Next Time

Look out-
because next time
when I fall in love
I will pursue
with reckless abandon.

I've played the mousetrap long enough.

Freedom

As I bike across
the green velvet of the Palouse
I feel strong
independent
on roads of dirt
and gravel
until I realize
that is not for those
who built the road
I wouldn't get
a quarter mile
and I have to go where they tell me to.

Home

If you see me
please let me know where home is
because I'm lost
and looking for the way back.

Mr Mugabe

Once so bright-
I wonder if you were real
or was it
just a prelude to the fall
intentions etched
in the trunk of the Baobab tree
from youth
not to fade
until the tree
is cut by the axes
of a village in need of wood.

Supper

When its dinner time
and all you have
is sausage
old tortillas
and pepperjack cheese.

Combine them
and make a dinner
that you only eat
until you are no longer hungry.

Recluse

When no one is looking
the shades drawn
I like to do silly things in my apartment
like Ninja rolls
and SWAT maneuvers
because I'm 25
and have the apartment to myself.

Shopping

Never go to the store when hungry
you will buy Cheetos
and frozen potato skins
Kippered snacks and chocolate pudding.

You will forget to buy fruit
milk, eggs, and and the meat for the BBQ.

And you will be happy.

Old man

One day I will wrinkle
like a linen suit
my flesh will relax
sag and shake when I move.

My bones will fold
and snap
like peanut brittle.

And my words will slur
the corner of my mouth
will pool with saliva.

What then?

Laugh

A laugh-
cuts like slicing wind
heals like Gilead's balm
numbs like ice
teaches like Darwin
and lifts like a piston.

Old Friend

Friend
Why now?
Was I supposed to say more?

Three years
I've kept your picture in a frame-

Best of luck Ryan.

Ain't Nobody

Ain't Nobody
that can sing like me-

and when I sing you here
you will come.
not because I am good
but because
you're my harmony.

Lonely

Yeah,
I get lonely.
memories fuel
a blaze of "what ifs..."
That keep me warm enough
to get to bed.

Starlight

When the stars
blaze the paths
of a billion possibilities
against the pitch
of reality
Take a breath
and remember
that it only takes one star
to make a home.

Steady State

A steady state
fills the world around us
a tumbling equilibrium
a metered chaos.

My life
in constant motion.

Home

As I recline
on the earth
and turn my eyes
to the speckled night sky
I wonder-
of all the time
since humans
first laughed
how many nights
have been spent
just like this?

And I realize
that I am an alien
under a roof of wood and tar
But I am home
under roof of stars.

One More Time

Just one more
I tell myself
vowing that it will end.

Then the clicks
turn the minutes
into to hours.

YouTube has struck again.

So Close...

Its funny-
I will tell you that I love you
or hate you
in verse
for the universe to see
(at least those with wi-fi)
but when we're together
I just smile
and try my best to hide.

Plantar Kindness

We probe
prod
pound
mash
and blend
to find out
how a leaf works.

Why can't we just ask?

Secret Confession

Yes call center girl
I know how to reboot my computer
I'm not really this dense
its just that I'm in love with you
and can't figure out a better way
to hear your voice.

Sunflower

The sunflower
isn't a sunflower
because the sun always finds her.

She is a sunflower
because when the sun shines
she turns her head to greet him.

Rainbows

When chasing rainbows
remember that they are artifacts of light
impossibly far away.

I'll climb a tree instead

Moonstruck

When I look into the night
I see the moon
and I like to think
that you are too.

The same moon
you and I.

I know
that while you look
into the same night sky
you see a different moon
and we will never be together again.

Past Night

The past has warm arms
hearts and kisses.
Nights past three
talking about how
we would change the world.

The present seems so empty
the future cold
my bed a cocoon
to sleep
until yesterday comes back.

Never Buy a Fake Watch

In an alley of China
I bought a watch
because I needed to tell the time.

It was heavy
and felt like a good fake
and looked nice on my wrist.

Now its 4:10
or 6:45
Depending

Never buy a fake watch
-especially-
when you need to tell time.

Caramel Hot Dogs

Every time I burp
I taste hot dogs
and caramel.

I said I would eat if if she did
and I went first.

I think I'm in love.

Distal Visions

I hold the world in my hand
a broken kaleidescope,
a spinning possibility.

And when I look
all the images
are smiling-
but they are stuck there
at the end of the tube.

Starting Anew

When life gets overwhelming
and the weight of self-imposed responsibility
bears down like a driving rain-

Just dry off
still the skies
And take a bath in the sun instead.