counting words

don't even have a thought to start out with
an idea of where it all might be going
plus two who knew he might be counting words
again plus two much time has passed between book
she knew it and no clue why he can't make it
out of the doldrums strong wind beneath a sail
too little attention paid to the sunset sky every night
change the hair style not content laid out on the first page
swollen eyes start to shut like the cover of the book
time to breathe just breathe and tomorrow will be here
before he knows it will be the day they say
over maybe one too many times running on not out
all he has is time ironically he won't wear a watch
stares skyward even if he is cross eyed and
everyone else is confused three days until he arrives
like wind from the west it's what the night will do
if you let it...

high above (under) all these trees

drove by the old spot

now an eye sore

empty restaurant

nearly two years closed

where I used to sit

and watch the sunset

where I sat to watch the moon

and stars rise into positions

high above and now under

all these trees I can’t

see the sky unless I look

straight up

drove by the old pad

and porch number two

where I sat four years

alone eye and I found myself

there and everything

changes little changes

as if you might not notice

until everything is replaced

by what we think we know

is never enough

and what we know is even less

they have got to have a motive

for all the lies tricking troops

into fighting these unwinnable wars

drove by the veterans hospital today

though of old Joe Flanagan

what would he have to say now

his spot gone as well

talked about a challenged eagle

always there I liked to listen to his

conversations with himself

modern day madman

drove myself crazy today

with thoughts starting before 2am

when head hit pillow finally

drove by a broken weeping willow

branch blocked the road

had to go around

just like in the dream

face to wall eyes closed

fighting some unwinnable war

apology accepted

if you don’t happen to like the tone…

climb a spark

outside the beagle barks

the night's already dark

an hour ago left alone

to climb a spark like a star

the first one eye see

the fastest light to reach down deep

beneath the hardened surface

quick breath like a crocodile

then back under awhile longer

as eye hold this breath and run

into the other room quick

for a drink to soothe this fire burn

lights flashing in eyes

like lightening in clear skies

sirens blare as if they were chasing OJ

back east down the highway

for some reason remembering

being in Lakeville and don't remember why

what reason for that memory to be

etched in the brain after all the rain

collecting the thoughts drowning in back yard puddles

where all the moss continues to grow

all through the night while others sleep

straining eyes under one bulb

but enough light to keep the night going

another hour at least extra cushioned seat

people walking outside voices carry strange

can't tell which street they are on

the temperature has dropped fifteen degrees

since five thirty one of these nights

might bring a shot right through one of these screens

even if it's only smoke

he hears the downtown train

it must be eleven o'five...