Passed over like
some strange dish
at a bbq
made with love
and with tenderness
opted for instead
a canned familiarity
I guess new
doesn’t beat old
except for when
new is the
older one now
Days
Some days
are just
sunny days
while others
bring storms
so night
is what
I’ve learned
to look
forward to
Squirrel
I have grown
fond of this
a soft blanket
kind of quiet
like a dog
who’s found his
place in sun
or in front
of the fire
let them all
go scurry about
me I’m going
to squirrel dream
Pine
I don’t pretend
those old days
are now gone
present and truth
are all that’s
left after the
layers of paint
and varnish have
all been removed
just bare wood
a knotty pine
soft and lined
Clenching
It’s only in
dreams I’m reminded
I remember once
clenching my eyes
shut to blind
myself from pain
but now open
all I see
is magnificent beauty
and my madness
is left for
when I sleep
and I can’t
even defend myself
HARLAN DIDRICKSON 