How vivid was this confidence

How vivid was this confidence that brought you up this mountain. So high we stand together, faces cradled in the wind. Fearless hope keeps your wondrous eyes from peeking to the distance. Vaulted more by a simple press of tiptoes from the edge. A giant valley of doubt lays crumpled far below us. We come from the bottom. Baptized in her river. Time-and-again our squishy boots have squeaked their way home. For years the spine rested in the shape of a question. Now with nerves untwisted, we form a proud exclamation. Here, drink love's water, from my roots to your branches. Under our tree, we cast this blanket. Nibbling on the fruit of our dreams. Together, up here, among the raptors, where the air feels its purpose.

Up, Up and Away

Last night, my head leaped out the car window. The wind inflated my cheeks like gills on a fish. My eyeballs turned sticky as they chilled in the night air like romantic bubbly. We were two people, traveling just below the surface of southern Appalachia, but i was already home. Squinting at the thought of us in the distance. Here, carriaged by four cylinders, secretly wishing we could drive forever.

Events start and stop. Pleasure spreads ripples through our memories. Simon and Garfunkel lend us a tune. The best parts are when you are singing. The harmony of it all double-bounces my heart right out of my mouth. My lips erupt their precious secret, "let's keep falling higher and higher. Life's balloon gave me this one string. And the levity of you pulls my whole world up, up and away."

Clouds crash

Yesterday, the clouds were crashing. A twisted tree pointed to the fray, so proud of its discovery. The heaven's mumbled as what was once fluffy fell to its knees. Swords of thunder ripped through the sky like rocks through rice paper. The ground did not peep; so brave was its position, beneath an armor of history so thick and pure. A rabbit finds shelter as his nose twitches the news. Birds ruffle patiently behind eyes that seem to yawn. Forming a chorus of "this too shall pass", we listen for the sun together.

Tulip's Kiss

This morning i kissed a tulip. We had been flirting for days. Its face still buried deep in those green cheeks. Above me woodpeckers demanded a bounty as distant dove's cooed their peace. Teenage fraziers barely shoulder high stood noble and guarded. Under their tall furry hats I tried to make them giggle but they would not budge. I wagged a finger at them saying "one day". I decided to practice my saunter. At the top of the hill I cast the sun's first shadow. I was honored. My posse: two dogs and a dwindling cat who knew we would wait. Our morning rounds - life's coffee.

Hey Life

Hey Life,
Do you hear that stomping? My giant was asleep for so many years you forgot about his potential. I urge you to make preparations. He is coming for you. One thing is certain. He is very hungry.

Life, i take from you this one favor. When you cut me, make it deep to the bone. For my blood drips a royal standard. It flaps high in the wind under drums deep and pounding. My will is an army desperate to plunder. Let your strongest king push me off this mountain. And watch as my desire claw its ugly way back to the top.

Life, let your sun burn my face as they lounge under umbrellas. Watch me squirm and sweat as I swing my machete through your thickest jungle. I will find your temple through all my pain and laughter. My pendulum swings far and heavy as it swaths through your world. And when you send death to fetch me, may it gulp at the thought of taking me down.

skin's music

In this skin i feel my music. I am not the cardinal caressing a soft sonnet, but a cobalt crow perched late in the fog's sweaty morning. A cracking caw so gruff many run from its arrival. Claiming dead branches long since forgotten, and shaking loose a story from the bottom of the gut. I sound the call of life with my throat to heaven gaping. This is my song, i am its valley. For even a thorn makes a lasting impression. What is one's life but its effect on others? My body is a tiny pebble, and this life a ripple through the fabric of forever.

Forgotten Temple

It was a chubby little church on the side of some forgotten state route in Tennessee. Resting behind a chipped fence with no gate. Its only companion was a saddled plastic caterpillar teetering on a rusted coiled spring. The bricks were overrun with kudzu growing out of all kinds of places. The plain glass windows finally qualified as stained. Blessed only by the occasional rodent, this forgotten temple remained empty on Sunday. Inside, the pipe organ's ghost played a eulogy for its congregation. On the front steps, once home to a fruitful wedding rested the same old broken bottle of Southern Comfort.

It remembered that day. The giant car came racing down the road and pulled over suddenly. The building's hopes were rekindled despite it being a Tuesday. The steeple rose to attention with excitement. Finally, it had some visitors seeking sanctuary. The giant passenger door opened with a loud creak. A mustard haired lady leaned out of the car and began to vomit in the gravel. The church listened as she hacked her confession from the far side of the car. The driver never looked over as he fiddled with the radio. As he sped off he threw the now empty bottle. It was his donation.