wounded soldiers
pile them high
stack them into rows so dry
wrinkled bits of dampness bled
rasping raw and greening red
starkly naked
brown bare sight
haloed whispers folded tight
gilded sheaves, breeze-born sign
snap together, saluted twine
tinged and fluttered, dark and clear
stuttering starts into next year
layered soft and round about
powdered dust shifts night to shout
seasons tumble
laugh and play
frolic till next holiday
cycle run, sped back again
comes Yesterday, rembr'ing when
marchingpast with medals gray
he'll pause, reflect, then Home to stay.
The spray pool shower cold on my head
Lazy sun of extra hours
Mushroom burst of night sky flowers
Waterlogged grins and beaming smiles
Picnic basket packed in piles
Campfire smoke and hot dog roast
My nose sunburnt like buttered toast
The air is still, the sky's ablaze
A time of lazy, golden days
The sprinkler twirls, sun slowly wanes
Our patio wears popsicle stains
Bluebirds next and sunflowers bud
Blue-ribboned medals, the chance to win
Peach succulence dribbles down my chin
Rippling heat upon the street
Finds us hopping on both feet
Clouds glide by in stacks of white
Cotton crinolines in flight
Sighing days and outdoor craze
Trickle past in a purple haze
Sad farewell and wistful, stall
As once again it's time for Fall.
Bid me to your side again
To watch you bob and dip and blink
A sauve leviathan, I think!
Roguish rascal, full of pranks
I see you crouch on seaweed flanks
Chase pastel clouds before my eyes
Your gaze reflected in the skies
Your turquoise shards, a wide blue book
I love the way my ocean Looks.
Your frothy swells, with sugared reach
Pour fizzing foam upon the beach
Your briny scent, the sea-flayed wind
Wafts sunscreen from my suntanned skin
Aromas from your Poseidon's vale
Disclose their news when I inhale
Wiff fresh fired fish from watery dell
I love the way my ocean Smells.
I hear you now--your lion's roar
Pouncing nimbly to the shore
Hear water shushing, rushing in
Then tip toe in and out again
Heed clanging bells and foggy hiss
Squabbling gulls, small toes that squish
Mariner's verse you echo 'round
I love the way my ocean Sounds.
I touch my friend--a game of Tag
Sand slows my feet, they suck and drag
Then suddenly your surf gives chase
Showers me with your wet embrace
Breakers bound in rowdy play,
Tide that tickles, splashing spray
Whiskered waves on smooth paws creep
Tug o'war with sand too steep
Starchy breezes roil and reel
I love the way my ocean Feels.
I
I taste my friend and wonder why
He tastes like tears I sometimes cry
I plunge in again, jump salty heaps
Drink Neptune's draught, a chill dip deep
I lick the drops still on my face
I love the way my ocean Tastes.
The sun dips down, it's time to go
But I'll be back for next year's show
Hear the tales you weave and spin
Taste your flavors yet again
Snatch swift swells of salty air
And tap the treasures you can share
Goodbye, Big Blue, my dear old friend
Till Summer days you once more lend.
