gamble


a deck of life’s cards
shuffled and dealt
if there are any takers 
the bet is all or nothing 
it will not be a token
a fragile gamble without meaning 
it will be a grand plan
with masterful execution 

this bet will be deep
like an ocean
and tall 
like a skyscraper 
or it will be
no gamble at all

go big in life
never bet small

in or out
simple as that





darkness in the middle


a candle lit
at both ends
burns bright
in the beginning
fueled by desire
at least
for a brief
time

eventually
hungry flames
meet to dance
in the middle
and suddenly
darkness
devours




Jethro  
6/29/2013

we dug your grave today
it’s in the shade
not far from 
your favorite hole
i know you’ll like the spot
one last resting place

the dirt was extra heavy
as is my heart now
you always were
more than my dog
i like to think
you understood
how much i cared

there are holes 
which can’t be filled
with an earthly shovel
this is where you are
sure will miss you
old man and our talks

but i know
we’ll meet again
somewhere beyond
the next horizon
where today's breezes become
tomorrow’s winds

rest in peace
old friend





cool


cool is the air 
as it exits
from a central air vent
artificially induced
somewhat reminiscent of
a gentle late autumn 
or early spring breeze
but there was a time
when cool was in
when cool was all
James Dean knew
and behind the shades
his eyes leaked
the meaning
cool knew 
who to call





stars


stars are the vision
original silver flashes
faraway pinpricks in
dark fabric of night
the first semblance
of heaven above
something to reach
from this earth’s space 
mountains and rivers
grasses and trees
a rooftop to this
our mortal home

stars never fall 
wishes do come true
bright silver streaks
across a dark sky
are usually rocks
skipping across heaven
i wonder who
really threw them
their light





windows


different windows
a variety of shades
reflect across the years
open and shut
bright and dark curtains
bold sashes, dark tiebacks
drapes opened and closed
shades up and down
sometimes we peer in
usually we look out
the walls we’ve built
physical and imaginary
belong to us alone
hopefully a warm place
for those times
when we’re trapped
within our own creation
the walls will crumble
as we fumble to open
the big window 
and feel the outside
one final time