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

The fire

The fire is alive

just like in Mordor,

just like the Balrog

in the mines of Moria.

Just like a city

at night.

-Caiden

The long night

Purple glow

clouds overhead

chilling winds.

Crows rustle

branches bend

squirrels hide.

Shadows grow
sightless horrors
phantoms lurking.

Sun recedes

dark approaches

night begins.

-Scott

The ghost

Keep your hopes up

against all odds,

lest your wits dull

while in shadow.

Keep your eyes closed

after the dawn,

lest you go blind

in the daylight.

Keep your voice down

after sunset,

lest you be heard

by the living.

-Scott

The blight

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

-Aaron

Stuffed animal

When you're unsure

of where to go

or what to do

it is nice

to have a friend

who will always

be by your side.

-Scott

On Guard

Old boards and new kittens don't have much in common.

That must be what draws them together.

Arched backs and crouched shoulders say "I see you!"

So young to be so cautious.

~ Michelle

Safe haven or prison?

What are you holding on to?

Why no let it go?

Is it familiarity?

Is it fear of being adrift?

Did it really keep you safe through the storm?

How can you move forward if you're not free?

Let it go.

-Scott

I think I'll stay in tonight

It's the third of July,

and the fireworks crackle.

Brave though I may try.

I think I'll stay in tonight.

Don't like pops or bangs,

stuff you don't normally hear.

In my marrow it pangs.

I think I'll stay in tonight.

You go have fun outside,

but close the door when you leave.

I've somewhere to hide.

I think I'll stay in tonight.

-Scott (for Noelle, our dog)

The chains inside

When I placed

chains on the door

they were supposed to

keep me safe.

Now I can see

the trouble lies

not outside the doors

but within.

-Scott

Forgive and forget

We live our lives

in obscurity.

We try our best

yet still we falter.

We try to make

amends for our faults.

Our shortcomings

are like exposed roots.

Our days are short

our time limited.

To say sorry

for the harm we've caused.

With our last gasp

we hope forgiveness.

We pray for love

that may never come.

But the grass grows

around our headstone.

It does not care

to remember us.

-Scott

A talk with the younger me

What would you say

if we met today?

Would you be surprised?

In the driveway

would we shoot some hoops?

Would you let me win?

If we discussed

ideas freely

would you hear me out?

Would you be sad

or happy with the

person you've become?

-SGR (the older one)

Caiden's shark poem

Who am I?

SCARY BIG!

The ocean is my home.

I like to eat

rough fat.

 Sand tiger shark!

-Caiden

Photo courtesy of Jeff Kubina.

A million windows

Millions of windows

all look the same.

Thousands of people

playing the game.

Hundreds of cares

so full of blame.

Dozens of lives

tarried in shame.

A single face

without a name.

Millions of windows

with shattered frames.

-SGR

I talk to pigeons

I talk to pigeons.

Only they visit me,

I am locked away.

Once I was useful.

Doing important things,

toward the common good.

Decisions were made.

Some were expendable,

I was one of them.

My end will soon come.

I am abandoned now,

but my memory lives.

-SGR

Don't walk on egg shells

There is no need

to walk on egg shells.

Say what you feel

don't worry about it.

Once you get it out

you can let it go.

-SGR

An open letter to humanity from the shadows

Dear humans,

We shadows have always followed in your footsteps, but we are tired of being trampled upon and walked all over because you are too careless to walk around us.  How would you like it if someone skidded their boot all over you?  We've all watched the movies and television shows with you--and we shadows are tired of being portrayed as synonymous with villainy.  Just because we are featureless doesn't make us scary--clay sculptures are often featureless too but they are not equated with terror.

I think you will see that when you look objectively at the facts of our existence, you will realize there is nothing to be afraid of.  In fact, we shadows really just want to be your friends.  Why else would we walk along with you on a moonlit summer evening?  Who else keeps you company when you venture down the back alleys?  We do--us shadows are always there for you--a familiar figure when you are lost.  We keep you company when you need it most.  Furthermore, we are good listeners.  We are always attentive no matter how absurd your ramblings are, and you'll never hear us complain.

Indeed, we look up to you--literally and figuratively.  You are always hovering above us and seem so strong and confident as you stride along.  We follow along behind because we admire you and we form ourselves in your shape because we want to be like you.

So as you can see, you need not fear us shadows.  We have always been your friends and have always been there for you when everyone else has long since abandoned.  Furthermore, we have pledged to stay with you until the very end--a claim that few other humans in your life have actually made.  So please accept us shadows for who we are, don't walk all over us and don't demean our depiction in the popular media.

And the next time you are startled by a long and unfamiliar shadow, ask yourself where your horror really lies: is it really the shadow that scares you? Or is it the figure standing between the shadow and the light source?

Thank you for taking the time to read our request.  We will see you this evening, if not before.


Sincerely in friendship,


The shadows

Downstairs

Come downstairs

to where I live.

Hold the railing

Hold it tight.

Shadows lurking

and don't forgive.

Iridescence

by daylight.

Come downstairs

no need to fear,

held your hand but

you withdrew.

Actually

there's nothing here,

except what you've

brought with you.

-SGR

Underground

How long has it been

since we have seen daylight?

We've been drudging

underground.

The tunnel winds on

without an end in sight.

Shall we turn back?

Left or right?

I can't remember

why it was we came here.

Into depths.

In too deep.

Rats scurry about

in the dank and hollow.

We search for signs

any form.

How long we've been here!

Toiling in crepuscule!

We must get out!

Get out now!

We round the corner.

Lo!  What is that ahead?

Blazing beacon!

Blessed bright!

No time to look back!

Take my hand don't let go!

We leave despair

and darkness!

-SGR

The moment after sunset

Oh how I mock you!

So haughty you were today!

Blissful misfortunes!

Sunshine does not change

your appearance that lingers!

Your presence insults!

Just as you deserve!

Collapsed under your own pride!

Your failures exposed!

The vermin scurry!

You'll get no pity from the

opulent twilight!

-SGR