Why

Like cattle rustlers after dusk

Like walruses with just one tusk

Like statues baring just one breast

Like children study for a test

Like artists painting made-up places

Like fast neutrinos leave no traces

Like doves on gloves in love do I

Like all your mysteries of why

Self-Portrait

Perhaps you've read my stories, poetry

And thought you saw me. You are wrong. No song

I've written ever mirrored one degree

With any part of me. There's nothing wrong

With thinking that you caught a glimpse if you

Have read my mind's mere makings over time--

But everything I've written, it is true,

Is true, but not of me, except in rhyme. 

But have I loved? Oh, yes, I've loved--my wife,

My children, parents, friends. And beauty called

To me and set me free and freed my words.

And I have sung of conflict and of strife

And reconciled and called out what enthralled

My heart and mind like diamond hummingbirds. 

The Arc of Expecation

Frustration fills me--expectation lost
Will ground this ship upon the island sands
Or get it sunk beneath the seas, mind tossed,
From crashing on the iceberg. Love demands
Such understanding. Love demands you warn
With time sufficient or you keep your word.
I simply ask you do not leave me torn,
Instead release to know the snow-white bird.

The Oxytocin Blues

 Love's feeling's made by oxtocin--touch
Elicits loves across the brain--my skin,
Your skin in contact--I don't ask for much--
A hug, a squeeze where loves always begin.

And when you pull away, you pull away
From love and pleasure--say you would refuse
To feel as close to me--refuse to play
What oxytocin promises and glues.

Why fight the feelings oxytocin makes?
There's none too tired for love and touch, to feel
What makes us more through marriage--what it takes
Seems small to me, as feelings will reveal.

And yes, this chemistry that's in your head
Comes flooding more when you're nude in our bed.

Punctuation

Panther hiding in the trees
One quick leap you're on your knees
Death is hiding in the night
Death's the demon you can't fight

In the darkness shadows shriek
Strong or prideful weak or meek
All will fall beneath death's jaws
All will bleed ripped by her claws

Death will pad on panther feet
Soul departs you turn to meat
You can't hide in ditch or shrubs
You will feed her darkling cubs