

twist contort and fit into any box

it’s the way it is the TAO of this here present moment

recognizing the wonderful nature of each moment

stacked to the sky whether or not it’s blue

and time or a break in the action

ten minutes until a return formulated

as if it were the drink they say will keep one forever young

days dwindle break up a dry bud burn it quick

like kindle to get the fire started

still dreaming of green to spindle like a spider

in the web above a smoky spot

as it was planned all along the watchtower

he sits in is down below the street

whoever might travel this way

will pass right over these words

might hold some meaning

for some the imagination knows no bounds…

pick a thought

stir up the punch

ask someone who knows

what might be for lunch

on the fly vision elite held the hand

edge of the only continent he knows

feet buried and hands raised to the sky

taking form for a moment as a big letter Y

and it’s the question perpetually asked

three digits on the hat

if there was one that still fit

like an epileptic rigor mortis style

he might have another still fit

exercise daily not a slack

he is still fit for any task

got a question just stop and ask

might wear a mask if I have sneak in

some might even cheat if they think they can’t win

what they need to retain some power

and the car I drive has a spot for a flower

or something peaceful to drown out the lies

if you look really quick from the front

it appears to have eyes

to stare down any one trying to push on up

remember half full or half empty

I knocked over the cup

from the window where I sat

watched the seasons change

all night long if I had to

no matter who thought it strange

it’s just the way it is

the TAO of who I am and may be

quick to pick a thought slam it

back forcefully in an erratic manner

as quick as thoughts pop out

like veins an addict might poke

and stick around long enough

might even find a joke hidden

down deep inside the serious nature of now

everyone still has confidence

we’ll make it somehow

but no one really knows when or how

to end the story up in smoke

or a blaze of glory

pick your poison while I pick up the pen

vision elite and moving

and done it again and over twice

compared to yesterday

today would be ice

to yesterdays fire

but let me inquire

a couple more questions

before time will expire

they let it happen above the law

help pick the new pope

and I will sit calmly

holding the end of this rope

what’s it tied to pulling too hard

pulled the new car up close in the backyard…