YESTERDAY’S WINE


Way back when summers were endless
No one went friendless
Skinny dippin’, kick the can and Mary were mine
I had all the time.
Way back when winters were wind swept
Frozen hearts were warmed and kept
Spin the bottle, dance hall calls and Penny were mine
Almost perfect rhyme.
Way back when autumn’s leaves fell pell mell
Most things went well
Country lanes, drive-in movies and Joanne were mine
No telltale sign.
Way back when spring’s buds burst free
My youth was upon me
Hand-in-hand walks, wine in tall glasses and Sarah were mine
All fine as a silver dime.
The sunset fades
Waves spill and I stand still on the shore
I still want more . . . more, of what I had before.



TO LORD BYRON


Hail gladiolus, roses, pink cacti
what a sight to espy.
A stamen and a pistil made a love pact
which pleased the bees and me.
Lucky is the sky
who can peek with a never closing eye.




DAISY CHAIN


I passed love many times chasing its tail
and I listened well of tales
not far fetched
but strewn as daisies picked to be plucked:
he loves me, he loves me not.