If No One

If no one's in the forest
when the tree falls
does it really make a sound?

If someone's home
when no one calls
does it really make a difference?

Hum Along

I wrote this almost twenty years ago and just found it buried with some other things last night.

The fluid movement
of mouth, tongue and fingers
leads to squeals, sighs and sounds of joy,
applause if it's a good performance;
songs of love come
out the end of the
horn - e
flat, b natural, c sharp,
hear music;
blow it
hard,
make it sing;
jacket off,
collar unbuttoned,
hollar if
you like it,
hum along.
There's nothing
like good sax.

Where are You?

Where are you?
You were always there for me
but now you’re not.
Where are you?
You taught me well,
but I always thought you’d be
here to see what I learned from you.
But you’re not.
Where are you?
Heaven: myth or reality?
If it’s real, you’re there,
tinkering in the workshop.
If not, then
where are you, Dad?

The Path

Flying down a rocky path
full speed
on two wheels;
blind curves ahead.
What’s beyond?
More curves?
The edge?
An incline?
Do I really want to know
what’s on life’s path?
Or is discovery the fun part?

Mirror Image

When you look in the mirror
who do you see?
The old man you are
chronologically?
The young man you wish
you still could be?
Your Dad? Your Mom?
“Is that really me?”

Searching

Searching
for meaning,
truth
and a good cup of coffee;
for purpose,
a point,
and a place for you and me;
for balance,
laughter,
and compatibility.

Change Her

Alone in a house full of people
she contemplates her life,
wonders why he wanted her
to be his wife
when all he wants now is to
change her.

Bold yet shy, she is
trapped in a life
sprinkled with joy but
full of strife,
unafraid to explain the dilemma;
afraid to act.

She is who she is
and he knew that then.
It didn’t seem to matter
way back when
but now all he wants to do is
change her.

Night

Front porch
Sunset
Sipping merlot alone and thinking of you.
A toast
To hope, love
and dreams that can come true.
Clink.

Empty glass
Full moon
Contemplating life, love and possibilities.
A smile.
More merlot; sip, gulp.
Hoot owls, crickets, rustling trees.
Sigh.