Hallway to Nowhere

  • Kaddish (Poem)

    wake, startled into notice, to wonder who is gone

    walk through the streets to remember

    the clatter of stones beneath your feet

    sounding the clink of cup against saucer

    there a moment recalling tea

    the blue of pottery casually shattered

    left as shards in random view

    shining the unguarded glimpse of eyes

    that looked for what others didn’t see

    the brush of a petal against your hand

    soft and unbidden as all kindness ever is

    falling unnoticed to the ground

    to rest in unseen ashes, the scattering of love

  • Here, Remember (Poem)

    when you are lost, so easy to be these days

    remember what brings you home

    gray clouds recall dark waves of the sea

    both echo in the rushing creeks and slower rivers

    a handful of dirt is grit from your own bare feet

    a smudge from the cheek of a beloved child

    dust from a house that makes you feel safe

    despair is easy, just too is hope

    both practiced habits we daily foster

    be kind to yourself thus to others

    come back, come back, always return

  • How Could I Not ? (Poem)

    the plates belonged to someone else

    such borrowed kindness to warm the heart

    the cups are made by local hands

    each sip to bring a sense of home

    the food is grown by farmers loved

    every bite to nourish more than flesh

    sorrow shows upon your wearied face

    weighs down your gaited tread

    with such inestimable bounty as this

    please come and share the table

  • So Many Lifetimes (Poem)

    I have walked this land countless times

    the scape ever changing but the view remains

    swampy earth that sucked at my childhood feet

    become rockier hillsides with steep incline

    now as then I am companioned by pain

    this most faithful of teachers by my side

    one day finally to be needed no more

    when I sit upon the groundless ground

    and relax into the boundless sky

  • Oaken Ozymandias (Poem)

    and though the greatest oak has split

    its mightiest branch in total breach

    downed by age and wind and rain

    in mute testimony beside the trail

    do not let this grieve you

    no loss unless you make so, instead

    let yourself see with different eyes

    changing form allows new light

    in between the branch and the trunk

    appeared one brief sun slant in the grey morning

    and a bird flew through the frame

    so it is, so it is

  • Because Rain Will Fall Again (Poem)

    I offer you this

    let the drops fall as your tears

    and the sky itself express your sorrow

    the clouds heavy as your heart

    and the streets awash with all your loss

    know that grief has its time

    a season natural as any weather

    but also that you can let it go

    to stand in the sun that always shines

  • Since This Rain Keeps Falling (Poem)

    I would offer you comfort

    let it flow down your windows but not as sad tears

    blur the harsh landscape with reminders of kindness

    hold the rhythm of the drops steady as your heart beat

    and know you are the world

  • By The Tracks (Poem)

    they threw their rusted hearts together

    ignored the years piled beneath

    mere kindling for their funeral pyre

    should some thought’s train spark that heat

    and left them there as testament

    to witness for anyone who cares to see

    time matters not for such intersect

    this remains through alchemical change

    love abides eternally

  • On The Trail Today (Poem)

    speak. don’t speak.

    pay attention nevertheless.

    choose your words with care.

    let your silence be kind.

    these days the air itself seems harsh

    as if daring one to breathe.

    do not make your presence

    a sharp rock in the way.

    we stumble enough on our own.

  • Candle Flame (Poem)

    if I hold in my palm the dancing flame

    lit from all the kind candles of love

    silhouette it against the darkened sky

    will you see and take notice

    I’ve seen this light shine in your eyes

    felt its warmth in the kindness of your smile

    caught its flicker to hold in the night

    when cold can slip in under the door

    and because I too have been alone

    been a stranger hungry and ill

    I raise this illumination high as I can

    for anyone for everyone for all in need