ceramic bones


whispered moan of night breeze
torn on sharp edges of illuminated windows

rattle and clack of train cars
beating iron rails senseless in passing

distant rise and fall of sirens
rushing to save what never makes the news

melodic scrape of porcelain lid
against the empty rim of unkept promises

wandering reminiscent melodies
played on flutes of blue ceramic bone

night in this city deepens
sleep offers endless seduction
but never sees me naked





for love of friends
    thoughts on pedro the pup's passing

you said it once, sincerely,
that of all things you hold dear
you love truth the most and
bitterness be damned
foul the friend who lies
thinking to be kind

but in the face of loss
what friend would wound you
with arrows of naked truth
counting honesty above mercy
bluntness over compassion
i cannot be that friend
and so i offer this

in life, i never knew him
in death, i cannot praise him
he was yours, he was there,
he is gone, and yet

for love of friends, i stop
remove my cap and wave him on
to his next adventure
with the same enthusiasm
i would give the home team
who just won the pennant
hurrah, boy, hurrah
hurry home

not for his own sake
or even for his brother's
would i pause and yet
i smile and join the grand parade
to wish him godspeed home

it may be strange to some
that i would honor him
but the truth is not so hard
i do such things, willingly
for the simple love of friends




karate


empty fist
open hand
pulls strength from air
gathers wind
in cupped palm

tornado strikes
enemy crumbles
into dust