I hung on the wall incomplete and forgotten. Collecting dust in a battered frame. My paint had long since faded, My past and my present always the same. Unnoticed I hung, As others walked by. With finer art around me, I never caught anyone’s eye. What was I? A draft at best, A sketch unfinished, Then left to rest? Not even straight, My frame hung aloof on a nail. No light ever found me, The dark added to my fail. Precious...

An intro to a story I am working on...  They buried me today. Everyone always told me that this was how it would end for me. I never believed that it would. I was more than just street-smart; I was smart. I was young and vibrant. Charmed and charming. Untouchable. I remember mum saying, “Your thoughts and actions are what define you, Stanley.” I called it bullshit to her face. How could I have been so wrong?

He sat on top of her, legs and body raised just slightly above her hips, so as not to crush her with his weight. He was leaning forward, holding her arms over her head. She was afraid to look him in the eyes, her face red, eyes tearing up. “Please don’t”, she whimpered. It was barely audible. “Yes baby, please. It’s okay. It’s time. I love you.” “No, I can’t” “It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It is who you are.” She looked...

As the eagle fliesFrom the times of the ice they lived.Long before the whites lusted for their lands.Old women sang of the first horse on the plains.Some called the wolf their totem, others the eagle.This is about the eagle clan living on the plains.They moved as the game moved.Life was harsh but they are the eagle clan.Known for their herds of ponies.On raids they painted white eagles on the ponies.Being feared as great...

Life, for what purpose? Together with others givingFor others we’re employingSlave for the money Conscience, blessing or curse?Over thinking instead of livingObserving instead of enjoyingSlave of societies attorney Offspring, we die to nurseLife to give meaning to livingHappiness to see them toyingSophia, my life’s honey

'Tis Indeed a form of truth, I see Lodged betwixt thy blood and boon Departs thy heart unjustly soAn act of courage, Nay!Indeed a part of truth, I see.Sold in its weakest form to me.How shalt thou have me this word descry? Belike the frown, whom cockholds the bauble and even the clown?Nay? Charming charmer, holds a tongueToo charmed, I really must say.Until now that is, did it not go your way? Oh, dearest Missy, what coul...

Dayna scrambled through the escape pod hatch and into the cool morning air. Standing on the side of the pod, she looked back along the furrow it had scored through the forest when it landed. She slipped down the side of the pod, and when her bare feet hit the ground they sank into the soft, damp soil and she savoured the feeling. It had been so long since she'd been outside and felt dirt beneath her feet or a soft breeze...

Once, back in the ancient days of the 1970s, I was living, and sometimes going to the university, in Columbia, Missouri. I lived there for many years, going to school of and on. After 24 years I got my BA in English. Then I went on to get an MA in Geography. Anyway, this was before that was all done. While I was still just futzing around in the town, going to the Chez coffeehouse, serving coffee and tea to students and ha...

I don’t know what I’ll do when I can’t do the things I love to do. I don’t know what I’ll say to friends when they stop by. Will I have the strength to care and ask, how are you, what’s new? Or will I look away and stare up at the ceiling, or look out the window, then close my eyes, whispering to myself, “perhaps it’s time to die?” Who knows if I’ll see clouds covering the sun, or will I see the sun setting behind the tre...

I’m that child. Born to him and her. Who grew too soon. Walked while others crawled. I’m that child. Who heard their words. And somehow knew. I’m that child. Whose pain came all too often. Who lived with rage. I’m that boy. Who dressed himself each morning. And then his siblings. Who had no role models. I’m that boy. Who fought in school. Who never had lunch money. Who was called raggedy by a teacher. I’m that boy. Who wa...

Many things in life I have seen and done.Makes me wonder, am I the devil's son? Though I really do not want to be.Times he seems to have hold of me. Does Satan play tricks with my mind?Causing me to sometimes be unkind. When in reality, all I strive to be.Is a loving, caring soul you see. Occasionally I don't feel in control.Drug backward through a black hole. Images playing on my mind's screen.Leaves me chilled, wanting...

Things that are done can’t be undone. Sometimes things that are done are wrong, and can’t be forgiven. Sometimes things are done, but can be forgiven. When do we know which is to be forgiven? Sometimes we do things we know are wrong, because we are selfish, and want what we can’t even though we know it’s wrong. Do we care when we go after that one thing we shouldn't have? No, usually not, and sometimes we do and just don’...

Old guys always start every story with “When I was a boy.” It’s a standard, sorta like “Once upon a time” or “Happily ever after.” It has been my experience that it causes one of two reactions. People will either listen intently for each pearl of wisdom.. or.. roll their eyes and whisper “fuck!! Not again!” While I never presume that my ramblings are akin to duffel bags filled with such pearls, I’ve learned to accept the...

As a young man I loved to play golf. I scuffed around the course. Strong. Wild. Took pride in hitting the ball farther than others. Still do. Yet it took the wisdom and humor of an old timer one day after playing a round of golf with me to put things into perspective. After slamming the ball all over creation and scrambling on every hole, I proudly set my clubs down next to his and waited for the awe to set in. I mean how...

"There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being evolved." Charles Darwin, The Origin of SpeciesI wonder why we cannot see the light?  We lose the fire and pa...