Overdue (+1)

Our mistakes are paid

in generations of denial

Old footsteps defaulting,

new judgments on file

The future in debt

to invoices past

tomorrow debentured

—arrears mounting fast

(Dreamsleep: April, 2022)

GOODBYE

I said no to the man

and made my own bed

I cut my own trail

with eyes straight ahead

In debt to myself

but thankful to all

My words freely spoken,

their verdict my call

I beat my own rhythm

on multiple drums

I structured the lyrics

to sing and to hum

The nighttime began

what the morning forgave

A living refusal,

my back to the grave

The years have renewed,

all memories collide

The young and the old,

the truth and the lies

A comet yet burning,

new verse in the sky

One word still an orphan,

and homeless

—GOODBYE

(Villanova Pennsylvania: May, 2017)