Deadly Reverance

With deadly reverence
I propitiate dark Gods,
fighting silent battles
that never happen.
I worship the dancers
of death, trading in the coin
of the realm, fear
the only currency with any value.
I mouth words, soundless as
I stare into my small one’s
eyes. Never stop watching
if you blink, if you take your
gaze away for one moment,
they will snatch him. He will
be gone and you will go
mad. Am I mad even
now? I live in
between heartbeats,
seeing the shades of the
honored dead, the ones
who left me behind, the ones
who beat me to the finish line.
Last and first, first and last,
and with perfect solemnity
I wait for evil.



(This is an old poem, but one I really like. Particularly now, it seems to resonate with me.)

Walk In The Garden

Let's take a walk together
You and I
It's getting dark
and cold

Let's take a long walk
talk over all the things
we've forgotten
things better left unsaid

Let's go for one last walk
try to find all
the people we lost
on earlier walks
those still missing and missed

Quickly now, let's walk on
the light is growing dim
we're almost there
and still so much left
to say

Our walk is over now
we're at the garden's gate
and I feel you slipping
away, in a hurry to get
there

One last hug and
good-bye, rushed
as always never
enough time it
feels as though
we've just gotten
started but
it's time for you
to go

Run and join the dance
say hello to everyone
for me, give them my love,
tell them I'll see them soon

I have to walk back now
without you
without them
alone and cold.


***In Memory of my grandfather, Orvall M. French.***