Walking the Grounds of the Abandoned Bible Community

Burdened by nothing but
diablo shadows,
I walked
the white stucco side
of the empty dorm,
remembered back
before nature
took over,
the tenants,
like me,
thought it would
never end.
I ran away
from that Catholic prison
down the street,
a visitor
to their Jesus world,
seeking connection,
salvation.
Truthfully,
a girl,
who'd help me forget
teen angst.

Deferring Gratification

Lost driving
on roads
that confused me.
At first,
nervous
of being late.
I was burdened by
projections,
but the beauty
of that wet, twisting meander,
cast away my blues.
Perhaps,
I should have
pulled over, and
given in to the spell
of dripping, orange Maples,
the sudden gleam on
dark blue asphalt
that disarmed me like
a quick, backwoods smile.
I nearly did.
I almost called out sick,
but I shrugged it off,
and promised the woods
I'd be back soon.

What is Real?

Close your
eyes
pretend
to be
someone
you don't
remember.
The truth
is fluid -
go with it.
You are the river
Lethe,
dreamy,
murky.
Float away
Realign yourself
in sensation.
In this moment,
things are cloudy,
unclear.
Did it really happen
that way
or
maybe
you wake to this
dream.

To sum up the months

I consider
the sunflowers,
stalks gnarled,
bulging flowers desiccated,
drooping downward
like a lover's head
just before
the fall.
I stare at this dying,
like my own,
it comes,
whether prepared or not.
But I feel no sadness.
I've made peace with
my days.
They've carried me,
buoyant, like a summer stream
to this point.
I revel
in the artful
chaos of undergrowth and vines,
the slow parade of clouds,
the mystery of cerulean blue
that drives me deeper
into the place
I wish to stay.
But I hear the sun
screaming my name,
your days are numbered,
and there's only time
to walk away.