Pallas and Phoebus

Those two eternal siblings,

strong and bright

through the ages ~

complementing and conflicting;

one with stoic wisdom flashing,

leading ever forward,

her beauty disarms;

one with magnetism gleaming,

impetuosity tempered

by white-hot charms.

She sprang, fully-formed,

armed and absolute,

as if from me alone,

as if her shield read:

~ non requiritur pater ~

fiercely independent,

my green-eyed Aly,

a Palys golden-haired

goddess of wisdom and battle,

she glides with ease

and gentle step

~ her warrior’s heart ever alert ~

silently making her way

along her chosen path.

Sunlight bright, this boy

rises dynamic born,

righteous reflections

~ Just John ~

an undeniable enveloping,

irresistible grin

drawing you in,

with empathy renown,

he generously shines,

as Phoebus’ chariot

brought light and warmth

through the cold morning sky;

conquering darkness is his destiny.

© ACG

15 November 2010

River

The force that endured,

that raged,

that cut through

and created

the Grand Canyon

is hard to visualize.

Her eyes were a river’s ribbon

of steely blue

raging

and cutting through

five hundred years

of brown-eyed Turkish domination,

somehow enduring

to flow into my veins.

“Luba” ~

the Macedonian word

for love ~

in any language:

complicated.

I loved her sweet smile,

her crocheted treasures,

Christmas cookies

like no others,

the twinkle in her eye;

yet never did she let me in,

her magic and her mystery

were her own,

I could see

that all her love and loyalty

rested only with her son

not her daughters

(one, my mother):

I did not like him.

Strange accent and strange beliefs;

her past distorted

and unknown to me,

her perspective

from another time and place,

my love was tinged by distance

that I could not cross;

never as close to her

as to my other grandmother,

whose sweet sad elegance

seemed more familiar.

Her complications conspired

to preserve the reserve

from which she saw the world;

it rarely cracked.

I could not see

her protective wall

for what it was;

her strength escaped me,

only later would I see it,

could I know it,

long after she was gone,

and my own steely-eyed children

chose their middle names

Luba and Alexander ~

their homage

to a Macedonian past,

and her.

I can see her reserve

in their eyes;

I know now,

finally

what she saw,

understanding

what lay behind

her laughter ~

it had its own accent,

an echo down through time,

that mirrored the twinkle

in her ice-blue eyes ~

like a river,

raging,

cutting,

like a secret flash,

enduring wisdom,

a knowing unshared

like the never-revealed

ingredient in a recipe ~

her secret,

she alone

knew the punchline.

“I survived.”

© ACG

13 November 2010

The Wall

She stands alone;

she feels weak,

a coward with her back

against a wall;

pushed there time and again

by the demands of others

and her own fierce loyalty

to those she loves.

What she cannot see

is that the wall

shelters and protects

all of us,

and without her,

we crumble:

her back

holds up

the wall.

© ACG

08 November 2010

~ for my mother

Bitterness

Coming Winter bites

and I recall your kiss;

A searing chill

envelopes memory;

With Winter comes your grasp

tighter still, gripping;

As much as I resist,

Still I call to you.

© ACG

30 October 2010

When the Night Winds Wail

Through the darkest nights

and beyond the brightest days,

there is one constant light

shining oh so far away;

It calls me as I sleep,

it moans across my soul,

it lingers buried deep,

my Love its only goal;

No matter where I turn

I feel your icy breath,

a searing frozen burn

seducing me to death;

The light within your eyes

I never can forsake,

No matter what your lies

my heart is yours to take;

The distant dance of Time

teases our embrace,

like a window sublime

with a wafting veil of lace;

Gazing from my dreams

through that eternal glass,

your drifting Shadow seems

just beyond my grasp;

Forever I am doomed,

nowhere is escape,

each horizon looms,

a darkly crushing weight.

© ACG 2010

29 October 2010

September Sea

My escape is blocked by the waves' icy thrust,

the cold hard sand stiffens underfoot,

and the morning mist freezes in my throat;

My boat rocks gently first then rolls with wicked intent,

navigating amidst darting rocks is beyond my skill

when the Sea is dark and coldly crashing;

My escape is blocked, so his chokehold lingers,

and I am weary from the fight;

weary with knowing.

