watching the storm from inside my car

gravity moves these stars in ways the ancients could ever have surmised

my eyes latch onto one and track her progress across the plexiglass sky

hoping we will win the race yet blithe accepting absorption by another on our way to paradise

such chaos mere inches away and yet a million miles from this comfort. orchestrated randomness illuminated by the passing glance

of sunlit streetlamps blazing apathy and farewelling any second chance

they lower their heads in thought or sleep undisturbed by the downpour yet startled to life by our softspoken creaks

let shake these old forsaken suns; let crash these minute waves on plastic shores; let run these cosmic rivulets down steel and airbag cheeks!

regardless of this pouring weight’s depth and breadth and height

we drive on through the heedless unpeopled night

Dappled III: Bonfire

My father set up the logs and kindling in the night.
He left us in the day and told me I would be in charge.
I went outside to birth the flame and shadow with my light,
And in that flame, I saw my soul, alive though on the marge.

In the shadow I could see a deep darkness that I knew:
Quiet, lovely and dangerous, I looked on myself in ash.
Sparks skipped and hid within my skin as on the flames I blew,
And as the breath left, I wondered when would be my last.

I tended the fire as though it were a small, still-tripping child.
In the bright of flame and heat of fire, I could see my starving face
Reflecting my own light as the flaming dance ran wild,
And flame, with gloom, searched my soul like spotlights in a darkened place.

I feel ash sweeten my smoking eyes and at last, I know
I am more than flame and darkness; I’m an awakening glow.

Unedited Poem #12: Ode to the Ocean

perhaps my favorite color

is navy blue because

I find it most and best where

you meet to kiss the sky