The shaking of a reed
The movement of the water
The flickering of a flame

The crying of a child
The weariness of the labourer
The burning skin from the sun

The salty tears of guilt
The racking pain of loneliness
The swan song of past glories

The masks of complacency
The contracts of acceptance
The closing of the mind

The continuing saga
The words that fill the pages
The lot in life we share

If I give you
today
Will you give up
tomorrow

If I ask
you to wander
Can direction
be saved

If I say
that I love you
Will the words
meld the seasons

If I surrender
this moment
Can forever
— be gone

(The New Room: March, 2025)

I
can’t
Tell.  if
The      sky
Above       Is real

Or not          Quite there

Quite near                            Enough
To hold                                                   The stars
In the                                                                             Palm of
My hand                                                                                         And be
So glad                                                                         That I
Can see                                             The light
That shines         All through

The night.       Will it

Go out? Will it?

Will      it?

Go
out?