Compare Artistic Efforts

Purposeful Living

Found watching outside the gate,
spectator instead of participant,
standing in the footsteps of a famous person

rather than creating a path of his own.
Proximity should never be enough
find the purpose in your life and express it.

Let your misdeeds and greatness
be your own. Stop living vicariously
through the significance of others.

Step out, step strong, step certain
your path will reveal itself
with fame and infamy of its own.  

Everyone Danced

There was a singer
and fiddler handy,

someone to beat the drum.
Everyone knew the steps

and everyone danced,
old and young. 

In large halls with gas lamps,
a fire burned on the hearth

teenagers fell in love,
got married, raised their families,

and everyone knew the dance. 

Bowling Ball Beach

Large boulders smooth and round
tumbled from eroding seaside cliffs
years ago, washed in the ocean’s tides

rough edges smoothed away
now a natural phenomena on the beach
photographed by tourists and locals

like dinosaur eggs found above ground
with memories of time passed
visible when the tides subside.  

Marine Layer

Sunshine hidden from sight
by a marine layer
like an unwanted lover,
smothering the light,
covering the city in gloom.

Birds of springtime
chatter away
not crippled with worry
knowing flowers will bloom
their nests already filled
with chirping young

allowing life to continue
as it has always done.

Becoming an Adult

I watched from the day he was born
so uncertain of himself in space and time
his first reaction was to bite those he loved 

making some effort to consume their flesh
it was never hatred on his part,
but an insatiable desire for love.

He gave others space for fear 
his reaction to them would be
misunderstood, but now that he is grown

his attraction for others is now 
an indiscernible charge, 
a charisma, drawing them close.

It helps that he is good looking
and all those years he ached for love

intrudes on him now, fast and hard. 

Lost

Wandered out among the crowd

reached for her mother’s hand

but she was gone
looked up at strangers 
all around. A woman held her

until she was found.