Tree

Dear tree,

you give up your leaves,

as I do tears.

A brittle falling...

In the autumn of our thoughts.

We bear witness, by so doing,

to slow endings.

But may I say

and only as a friend.

Bequeath not your branches,

to winters moon.

Or stand as cold silent testament,

to a previous beauty.

Think only of spring's sparkle

that distant dazzle in the harsh

wind of now.

Let others gather the dead of before.

For I know loss as you.

And we shall know love again,

and it will arrive in the fine

greenery of another day.

Now We Are

Now we are friends;
but in your past and my past
friends have passed.
Time is always taking us somewhere.
Somewhere friends are laughing.
Somewhere friends are crying.

Now we are lovers;
but in your past and my past
lovers have passed.
Time is always taking us somewhere.
Somewhere lovers are dreaming.
Somewhere lovers are grieving.

Now we are talking;
but in your past and my past
the talking has passed.
Time is always taking us somewhere.
Somewhere conversations are starting.
Somewhere conversations are ending.

Now we are evenings;
but in your past and my past
evenings have passed.
Time is always taking us somewhere.
Somewhere evenings are coming.
Somewhere evenings are going.

Now we are poets;
but in your past and my past
poetry has passed.
Time is always taking us somewhere.
Somewhere poems are kindling.
Somewhere poems are burning.

Time is so silent and imperceptible,
in its flowing from here to there.
Only now in this writing
can I say I see this coming.

Yet always believe in something else.

Gentle

To be gentle;

To smile at beauty.

To feel something.

To leave undisturbed.

To allow the tides,

To turn your thoughts.

To be gentle.

New Year

Cut the diamond cold;
of this New Year's night.
With fire tipped spears
of celebrations light.
Set the past in heaven's starry crown.
And dress this new day,
in wonder's golden gown.