RochesterOnce, long ago a tempest drowned the landAnd shook the earth with fire from lofty cloudOne sliver smote the mighty oak; ere proudHad stood erect and stretched out sinewy hand,Surrendering himself, no longer grand.The oak – his boughs death pale create a shroudAnd veil the earth, his senses yet endowedProtect her from the element’s demand.

His withering bark has watched the seasons fadeBut soft! A sprout has heaved aside the clayAnd woven herself against his tattered limbTo gather strength and shelter in his shade.Now vine and oak form jointly one bouquetHer charm, her youth restores new life to him.

May 2002

O wretched time, a fiendish friend art thouWho robs me of my dreams,and in such haste!My waking hours, each one(precious few)

He Salutes-- each gesture alters perception and makes each moment ere a memory.

December 2003

the Pawn is playedand one by one the pieces fall victim to your own conscience pitting – Mind – against – Soula dangerous Game. bulwarks and male cannot save you from yourself

Black and Whiteone by onef..a..l..l..i..n..g

the king is left standing Aloneone last breathone last chance

It’s only a Game,nothing is keeping You here

in this placewithout Hope

but you stay – focused on your Addictionuntil the Final Playof your Enemyand then…Checkmate. December 2003

TempestTempest

A welcome sight, the clouds afar, are to the parched landA welcome sight, the clouds afar, are to the parched landHer cracked, dry lips are caked with dust and grit from blowing sandHer cracked, dry lips are caked with dust and grit from blowing sandThe promise of the rain to come has filled her earthen breastThe promise of the rain to come has filled her earthen breastShe savors the small drops of rain - assuring she'll be blessed.She savors the small drops of rain - assuring she'll be blessed.

The nearness of the raging storm awakens her to lifeThe nearness of the raging storm awakens her to lifeBut kisses of the drops before now stab her like a knifeBut kisses of the drops before now stab her like a knifeThe wind tears off her emerald clothes, unveiling earthen skinThe wind tears off her emerald clothes, unveiling earthen skinThe lightning strikes her virgin soil, the forces now akin.The lightning strikes her virgin soil, the forces now akin.

The clouds pull back, the wind subsides, both earth and sky are stillThe clouds pull back, the wind subsides, both earth and sky are stillAnd the violent wind now whispers, holding back a stronger willAnd the violent wind now whispers, holding back a stronger willEventually he leaves her side, and blue skies reign againEventually he leaves her side, and blue skies reign againHer moistened lips the only memory of where He's been.Her moistened lips the only memory of where He's been.

February 2003

Power hungry.Power hungry.Desires eating Desires eating at your soul.at your soul.

Licking flamesLicking flamesdevour your conscience.devour your conscience.

Temptation cages you in on every side.Temptation cages you in on every side.Resist!Resist!

The monsters The monsters in your mind.in your mind.

The devil The devil at your fingertips.at your fingertips.Choosing LightChoosing Light

Even the smallest Even the smallest can change the futurecan change the future

March 2004

The Minister’s Black Veil

Veiled in Darkness and DeathDeceitful MourningHere –In a world devoid of Light

living in ShadowLying alone

we drink the cup of Resurrectionbloodthirsty Souls

each drop reminiscentof our transgression

A façade of truthhides the Veilswe know too well

Condemned to deathHe lifts the veiland I am saved.

September 2004

HauntedApparitions of the mindPalpitations of the heart Nightmare in progress

Cold hands reach for a stitch in timeSaves nine

Not me Incandescence A grave situation

Souls asleep Back from the deadHand in Hand

Heart to Heart Mind and soul are one

Coalescing Rhythmic Cadence

Musically Inclined Symphonic pleasure Painful recollections

Memory lapse Perchance a dream

Slumbering phantom I awake October 2004

One CandleStanding in the rainCold and weary soul,Face wet with tears, never cried.Alone.

Drip, Drip, pastthe Eyes, unseeing – steel

Inside a candle burnsHand against the windowImpenetrable.

Drop, Drop, onthe Glass – a reflection.

Standing in the darkInside one candle burnsAnd the rain cascadesUnceasing.

Down, Down from

within – she drowns.

October 2004

MorningThe clouds roll in, perpetuate

The darkness in thy eyeO're shadowed by thy guilty self

And loveless TyrranyBut darkness, lonely nighttime trait

Shall break, it is fortoldFor morning shalt thou sorrows shake

And light again behold.For thy master, light is Him

Awakes thy soul to singAnd carries you from barren dark

To morning, on His wing.

January 2005

Thorn CrownedBlood fallsLots cast

Breathes His lastCrucifixion

-Curtain TornEarthquake

HolinessFace to Face

Amazing Grace.

Darkness fallsPrayers rise

Take this cupYour will be done

Betrayal-

Morning dawnsAccusation

Pontius PilateWashed hands

Golgotha

Good Friday

April 2005

Within – kindled Soul.embersare shrouded in a jar of Clay. Blood, sweat, Tears.while Darkness fallson Light unseen.Then – like phoenix, raptured, Consumed by holy fireand ignited into flame.Within – kindled Soul, burningFire and lightare Exposed in a glass Transparent.Glory Seen.

May 2005

Metamorphic

History preserved in a dynamic enigmaCrystalline emotions layer – upon layer – A monolith of human experience….suddenlyPressured on all sides Molten encounter, kindred betrayalA convection.Emotions – undulating, Searing, through the placid sandstone layers

It only takes moments – hours – days Foliation happens: divide, conquer, re-crystallize. Gradually temperature decreases, until I am again intact

March 2006

"The office of poetry is not to make us "The office of poetry is not to make us think accurately, but to feel truly"  -think accurately, but to feel truly"  -

FrederickFrederick

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