© ACG

01 September 2010

August

After the short bright days of Spring,
Midwestern Summer comes on quickly,
with a heavy hand pressing,
determined to prevail, lasting,
beating down, extending;

Hammering thunder grumbles overhead,
lightning skitters downward
in thinly slicing deadly lines,
late Midwestern Summer weather
stifles hauntingly with cruel rapture;

Sun-bright skies reflecting white heat,
blinding, whilst never-ending airless air
drips with moisture unrelieving,
like a solid wall, the last of Summer slams
with its own mystery of possibility;

An impossible reality of misery,
crashing rain pours furiously,
more unwelcome wetness,
sticky, with no refreshment,
simply even less air left behind;

Cycling along, its marathon event,
weeks passing with no remorse,
thundering nights roll into rumbling days,
or stark sun-hot days and still clear nights,
Midwestern Summer’s constant torment;

Into this Hell,
like a Star in the Blackened Night,
like a Light in The Abyss,
like the first Breath of Fall,
like Love in a hate-filled world,
you came.

© ACG
01 August 2010

~ for Aly

Salt

Salty spray misting

breaking across the ship's bow

America looms

© ACG

30 June 2010

~ for Mom

Happy 4th of July

Untitled

flowing into me
oceans of grave disaster
like beautiful Death

 

© ACG

11 May 2010

April Morning Moon

Full gleaming orb
hangs o'er head;
 Moonlight gleaming
drifts o'er head;

E'er Dawn rises
E'er the World stirs,
April Morning Moon
shines o'er head.  

© ACG 01
April 2010

Elephants

From childhood’s Dumbo

and the baby elephant

in The Jungle Book,

then collectibles in

various woods, stones, metals;

carvings with trunks upraised

for Good Luck;

these have comforted me.

Metaphorically,

they’ve crushed me

at times when my chest

feels a pressure,

a crushing wieght

oppressing heart and lungs;

“feels like an elephant sitting on my chest,”

but really now,

poor elephant;

I don’t know how that would feel.

People say,

“the elephant in the room”

referring to that which

cannot be spoken;

when social convention

dictates silence:

awkwardness and discomfort,

don’t confront it,

don’t talk about it;

as if the elephant can be ignored.

I love my little statues,

and my Disney memories;

I dread the pressure of illness,

when breath comes gasping;

these comforts and pains

I have learned to live with;

they are expected.

I loathe the one who lumbered

into our room,

unwelcome and ridiculous,

is he to be supreme?

perhaps

he will prevail

with his destructive rampage,

and I shall leave the room.

© ACG
24 March 2010

Weakness

Loneliness overwhelms

with the pain of gnawing creatures

within;

darkness is everywhere

and a false light beckons

sweetly;

helpless against the tide

of my lonely nights

extending,

that light feels warm

and strong and lovingly

caressing.

No where can I turn,

except into disaster;

I feel my soul surrender

to Evil.

© ACG

17 February 2010

5:00 Blues

Inevitable Time, you Bastard,

my dreadful reality,

approaching,

encroaching,

killing me inside;

Inevitable Time, you Bastard,

the last call made,

then I surrender

as you head home,

to her;

Inevitable Time, you Bastard,

every day at 5,

suffocating my heart

with your dark hours,

long into my sleepless night.

Inevitable Time, you Bastard,

unavoidable,

irrevocable

reminder:

he’s forever hers.

Not mine.

You Bastard.

© ACG

Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras

icy silver rain

Winter’s needles harshly sting

joyous revelry

© ACG

25 January 2010

Blue Moon

Blue Moon

Above the dark sky

looms with sparkling stars,

the earth still damp

with blood, rain, and tears,

while his body lies cold before me.

Dawn will bring the New Year,

but tonight takes my life,

my heart, my soul

with him into Death;

I pray for a miracle.

“One small drop of blood,

one little swift kiss.”

