A Close Reach

Raising thoughts and emotion,

the mainsail was set

 

Heading into the wind

of tomorrow unmet

 

All stays are in place,

with tiller held fast

 

Reaching for glory

—the doldrums have passed

 

(Hereford Inlet: November, 2020)

 

 

 

Hemlock

 

Some would say,

the danger portends   

 

Some would say,

it all is pretend

 

Some would say,

the past wears a shroud

 

Some would say,

the quiet is loud

 

Some would say,

all love is for fools

 

Some would say,

to break every rule

 

Some would say,

today is unsure

 

Some would say,

tomorrow the cure

 

Some would say,

the hammer is cocked

 

Some would say,

the target is locked

 

Some would say,

the reasons persist

 

Some would say,

all logic resists

 

Some would say,

the lies are astute

 

Some would say,

more voices to mute

 

Some would say,

the weight is too much

 

Some would say,

to look but don’t touch

 

Some would say,

their talk cheap and vile

 

Some would say

—death kills with a smile

 

(Villanova Pennsylvania: November, 2020)