Développé

Stand at attention, oh sweet soul of mine,
observe and deliberate on all that's divine.
Let not your long woes or your sighs so deep

steal away with awareness and lay you to sleep.
Hear now these words, sung softly and clear;

they are rendering open and pushing more near; 

they direct and align, for your sake and your crew.

Little vigilant soldiers - make my way ever true!

Let each whispered bond find a deep place to nest

and let pledges pilot as oils when pressed.

Raise up your head, love. Into glory extend!
The strength in your limbs points to what we intend.

Now stillness, be banished! Take all your constraining.

Sweet spirit, your substance was never in waning.

Lighter and freer, but stronger now, too; 

erupt, love! Do all that you set out to do!

Like Seuss, but sadder.

Apprehending a Fix

I went on this evening most fair, outside

with my butterfly net and my butterfly guide.

On a quest I, with zeal, endeavor to look

for a rare, stunning creature from a page in this book.

For years I have read of this item so rare
bearing delicate wings of a color quite fair -

in sunlight or mist, it is difficult to see

Lucky you, found yours? It'll look different for me.

I keep pressing on though, each morning and night

for a shot at a capture of one so delightful,

as they're full of charms - do not laugh or taunt;

these magical beings have something I want.

They bloom out of dream dust, like all stars and plans.

To own one could mean that my castles of sand

might sprout up into marble, firm on a stone.
I cannot stop searching or leave them alone.

I've studied my manual on hundreds of skills

which should make me able to locate and instill

such a tiny assist, so simple to think

to add one to my life, fill up that missing link.

Some of you've snared one all yours already,

and find your lives settled, happily steady.
As I try to grasp mine, pray, hold humility, and

recall life before you caught it - elusive Stability.

self-portrait

when the ticking of the midnight clock
should descend into tumult of night
and stroke it’s merciful, day breaking tock
with all it’s waking might

a new creature appears full-up of hope,
daring for precepts to shatter

her nights dreams are not outside her scope

her betrayers will all be scattered

what you have known is a quiet shadow
- though I can hear your incredulous laughter -
this pan will allow a vociferous crow
when the fairy-spell is broke, ever after.

Stars in your eyes

I wrote this almost two years ago, and it's been ringing in my head again.

You've been growing a garden of stars in your eyes
and your harvests will show full of light
You've been tending your courage and strengthening ties 
and your song reaches yet untold heights 

Like a sailor on land, far too many nights
you're writhing and wrenching for freedom and flight
Because eyes full of fire already apprise
then propel into darkness, brightly to sigh.