Open minds Spill out Wet Words – ballad
Pour me a drink, good sir
For my tongue is dry from these lies
Heaven sends angels as whiskey
And the devil sips Crown on the rocks
Keep down the noise, you lout
Even thunder knows when to desist
Find me a horse here, fast
Towns are only places to rest
Buildings Die Too – haiku
Cracks stretched long; slow water drips
Silence of dead stone
Empty, cold windows
Wouldn’t you like a photograph? – ekphrasis free verse on costumed character street performers in L.A. and New York
Did you ever imagine that this Mickey can’t speak English?
Or that the Statue of Liberty over there is barely paying rent?
Do you see the grimace in this Batman’s face from hours in the hot sun?
Would it surprise you to know that Ms. Cinderella has a bachelor’s degree?
But Elmo works two other jobs to put his kids through school?
Did you hear that Dora has been out here exploring for 10 years?
Can you see the hope in the eyes of Buzz Lightyear as you add an extra $20?
Now let me ask you one more time, wouldn’t you like a photograph?
Native Garden – sonnet
This Native Garden, where life must be pruned
The weak do not survive it’s harsh beauty
Those that remain here must become attuned
To these twisting magics and wild duty
What falcon abstains from the hunt for food?
Or sniffs haughtily, sat on slothful wings?
It can’t survive with it’s instinct subdued
And soon upon its refrain, death will ring
They find it surprising, when she culls us
Sheering us with quakes, volcanoes, typhoons
We fight back against it and throw a fuss
But in time, realize it’s the perfect boon
We know season by season, this allure
Maintains our gorgeous world, keeping it pure
UWC 