can you feel it creeping in
claws scratch softened lines

this skin

was broken from the start
white lies repaint this part

Today
I began  
Tired
And alone
Bending my body,
And watching
My mind
Welcome
The folks
I carry
With me
Within.
And I realized
Suddenly
I’d been mistaken -
Today was not
The beginning,
After all.

Air flight grounded
travel banned
together in isolation
we stand

Be my courage
I’ll be your strength

Be my solace
I’ll be your haven

Be my inspiration
I’ll be your fruition

Be my love
I’ll be your forever.
ljm

Fox News has been
So successful
At stitching together
The bits that suit them,
They’ve just been appointed
Official Tailor to the Emperor.
ljm

all poetry is personal
some more than others

to just spread out your private feelings
     in your verse
may not be everyone's delight

but if you choose words
so that the many find their voices
    in your own
you may be lucky
to achieve all poets' dreams

your personal voice
becomes the public

to me,
you are
an art

                              to you,
                              I was
                              a tragedy