Safe In Dreamscapes



He walked with his dad

Down from Maple street

To the corner store

To buy franks and Bud

Was a dream of course

Dad died in ‘05

And the little store

Ransacked in riots

They crossed Terrence Bridge

That Timmy jumped off

Then took a left turn

And saw Timmy’s dad

Whose soul died in ‘Nam

But his heart couldn’t

Now lives in alleys

With his roommate Wine

Dad and Son both walked

Chatted about life

Like how Mom died next

Then the oldest son

Around the corner

A man with a knife

Eyes swollen, bloodshot

Freed his mind on crack

Dad and son dismissed

Man with the crackpipe

Who felt unnoticed

And the sting of tears

So he followed them

Stuck to the shadows

Where bitter men sleep

And the wicked hide

In plain sight and sun

The man stabbed the boy

Twisted his knife too

Blood spurted out fast

Draining his lifeline.

The boy called for Dad

But Dad wasn’t there

He was a loner

Bleeding to his end

Surely he would wake

But he still faded

Into the ether

Then there was nothing

No heaven or hell

He was but a corpse

Over long decades

His flesh decomposed

And nourished the land.

You Can Go Far, Kid

Eight and a half

By eleven

Black and white print

On simple page

A small gesture

Frankly, silly

Frankly, touching

The grey-scale sheet

A time of doubt

Uncertainty

The kind gesture

Straightened my path

Certificate

Not of success

But one of hope

And of support

The sheet of hope

Sits at my desk

A reminder

A sign forward

Grow Through

Two young lovers

Cheeks red, eyes bright

Held hands and kissed

The first boy said

“Before we met

I was a seed

Even planted

I couldn’t grow

But I met you.

You planted me

Among your roots

And I blossomed

My life sprouted

Because of you

And I’m grateful”

The second boy

Eyes teary, red

Kissed his partner

“And before you

I was alone

And neglected

I’ve found my peace

Found happiness

You’re my purpose.

So grow through me

My dear sapling

And reach the sky

Grow through me dear

And paint the clouds

A light violet

So when I look

To ponder life

You’ll be right there”