Sunrise window

The long cold night begins

and the snow covers all.

Branches creak and bend.

Hunkered down all evening

knifing winds blow darkness.

Snowy phantoms lurking.

Then golden light peeks in

through the sunrise window.

Snowbirds sing happy songs.

The children run around

nature's snowy playground.

 Until shadows grow long.

Haunting murders of crows

shout insults at the sun.

Rose-colored clouds loom large.

The long cold night begins

and the snow covers all.

Branches creak and bend.

-Scott

The forgiving wall

It is a safe place

to lean against

when I need to cry.

It keeps winter out

when the snow flies

and gales whistle.

I run my fingers

across the grain

of the wooden wall.

With each bump and groove

I deposit

fears and memories.

The dusty boards give

absolution

I forgive myself.

-Scott

The day of the dead

In wicked mists

the dead walk.

Long forgotten

 none hear them.

A cold shiver

in silence.

They wait all night

in graveyards.

Wishing for light

against hope.

-Scott

Driftwood

So you've found me!

I came from far away.

Pick me up!

With you I'd love to stay.

Oh the things I have seen!

Stuff you wouldn't believe.

The journey is over!

Quite a lot I've achieved.

You're so disinterested!

Please don't set me down.

Don't walk away!

My smile becomes a frown.

Once more adrift!

Turn my gaze out to sea.

But these stubborn waves!

Trap me against the scree.

-Scott

Buckthorn

You're invasive

yes I've heard of you.

You're a nuisance

oh but still you grew.

You are tempting

the goods you carry.

You are two-faced

with poisoned berries.

-Scott

Ozone

We play under the lights

and under the clouds.

The blue sky holds our petty game

in utter disdain.

But that is of no concern to us

we are too busy keeping score.

Since when have we

paid attention to the sky anyway?

-Scott

Gray skies

 

The sky is gray,

the forecast bleak.

The clouds parted,

for someone else.

The cool rain falls,

and stings my eyes.

Still I walk on,

in sloshy shoes.

Finding my way,

under gray skies.

-Scott

Quiet moments that sting

It is the moment of clarity

when you know where to go

but no path leads there.

It is the moment of realization

that you must cross the river

but you can not swim.

It is that moment of enlightenment

spoken of by the sages

but you can not grasp it.

It is that moment of foolhardyness

when you plod along anyway

but you know it is pointless.

-Scott

The yearning

Where you are

that's where I want to be.

I yearn to be with you

can't you see?

Closing doors

will keep us separate.

But that just makes me more

desperate.

Opening

your heart is not so bad.

The love I offer will

make you glad.

-Scott

No more superman

No more telephone booths

and no more superman.

So when trouble strikes

we better have a plan.

Clark Kent works the night shift

down at the paper mill.

He has no answer

for the chemical spill.

But he earns a paycheck

to catch up on the rent.

He would buy some food

but the money is spent.

No more telephone booths

to become superman.

 Heroes don't change clothes

inside a garbage can.

-Scott

Blame the Builder

This building that I now posses

just doesn't meet my needs,

I know it is the builders fault

it isn't up to speed.

All the effort that it needs

to keep it in repair,

and the money that it takes

is causing me despair.

It does not look the way I want,

not good enough you see,

I want something beautiful,

so others envy me.

When I met the builder

and let my anger vent,

he very gently answered me,

"Try using it as I meant."

-Rusty

The blight

Black, acrid, destructive.
Destroying the untended.
Fruits and flowers lost.
Maintenance, vigilance, is key.
Your soul, your being, is alive.

-Aaron

Castle of sand

                  K
             e
         r
      s                   The
   p                    castle
 l                    sits upon
a                  the hot sand
 s              enjoying the sun.
   h!  Goes the wave!  How rude!

-Scott

The useful

Twisted

and uneven.

Shifted

and high-treason.

 

Blistered

yet functional.

Whispered

yet touchable.

Missing

or misplaced.

Hissing

 or debased.

Useful

for you to lend.

Fruitful

for you my friend.

-Scott

The ant's monument

Noble wood ants

you build your skyscraper

so proudly.

Are you worried

about it falling down

around you?

If it crumbles

where do you find the strength

to rebuild?

-Scott

Card house in the dark

I build my house of cards

in the serene darkness.

Careful of every card

set upon the others.

Cleverly concealed

by the dead of night.

So when it all falls down

I'm the only witness.

-Scott

Hope at the end

Crusty and cracked

brittle and broken

yet proud.

Spires above

touting lost pinecones

in vain.

One last homage

to the blue above

still hopeful.

No one told them

there are no answers

in the sky.

-Scott

Graceless

A small friend

came to say hello.

Was it rude of me

to walk away?

Perched on a rock

singing happy tunes.

Shouldn't I have stayed

for the first song?

-Scott

Fenced-in buffalo

 

Noble buffalo

you once roamed the plains freely

 now sadly fenced.

-Scott

Legacy

The house is empty

no laughter

no one home.

Abandoned pool

dead leaves

blue algae.

The grass unmowed

unkept fence

strewn sticks.

Rosy glow of morn

sun shines down

on no one.

-Scott