Riddle Me This

It's quiet here
still I try to
hold
the slippery rock

it pushes through
my hands
like a toe
through a sock

There's the laughter
of the children
two houses down
the way

the rain dripping
from branches
and my cat's purr
though it fades

Like a flacid
muscled swimmer
trying to climb
a rope

or a tight mouthed
corrosive sinner
who tries to
give up smokes

I ride the teeter-totter
never could ride a bike
but the roters are all rotten
so I fight I fight I fight

It's a silly enterprise
to hold what I cannot
like steam the
thoughts must rise

I'm not
I'm not
A.S.
7/29/09

Musings on Assertiveness

Some people
respond well
to assertiveness

Please do not
speak to me
that way...

it's strange to see
others warm
to me

after I have
slapped their
wrists

I suppose
some people
need to be

knocked back
into consciousness
out of their dazed

sleepwalking
through their
dream of self
A.S.
7/28/09

Mind Loops

Mind creates loop holes
and ties self up in knots

not me
not you
not now

Be careful what you
wish for

or where you thoughts
might rest

the universe
she listens

she'll put you
to the test

A.S.
7/27/09

Pretty Pretty

Ok pretty pretty
come here for kiss kiss

one on your nose
on paw tips

our cheeks brush twice
long strokes done just right

you slept through the night
til that birdy took flight

to the window
you rushed

warble warble
manic bird

your song is absurd
five thirty just ain't right

go now
take flight

my kitty
slept through the night

it ain't right
ain't right...

A.S.
7/25/09

Surrender

Resentment is carcinogenic
a sand trap
an excuse not to grow

Forgiveness is an elixir
a summer wind
a journey on a Hawk's wing

Resentment tamps down growth
immobilizes self reflection
catches in the throat like a hair ball

Forgiveness strokes hair off forehead
unclenches heart
allows one to expand

If you can not let go
pray for the one you resent
eventually things dissolve

we are all one.

A.S.
7/22/09

Silly Head

Sometimes things look
different

than they really are
ask the clouds

they'll tell you
dragons play guitar

even a folded sheet
in shadow becomes a dog

or a stick in road can stop you
for fear of flattening frogs

the mind's a merry prankster
even awake it plays

imagine it in dream-time
when you let it roam

then it is a dancer
forever free to roam

A.S.
7/20/09

Leaning Tower of a Poem

Crouched inside her
ready to leap

its buried
too deep

its buried
too deep

tell me your secrets
unhinge the beast

its buried
too deep

its buried
too deep

crack your cosmic egg
there's nothing to lose

except for you
except for you

paint your masterpiece

it's up to you
to break through

No wait
remember me

give it over
I'll set you free

what to do
what to do

dig deep and find

your treasure's mine
treasure's mine

together we walk in beauty
lighting each moment
with the luminescent light

of the now
of the now
A.S.
7/19/09

Nourish My Fibers

This tree
is feeling her rings

roots are planting
heavy not winged

Still reaching outward
and welcoming in

wise contemplator
much thicker skin

my plumage it changes
from Summer to Spring

Just decorations
certain to Fall

In Winter's dear stillness
I stand through it all

Grown heavy my eyelids
drink water through days

I nourish my fibers
eating healthier today

I wait in the shade
or bathe in the sun

Ever patient
my branches are waiting

some day you'll come.

A.S.
7/17/09

Erosion

Erosive waiting
wears away
thin husks of hope

Erosive doubt
rusting my
cavernous mind

Erosive thinking
peels away
paint from

my masterpiece
cracking the canvas
stunting the flow

bummer...
A.S.
7/9/09

In Session

Just a
symptom

Of your
transference

why do you
wait to express?

My thoughts
are helium balloons

I digress
I digress
I digress

surveying
the situation

check myself
for missing gear

avoid bumps
and bruises

or hurting you,
my dear

You did it with
her

now you do it
with me

Jump now
you fool

leave the parachute
to me!

Wait a minute
sailor,

who's Captain of
this ship?

I think it's my right
to navigate this trip.

Not every thought's
a process

not every switch
must flip,

sometimes you
must contain them

curtail your
clever quips.

perhaps it was
reaction

maybe your
theory's sound

but my heart's
my truest compass

sometimes
up is down.

A.S.
7/8/09

God's Time

Won't
somebody

make me
your project?

Sick
thoughts

tongue in cheek.

Not for
the dishonest

perhaps a thief?

Who would steal away
from self

to control another

an astronaut elf

A sculptor

a farmer

a mother,

a lover

It isn't like
I want to be
planted

just cultivated.

Arrange my branches

Allow me to scream

and howel too

Just someone
to listen

maybe it's true

How does one grow
when not reflected

how to be sure
that it's not

all affected?

I've waited so long,
how can this be?

For sound or charm
elusive, that's me

I'm ripe now
I tell you

come shake my tree,

the rotten and pungent

come first

help me

break free

Then come the buds
soft on the vine

watch them all
flower

I tell you
it's time.
A.S.
7/5/09

Rivulets of Self

Clenched fist
coffee stomach

Heels dug in
eyes pried open

a drive
with testimonials

I listen
try to hinge

my hope
upon

your story.

I pray all
day long

between customers
for

humility

patience

God speak

rivulets of
self

running into
the sea

of humanity

Trying to
connect.
A.S.
7/5/09

Always Tomorrow

This
sickness

cleanses
memories

squeezing
brain

into
ringlets

night-time
symphony

old faces
haunt me

why
in unison

compulsive
munching

always
tomorrow

today
underwater

learn
to swim

surfacing
slowly
A.S.
7/4/09

Damp

Damp
air

compression
drums

inner
pressure

thy will
be done
A.S.
7/4/09

Broken Net

Crunched inside
accordian
taunting music croons

Because you
wouldn't hear us
we've attacked your lungs

wheezing
popping
hissing

you are our
circus
bum

Trying to escape
will only
make you spin

a car upon
the ice
spinning with the wind

You face the
same direction
yet we really

shook you up
eyes are wide
open

In case
you'd care
to duck

Time a
broken net
no one will escape

Tie it round
your neck girl,
wear it as a cape
A.S.
7/3/09