Master of Time

Were I the master
Of all time
And had power to roll it back.

I'd erase the years
And the lines
It uses to attack.

I'd remove the scars
And heal the wounds
That seem to run so deep.

I'd heft the cares
And carry the pounds
Your joy I'd try to keep.

Alas I'm not
This great Lord
O'er elements at my command.

But weak with faults
And dreams to horde
A ravaged soul I am.

What balm I have
I give to you
And spare none for myself.

For hope I have
You will choose
A joy that defines yourself.

(Written for Patti on our anniversary 6/30/2011)

Without Touch

Without the touch
Of the master's hand
The violin won't play.

Without the touch
Of the artist's brush
Color, canvas can't display.

Without the touch
Of the sculptor's tool
Figure won't free from clay.

Without the touch
Of a mother's hand
Her child may lose its way.

Without the touch
Of first morning's sun
Would flower know light from day.

Without the touch
of the pilgrim's path
Homage we could not pay.

Without the touch
Of two lone souls
Love will not find a way.

Without the touch
Of lover's caress
The heart will only break.

What Drives the Heart

What drives the heart
Non-stop to beat
And carry on each day.

What force unseen
does press us on
and keeps us in our way.

What power great
Causes Earth to spin
and stops orbit form decay.

What yearning keeps
A man at home
His attention not to stray.

What radiates
The brilliant hues
Of flowers on display.

What entices song
From composer's mind
That musicians long to play.

What spirit speaks
To poet's soul
To write his wordy fey.

Were I to guess
And be not wrong
Keeping doubters all at bay.

It would be love
In all its forms
To its homage we must pay.

Office Summer

Outside office glass
The first warm wind whistles
Inside cold air hisses

In the spirit of Mulan (even though Haiku poetry is Japanese) and it being summer, I thought I would post a Haiku.

A Tale of a Ring

Once upon a time long past
A ring was forged to bind love fast.

Atop a hoop of pure white gold
A rose was set with petals unfold.

At center of the flower
Bloomed a brilliant gem of pure white lure.

It set upon a hand so fine,
A princess, a daughter of hand divine.

Alas the beauty and the ring so fine
Came subject to the rage of time.

Though scratch and nick time did try,
The band held fast with bud held high.

Till children royal to the ring,
Did restore the beauty of the thing.

Step By Step

Step by step
So the trail begins
Clouds cloaks sunshine
Breeze chills the skin


Step by step
Vista opens
Lost in Greenery
Desert is endless


Step by step
Trail is clearer
Winding wilderness
Each bend new pictures


Step by step
Secrets unfold
Each piece comes to view
Simple majesty


Step by step
Smiling more often
Holding hands
Heart is more sure


Step by Step
Family comes in focus
Laughter heeling
New bonds begin


Step by step
Sun dispels clouds
Green becomes radiant
Skin is warmed

Rose of Memory

Softly ebbs the surf at daybreak
Strolling along the seashore
Searching for love I did forsake
Eyes tracing over sandy floor.


Loss presses heavy on the soul
Of a love and friendship deep
Heart that shudders from a whole
And from eyes that constant weep.

Tracing footsteps erased in tide
Will ebbs with the journey 
Hope washes from the eyes
And conscience slows the hurry.


Yet just when hope is gone
And discouragement is set
Alas the spot is found
And a single flower left.

Lays a rose of great beauty 
Like a talisman it marks 
A place of great memory 
Where love a new embarks.


Lights the heart to gladdness
To gaze upon each petal
And to quench the fiery maddness
And soften a heart of metal.