someone should tell the bugs

our 10K mosey
Michigan Nordic combined
skiing and shooting
(photographs)

a bit of blue glows
foot bridge across the river
just beyond the trees

I hate to say it

someone should tell the bugs
it is still winter

patterns in the ice
a message around the trees
snow and ice dancing

a promise of spring!
seed pods arching gracefully
hang in the balance

today is special

notepad in my hand
an apron around my waist
a diner looks at me

she said: make mine with
extra ordinary, but
put it on the side

that love is
too spicy to eat
all at once

whatever you want
it's all yours for the asking
try today's special?

veggie scraps

vegetable scraps
will compel folks to visit
or so I am told*

compostable words
dissolving all illusions
return to damp earth

layer with ashes
make an organic parfait
they keep down the stink


(*with thanks to my friend Kathy)

red bird can't wait

eternal questions:
who am I? why am I here?
do the flowers ask?

impatient for spring
grasses still bent under snow
the red bird can't wait

finally a pearl

Neptune's mighty fork
eagerly spears trespassers
no wisdom for them!

from desert to deep
knowledge lies hidden away
water or sand both work

mysteries unfold
and some questions must be asked
many many times

how many oysters
are opened and found empty?
finally a pearl!

wishing for swishing

promises of snow
have kept my ski poles leaning
wishing for swishing

blinded by brightness
sunny skies may be pleasing
but they don't drop flakes

there at the window
kitty perches on the sill
swishing his long tail

restlessness, hunger
these motivating forces
drive evolution

the turn around dance

do a brand new dance
180 degrees
turn night into day

twirling on tiptoes
a feather drops on the floor
tutu fairy flies

see the tricky fox
heyokah teacher tells us
turn it upside down

invictus!

mastering shadows
contrast light against dark
possibility!

Invictus! the cry
an old soul undefeated
bloody and unbowed

brilliant strategy
unite hearts around the ball
circle of life

empty the red pail
toss the scraps onto the pile
sprinkle with ashes

a dreaming shell

Cecropia moth
can't see beyond the footlights
careful of the flame!

who is watching who?
butterfly dreaming of me?
catching dreams in nets

see these little sparks
experience created
by a dreaming shell

hit send now

the sending
can be the ending
can it not?

destination: now!
just let all be as it is
discomfort and all

the cow doesn't moo
because flowers wilt & die
she still gives sweet milk

counting lines again
once my fingers stop their tapping
time to hit send now

this old heart

sometimes this old heart
wants a little tenderness
just can't take a joke


chocolate is good
85% pure dark
but it's not a kiss


what are these silly
illusions of happiness?
but blinders on now

heart on fire and guns a-blazing

she charges forward,
(or is that barrels onward?)
both guns a-blazing

who has time to wait?
fingers, maps or instructions
they just slow her down

her philosophy?
experience the moment
but do it right now

the moon and I

The moon and I laugh
together we light the night
we don't mind pointing

the moon and I shine
bounce light off sparkly fresh snow
we're like diamonds

the moon and I hide
clothed in clouds we're shy tonight
see you tomorrow

baring my soles

the trouble with shoes
is when I have too many
and still long for more

high heels, lotus toes
always going downhill, so
hobbled by beauty

heavy leather boots
do they keep feet protected
from the elements?

under leather straps
my poor soles long for freedom
please let the air in

throw them away now!
a taste of reality
comes with touching ground

unburdened and free
there's space in my closet now
just one pair remains

comfortable creaking

oh, boisterous one
he smiled, you are not quiet
but it's quite okay

shivering in cold
when the fire turns silent
I prefer the roar

kitty rubs my legs
the old floor creaks like my bones
somehow it comforts

soft power

something approaches
soft pink light is sliding
on the horizon

canyons out of rock
dissolve instead of slashing
water always wins

purrs against my leg
gets the kitty a good skritch
sooner than biting

page won't load

intermittently
power connects ideas
poor service ratings

neuro nets collide
with quantum calculations
creating patterns