a little song

transparent tape

some guitar strings

a little bit

of everything

kalimba keys

sunflower seeds

get your favorite person

and give them a squeeze

please, ma'am, won't you give us a chance

a little song

a little dance

Christmas 2023

Christmas is here

2023

and I am home.

There was a chance I wouldn't be

but I am.

Maybe sometimes

things work out.

Thanksgiving 2023

today was Thanksgiving

it all went great

every single bite

I did appreciate

like I did the company

with whom I spent this day

I am so thankful

for what has come my way

one day

I want just one day

where I can do nothing

and not feel bad about it.

one day where I can do whatever I want

and there is no guilt involved.

one day where I can 

lift my arms to the heavens

and not think about the future.

and I know

that day is coming.

all I have to do

is work

and wait and accept it

when it comes.

looking for a morning

I am looking for a morning

where I can sit and drink coffee

and look outside my window

and see the passers-by

and imagine what they're thinking

while the coffee I am drinking

cools down until I microwave it

time passes quickly these days

it rolls and runs down the hill

sometimes

in my imagination

I run with it

spring is coming

seasons are changing

and it's getting warm

spring is coming

waiting to be born

the sun is shining

degrees seventy-five

birds are singing

it's good to be alive

snow has melted

daffodils rise

the trees are so green

you can't believe your eyes

children are playing

neighbors mow lawns

spring is here

winter's moved on

spring is coming

the groundhog lied

it's time for me

to walk outside

to see the wonders

of my neighborhood

spring is coming

I'm feeling good

thoughts and prayers

I will give you thoughts and prayers

the real kind

not like the things politicians say

but actual thoughts and prayers

where I think and say

what I really mean

when I think about you

I am taking back

the phrase

because, deep down,

it is good inside

Easter

today is the day

to be reborn

a day for renewal

even though it may seem impossible

it isn't

it's there

beneath your hope

in your arms

you take care of it

like a newborn puppy

will you be safe?

it depends what you mean by "safe"

you will be different

you will have hope

you are reborn

on this day of glory

daffodils and crocuses

daffodils and crocuses

a clear cloudless ocean blue sky

calls to me of the coming of spring

after a long winter's nap

in colors and yellow and purple

the flowers tell me of a new beginning

it is time for renewal

in all of our living things

including ourselves

I walk these sidewalks

along houses with new growth

green lawns fresh from rain

my feet walking through puddles

I want to feel alive

and I will

because spring takes me away from my past

into the unknown

string

with every string I touch

with every note I play

I move one step further

each and every day

to be the man

I was meant to be

with words and music

inside of me

with every dream I dream

with every step I take

I try my best in

the moves that I make

the journey's long

and the journey's short

this is all

I have to report

with every hope I have

with every rising of the sun

another day of living

has begun

I will work

and I will try

until my days

have passed me by

away from home

it was my first time away from home

in a long, long time

I saw open fields out the car window

I saw a clear blue sky

and I saw people walking around

on a Sunday afternoon

looking at skateboarders

and art exhibits

that's what I hope to be

another stranger in a city

with my friends

just hanging out, you know

enjoying each other's company

now I am home, alone

but I can still remember

I took pictures on my cell phone

and their voices still speak

jnside my mind

saying "remember me

and the day we had together"

throatful

it is early for me

one in the afternoon

but I am awake

I've outlasted the moon

the new day is here

should I be hopeful?

to say that I am

is more than a throatful

but I am awake

and my new day's beginning

so far I'm not losing

so I must be winning

if I could walk

if I could walk without

the use of a cane or a walker

I don't know

if I would walk more than I do

it's not so bad

really

I can still get around

I could go see people

if I had people to see

I wish I could tell you

that I would climb the highest mountain

that I would walk to New Hampshire

that I would dance a rhumba

but I wouldn't

I would still walk, however,

and I would be glad

because it really could be a lot worse

so today I am thankful

for my legs and feet

and for the people

who built the sidewalk

Senegal

I always wanted to go to Senegal

to hear the music

and rest my weary bones

in Senegal I would find a way

to make these sounds

into my new home

but I never moved from my country

I stayed where I thought I belonged

so I never heard in person

the sound of my Senegalese song

so where do I go now?

what do I do?

stay in a place

that I always knew

where the days pass like racecars

they go by so fast

and I am left, hoping

that something will last

still the songs invite me in

and somnetimes I stay

and there I remainon my finest of days 

Christmas is over

Christmas is over

and I am sad

'cause it was the best Christmas

I've ever had

there was lots of music

friends and family

there were even presents

under the Christmas tree

but now it's over

and I feel blue

but I'll still wish

a merry Christmas for you

a hallmark poem

today is a day of peace

of magic

of faith

with glitter and snow

all over the place

may God bless you

in all that you do

today is a day of peace

merry Christmas to you

thankful

it's quiet here

inside this apartment

there is snow on the ground

it's shivering outside

but my heater works

and at least I bought groceries

today I'm thankful

I think I'm going to survive

waiting for snow

I am waiting for snow

I've got my camera out

I'm into the spirit

that's what it's all about

I've got a pot of hot coffee

a bowlful of weed

Louis Armstrong on You Tube

what else do I need?

all the presents are wrapped

and ready to go

all we need now

is a yard's worth of snow

it's sleeting right now

and I don't mean to complain

but I'd rather have snow

than freezing rain

inside, it is warm

thermal underwear on

and a sidewalk where I

can walk upon

in the morning I'll wake

everything will be white

Merry Christmas to all

and tio all a good night

'tis the holy season

today I get to spend some time

with friends and family

'tis the holy season

with love and light to see

and I am sitting on this chair

cynical as can be

still I wish for Christmas warmth

to wash over me

early winter haiku

leaves line the sidewalk

bitter wind blows through these old bones

winter is early