Ruby Flash

The lightness in my palm, I balance

The evening inside, bottle grasped

With force, I twist, then slowly pull

Cork yields to my persistent will

The color in the evening light,

Inspecting, swirling, now it dances.

A new scent, never sensed before

To be perceived, never again

A smokey kiss of crystal red

my mind jumps to awareness full

No troubles to distract my thoughts

From the ruby flash of light

Where did she go so quickly yet?

Is this all she had to offer me?

Promised more patience soon to follow

Pour more life into my glass

My thoughts now start to slow and dwell

not on the problems of the world

but flowers on the garden walk

another sip, another thought.

My second glass lingers long

mesmerized, the whirling pool

The scent once so novel now

is comforting, familiar, safe

A new glass and diminished hopes

Of limitless undying love.

But frees me now to ponder new

day as night may fade away.

I know the bottle pities me

It's gently mocking emptiness

A few extra drops fall into

A last glass filled a bit too full

I know this final glass by name

slumber I call her to myself

She soothes me with a dulled desire

Prepares me for a new tomorrow.

Crow's nest

The wild crow, perched close to home
In a time, black as a feather
Rekindles stirrings, but forgotten
Lost within the swirling nether

Keenest of all the feathered kind
Never thoughtless, always caring
Cawing endless bits of wisdom
Dreams, perhaps, of springtime pairing

Don't stand in the fire

Witness to a Murder

Ice Cream Found to Prevent Cancer

Ice Cream Found to Prevent Cancer

Burlington, Vermont

In a new study by the Ben & Jerry Institute of Oncology, a link has been discovered between eating Ice Cream and a reduced level of cancer of the taste-buds. A similar study underway involving bacon and sex is also showing promise. "We were astounded by the results", said Dr. Robbins, lead researcher on the project.  Flavors from vanilla to tutti-frutti were equally effective.  Only rocky-road was shown to not have therapeutic value."  His colleague Dr. Breyer continued, "This opens up a whole new field of ice-cream therapy, we're looking into different delivery methods now.  A skin patch was developed, but proved to be to messy to be viable, same with the suppository."  Currently, the only delivery methods involve a small edible cone, or a thin cardboard cup with a plastic spoon.

Oasis Spirit

Like vapor briefly on a mirror

Those for the world, too sensitive

Sense the presences around us

Past the blinding corporeal fog.

In my journey's springtime far

In dire time of spiritual thirst

Summoned by oasis radiant

With misty leading ethereal chorus.

At the well, in repose the spirit

Invisible, supposed, to this stranger

Like all others, her well they sought

She unaware of eyes perceiving.

"Speak!" I said, only an echo

But felt the startled spirit near

The chill of loneliness uttered

Entered, she, my mind's eye.

I touched the lip, peered down the well

Too deep for me to see the darkness

Night consumed, she conveyed

Desire's not in the darkened bottom

"What offering have I, to know your truth?"

I spoke aloud for habit's sake

The answer, silence, but understood

The lonely chill became now warmth.

Winter Words

Ideas rain and drench a train
Destined for the final season
Chosen last, the littlest one,
for summer games, walks with a cane.

Its white beard soon impedes and covers
Cursed by youth, who cannot wait
Slowing life, showing age
Hide away fall's foliage color

Each winter, now, I remember
Though the year seems blurred together
Freed words melt from frozen eaves
Erode my dwelling's fragile edge.

Time to clear the season's hearth
Winter words, frozen still
Flow to sense when brought to bear
The season's twilight's glow and ember.