A soft whisper from behind

comes like a caress,

a promise to resurrect,

a small price to pay,

a brief embrace.

“One small drop of blood,

one little swift kiss.”

Under the Blue Moon,

I consent.

© ACG

31 December 2009

To A Young Artist

A painting
Or a poem
Can be as bad as Winter’s icy cutting breath
Or as good as Summer’s first perfect rose,
But always
It is yours.

 

© ACG

17 December 2009

Enveloped

Enveloped

Frozen breath brushes
against my cheek,
his kiss comes like Winter,
lips as cold as icicles
caress mine
gently at first then
with passion;

suddenly enveloped
within his arms,
I am cold as snow,
the Wind cuts through me,
I feel his frozen breath lips skin
melt into mine.

© ACG
01 December 2009

Indiana Moon

Indiana Moon

Running free through cornfields,
escaping everything,
darkness and laughter
under the Indiana Moon;

I know these fields
like the back of my hand
and I find you
every time;

Kisses in the moonlight,
our breath echoes the whisper
of the cornstalks
rustling;

Time disappears for us,
years mean nothing,
decades erase our path
yet always I find you

under the Indiana Moon.

~ © ACG
25 October 2009

Blood Moon

Blood Moon


Nightfall comes
and I awake,

Confusion
and secrets stir;

I almost hear
your voice calling,

From my window,
I see the cornfield;

Bathed in moonlight
drawing me.

Blood Moon rising,
October falls.

Across the veil
spellbound,

Into the field
beyond myself,

Silken stalks cutting
whispering your name,

Running blindly
through the moonlight,

Only the moon and I
remain, waiting

For you.

~ © ACG
25 October 2009

Unbidden

Unbidden

Without warning
his voice comes;
calling through the Wind;

Escape
is a distant dream
of possibilities and chains;

Pain
becomes all within,
piercing my soul;

Unbidden
I call to him:
Enter.

© ACG

03 October 2009

Looming

Looming

As the thick hot Summer
suffocates itself, Autumn breathes,
daylight like a smile warms the skin,
a sigh of deception at night
Autumn sneaks in thinly;

At dawn, a hardworking Sun gasps
with determined vigor
whittled away
whilst Winter's fingers laugh
knowingly;

At dusk, a hint of Winter's breath
descends with the blanketing nightfall,
coolly interrupting,
a bark of comeuppance
harshly warning;

Unsheathed slowly
in Autumn’s trembling hand,
the cut of Winter comes
at once a sharp killing blade
with no remorse.

© ACG

01 September 2009

Under The August Moon

Under the August Moon

Every moment lingers
like a butterfly flitting
at the edge of my sight;

in the stillness of a hot day
I remember a breeze
that kissed my cheek;

a bird softly singing
in the distance
soothes my soul;

sunset sends a wash of color
turning into darkness;

I lie awake.

Somewhere under the August moon,
you sleep.

© ACG
01 August 2009

~ for Aly

July

July

languid moon mirrors
waves melting time together
feral eyes glaring

© ACG

03 July 2009

Outside My Window

Outside My Window

Summer comes in waves
of scented roses
and hot wind, blowing
Spring away

car engines fading,
neighbors off to work;
children running,
riding bikes carefree

midmorning breezes stir
willow leaves and blades of grass,
dancing roses call to me
like a child:

“Come out, come out, wherever you are”

afternoon birds calling,
not to me, yet
my heart answers
through the glass

I watch them flit
from branch to bush,
sweet songs soar;
let freedom ring.

