I saw sirens today
Just like the day before.
They pass me everyday;
Sometimes, I pass them more.
They fly on roads so wide
They seem to swallow us.
The siren sound outside
Is drowned into the buzz.
The world that passes by
The people passing it –
Those sirens wail all night
Until they come, for them.
10.03.23
A paper slip
that’s crossed in lines
Invites the pen
like grapes to vines.
A swallow high
upon the wing
Is no more free
than slaves who sing.
The dirt below
and stars above,
Will outlive words
of what we love.
07.09.23
Crickle crack and crackle snap
Around the old gumtree
Leaves fall down on bones and ground –
The bones that once were me.
In and out and up and down
The brains go in a web,
Try and find their own way out,
But soon they’ll end up dead.
Fall and rot we go our way
Just like the fall before,
Soon to feed another crop
Remembered nevermore.
11.10.22
A Haiku
Yep, more words and stuff.
Been kinda boring so far.
At least I’m awake.
Another Haiku
Should I take more notes?
Not when there’s nothing to write.
So I guess I won’t.
Not a Haiku
Coffee poured or pressed
Is perfect for sipping
On those slow mornings
Before the fog drags off.
But Starbucks instead
Omits the thoughtful steep
Injecting quickly
Caffeine I really need.
2020
A coffee cup that empty is
Speaks of joy received.
In paper or ceramic void,
Happiness I read.
04.15.21
The grass slides by – a rushing blur;
I’m running from what lies behind
But nothing’s really chasing me.
The wheels are spinning like my thoughts,
They’re wearing down my mind and strength
Each time I try to find an end.
This constant confusion and loss
Has grown as my shadow follows;
I watch as the sun goes to grey.
Tomorrow perhaps the new light
Will find me still searching the earth;
Eventually though I’ll be gone.
11.2.19
This road keeps on through day and night,
Further now from habits formed,
The vehicle that carries me
Brings me closer to my harm.
I know that as these wheels turn more
The pain I must endure nears.
This is the only way to form
New strength against my in-bred fears.
As questions form about the task
And fears return to whisper doubts,
I force myself to trust to fate
That from comfort drew me out.
This road keeps on and I with it,
Growing better day by day;
Though at this point I’m fighting still,
I look with longing down the way.
11.1.19
The songwriter told of a boy in a bubble,
That boy he grew older and wiser each day.
‘Till eventually trauma his bubble had burst,
And reality found a sad place to stay.
Life can get hard and seem to lack meaning
Life pushes in and our comfort destroys.
The boundaries formed, no longer protecting;
The walls that we built are shown to be toys.
The cares of the world held the man in a whirlwind;
Without his protection he felt his soul rust.
As year after year weighed more on his mind
His care to live longer was filed to dust.
In his moment of dying no one was present
To see how he did it or even ask why.
But he has found now his bubble again,
And floats all alone through the dark dreary sky.
11.6.19
Souls of peace –
Silken lace and World War dreams.
Can I give a bit of thought?
The quarter turns and leaves are gone.
Silence speaks –
Christmas past and graves have grown.
Where’s the blood we loved in life?
The time has shifted yet again.
Dripping light –
Hope that spills in timeless death.
Who shall carry on our love?
The soil, children, trees, and stars.
11.2.19
Gunshots, cannons, loud alarms.
I quickly panic; swing my arm:
Down upon the button, smash!
And for a moment pause the clash.
Then a squall breaks out below,
I hear the children, there’s been snow.
They rush and yell, I want to sleep,
But my wife the blanket keeps.
I step out, the floor is hard,
And likely colder than my yard.
Shirt and pants, the jacket next,
Socks and boots, no time to rest.
Stepping out onto the lawn
My children rush, I slowly yawn.
The silence of a winter’s freeze,
Though not my bed, brings me ease.
11.1.19
Nathaniel West Clark 