One Of The Crowd

Image Credit: Unknown though often attributed to Arthur Fellig (1889-1968) American Street Photographer.

Circus Comes to Another Small Town

The circus came along with its Tigers and tentpoles Elephants and elegant ponies Rolling right down main street

Excited whooping children followed

Wild free-range boys mostly (Where the girls free-range or otherwise were sadly, we will never know)

When the circus ceased its Creak and clatter Lurching to a stop

Those boys who ran alongside All the way from town Gathered before The fat lady’s trailer

Giggles crinkled their dusty faces Some pointed grubby fingers Some made faces puffing out their cheeks

Of all the wonders to behold When the circus comes to town

Those scruffy, wild, need a bath boys Ignore the acrobats, the orangutang, The clowns in make-up and everyday clothes

All of them Tumbling out of the trucks on the green just outside of town

To goggle and gape At Miss Ellie May Gump The fattest woman in world.

-Skye

Dark Matter

I am in the parking lot Breathing hard My breath traced by floodlight

The night is hooded I have lost the stars I have lost my car keys

I sit on the tar Lost in space

-Skye

Parking Lot, 2018

The Wraith’s Requiem

Thin strips of flayed flesh String the bow.

Time is always conducting us in and out of measure.

The ghost of my own making holds fast to darkness

Though, I let go so long ago

Learning to play for no one with fingers once broken

Beautiful terrible music unleashed into the world for me for me

for you.

-Skye

Requiem by Burak Ulker

House Hunting

We are looking for a house to keep dreaming really

I like tall grass and wildflowers hardly suitable for some respectable old manor nestled up on the hill of old St. Albans town.

Just a little way down out of town? You say

There is this fine old farmstead over looking Champlain

two Acres of fine grassy knolls but alas We are not people who mow

We would need goats to keep the field neat

I like goats you smile

I smile We can milk them and make soap

We are looking for a house to keep You and I

Victorian with turret? I say dreaming really

I’m so in love with you.

-Skye

Photographer: Tunguska  Source:  hknnvk

Death of My Muse

While you were sleeping I etched a poem across your back In soft gentle pen strokes Aching with love for you

You didn’t stir Not once You remained softly breathing Miles away from Me

In the morning my words for you are faded Smudged across the sheets Smeared across your skin

Divine inspiration in an astounding State of decay I have no more words for you in the harsh light of day.

-Skye

Artist: Even Liu. Source: Peepchic

Lovers on a Rainy Night

I would tether a cloud for you Because you love the rain at night

With a smile soft and wise you Pull me close and whisper I do not wish for a captive cloud

A lone cloud bound by rope Would weep cruel tears endlessly That would be a torture love

Let the rain drip From the eaves of its own accord Like tonight

You are here The rain is here I am happy.

-Skye

Ordinary

It’s the common things The row of milk Whole Skim Even Almond

It’s the cart with the Wonky Grumbly wheel

It’s holding hands While hunting   Creamed corn

(Who buys creamed corn anymore, anyways?)

It’s standing in line Watching apples Roll along the belt Knowing with certainty There will be pie.

- Skye 

Artist: Laura Berger Source: Virtual Art Curator

Stout Women

Hold each other up A collective of acrobats

Balancing upon each other So, no one will

Fall.

-Skye

Source: Winter tree and three crows, by Takeuchi Seiho (1890).

Haiku- In Winter Trees

Crows weigh on branches All wearing winter twilight Chattering with me.

-Skye