© ACG

30 May 2009

Dreaming

Dreaming

landlocked midwest life
heavy continental air
dream of sea breezes

© ACG

01 May 2009

Memory

Memory

sweet chords echoing
gently brushing timelessness
Susan Fitzsimmons

© ACG
19 March 2009

Adoption

Adoption

sunlight streams coldly
through late Winter’s chilly days
names change forever

© ACG

01 March 2009

"Arrival" haiku

Arrival

cold sunshine teasing
February winds wailing
Miss Charlotte arrives

© ACG
23 February 2009

For Judy's Birthday

For Judy’s Birthday

sunset gleams softly
gold highlights on the water
may peace be your gift

© ACG
23 February 2009

For Carole

For Carole

rainbowed glistening
diamond birthday sun sparkles
an icicle drips

© ACG

05 February 2009

Fallen

Fallen

Forgotten in Winter's onslaught
deeply drowned and dimmed
a single branch lies broken;

frozen Time her blanket
brushing crushing lightly
covering and smothering;

the dismal sky of January
looms and glooms above
a tonnage weight of gray;

nevertheless a Promise
the broken branch emits
in her tired dried old berries;

a Mirror of the edged sky
a fiery pink, aglow
a Promise yet fulfilled.

© ACG

01 January 2009

Dreaming

Dreaming

If Snow should fall throughout the night,
My eyes shall be open;
Let snowflake edges sting me ~

If Stars should shine across the sky,
My eyes shall be open;
Let their brilliance blind me ~

If Winter’s winds should blow like knives,
My eyes shall be open:
Let the winds tear tears from me ~

If in the darkness Death should come,
My eyes shall be open;
Let Death turn away this night ~

My babies sleep free at last.

© ACG

26 November 2008

For All You’ve Meant To Me

For All You’ve Meant To Me

For your friendship ~
through the years,
For your acceptance ~
no matter what,
For your encouragement ~
to venture anew,
For your support ~
that lit the dark,
For your strength ~
that I often borrowed;


For Johnny’s “Pat-Pat-Tap-Tap”
and a safe place for my Aly,
For letting me have Cris
With love in your heart;

For all you’ve meant to me ~
I wish you love and peace
and the happiest of days.

© ACG
24 November 2008

for Miss Patricia, on her 70th birthday

Bendición

Bendición

Por Nidia, mi Amiga

Que el calor del sol te acaricie,
Que su luz te muestre la senda;
Que la paz de viva eternamente en tu corazón,
Que el Amor Verdadero siempre te guarde.

Que tus días en la tierra sean ligeros;
Mientras Dios guie tu viaje.

© ACG
14 de noviembre de 2008

© ACG
14 November 2008

Blessing
Por Nidia, mi amiga

May the warmth of the sun caress you,
May its light show you the path;
May peace be ever in your heart,
May True Love always hold you;

May your days on Earth be gentle;
As God guides your journey.

Untitled

softly drifting mist
under a purple velvet moon
~ together we dance ~

© ACG
23 October 2008

Dreaming

Dreaming

Far away through time and space,
our dreams echoing her pensive gaze
ever out across the Sea ~
“Someday”

© ACG
07 September 2008

When You Were Born . . .

When You Were Born . . .


I drove through the night
And half the next day
To be by your side
On that happy day.

I held you and rocked you
And hummed you a song,
I whispered, “I love you
forever ~ yes, that long!”

Now here we are, on this special day,
Just sitting around, so happy to see
Your brother and you ~
We're your Indiana family!

So now that you're bigger
And oh so much fun,
Happy Birthday to you ~
Now you've got the thumb!

© ACG
02 August 2008
~ for Jimmy

"Yearning" katuata

Yearning

turning into summer's breeze
eyes closed breathing in deeply
stirring memories within

remnant from a distant sea
illusion brushes her skin
will her ocean ever rest?

© ACG
20 July 2008

"Curiosity" katuata

Curiosity

as blowing winds sear
memory's tricks come alive
a year passing slowly by

clouds roll overhead
shadows across the sunlight
can Phillip's smile be the same?

© ACG

14 July 2008
~ for my nephew

Onward, Ever Onward

Onward, Ever Onward


The Path is set before you,
Destiny laid it down,
Missteps ere will haunt you,
In Fate’s embrace to drown;

Through Darkness as you wander,
Thinking you are alone,
Shadows gliding yonder,
Close in with gentle moan;

Illumination escapes you,
As Darkness all surrounds,
Each step presents anew
The Path that still confounds;

In spite of Darkness’ fervor,
In spite of the Path predestined,
Each step another measure,
Of what Blindness yet will find;

Sweet Breath guides you forward,
Soft as a mother’s hand,
Pressing you ever onward,
The Breath of Heaven’s Band.

