The Quiet Man

Deliberately

and with care,

he stands,

watching us

or waiting,

usually with his hands

clasped behind his back,

a little smile

turning down his mouth;

As others seek the spotlight,

he stands back,

never putting himself forward,

although he deserves to shine

in the warming glow of

attention and praise,

he never seeks it,

never asks for acknowledgement

or even simple thanks;

He is a quiet man:

unlike the heroes of old,

his actions are not lauded,

his praises are not sung;

he does not see

that his day-to-day life

is an epic for the ages.

This quiet man

stands alone,

unparalleled,

incomparable;

an Atlas,

his shoulders bear the weight

of the world,

our world;

this quiet man

willingly stands

between us and despair,

he is our Great Wall,

ever protecting.

© ACG

02 April 2011

The March Sun

Just before Dawn comes a moment

as the frost yet crunches underfoot

and the breath freezes before you;

a moment disappearing

as the Sun rises in a purple and rose-colored second;

Daylight bathes you

in March's bitter swirl,

a strong wind from Winter's lungs fiercely expels

in the desperate roar of the Dying Lion;

No Winter can prevail:

beyond the brittle March Sun,

Spring is coming,

with a scent of thawed Earth

and delightful pinks and greens;

there is no resisting;

Despite the March Sun's cold stare,

in the sweet Spring air,

comes the taste of rosebuds.

© ACG

04 March 2011

Ice Storm

A midnight war rages

as it descends

without grace,

pinging with increasing abandon,

I hear it coming,

like the incessant ringing

in my ears,

an invisible barrage

against the walls and windows,

concentrated and cruel,

the ice comes

sharply slipping nearer

through the night,

sleekly coating winter’s landscape,

like a foul primeval shroud:

roads become death traps

as it lies sweetly with wicked intent,

a crushing weight snapping trees

as power lines succumb,

and every poor blade

of last summer’s grass

suffocates.

Thank God for the night,

for in the darkness,

no glorious diamond sparkle confuses

or distracts with the deadly beauty of Lucifer,

so hard to resist;

no, in the dark

the menace has no mask:

the smooth operator,

a slick knife’s edge,

exposed as malicious fury:

only in the darkness

where truth confounds lies,

where treacherous beauty is obscured

and nightmares become dreams,

can the malevolent revenge

of the Fallen One,

be withstood:

When the storm comes,

be silent,

“know that I am,”

and be free.

Turn away.

To defeat him, turn away.

© ACG

01 February 2011

Lured

From within a silent deadly tomb,

where echoes of life

ring hollow,

I hear it

calling;

so quietly

in the background,

a never-ending cry

becomes deafening,

irresistible;

as if some force

can overwhelm time,

as if his voice

overpowers everything;

I am lured.

© ACG

30 January 2011

Reflection

Snowfall rudely buries

everything

under its proverbial blanket,

it slants coldly down,

razors through icy air,

borne within an evil wind,

a steady drowning snowfall

deeply disguising my world,

transforming today,

like a Death-Mask

from another life:

There, alone, wandering lost,

seeking him

in a daze of frozen time,

stung relentlessly

as the snow harshly blows,

borne within an evil wind,

into my very soul,

snowlight blurs my vision

as tears freeze

upon my cheeks,

yet I cannot stop

weeping;

Searching, yet

never finding,

a quest unfulfilled,

a loss excruciating;

yesterday blends into today:

same snow

same wind

same tears.

© ACG

20 January 2011

Rising

Soaring first
aloft with Winter's Breath,
to then fall into Spring,

a dream of peaceful sweetness,
pulsing through Wings of Flame
that burn relentless.

© ACG

03 January 2011

Emptiness

Long ago whispers

taunt me,

their soft echoes

fall just beyond

my reach,

as if our past

exists

in the next room;

I dread silence

like death,

while humming

everyday life

holds back the whispers

and memories,

keeping my heart safe

from you;

day or night,

I languish

with emptiness

swirling within

like a tornado

raging,

eroding my landscape,

my windswept desert;

destitution reigns,

the ghostly whispers

feathering,

caressing

my sanity,

always in the past,

always just beyond,

as my path unfurls

always forward.

© ACG

16 December 2010



Midnight

Swirling chaos blending

dreams and mysteries,

echoes of lost moments

and forgotten memories;

twinkling stars glisten

like diamonds

in a midnight-blue

sapphire sky.

© ACG

15 December 2010

December First

Falling silently

through the gray dawn

like a child’s butterfly kisses,

the first snowfall comes

dancing snowflakes swirling

in twirling tango

softly sinking into the Earth

as if soothing the world’s woes;

an illusion of beauty

masking Winter’s caress.

© ACG

01 December 2010

Mixed Metaphors

The lead weight of love’s double-edged sword
make fast the ties that bind
tugging at my heartstrings
paralyzing a lifelong desire for solitude

as deadening as nails in a coffin
suffocating the impulse

to drive on

down the outstretched

intoxicating never-ending

ribbon of road

leading to the paradise of nothingness

extending like an unfurled magic carpet

always before me.

© ACG

28 November 2010

Sinking

The cold seeps in,

the gray dankness

of Winter’s first breath

fogs my world.

From within I feel

the same chill coming.

© ACG

20 November 2010

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