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)