© ACG
06 July 2008

"Shy" couplet

Shy

 

shyly shaded underneath soft leaves green
with sigh unfurled the rosebud's heart serene

© ACG
25 June 2008

Thirsty

Thirsty

dust granules scraping
each breath a sandpaper scourge
elsewhere levees break

© ACG
25 June 2008

Midsummer's Eve

Midsummer's Eve

stillness beginning
as fresh breezy Spring recedes
thick white-hot heat waves
descending ere midnight falls
my birthday ~ Summer begins

© ACG
20 June 2008

Escape

Escape

Bittersweet

my longings turning

with ever-aching yearning;

Constantly

my longings dunning

my battered soul to running;

My heartbeat's

pounding echo:

go (now)

go (now)

go (now)

Relentless.

© ACG

14 June 2008

Age (haiku)

Age

youth cannot see it
blinded by today's passions
horizon shimmers

© ACG
12 May 2008

"Spring Pollen" tanka

Spring Pollen

as goldenrod drifts

flowering trees shed petals

all softly floating

a sweet-scented Spring blanket ~

like you, suffocating me

© ACG

12 May 2008

burdens like baggage so heavily weigh ~
she sighs ~ with each forward step, through each day.

© ACG
07 May 2008

~ for every woman who ever kept on going

Memories of You

Like gray raindrops
falling softly through my willow leaves
your memory
slips through my secret soul's fortressed walls.

Like a rosebud
blooming in May's breezy sunshine
your memory
so sweetly lingers in my heart.

© ACG
06 May 2008

Winter

soft snowy wishes
like comfort blanketing me
'til my next ragg'd breath

© ACG
01 December 2007

Autumn (haiku)

Autumn

fall foliage falls
dancing around and around

party dresses swirl

© ACG

Autumn Morning (tanka)

Autumn Morning

cold morning tickles
wakening sleepy muscles
invigorating
now pulsing and pumping blood
as the outstretched road beckons

© ACG
22 September 2007

Time

"Time! Who's got the Time?" said the White Rabbit;
Now I scurry, looking for long-lost Time . . .

© ACG
05 September 2007

Love

Love's bittersweet flavor never complete

Lest two hearts entwined as one ever beat.

© ACG

26 August 2007

Sunrise (haiku)

Sunrise

stealthily rising
Apollo’s secret agent
golden Aurora

© ACG
18 August 2007

"Summer Storms" tanka

Summer Storms

ominously still
like an old person’s wheezing
the world holds its breath
then with an explosive crash
expells wind, rain, and thunder

© ACG
18 August 2007

A Poet's Heart

A Poet’s Heart

In gray winter, they march to battle
as thunder beats and drums roll;
so does a poet’s heart keep time.

© ACG
18 August 2007

"Relationship" katuata

Relationship

tumultuous storms
hurling vessels far off course
navigational turmoil

progress seems stopped
sea-spray hides the horizon
will smooth sailing e’re be ours?

© ACG

12 August 2007

Romantic Date

Romantic Date

Laughter rings with rolling dice and red wine,

'Ere friendship evolves as our hearts entwine.

© ACG

09 August 2007

~ for Cris

"Honey" haiku

Honey

spun gold softly falls
sometimes hiding blue-gray eyes
treasure of the gods

© ACG
02 August 2007
for Aly, my honey-haired girl

"Summer Sounds" tanka

Summer Sounds

resonating free
blasts resounding through the air
summer marching band
exploding with energy
God’s feet are tapping along

© ACG
02 August 2007
for John, clarinetist extraordinaire!

Memories

Memories

Long nights,
longer days;
remembering youth’s vigor.

Jello echoes cocktail moments;
shuffling feet now a poor mimic
of the Charleston’s swing;
hospital murmurings suffocate
the echo of jazzy nightclub music.

Sparkling eyes still dancing inside.

