STRANGERS FACE

Jump that train. Hold tight. Never worrying about which way it’s going, just getting on and going, feeling the hair lifting and wind from prairie towns brushing my eyes while passing quiet towns and barking dogs where streets blend into the same, with maybe a few alike, but all the same encouraging me to take … More STRANGERS FACE

HIS CORNER

He’s got chrome for teeth. Hair slicked back like midnight rain. Eyebrows thin as razors, like the blade in his pocket and sin at the side; a gold chain with a cross signals belief without a past.   His eyes speak protection. An army of force settles in his fists. From the corner he searches … More HIS CORNER

CHANGING SHAPES

The flavor of a laugh frees a generation of song without words. Hear the strength of youth, like stone walls pulled from the groins of the earth and then formed into social lines, Sturdy until the age of seasons.   Hold the chrysalis for as long as it can be. Like flames wind teased, the … More CHANGING SHAPES

HIGHWAY 5

Between rooms 3 and 4, cornered in tight, blinking randomly and humming a fat motor tune is the soda machine at the highway 5 motel.   Trucks run the road, their tires singing for home. Horns beep on frontage roads, where cars park and threats are heard.   A warm day slips into passing, opening … More HIGHWAY 5

STREET LANUAGE

Streets feed on the language of cool and jive.   Tongues of curtains slip from sides of windows as if pointing with their curves with creases to music like steam rising in waves over blacktop rumbling energy the sound moves pressing against doors and into alleys as night encourages the people to open packages wrapped … More STREET LANUAGE

MONA LISA MOON

A high lunar slice silver painted a sterile face unlikely warm soundless suspended solidly overhead where hinges in heaven slip it over nights curved sky speeding to a place over there where people point at shards of light reflecting on water hoods of cars windows the ancient stone the Mona Lisa moon half smiling.   … More MONA LISA MOON

HER SPACE

She was dancing. Moving tidal hands out and back. Her neck swayed like a windy willow branch; sideways, over and around, she conquered all the air. Barefoot on October sidewalks. A royal scarf Isadora Duncan would have loved. Paisley red orange blue skirt. A bandana with beads tipped releasing Christmas noise. She smiled at everyone, … More HER SPACE

MY ANCHOR

My first breath of day lingers with dreams, fresh in my eyes. My fingers stretch, rudely awakened; morning has arrived.   Early breezes sweep onto my windows. A train whistles. Breaking into quiet. Passengers prepare for the city. The aroma of coffee steams the air.   My covers. Shields against darkness. Protectors from dreams stealing … More MY ANCHOR

INSPIRATION

Night chords drip a slow pace. Porches fill with moving voices. The ice in drinks mix with perfume and sweat. The bass man spills the passion while his hands create a sound blessing. He has a garden of jazz to release. Colors in the crowd move forward, bright with face, soft in soul. He provides … More INSPIRATION

BACKSTREET SHADOWS

He knew the around of the block. His city in a square. He recognizes sidewalk cracks, stains from blood and stores still offering candy for a dime. He claims the lights on his corner turn green with his snap, even beggars know him by name when shipments are in town.   Some friends are memories … More BACKSTREET SHADOWS