A milky-eyed mourning dove Sat upon a tombstone – tacit – Inside the grounds of St. Francis To admire a cache betroved. A sentinel’s duty – it bears –

Come, graceful brittlebush And creamy globe mallow blooms. The winds of spring call you Again from the sandy tombs. Come, you dashing lupine

My spirit cannot be bridled For it is as wild as fire— As innocent as a child And in secrecy, has desires. My body cannot contain it—

See there marches Orion With Sirius close at his feet Tarrying not long in the air To begin the midnight hunt. His quickened breath congeals—

Death, to me, is a stranger; I know not his whereabouts. I’ve seen him but haven’t heard – I know of him but we’ve not met. He spoke at length with my elder

My heart is an empty jardiniere Receptive to flowers and affection… By your wayward glances, I could… There is a festering attraction But speak up bravely; be not passi…

Ample is the rising sun That alights the furthest mountain… A carmine drape upon every hill— Exciting the birds to warble. Ample, too, is the evening sun

I’m envious of the clouds That float happily in the sun— Changing into colorful shrouds— Lumping from many into one. Their most compatible friend—

Love is two pairs of footprints Impressed in the sand. Will you ever walk beside me And together go home? Love is sunlight that makes

Bless each palo verde bloom— Those cuplets kissed by the sun My vision wants to consume That thus have raptured my love. See how they speckle the tree

The Sahara is another vast sea Of zero-edge horizons And remote hours of austerity For “sailors” upon caravans And the Sun beams mercilessly

My friend once sighed That he watches planes fly by And wonders where they’re going. The world’s tempo beats on. I, too, prefer to stop along

Let us drink in the sunshine From a cup of globe mallow As would one of palatine Privilege beside God’s throne. Here’s to another springtime.

The Moon became quietly jealous One night when I surveyed Venus. The usual glory reserved for her Went to the dancer with Perseus. At first, she passed for a star

So that you shall be blessed I pray more than you are aware For you because you are A friend of many friends. May age not break your stride.