© ACG
02 August 2007

Summertime Rain (tanka)

Summertime Rain

leaves turn inside out
as dark clouds roll and winds whip
temperature drops
a July day feels like Fall
summer rain soaking the earth

© ACG

20 July 2007

Accomplishments Measured

long hours working
her latchkey children waiting
secondhand clothes wearing thin

disdain of others
but they never saw bruises
is her achievement enough?

~ for all the children who live in safety
because their mothers survived Domestic Abuse.
May Society one day see their heroism,
instead of their poverty.

© ACG
20 July 2007

"Beauty" Couplet

Beauty

Strolling past blossoms on a garden path,
her beauty evokes Nature's jealous wrath.

© ACG
18 July 2007

"Shadows" tanka

Shadows

like gray-clad clouds roll

relentlessly approaching

all shelter denied

no cavalry advances ~

alone, as shadows descend

© ACG

01 July 2007

"Summer" haiku

Summer

sweltering onward
waves of humid air conquer ~
victorious march!

© ACG
01 July 2007

Untitled (katuata)

Untitled

hearts pumping boldly

blood runs on the battlefields

prayers rise on the homefront

patriotic songs

marching bands and flying flags

is our Independence free?

© ACG

27 June 2007

Fireworks (couplet)

Fireworks

pyrotechnic exhibit soaring high;
deafening explosions delayed; Science rules.

© ACG
01 July 2007

Spring Loaded

(dedicated to my son, Johnny)

They say April Showers Bring May Flowers;
April’s rain brought Johnny to me,
Spring Loaded.

They say Three Time’s A Charm;

Two times: hospital, tubes, and wires ~
Third time will bring ~ what?

~ Aly’s smile comforts my heart,

and there is, as always, only us ~

They say 13 Is An Unlucky Number;
April Thirteenth dawned in silence.
Third time, came Johnny.

Alone, they say God Is Always With You;

But I could not see Him ~
as a husband’s lies became a father’s rejection.

~ and then only hours old, more tubes and wires,

whisked away for a day ~

They say Marry In Haste Repent At Leisure;

Deus meus, ex toto corde poenitet ~
Strangely another blessing.

They say You’re Better Off Without Him;

And his leaving is my Absolution ~
But Penance may be eternal.

~ they are golden-haired little sweethearts,

baby treasures ~

They say Like Two Peas In A Pod;

Little face mirrors his sister's,
His eyes ever follow her.

They say Snips And Snails And Puppy Dog Tails;

But he is Sugar And Spice And Everything Nice.
Simply made, all smiles and love.

~ boundless energy, with winning ways,

our 3rd Musketeer ~

They say The Eyes Are The Window To The Soul;

Those blue eyes expose eternity ~
He's just wide open.

Always happy Walking On Sunshine;
On The Sunny Side Of The Street,
Joyful is his world.

~ his heartbeat is Hap-py, Hap-py, Hap-py,
Spring Loaded ~

They say Don’t Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth;
I did not, but just two months old,
Another hospital, tubes, and wires.

They say All’s Well That Ends Well;

And sometimes it does,
But that small blue face cut my soul.

~ fear burrows in deeply,
lying dormant all these years ~

They say A Child Shall Lead;

Not yet two, he tells me he’s happy God said Okay.
I ask, About What?

(We don’t go to church. How does he know about God?)

He tells me he was sitting with God

When God asked him Who Shall Be Your Mommy?
he pointed to me and said That One.

~ he was not yet two,
so I believe in You ~

They say Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall;

Our storm loomed fourteen years ~
O that hap-py hap-py heartbeat.

Thumping too-fast too-fast;
Too many times for too many years ~
There will be yet another hospital, tubes, and wires.

Not yet two, he told me You said Okay.
You gave him to me
~ Spring Loaded ~

Don’t renege.

