On this cloudy afternoon
rain taps upon the window pane
a light yet quite insistant tune
which washes off the pollen's stain.

In my recliner I look out
from here in this familiar room
at new green unfurled all about
and see black berries are in bloom.

So these are the between days
between winter's cold and summer's heat
between crisp skies humid haze.
Cool weather is in full retreat.

MASK
Where are the movers and shakers
the promises of better things
Where are the friends
where did the family ties go
who are these faces new
these bullies and these takers
who are these cannibals
feasting on my soul.

Halloween on the Isle of May

Roger the ranger was having a nap.
Fair exhausted he was, such a poor, sleepy chap,
When a rapping and slapping woke him in mid-snore;
He'd been woken up - by an Auk at the door!

Roger knew that no bonfire was lit on May Isle.
Halloween was ignored by the students, no piles
Of wet, slimy driftwood to form blazing heap;
Then was shocked as the puffin coughed out, "Twick or Tweet!"

Why do you not see?
That the words I write
Are just my poetry
Shouted from the heart
Each beat caught
Though it’s late at night

Come read and then say
That was it yesterday?
Or even today
Was it started,
On two days?
Did midnight overlay,
The theme?
Was just for you
The words so clean
A poem did I hear

I didn't care
I wrote, yet.
Did you read?
I have reached out
Now do you care?
That I was there
Standing by your side