routine

it was routine

I lacked 

before.

mixing oatmeal,

slicing apples 

peeling boiled eggs

for lunch.

slipping 

frozen dinners

into the microwave.

doing my laundry.

perpetual 

terminal

laundry.

Once 
I walked into 

the mississippi

and almost drowned,

like my father did

and his father did

but without intent
battling different

sorts of storms.

But a red moon

saved me.

lead me

from that torrent.

brought me home 

wet and tired,

scared and 
scarred, and

terminally

cautious.

Then,

I met you,

and still there
is routine.  

routine,

and waiting.

waiting for you

to show me

that hope 

is eternal

and love is

hardly routine 

-dp-
4-28-14

am I

am i happy 

as a question
or a statement
plaintive
or sarcastic

who's to say
or ask
the difference
from inside
without

commitment
contentment
confinement
conclusion
confusion

state of mind
or being
a hopeful
or helpless
situation

pliable
pleasurable
predictable
programmable
pitiful 

some projection
of inner light
forgone
forgotten
foreboding

a summation 
or goal
some state of
consciousnesses
or subtle choice

-dp-
4-12-14

this once

I'd be grateful for

such basic touch
the scent of your hair
sweet soft by my face
 
Your smile blooms gentle
upon moist lips
eyes so misty true
 they warn me of hope

Caution me to think
of youth now lost
to mortal decay
and these crippled bones

Could I reach out now
not graze your face
feel your blushing cheeks
softly with my wrists 

May I draw you near
to these coarse lips
can you grant your grace
bear my young heart's kiss 
-dp-
4-11-14

edges

I tear the edges

from poems
I send you

no borders
confine
my love

just ragged edges
and crooked
corners

a perimeter
much greater
than straight                                 

-dp-
 4-9-14 

still

am I still the man 

you thought I was
just slightly
more passe

do I make you laugh
though not as much
and keep you
less engaged

Are you holding on
though not as tight
to a man
who used to be

do I span the time
from loss to life
as someone
in between

-dp-
4-7-14

Hard Wood

as my thoughts rise to mediocrity,

or something quiet a bit less,
I think of you there
on the couch 
with your cats.
One in your lap, 
another by your side,
and a third, like a headrest,
saddled across the back of the couch
snoring. 

I think of you there 
in your popcorn crumbed
coffee stained, cat hair veiled
green terrycloth bathrobe with your
remote control in the left pocket.  A lighter
smokes, and an almost empty plastic
box of tic-tacs spilling into the right 
kept there just in case someone 
should arrive at the door or  
drop by.

So, I think of you there, love, 
watching The Price Is Right.
Drew Carey with his schtick and mike,
and you there shouting- "No! No, stupid! 
It's one-fifty-nine!  It's one fifty-nine!"
but sadly the TV guest doesn't 
hear you as the cat on sofa's back 
lumbers down and pees on the floor
sniffs it, then diligently scratches
hard wood.

-dp-
2-12-14

night light

The light you leave on 

in your closet

shines brightest

just under the door

it fans out ever softer 

casting  shadows

across the floor

shedding just 

enough light 

on your dreams          

I'll find my way 

somehow there

gently sneaking up

near your head and 

reach out ever softly

to stroke your hair, 

and hear you breath

-dp-

11-27-13

The light you leave on 
in your closet
shines brightest
just under the door
it fans out ever softer 
casting  shadows
across the floor
         
shedding just 
enough light 
for your dreams         

I'll find my way there
somehow gently
sneaking up
near your head and 
reach out ever softly
stroke your hair,
and feel you breath


-dp-
11-27-13