© ACG
23 June 2007

Fields (tanka)

Fields

waves of grass beckon

happy butterflies flitter

hiding in the grass

they wait for innocent flesh

and our paradise is lost

© ACG

14 June 2007

"Home" haiku

Home

silent midnight enters
surroundings stolen from view
yet still the heart knows

© ACG
14 June 2007

"The Emptiness of Parkinson's Disease" katuata

The Emptiness of Parkinson’s Disease

blank stare, vacant eye

black hole of endless despair ~

Emptiness pirates the throne.

the spark lies dormant

none can fan the flame within ~

Can the end be far away?

© ACG

07 June 2007

Far Away

Far Away

I lie upon my cushioned chair,

half asleep in breezy air,

a lounge-y day of reverie;

The willow branches near me sway,

sweeping me so far away,

to an echoing memory;

That naive feeling stealing past,

~ ah, we thought to ever last ~

youthful dreams haunt deliciously.

© ACG 05

June 2007

Attic (tanka)

Attic

pulsing airlessness
filters through motionless screens
of silver cobwebs
blurring vision, guarding all ~
the far corner of my mind

© ACG
03 June 2007

"Vacation" katuata

longing to escape ~

ennui settles like cement

poured into a molded form

in quiet moments

visionary mindlessness ~

Can the Ocean hear my soul?

© ACG

15 May 2007

Memories (couplet)

Memories

Myriad Fortune's winds fill ancient sails

As far-flung soulful memories cascade

© ACG

15 May 2007

"Coffee" haiku

Coffee

pulsing pressure pounds
like a storm's humidity
brainwaves seek caffeine

© ACG
15 May 2007

"Shadows" Tanka haiku

Shadows

as Dawn approaches
she trembles against the Clouds
her colors muted
Clouds controlling her glamour
like Zeus controls Hera's joy

© ACG
07 April 2007

"Stored All Winter" haiku

In the Garage

dust covers each one
waiting behind winter boots
flip-flops, step forward!

© ACG

07 April 2007

Couplet (excerpt)

Anger

Rising boiling roiling ~ Witch's cauldron ~
wrathful steam arises ~ Vengeance's song.

© ACG
07 April 2007

Couplet

The Sea

Through fog and wind and storm he sails the sea ~
onward, wood and canvas ~ come home to me.

© ACG
31 March 2007

Pirate (tanka)

Pirate

steely eyes glowing
a predator's dark heart growls
silky smooth his hand
caressingly strokes the wheel ~
his true love, his ship alone

© ACG
31 March 2007

Retirement (katuata)

Retirement

lounging peacefully
sun-tea pitcher glistening
birds twittering lazily

she basks daydreaming
until the phone breaks the spell
how many more days left?

© ACG
30 March 2007
~ for Carole!

Abuse

Abuse

"only" whipping words
carefully he breaks them down
the system failing

© ACG
22 March 2007
~ for the victims whose abusers are "clever" enough not to hit . . .

Untitled (katuata)

Untitled

stormy March winds roar
the Lion of Winter dies
last gasping breath defiant

sweet breezes blow in
as the Lamb of Spring dances
does Earth recall the Lion?

© ACG
21 March 2007

Herself (tanka)

Herself

she rules Neptune's own
wildly riding tempest waves
heart and sword fly free
"board 'er, boys!" ~ her raucous crew
following their pirate queen

~ for Aly

© ACG
19 March 2007

Spring (couplet)

Spring

As falling rain soaks earthly sites

dewdrops quenching the fairies' flights

© ACG

16 March 2007

Lion and Lamb (tanka)

Lion and Lamb

"raining cats and dogs"
gray skies clearing a little
stealthy wind gusting
lashing at winter's remains
buds cocooned await sunshine

© ACG
13 March 2007

Katrina (haiku)

Katrina

raining black and white
inescapable flooding
America's past

© ACG
08 March 2007

Success (haiku)

Success

shadowy future

hides beyond the horizon

moving toward success

© ACG

24 February 2007

Snow Days in February (tanka haiku and regular haiku)

Snowed In

on comes a white-out
snow upon snow falls thickly
layers of numbness
an insulation divine
clocks tick-tock on yet time slows

© ACG
15 February 2007

St. Valentine's Day

deluge of spending
one day's capitalism
drives romance to death

© ACG
15 February 2007