Reflections
well, here we are again
down by Paddy’s ravaged fence
reflecting in the murky waters
from which we are about to drink.
it sickened us once, remember?
left us lying in our beds
comatose almost
aware of pain and nothing more
we longed for death’s largess.
that wish denied
we struggled up in feverish state
astep, astep with phantom shapes
and fell at last upon the bank.
looking down ourselves look back
likenesses wrinkled by the wind
then lips to mirrored lips we drink
till no water’s there
nor images, nor we.

Pale Pink Rose...
No silvered sultanate
No wine cup freshly filled
Nor any other wanton wish
Allures or tempts
This pale pink rose
Bloomed lately in your verdant garden.
Bejeweled by morning’s diamond dews
Each of countless drops refreshes
Eyes and mirrors for your splendor.

Deepening
Lights reflect and fade
From the bounding spring cascade . . .
Green stones below, jade.

Isolation
I live far inland from the sea
The dust along my arid path
Forms tawny shapes
About my feet
Where foam and sand might be.

I cannot see
Through dust-stopped eyes
The fish-starved sea bird's swift descent
Nor feel beneath my withered feet
The warm salt water's rise.

Fusion
Lost, I thought, run!
We do sometimes,
Wild and aimless,
Rhythmic sound, pounding feet,
Birdsong, nature’s beat
We, each, in seamless sympathy.
Yellow butterfly,
Lost in golden shower blossom
Now emerges.
Glinting sun shards
Against an azure sky
To be lost again then
Remembered, multiplied in
Green leaved Bauhinia.
Such beating synchrony
Compresses time, distance
You, I, remembered, mystified
Loves illumination, illusion.
Sham, Shamim, my lost dream
I’m one with you
And yesterday.


Kissing the Stone
Do you suppose
I should propose
To solve the mystery of my fate?

To be aware
Or even care
If antic wars reverberate?

Must I accept
Your fond precept
Of god and sanctity?

Piss off my friend
I’ll not attend
Your vespers by the sea.

A brim-full glass
A well-turned ass
Is all. Who needs eternity?